(PHOENIX, Ariz., May 12, 2004)—Recently, Candita Woodis-Rucker, a second year Tribal Court Advocacy student at Phoenix College, was among 50 national students awarded a $350 honorable mention from the Morris K. Udall Foundation. The foundation distributed 80 scholarships and 50 honorable mention awards for the 2004-2005 academic year to exceptional undergraduate sophomores and juniors from 34 states.

With such a large number of qualified applicants, the Morris K. Udall Foundation decided to increase the number of honorable mentions from 30 to 50 for the first time this year. According to the Morris K. Udall Foundation, the number of deserving students was simply greater than the number of scholarships and honorable mentions available.

Students receiving scholarships and honorable mentions from the Morris K. Udall Foundation are selected on the basis of academic merit and then nominated by their colleges and/or universities nationwide. Awards are granted to students who most often demonstrate a commitment to fields related to the environment, and to Native American and Alaska Native students who choose to pursue health care and/or tribal public policy.

Established by Congress in 1992 to honor Congressman Morris King Udall and his legacy of public service, the Morris K. Udall Foundation operates an educational scholarship program designed to provide opportunities for outstanding U.S. college students with excellent academic records. Civility, integrity and consensus distinguished Congressman Udall’s career. Consistent with these values, the Morris K. Udall Foundation is committed to educating a new generation of Americans to preserve and protect their national heritage.

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