A big win in D.C.
Three Macalester students traveled to Washington, D.C. to compete in the Schuman Challenge. This academic competition requires students to develop and present policy proposals dealing with transatlantic issues in front of senior officials and experts at the European Union Delegation office.
Fabian Flores Solano ’28, Max Pabst ’28, and Mihailo Vucetic ’27, advanced from a 41-team preliminary round, featuring Ivy League and other top institutions, to the final 15 teams invited to present at the European Union Delegation. After advancing to the final round of presentations and questions, Macalester took first place.
“We were thrilled,” said Wendy Weber, senior lecturer in political science, who accompanied the students.
Along with trophies, the team won a trip to Brussels, where they will present their proposal to European Union officials.
A legacy on display
Macalester graduate, Cherie Riesenberg ’72, has work featured in Legacy: The Women of WARM Gallery, an exhibition celebrating 50 years since the Women’s Art Registry of Minnesota was founded in 1976.
The exhibition runs from April 10 to June 13 at Kickernick Gallery in Minneapolis and showcases 73 artists who were members of the groundbreaking women’s art collective between 1976 and 1991. All events are free and open to the public.
A Hall of Fame moment
Macalester trustee Ed Deutschlander ’93 was inducted into Finseca’s Management Hall of Fame at the 2026 Leaders and Managers Program conference in Nashville. The honor recognizes industry leaders for excellence in leadership, mentorship, advocacy, and advancing clients’ financial security.
Deutschlander is CEO of North Star Resource Group, a financial services firm headquartered in Minneapolis. The recognition highlights his impact on the profession.
Reflecting on the moment, Deutschlander called it “a special honor” and emphasized the role Macalester has played in his life.
“Macalester is one of the key pillars in my life,” he said. “I cannot imagine my life without it.”
Celebrating students who think globally
Macalester honored Oriane Sachs-Bernstein ’26, Kampe Rushoka ’26, and Rosie Bai ’26 with the 2026 Global Citizenship Awards. Presented each April by the Kofi Annan Institute for Global Citizenship, the award recognizes graduating seniors who exemplify academic excellence, internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement.
AI fellowship opens new doors
Sohail Khan Mohammed ’27 was selected for a full-year Break Through Tech AI fellowship for 2026-2027, offered by Cornell Tech at Cornell University.
“This allows me to learn about AI remotely and gain the mentorship I need to succeed in understanding current AI, including agentic AI,” Mohammed said.
Through the program, he will study machine learning, AI Studio, and agentic AI while working on real-world industry projects. He will also receive ongoing mentorship to help build a portfolio for potential careers in AI.
“I’m excited to learn deeply about AI and contribute in a safe, healthy, and sustainable manner,” Mohammed said.
Participants who successfully complete the program will earn a certificate and a $2,000 stipend. The fellowship begins in May.
A bright moment on Jeopardy!
Macalester graduate Stephanie Rice-Hoffner ’19 recently appeared on Jeopardy!, testing her knowledge on one of television’s most iconic quiz shows. She faced a formidable returning champion. While she didn’t unseat the reigning winner, she’s still a champion to the Macalester community.
A resonant achievement
Chuen-Fung Wong, music professor, earned the E. Gene Smith Inner Asia Book Prize from the Association for Asian Studies for his book Even in the Rain: Uyghur Music in Modern China. The citation calls it “a stellar ethnographic study of the cultural politics of Uyghur music-making under Chinese Communist rule” and adds, “Wong’s expertise in Uyghur language, ethnomusicology and musical instrumentation is breathtaking.” The association’s book prizes are among the most significant recognition of outstanding scholarship in the field of Asian Studies.
Writing worth applauding
Four Macalester students earned the school’s Gateway Prize for Excellent Writing, awarded annually for papers that demonstrate outstanding content, clarity, and presentation:
- Fine arts: Henna Schecter ’26, “Murmuration”
- Humanities: Sophia Weil ’28, “The Ludicrous in Short Form Texts”
- Natural sciences and math: Frances McConnell ’26, “Transit, Topology, and Structural Inequity”
- Social sciences: Yaretzi Garza Silva ’26, “Japanese, Asian American, and Other Communities”
Established by the family of Wallace F. Janssen ’28, the prize honors students who wrote for the Gateway magazine in the 1920s and 1930s. The 2026 selection committee included Jim Dawes (humanities), Sherry Imran (social sciences), Randy Reyes (fine arts), and Phil Rivera (natural sciences and math).
Alum named to 40 under 40
Macalester graduate Ahna Minge ’08 is among the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 honorees of 2026. Minge is deputy commissioner for enterprise finance and state budget director for Minnesota Management and Budget.
The list includes standout executives and entrepreneurs in the Twin Cities across a variety of industries: real estate, finance, hospitality, law and more. Through their professional accomplishments and community involvement they’ve risen to the top of hundreds of nominations to be selected by Business Journal editors as this year’s honorees of noteworthy young local leaders.
How to be considered for future Maccolades
If you or someone you know recently earned an award, fellowship, or honor and would like it to be considered for inclusion in next month’s Maccolades, please let Communications & Marketing know by filling out this Maccolades form. For recent book publications, please use this book publication form.