{"id":32117,"date":"2026-04-29T20:38:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-29T20:38:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/?p=32117"},"modified":"2026-04-30T14:07:37","modified_gmt":"2026-04-30T14:07:37","slug":"winning-pitch-to-eu-officials-jeopardy-appearance-40-under-40-and-more","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.macalester.edu\/news\/2026\/04\/winning-pitch-to-eu-officials-jeopardy-appearance-40-under-40-and-more\/","title":{"rendered":"Winning pitch to EU officials, Jeopardy! appearance, 40 under 40, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

A big win in D.C.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fabian Flores Solano \u201928, Max Pabst \u201928, and Mihailo Vucetic \u201927, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe were thrilled,\u201d said Wendy Weber, senior lecturer in political science, who accompanied the students. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Along with trophies, the team won a trip to Brussels, where they will present their proposal to European Union officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A legacy on display<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Macalester graduate, Cherie Riesenberg \u201972, has work featured in Legacy: The Women of WARM Gallery<\/em>, an exhibition celebrating 50 years since the Women\u2019s Art Registry of Minnesota was founded in 1976. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2019s art collective between 1976 and 1991. All events are free and open to the public.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Legacy:<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A Hall of Fame moment<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Macalester trustee Ed Deutschlander \u201993 was inducted into Finseca\u2019s 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\u2019 financial security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Deutschlander is CEO of North Star Resource Group, a financial services firm headquartered in Minneapolis. The recognition highlights his impact on the profession.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reflecting on the moment, Deutschlander called it \u201ca special honor\u201d and emphasized the role Macalester has played in his life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMacalester is one of the key pillars in my life,\u201d he said. \u201cI cannot imagine my life without it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Celebrating students who think globally <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Macalester honored Oriane Sachs-Bernstein \u201926, Kampe Rushoka \u201926, and Rosie Bai \u201926 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

AI fellowship opens new doors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Sohail Khan Mohammed \u201927 was selected for a full-year Break Through Tech AI fellowship<\/a> for 2026-2027, offered by Cornell Tech at Cornell University. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis allows me to learn about AI remotely and gain the mentorship I need to succeed in understanding current AI, including agentic AI,\u201d Mohammed said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI\u2019m excited to learn deeply about AI and contribute in a safe, healthy, and sustainable manner,\u201d Mohammed said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Participants who successfully complete the program will earn a certificate and a $2,000 stipend. The fellowship begins in May.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Sohail<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A bright moment on Jeopardy!<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Macalester graduate Stephanie Rice-Hoffner \u201919 recently appeared on Jeopardy!, <\/em>testing her knowledge on one of television\u2019s most iconic quiz shows. She faced a formidable returning champion. While she didn\u2019t unseat the reigning winner, she\u2019s still a champion to the Macalester community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A resonant achievement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Chuen-Fung Wong, music professor, earned the E. Gene Smith Inner Asia Book Prize<\/a> from the Association for Asian Studies for his book<\/a> Even in the Rain: Uyghur Music in Modern China<\/em>. The citation calls it \u201ca stellar ethnographic study of the cultural politics of Uyghur music-making under Chinese Communist rule\u201d and adds, \u201cWong\u2019s expertise in Uyghur language, ethnomusicology and musical instrumentation is breathtaking.\u201d The association\u2019s book prizes are among the most significant recognition of outstanding scholarship in the field of Asian Studies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Writing worth applauding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Four Macalester students earned the school\u2019s Gateway Prize for Excellent Writing, awarded annually for papers that demonstrate outstanding content, clarity, and presentation:<\/p>\n\n\n\n