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CORVALLIS - Three Oregon State University students have earned campus honors for their work to support and encourage cultural diversity throughout the community.

Linda Flamenco, of Salem; Conrad Hurdle, Portland (97211); and April Waddy, Chicago, Ill., were each honored with OSU's Frances Dancy Hooks Award.

Hooks, an educator and retired national coordinator of Women in NAACP, established the award during a visit to Corvallis in 1994. Her purpose is to recognize and encourage student efforts in coalition building among diverse groups and individuals.

Honorees have consistently demonstrated courage, honesty and perseverance in helping others learn to value and honor diversity, said Phyllis Lee, director of OSU's Office of Multicultural Affairs.

Flamenco is a senior in political science, who is also studying Spanish, sociology and Latin America. She is director of OSU's Diversity Education Committee and vice president of the Hispanic Student Union.

Hurdle received his bachelor's degree in liberal studies from OSU in December. While at OSU he was active in OSU's Black Cultural Center, organized events for campus Black History Month Celebrations and served as president of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity.

Waddy, a junior in political science, is coordinator of OSU's Black Cultural Center and has served as president of the Associated Students of OSU. She's also involved with university, regional, and national committees working to improve conditions for ethnic minorities and women and is a member of the Oregon State Board of Higher Education.