April 29, 2005

UTA ADMINISTRATOR MICHELE BOBADILLA
RECEIVES 2005 MAURA AWARD FROM SMU APRIL 28

Michele Bobadilla (center) with SMU President R. Gerald Turner and 2005 Maura Awards chair Tegwin Dyer Pulley (click image for high-resolution version).

DALLAS (SMU) -- Michele Bobadilla, who has spent nearly three decades helping high school and college students succeed in school and life, was honored with a 2005 Maura Award, presented by Southern Methodist University April 28 at the Pavilion at the Belo Mansion in Dallas.

As associate vice president for Outreach Services at the University of Texas at Arlington, Bobadilla oversees many educational initiatives and mentors hundreds of current and former students. Since beginning her career as a middle school teacher, Bobadilla has focused on encouraging students, particularly girls, to strive and succeed. She has personally funded PSAT/SAT classes and developed pre-college outreach programs -- including PACE, DAMAS and the Academic Excellence Award -- that have received national recognition and honors. Throughout her 27-year career, Bobadilla has served on the boards of more than 25 organizations, including National LULAC, for which she serves as vice chair of the Education Commission.

Established in 1978 by the Women's Center of Dallas, the annual Maura Awards recognize "those who have made extraordinary contributions to the success and wellbeing of women and children in the Dallas community."

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Southern Methodist University is a private university in Dallas with more than 10,000 students and offering degree programs through seven schools. More information about SMU is available at www.smu.edu.