Two Pitt Seniors Receive ODK Senior of the Year Award

PITTSBURGH-University of Pittsburgh seniors Andrea E. Youngo, majoring in marketing and communication and rhetorical studies, and Joseph Pasqualichio, majoring in electrical engineering with a minor in economics, received the 2007 Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK) Senior of the Year Award during Pitt's annual Honors Convocation Feb. 23 in Carnegie Music Hall, Oakland.

ODK, founded in 1914 at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va., is an honorary society that recognizes students who maintain a high standard of leadership in collegiate activities. The award is given to students who possess and exhibit outstanding leadership qualities in service to the University.

Youngo is a member of Pitt's Academic Review Board, ODK National Leadership Honor Society, and Lambda Sigma Honor's Society. She also served on Pitt's Student Government Board for a year. As Pitt Program Council executive board director, Youngo is responsible for program planning and overseeing the budget. Other University activities include membership on Pitt's Alcohol Task Force, which allocates mini-grants to campus organizations and organizes events for National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week. Youngo started the V-Day Gala at Pitt, the first ever event to honor women leaders at the University. She also helped raise awareness of domestic violence and worked to raise funds that benefit the Women's Shelter of Pittsburgh.

Pasqualichio is president and academic chair of Pitt's Student Government Board, working full-time to manage more than 45 staff while maintaining a 3.99 GPA in engineering. He is a member of the ODK National Leadership Honor Society, Tau Beta Pi National Engineering Honor Society, and Engineering Student Council, as well as serving as treasurer of the Resident Student Association, scholastic chair of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, student representative to Pitt's Board of Trustees committees, and undergraduate representative to the University Senate. His volunteer activities include acting as mentor and supplemental instructor on Pitt's Engineering Leadership Team. In addition, Pasqualichio served as location coordinator for Western New York Coats 4 Kids Program, food service volunteer and camp counselor for St. Vincent de Paul Society Services, volunteer for Catholic Charities Refugee Assistance Program, and location coordinator for Sleepout for the Homeless, all in Buffalo, N.Y.

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