May 5, 2003 -- Aura Newlin of Riverton, a self-designed major in ethnomusicology with minors in music and Spanish, has received the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award as the outstanding graduating female at the University of Wyoming.

The award, established in 1964, recognizes Newlin for exhibiting the finest leadership qualities as well as academic integrity and citizenship. It was presented during Torchlight Laurels ceremonies May 2 at UW.

It is the latest in a growing list of accolades for Newlin, who in February was one of only 20 students named to USA Today's 2003 All-USA College Academic First Team. The competition is designed to spotlight the best and brightest undergraduates at U.S. universities.

"Her accomplishments are well beyond what anyone would expect of even so remarkable and talented a young woman as Aura," wrote nominators Garth Massey, director of international studies, and Rod Garnett, professor of music. "A sense of adventure, enthusiasm and untiring efforts and positive outlook combine in this young woman and have propelled her to do wonderful things."

They note that she has worked since age 13 as a volunteer for a medical corps that serves the poor and rural people in Honduras. In winter 2001, Aura, the daughter of Doug and Sheila Newlin of Riverton, was profiled in UWyo magazine for her interest in and contribution to global issues, and international music in particular.

Newlin is director and co-founder of the Sikuris de Wyoming, a Peruvian pan pipe ensemble that has performed at the Wyoming Arts Council's 2002 Governor's Arts Awards and the annual convention of the Rocky Mountain College Music Society. She also is a member of the UW Cultural Flute Book Project, a collaborative effort to publish a book documenting the ways in which culture is expressed through the flute in various societies around the globe. She has assisted in the production of "Harmony from Titicaca," a recording of traditional Peruvian music with accompanying liner notes in English and Spanish.

"Aura Newlin is not a person to miss an opportunity, nor to miss the opportunity to make every experience memorable," wrote Garnett and Massey. "She grasps new moments and makes them her own, with the result that she is one of the most interesting and promising students we have ever encountered."

Carlos Mellizo, professor of Spanish, noted that, "Aura teaches, writes, sings, plays a variety of instruments, speaks foreign languages, has traveled around the world and is always ready to help other people and open herself to fresh ideas, new patterns of behavior, and different trends of thought."

Garnett and Massey noted Newlin's contributions go beyond her academic and music accomplishments. "Her genuine smile and warm friendship make her a popular and prized friend, colleague and mentor. Yet she sees herself as having only begun the journey of her life, and we are sure she is right."

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