(Bluefield)—Dr. Sapphire Cureg, Director of Multicultural Affairs at Bluefield State College, was recently honored during the first annual Commission on the Status of Iowans of Asian and Pacific Islander (CAPI) Heritage ceremony at the Iowa State Capitol Building.

Dr. Cureg received the 2009 “Leadership Award,” along with other former members of the Asian American Council Board, Iowa Asian Alliance, Iowa Asian Alliance Board, and Governor’s Asian and Pacific Islander Advisory Council.  She continues to provide her voice and energy  on issues surrounding the Asian-American experience particularly the assimilation of new immigrants and refugees in Iowa.

Iowa Governor Robert D. Ray presented the awards.  Exhibitors representing more than 15 Asian and Pacific Islander ethnicities participated in the program.