
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, May 19, 1994                   TAG: 9405190137
SECTION: CURRENT                    PAGE: NRV-8   EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY 
SOURCE: New River Valley bureau
DATELINE: CHRISTIANSBURG                                LENGTH: Medium

BLACKSBURG-CHRISTIANSBURG ROTARY HONORS MARGOT SEBBA FOR SERVICE

Margot Sebba of Blacksburg was honored Monday with the Citizen Recognition Award 1994 from the Blacksburg-Christiansburg Rotary Club. The award is given annually to a citizen who has made a major contribution to the community which exemplifies the Rotary motto "service before self."

Observations of life throughout her 73 years catapulted British-born Margot Sebba into volunteer work wherever she saw a need, starting with raising money for food, clothing and literacy programs in South Africa in the 1950s.

After moving to Blacksburg in 1979, Sebba pioneered the International Host Program at Virginia Tech. Students from other countries are matched with local American families who help them adjust to a new environment.

When the international student population at Tech doubled, Sebba was involved in the campaign to open Eggleston Hall where students can stay until permanent housing arrangements are made. In 1989, she was honored by the National Association of Foreign Students with the First Volunteer award. She has since conducted seminars at other campuses on creating international host programs.

Sebba served as president of the all-female Blacksburg Newcomers' Club in 1981 and expanded its membership to include men new to the area. She was one of the driving forces behind having a transit system in Blacksburg. As an active member of the League of Women Voters, Sebba spearheaded efforts to educate the community on waste disposal and recycling.

She has been a hospital volunteer for 15 years, Greater Blacksburg Chamber of Commerce member and co-chairwoman and volunteer for the Christmas Store.

All the attention to her and her award has "totally overwhelmed" this humble philanthropist.

by CNB