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	Courtesy Photo Elizabeth DiNunzio was fatally struck by a pickup truck while jogging near campus. Purchase this photo

The discussion over the award, given for distinguished studies in Spanish, would come down to at least two candidates.

This year there was no debate, said Christine Blackshaw, assistant professor of Spanish in the department of foreign language and literature.

The award went to Elizabeth DiNunzio.

"Everybody I spoke to about her É they always just had wonderful things to say about her," Blackshaw said.

DiNunzio, 22, died Tuesday. She was struck by a pickup truck while jogging near campus.

DiNunzio was set to run in the Pittsburgh Marathon this weekend and was a member of the host committee. She was from Zelienople, Pa., just outside the city.

During the awards ceremony Sunday, marathon organizers will observe a moment of silence in her honor.

"She will be in our thoughts and prayers on Sunday," said Patrice Matamoros, race director. "We extend our condolences to her friends and family, and all of those who are touched by this tragedy."

DiNunzio was jogging south against the flow of traffic in the 16500 block of Old Emmitsburg Road about 3:15 p.m. Tuesday, said Lt. Tom Winebrenner of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.

There is no paved shoulder in that straight section of the road. DiNunzio was jogging on the travel portion of the road near the white line when she was hit by a 1995 Nissan pickup truck driven by Joshua Wayne Cool, 29, of Emmitsburg .

She was not listening to a music player when the crash occurred, Winebrenner said. The speed limit on that section of the road is 30 mph.

Cool will not be charged, Winebrenner said.

Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

DiNunzio was an avid runner who recently ran a half marathon in Washington. She also ran several races late last year near Pittsburgh, including the 31st annual Richard S. Caliguiri City of Pittsburgh Great Race and the St. Barnabas Medical Center 5K race.

She was a Spanish major with an education minor and certification in secondary education. She was set to graduate with honors from the Mount on May 10.

She interned at Tuscarora High School in the spring of last year and was a student teacher in several Spanish classes at Crestwood Middle School last fall.

"Ms. DiNunzio took her job very seriously, coming early each day to get prepared for her day," said Crestwood principal Kathleen Hartsock in an e-mail. "She enjoyed interacting with the youngsters. The students respected her and they responded well to her lessons."

DiNunzio had been offered a full-time job after graduation, teaching 10th-grade Spanish at Lake City High School in Lake City, S.C.

"She was very much looking forward to being a teacher," Blackshaw said.

Blackshaw, who taught DiNunzio in three classes during DiNunzio's four years at the Mount, remembered one day getting an e-mail from her just to say how much she got out of her classes. She also told her professor that because she was learning how hard it was to be a teacher, she appreciated Blackshaw even more.

"She had a very kind heart," Blackshaw said. "Everybody knew she was going to be a great teacher."