Duke has had plenty of nationally recognized All-Americans throughout the years, and the University got one more this week, of a slightly different variety, as senior Sara Hudson was named to USA Today's 2004 All-USA College Academic First Team.
The name of the award does not do her accomplishments justice, however. The award is not simply for her academic achievements, but recognizes her contributions to the community, both at Duke and beyond.
"I am amazed by her insights, aspirations and personal commitment on behalf of others," Vice President of Student Affairs Larry Moneta wrote in an e-mail. He added that Hudson possessed "incredible energy" and "a remarkable range of areas of involvement."
Hudson indeed has an impressive list of extra-curricular activities--she is co-president of Mi Gente, has worked with the Academic Integrity Council in modifying the University's honor code, helped start the Duke-Durham Hunger Alliance and is the co-facilitator of a house course that deals with ethical issues from inter-generational perspectives.
Beyond her work on campus and within the Durham community, she has pursued her interest in books, which she has incorporated into her Program II major, "History of the Book," through several research endeavors with the help of grants from Duke. Hudson has visited libraries across the United States and England to research the golden age of children's stories during the turn of the twentieth century, and this past summer she worked with the Mayan community of Xocen, Mexico, to compile a collection of children stories, as told by the children themselves.
Hudson has also incorporated Latino/a studies into her major, which she says came as a result of her close connection to Hispanic culture of San Antonio, Texas--where she grew up--and at Duke, through Mi Gente and her work in the Durham community.
As one of 20 recipients of the award out of 600 applicants, she is in exclusive company, receiving a $2,500 scholarship in addition to a trophy, which she says there is only one place for--her closet.
"I am not displaying a trophy in my room," Hudson said.
Despite her modesty, Hudson's involvement has given her plenty of fans around campus.
Vice Provost for Academic and Administrative Services Judith Ruderman, who worked with Hudson on the Academic Integrity Council, said that she was very easy to work with, very collegial and stressed the enthusiasm she had for her work.
"I feel like saying pages and pages about her," Ruderman said. "She's incredible."
Hudson said she was unsure of her future plans, but expressed interest in working with people at the grass roots level.
"I would love to do something in the community--something documentary based along the lines of what the [Center for Documentary Studies] does," Hudson said.
At the same time, she said graduate school is an important part of her future. She also has a few job offers, most of which do not interest her. However, there is one particular job for which she has unique expertise.
"In New York, I worked in a children's bookstore. That's an option I have," she said.
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