MUNCIE, Ind. – Kathy Lucas, Work/Family Programs and two students have been honored by the Ball State University Women and Gender Studies Program.

Lucas, business administrator for the College of Sciences and Humanities, received the Althea Stoeckel Award for Distinguished Service, named in honor of the chair of the first women’s studies committee at Ball State. The award is presented for outstanding contributions to the program.

"When I need advice on program development, she has always served as a thoughtful sounding board and identifies very clever ways to proceed," said Kim Jones-Owen, program director. "She has lobbied for us, answered more questions than should have been asked and demonstrated unfailing commitment to our program and its advancement."

Marta Stephens, coordinator for Ball State’s Work/Family Programs, accepted the Gender Equity Appreciation Award on behalf of her staff. The honor recognizes a department or organization that promotes the advancement and empowerment of women at Ball State.

"They have a decade-long history of providing information about child care and family services to the Ball State community. In fact, Ball State is ranked among the top 29 family-friendly universities in the country," Jones-Owen said.

Two students share the 2000 Outstanding Women’s Studies Student Award. Bridget LeLoup, senior, psychology major from Valparaiso, and Carrie Lydon, senior, Spanish and political science major from Elk Grove Village, Ill., are working toward minors in women’s studies.

Lydon also was named the first recipient of the Muriel and Irene Goldman Scholarship, established in memory of women’s education supporter Muriel Goldman.

(NOTE TO EDITORS: For more information, contact Kim Jones-Owen by e-mail at kjones2@bsu.edu or by phone at (765) 285-8382.)