Georgie Fu is first international student to win Lanford Presidential Prize

Zhuojun (Georgie) Fu, the recipient of numerous awards and accolades throughout her career at SUNY Fredonia, will become the first international student to receive the prestigious Lanford Presidential Prize. 

Ms. Fu, from Shanghai, China, will be given the 2012 Lanford award of the Oscar and Esther Lanford Endowment at the morning Commencement on Saturday, May 12, by SUNY Fredonia President Dennis L. Hefner.

She will graduate summa cum laude with dual majors in Communication-Public Relations and Computer Science, with minors in Leadership Studies and Applied Mathematics.

The award, generously created and endowed by the late President Emeritus Oscar E. Lanford and Mrs. Lanford, recognizes a member of the graduating class who has exhibited balanced achievement and exemplifies SUNY Fredonia’s ideals. It was established in 1995.

Ms. Fu, daughter of Yufei Fu and Jianying Feng, has held leadership positions in several campus organizations and been active in many programs. She was president of Golden Key International Honour Society; the Chinese Club and SUNY Fredonia chapter of the American Red Cross.

She has also served as an intern in the Public Relations and Sports Information offices and Campus Host Program, as a tutor at the Learning Center, volunteer with the Campus and Community Children’s Center, and student coordinator with the LuWan Exchange Program for the College of Education.

Her list of honors and awards is equally impressive. Ms. Fu has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence, L. Michael Dimitri Scholarship, Golden Key International Honour Society Scholarship, Feng Chiang Scholarship, Fiat Lux Scholarship, President’s International Scholar Award, Public Relations Society of America Buffalo Niagara Chapter May C. Randazzo Scholarship, SUNY Fredonia President International Scholar Award, SUNY Fredonia Scholar Award, Golden Key Regional Student Leader of the Year, Educational Development Program’s Tutor of the Year and Golden Key International Student Leader of the Year.

After graduation, Miss Fu will pursue a master’s degree in International Affairs with a merit fellowship at the Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University.

President Hefner congratulates Georgie for winning the Lanford Prize.

President Hefner noted that simply being nominated for the Lanford Presidential Prize is a high honor at SUNY Fredonia, due to the standards that nominees have to meet. The nominees this year were: 

• Steven Gangloff, Biology, Amherst, N.Y.;
• Michael P. Baker, Geology, Walworth, N.Y.;
• Keriann Ketcham, International Studies/Spanish, Fredonia;
• Kathleen Grace Fiori, Musical Theatre, Pittsford, N.Y.;
• Marissa A. Carmello, Communication Disorders and Sciences, Dunkirk;
• Lindsey Farrell, Communication Disorders and Sciences, Lancaster, N.Y.;
• Jessica Martorana, Elementary Inclusive Education, Penfield, N.Y.;
• Maggie C. Oliver, Communication-Audio/Radio and TV Digital Film, Redfield, N.Y.;
• Kristen Paler, Communication Disorders and Sciences, Fredonia;
• Leonard Smith, Exercise Science, Brooklyn, N.Y.;
• and Jennifer Zelasko, Business Administration and Economics, Cheektowaga, N.Y.