Pitt Nursing Student and Army ROTC Cadet Is 2005 Emma W. Locke Award Winner

PITTSBURGH—Malgorzata Bujak, a senior in the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing with a 4.0 grade point average who also is an Army ROTC cadet, was named the 2005 Emma W. Locke Award winner during Pitt's annual Honors Convocation Feb. 28 in Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall Museum, Oakland.

Established in 1946 by Charles A. Locke in memory of his mother, the award is presented annually to a graduating senior in recognition of high scholarship, character, and devotion to the ideals of the University. The student must have at least a 3.85 GPA and plan to continue his or her education after graduation.

Bujak, who will continue her military career following graduation, plans to pursue an advanced degree in nursing.

From Key West, Fla., Bujak was recognized as a University Scholar in her junior year and is a member of the National Dean's List. Her other awards include the Margaret and Arthur Dick Scholarship, the Ellen B. Rudy Endowed Scholarship for Future Leaders, and the Rebecca Olive McKinney Fund for Student Resources.

In addition, Bujak was named in 2004 the Top Army ROTC MS III Nursing Cadet in the Eastern Region, which comprises more than 160 nursing schools. She is executive officer, the second highest-ranking position, in the ROTC program and is responsible for planning all training-related and social activities, the cadet fund, and fundraising.

A member in the Nursing Student Association at the local, state, and national levels, Bujak has been a delegate in the association several times, including her current position as senior delegate for financial affairs. She also reorganized and is president of the Polish Student Alliance—formerly the Polish Club—and is a member of the Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society, National Scholars Collegiate Society, Golden Key International Honor Society, and Polish Cultural Council. She was a member of the Newman Club, a Christian service club, and served as its chair for two years.

Bujak's volunteer endeavors include helping to restore a West Virginia food pantry during an alternative spring break trip; working at Birthright, an agency that provides aid to pregnant women in need; assisting at the Jubilee Soup Kitchen; and helping the Allegheny County Health Department administer flu shots at Heinz Field last fall. She also works at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh as a patient care technician on an adolescent medicine floor.

Bujak is a member of the Polonia Dance Ensemble and was a member of the color guard for Pitt's marching band.

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