Twenty students from the Minnesota State colleges and universities were nominated for the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award. Each student will receive a $500 award.
- Sebastian Ahumada, Alexandria Technical and Community College
- Frances Abanonu, Anoka-Ramsey Community College
- Josephine Carroll, Anoka Technical College
- Teghan Grulkowski, Bemidji State University
- Emily Westerdahl, Dakota County Technical College
- Abdulhakim Abdurahman, Hennepin Technical College, Eden Prairie Campus
- Abdulmajed Mohammed, Metropolitan State University
- Micaela "Key" Rose, Minneapolis College
- Kris Stach, Minnesota State Community & Technical College
- Tangagnon Medina Ouattara, Minnesota State University, Mankato
- Isabella Mork, Minnesota State University Moorhead
- Ashley Sherman, Normandale Community College
- Ali Alshaban, Northland Community and Technical College
- Faizon Francis, Rainy River Community College
- Alyssa Anderson, Ridgewater College
- Taylor Dabrowski, Rochester Community and Technical College
- Bonnie Frias Mejia, South Central College
- Michael Drabik, St. Cloud State University
- Amy Heibult, Southwest Minnesota State University
- Amy Pospichal-Heublein, Winona State University
Why the college or university staff nominated them:
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This is a sample of why the college or university staff nominated them:
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They show maturity, open-mindedness, leadership and critical thinking skills in every area such as culture, equality, rights.
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They recognize their role and responsibility as a local and global citizen. They have a knowledge and appreciation for diverse perspectives and has been able to work across barriers of difference to accomplish various tasks.
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They serve on both their campus Equity and Inclusion committee as well as the Minnesota State system office’s committee for Equity and Design. They give insight and perspective about marginalized populations, consistently questions how action plans can be more equitable, and advocates for just solutions.
- Excerpt from the student’s essay: This year, we understood that no one nation, people, religion, or creed could unilaterally deal with contemporary challenges of pollution, population, poverty, pandemics, and peace. Covid-19 showed us that what is affecting China can quickly affect the world. Rich or poor, great or small, this virus has impacted all of us. We will now be able to see how our fates are linked. This pandemic marks the end of hyper-individualism and the beginning of self-awareness, innovation, faith, and interdependence. As individuals we realize how much we need our family and friends. As a community, we understand that we need to work together to stay safe. On a global level, countries realize that things are less difficult with external aid. Even countries with difficult relationships help one another. We are all sharing a common adventure in a common home.
Congratulations to all the recipients!