Three NIU students will receive General Motors’ Spirit Award for outstanding volunteer service.

Elmo Dowd, Christy Nosek and Lilia Vera were announced as the award winners by an independent committee of NIU students, staff and faculty.

“This award is a wonderful opportunity to recognize students for their pure spirit of volunteerism,” said Fabian De Rozario, a coordinator in the Office of Campus Recreation and the NIU GM College Program coordinator.

The winners will receive a plaque signed by GM Board Chairman Roger Smith and NIU President John La Tourette. They also receive five shares of GM common share stock.

The three will be recognized at a special reception Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Holmes Student Center Sky Room.

Applications for the award were available in September and were judged by a committee made up of five school administrators and two NIU students.

“It was a tough selection to pick only three winners,” De Rozario said. “Everyone who applies has a wide variety of involvement and knowledge.”