2008 Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis Jr. Achievement Award recipients announced

Four University of Wisconsin System students, including two from UW–Madison, will receive this year’s Alliant Energy/Erroll B. Davis Jr. Achievement Awards, recognizing outstanding scholarship and community service.

Here are the 2008 winners:

• Tyrus S. Cartwright of UW–Madison is a first-generation college student who is expected to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in December ’08. His community service includes membership in the National Society of Black Engineers and the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity.
• Pachia Lor of UW-Platteville is also a first-generation college student, planning to receive her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration. She currently serves as a commissioner of the Segregated University Fee Allocation Commission and has served as a board member for the Hmong Mutual Assistance Association.
• Duane G. Mahone received his Bachelor of Science degree in civil engineering from UW-Platteville in December. Duane was a member of the Black Student Union, a Resident Assistant, and a member of the school’s football team.
• Kyle S. Munoz is a senior at UW–Madison and expects to receive a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration in May. He has participated in both the Chancellor’s Scholarship Program and the Multicultural Business Students Association on campus.

All will be honored Friday at a luncheon from 12:30 — 3:30 p.m. at the Pyle Center in Madison. Award presenters will include UW System President Kevin P. Reilly, UW System Senior Vice President Rebecca Martin, and Alliant Energy Foundation President Barbara Swan.

"These students set high standards for themselves and worked hard to meet and surpass those standards. They are an impressive group, highly motivated, and already very accomplished. The community involvement of these students is an inspiration to all of us who urge our young people to put their talent to use to improve the society they will soon lead," says Reilly.

Made possible by the Alliant Energy Foundation, which established a $400,000 endowment fund in 2007, awards are given in honor of former Alliant Energy CEO Erroll B. Davis, who now serves as chancellor for the University of Georgia System. Paying tribute to Davis’ legacy, award recipients represent undergraduate students from traditionally underrepresented minority groups who are pursuing degrees in engineering or business, two degrees held by Davis. Recipients must be enrolled at either UW–Madison or UW-Platteville, campuses in regions of the state where Alliant Energy provides energy services.