COLUMBUS -- Five student veterans have been selected as winners of this year’s Arnold Skurow Student Veteran Award. The student veteran award is named in honor of Arnie Skurow - a key leader in helping disabled veterans and Vietnam-era veterans receive affirmative action rights. Arnie was a charter member of the campus chapter of AMVETS and served as an advisor and positive influence to many staff and student veterans. He was a long-time senior computer specialist in OIT. Arnie passed away unexpectedly in 1996.

The award is open to student veterans enrolled at Ohio State. Applicatants are evaluated based on the following criteria:

· demonstratedinvolvement in veteran and community activities

· provenacademic accomplishment

· financial need

· recommendationfrom faculty member

This year’s winners are: Jason Falivene, Ronald Garrick, Mitzi Hines, Alejandro Ramos and Nicholas Spurck. Each receives a $300 award from the Veterans Affairs Fund, which is part of the Community Charitable Drive.

Jason Falivene is a fourth year Political Science major at Ohio State. He served in the Marines for eight years, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant. Jason is very active on campus and in the community having served as Toys for Tots Coordinator, Pi Sigma Alpha Fraternity member and Executive Director of the College Republicans. In addition, Jason maintains a 3.4 GPA and has received several honors including membership in the NROTC Honor Society and the Golden Key International Honor Society, as well as being chosen the recipient of three Mershon Grants for academic performance.

Ronald Garrick is a second year Business Finance major with a 3.9 GPA. Ronald served in the Marines for 6 years, earning the rank of Sergeant. He is ranked first amongst all Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) Marines, a ranking that takes into account his GPA, physical fitness test score and general officer aptitude rating. An active member of the NROTC Semper Fidelis Society, Ronald trains physically four days per week, and serves as a military subjects instructor for the NROTC Battalion. He also volunteers as part of the color guard at Ohio State basketball games. Ronald is married and has 2 daughters.

Mitzi Hines is a fourth year Biology major at Ohio State. She has served in the Ohio Air National Guard for three-and-a-half years achieving the rank of Specialist 4th Class. Mitzi is also very active on campus in volunteer and mentoring activities. She is an advocate for the Sexual Assault/Domestic Violence Program, a South High School mentor, and participates in a variety of fund raising events such as the “Race for the Cure” and Operation Feed. Mitzi is a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority where she has served as Chaplain and Activities Chair. She currently maintains a 3.4 GPA.

Alejandro Ramos is a first-year Communications major with a 3.8 GPA. Alejandro served 6 years in the Marines and earned the rank of Sergeant. He is a member of the Ohio State Honors Program, the Semper Fidelis Society and NROTC. As a Platoon Commander, Alejandro ensures that more than 15 NROTC students maintain their training motivation and focus. He ranks second amongst all Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program (MECEP) Marines, a ranking that takes into account his GPA, physical fitness test score and general officer aptitude rating.

Nicholas Spurck is a fourth year Information Systems major with a 3.7 GPA. He is one of only a handful of students admitted to the Master’s/Bachelor’s 3/2 program. Nicholas is a member of the US Navy and served for almost five years as a Specialist 4th Class. Father of a 19-month-old daughter, Nicholas also works two part-time jobs in addition to going to school ­ one at The Ohio State Executive Education Office and the other at Webster Industries in Tiffin, OH. He has achieved senior status in only 9 quarters and has been inducted into Alpha Lambda Delta and Phi Eta Sigma honorary societies.

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