LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ -- Dana Lopes of Jackson, NJ, was named Tutor of the Month for February by Rider University's office of tutoring services. Lopes is a graduate student at the University, pursuing a Master degree in human services administration.

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Rider in May, 1997, with a double major in psychology and sociology and a minor in law. She was selected for the award based on her outstanding work and commitment to tutoring students in psychology, sociology, and political science courses. Lopes is the first graduate student to receive this award.

"We wanted to award her for her excellent work with the students," said Ron Huslin, director of tutoring services. "Dana forms a good rapport with the students. She shows how much she really cares for them."

The office of tutoring services began honoring top tutors with this award last fall. Six tutors are selected during the academic year.

Lopes, who plans to become a counselor and pursue a doctoral degree in psychology, is also the recipient of the John Henry Clemons Social Commitment Award. This award was established in memory of John Clemons, an outstanding tutor in the tutoring services program who died shortly after graduating from Rider University.

Rider University is an independent, coeducational, nonsectarian institution with a 353-acre main campus in Lawrenceville, New Jersey and a 23-acre campus in Princeton, New Jersey. The University offers 58 undergraduate programs and 17 graduate programs in the Colleges of Business Administration; Liberal Arts, Education, and Sciences; Continuing Studies; and Westminster Choir College. Ninety-three percent of the faculty hold doctoral or other appropriate advanced degrees. U.S. News and World Report has again ranked Rider in the top tier of northern universities based on the quality of its programs.