The Neubauer PEER Educator Award was initiated in 2002 by the students in the PEER Educator group in order to give recognition to a faculty or staff member and a student who has manifested the mission statement of the PEER Educators; this mission is to promote well being, encourage healthy behavioral choices and heighten awareness of social health issues within the La Salle University Community.

The Student recipient of the 2003-2004 PEER award is junior Communication major, Denise Maher. Denise has been a features editor of the Collegian. In this capacity, she has written several editorials and articles addressing 'social health issues'.

Through her articles, Denise supported the change in the University's smoking policy, which made all buildings smoke-free. She has written editorials critical of the mass media's treatment of the female body image. She has tackled 'alcohol misuse' on campus and irresponsible sexual behavior. Recently, she wrote an article to raise awareness of cervical and uterine cancer.

Denise has never been afraid to 'swim upstream' and confront unhealthy collegial and societal norms. Her articles demonstrate courage and insight and have challenged students to make 'healthy behavioral choices' which is the mission of the PEER Education group.

Congratulations Denise!