In an impressive showing, two Tufts seniors were named to USA Today's Academic All-America teams on Tuesday. Mauricio Artinano and Robin Liss, who made the Academic First and Third Teams respectively, were among 600 nominated applicants.
Artinano, one of 20 students to make the Academic First Team, received a trophy and a $2,500 cash award.
USA Today described the First Team as "students who think globally - and act globally too." Artinano fit the bill: He has arranged an upcoming titled "Lessons Learned on Regional Peacebuilding: The Results of the Central American Peace Process." The conference, which involves political, military and economic leaders, will take place at Toledo International Center for Peace next month in Spain.
Artinano first heard of his selection two weeks ago.
"It's a big deal for Tufts," he said.
According to Artinano, his native country of Costa Rica has taken pride in the award. "The main newspaper put the story on the cover page and named me person of the day [today]," he said yesterday. "I got an e-mail from my mom's hairdresser and my sixth-grade counselor."
Liss, a political science major, was recognized by USA Today for her founding of "independent camcorder review publications."
Liss owns two Web companies - www.camcorderinfo.com and www.digitalcamerainfo.com - that provide reviews, news and information about digital recording equipment. The company has offices in Davis Square and New York.
According to Liss, who has appeared on CNN to discuss ethics and technology review, no one from USA Today had contacted her to notify her of her selection.
"[I] didn't know until [the announcement was] in the paper," she said.
Dean of Undergraduate Education James Glaser encouraged Liss to apply after reading a profile of her company in the Boston Globe. Liss was then nominated as an applicant by Political Science Professor Jeffrey Berry.
Liss will receive a certificate for her selection to the Academic Third Team. "It's great to be recognized," she said. "But I don't think anything specific will come [from the award]. I hope to use it to build on the light of the company as USA Today saw it."
She viewed her recognition to be unlike others', as her extracurricular activity is "business-based."
"A lot of people on the list are less businessy, with on-the-face socially-driven causes," she said.
The applicant pool for USA Today's 17th annual competition consisted of college undergraduates, all of whom had to first be nominated by their respective institutions. According to USA Today's press release, "judges considered grades, leadership, activities and, most importantly, how students extend their intellectual talents beyond the classroom."
