(Newark, N.J., July 9, 2007) -- A total of 24 exceptional seniors were recognized by the Educational Opportunity Fund Program (EOF) at Rutgers-Newark's College of Arts and Sciences (NCAS) and the University College (UC). The students' achievements were recognized during an EOF awards ceremony in May.

The Educational Opportunity Fund was established in 1968 by the New Jersey legislature to increase access to higher education for economically disadvantaged New Jersey residents attending the state's colleges and universities. Many EOF graduates have gone on to graduate school and have become leaders in business, government and their communities. The Academic Foundations Center at Rutgers in Newark has administered the NCAS-UC EOF program since its inception.

Below is a list of EOF students who received awards and their hometowns.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Vineland : Claudia Anku, Academic Achievement Award

ESSEX COUNTY

East Orange: Monica Arrington, Academic Achievement Award; Althea S. George, Community Service Award

Irvington: Stephany Johnson, Academic Achievement Award

Maplewood: Tynslei Spence, Academic Achievement Award

Newark: Nicol Crank, Academic Achievement Award; Marie Felix-Paul, Academic Excellence Award; Brunilda Lozano, Perseverance Award; Saudhi Lugo, Academic Achievement Award; Taina Rivera, Academic Achievement Award; Tania Saavedra, Community Service Award; and Steve Wiggins, Academic Achievement Award

HUDSON COUNTY

Jersey City: Dolly Dave, Academic Excellence Award; Olivia Ibrahim, Academic Achievement Award and Community Service Award; Vrajesh Patel, Academic Achievement Award

Kearny: Rabia Iftikhar, Academic Achievement Award; Judith Nadal-Contreras, Perseverance Award

West New York: Arnulfo Ramos, Academic Achievement Award

MIDDLESEX COUNTY

Fords: Ankita Pathak, Academic Excellence Award

North Brunswick: Rodolph Mazraani, Academic Excellence Award

Piscataway: Muhammed Qureshi, Academic Achievement Award

PASSAIC COUNTY

Clifton: Aqsa Siddiqui, Academic Excellence Award

Passaic: Ismael Genao, Perseverance Award; Bindya Rana, Highest Grade Point Average; Kajal Rana, Academic Achievement Award

Paterson : Johanna Alva, Academic Achievement Award; Mohamed Ullah, Academic Achievement Award

UNION COUNTY

Elizabeth: Marilin Suero, Academic Achievement Award

Linden : Katarzyna Bednarczyk, Academic Excellence Award