Dean of Students Awards
Macalester College strives for academic excellence in the context of internationalism, diversity, and a commitment to service. The Dean of Students Award honors students who live out the mission of the college not only by promoting one or more of the stated values, but also by demonstrating a genuine love of the community through his/her service to the college. This award is presented to at least one member of each class in recognition of their efforts throughout the current academic year. This year we have chosen two students from the first-year, sophomore, and junior classes and three from the senior class. The 2007-08 recipients are:
Amy Hill was nominated by Paul Dosh, Biology professor, Galo Gonzalez, Hispanic & Latin American Studies professor and chair, and Becky Heist, Theater & Dance professor. Amy is a current Junior and has volunteered at the Resource Center of the Americas as well as volunteered on fair trade at Ten Thousand Villages. She is a Campus Tour Guide who excels at bringing the spirit of Macalester to prospective students. Amy has worked on political campaigns, organized the “Get Out the Vote” campaign and is the co-chair for the MacDems. Her talents also include choreography for numerous events for dance performances. One of Amy’s nominators states “I expect that in a few years, I’ll be wishing I lived in a different state or district – so I could vote for her!” Currently, Amy is studying-abroad in Argentina.
Needham Hurst was nominated by Eily Marlow, Lilly Program Associate. Needham is a current first-year student who is already very involved in campus. He is an active member in the Lives of Commitment program. He volunteers weekly at the English Learning Center where he teaches English to mostly Somali refugees. He also created a new student organization, Sitting@Mac, which is centered around Buddhist meditation. He has been an active organizer of the School of the Americas Vigil. He has recently forged a relationship with the Macalester Plymouth Untied Church. Needham’s nominator states “Needham leads with grace and humility but at the same time packs a powerful punch”.
Jeffrey Jay was nominated by Chris Wells, Environmental Studies professor. Jeff is a current Senior. Jeff was one of the co-leaders and organizers of the Focus The Nation Conference in January. Jeff’s nominator writes “It is difficult, just by listing the various components of the event, to give you a full sense of just how much work the students did.” This overwhelming task of organizing and coordinating this event for over 575 participants left those involved to “have nothing but praise and admiration for the work that he did.” Other activities Jeff is involved in include chairing the Senior Gift Committee, serving on two Environmental Studies search committees, and serving as the student representative to the Environmental Studies Department. Jeff is also a student athlete trainer, had a research internship on the Australian Department of the Environment and Heritage, and is a member of MacCares.
Matthew Kazinka was nominated by Karlyn Wegmann, Campaign Event Coordinator. Matt is a current first-year student who has been already immersed in a wide range of campus initiatives for sustainability. Matt helped with the campus light bulb initiative, he was an active participant in the Youth Forum on Global Warming, he was the main writer in a sustainable society paper, and has other numerous initiatives of which he continues to be the driving force. Matt also plays in the jazz band and the wind ensemble. He sings in the Macalester Men’s Chorus and is involved in an off-campus cover band. His nominator states “Matt exemplifies the kind of engaged Macalester student that I feel so very fortunate to be able to work with on this campus.”
Nicole Kligerman was nominated by J.D. Bowen, Political Science professor, Paul Dosh, Biology professor, and Olga Gonzalez, Anthropology professor. Nicole is a currently a sophomore. Nicole has an impressive record of community service, including providing basic medical care to deported migrants on the US-Mexico border, teaching Peruvian students in a squatter village, serving children in rural Mexico, teaching formerly homeless youth in Philadelphia, and collaborating with an indigenous community to build an environmentally sustaining stove in Puebla, Mexico. She volunteers as an ESL teach, works as the College Sustainability Procurement Assistant, and has published an article in the Macalester Islam Journal. Nicole is a member of the Lives of Commitment group and also the Latin American Studies Student Coordinator. One of Nicole’s nominator writes “I would like to emphasize that I believe Nicole’s record in and out of the classroom place her among the most talented student leaders in the sophomore class.”
Madeline Kovacs was nominated by Karlyn Wegmann, Campaign Events Coordinator, and Chris Wells, Environmental Studies professor. Madeline is a current senior. Madeline was one of the student co-leaders for the Focus the Nation conference in January. This 575 participant conference required the Madeline to do amazing preparation and coordination of a highly successful project. Madeline was instrumental in coordinating the various speakers to campus with some rather difficult-to-schedule people. She is also widely involved in a number of other initiatives and organization including people Power Initiative, Alliance to Re-Industrialize for a Sustaining Economy, MacCares, as well as other numerous political and environmental discussions. Madeline also held a MN State Senate Internship. One of her nominators writes “Madeline has modeled academic success, community involvement both on and off the campus and across disciplines. Moreover, she’s a delightful person!”
Franz Meyer was nominated by Jim Hoppe, Dean of Students. Franz is a current Junior who is the President of the Macalester College Student Government (MCSG). He has become involved in the Minnesota Association of Private Colleges student government caucus and is an active member of the Macalester Cross Country and Track teams. He has provided direct leadership for the second Day of Change and Exchange and has worked closely with the Board of Trustees and College administration. His nominator states “Franz has contributed so much of his time and energy to making this campus a better place. He truly cares for his fellow peers, and respects and supports the College as a whole.”
Kristin Riegel was nominated by Eily Marlow, Lilly Program Associate. Kristin is a current Sophomore. She has been a sophomore leader in Lives of Commitment where she leads a reflection groups and takes student to work in the community. She is also a co-chair of the Mac Protestants where the program has grown in many community building projects. She is on the Multifaith Council. She is a Chuck Green Fellow and has received a Phillips Scholarship. She writes for the Mac Weekly and is active in Chaisma. Her nominator writes “Kristin is a student who rolls in one her spiritual life, her commitment to justice, and her ability to facilitate community. By doing this, she is able to create wonderful spaces for students and community members a like to fulfill their own passions and be in caring embrace of common energy of commitment.”
Pierangelo Rossi was nominated by Ruth Janisch Lake, Assistant Director of the Civic Engagement Center. Pierangelo is a current Senior. He is a staff member of the Civic Engagement Center and is the Coordinator of the College Access Issue Area. He has been a volunteer as an English and math tutor with recent immigrants and refugees. He is a program leader for the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network. He led 22 Macalester students and staff to participate in a Day at the Capitol to advocate on behalf of State Grant Program. He is involved in Adelante! as the Events Coordinator, a Resident Assistant in Residential Life, and worked in both the Alumni Reunion office and the Spanish Department. His nomination reads “Pierangelo’s commitment to internationalism, multiculturalism, and service to society has been demonstrated by his lived example throughout his four years at Macalester.”