For Academic Excellence

A group of accomplished undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Letters and Science at UC Santa Barbara have been selected to receive awards for outstanding academic achievement.

Ebelechukwu Eseka, who is graduating with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology, will receive the Deans’ Outstanding Senior Award in recognition of her outstanding scholarship and contributions to the campus community. The award is given on behalf of the deans of the College of Letters and Science.

Lance Cortez, who has completed a bachelor of science degree in political science, will receive the Luis Leal Social Sciences Undergraduate Award for outstanding interdisciplinary achievement in the social sciences. The award was established in honor of the late Don Luis Leal, a distinguished visiting professor of Chicana and Chicano Studies, whose presence and scholarship greatly enriched the Santa Barbara campus.

Olivia Langner, who is graduating with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry and biochemistry, will receive the Francis Colville and Terry Dearborn Memorial Award for outstanding academic achievement as an honors student majoring in the sciences. The award was established in memory of Francis M. Colville and Terry H. Dearborn, associate professors of physical education at UCSB.

Zachary Belgum, who has completed a bachelor of arts degree in economics and Chinese, will receive the William R. Reardon Undergraduate Award for outstanding academic achievement in an arts or humanities discipline. The award is named for William R. Reardon, a UCSB professor emeritus of dramatic art and former associate dean in the College of Letters and Science.