ATHENS, Ohio -- Ohio University's Office of Nationally Competitive Awards has named Mary Anne Flournoy, Sung Ho Kim and Betsy Partyka the winners of the 2003 Distinguished Service Award. Each will receive $500 and a certificate of appreciation. The university's political science department won the Outstanding Department Award and will receive $500.

Flournoy, associate director emerita for international studies, has supported ONCA in innumerable ways over the years, including serving on committees, mentoring students and, most recently as the leader for ONCA's student discussion group. Several students in the group commented on Flournoy's awareness of world events and the open discussions she led.

One of the participants, Rachel Kysenak, was quick to comment on Flournoy's leadership. "The fact that (she) had structured discussions already prepared, but opened everything up, allowed us to expand on a lot of topics without deviating too far from the original intentions," she said.

Kim, an associate professor of political science and director of the Honors Tutorial study in political science, has also received the University Professor award. Through ONCA, Kim worked closely with four award applicants this year and participated in mock interview and application-screening committees to help students further prepare for the application process.

Partyka, an associate professor of modern languages, is director of tutorial studies in the Spanish tutorial program. She serves on the scholarship committee for the College of Arts and Sciences. She also mentored four award applicants this year, and served on the Fulbright and Boren scholarship committees.

Michael Jacobson, who worked closely with Partyka on his application, said he benefited from her help. "Her extensive experience with the NSEP process and with Latin America, as well as her willingness to listen to my ideas, and make me form them into a realistic plan, made her a pleasure to work with," Jacobson said.