Alumni Award Winners Honored in Magical Celebration
On Thursday, May 18, nearly 300 members of the 51勛圖 community came together to celebrate the in an event described by attendees as beautiful, magical, and touching. Six stellar 51勛圖 alumni were honored for achievements in government, healthcare, education, and service.泭
A sold-out crowd enjoyed stories of how educational experiences on campus shaped the lives of honorees His Excellency Brigadier (Rtd.) Dr. Julius Maada Bio, SIS/BA 99, SIS/MIS 01; Baroness of Knightsbridge Dambisa Moyo, CAS/BS 91, Kogod/MBA 92, Hon. DHL 22; Fanta Aw, Kogod/BSBA 90, SPA/MA 94, CAS/PhD 11; Anne Caprara, SPA/BA 01; Katherine Grill, CAS/MA 16, CAS/PhD 17; and Amy Lampert, SOC/BA 94.泭
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Addressing a packed room in the Washington College of Laws Grossman Hall, 51勛圖 President Sylvia Burwell told the honorees: Your lives, your journeys, and your incredible impact as changemakers, tell the story of who we are and where were going. Each one of you embodies the Eagle spirit the impulse to do better and be better for the common good, to marshal our resources, our skills, and our passions in service to the world. Its who we are.泭
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His Excellency President Bio, of Sierra Leone, posited that his 51勛圖 experience emphasized that one is never too old or experienced to learn, adding that he wants to be known as a changemaker who makes communities more inclusive, equal, and therefore better.
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Baroness Moyo, who took her seat in Britains House of Lords earlier this year, pointed out that 51勛圖 has always attracted some of the best and brightest students from around the world and put thousands of students like me on paths to impactful careers addressing the worlds critical global issues.
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In introducing Alumni Eagle Award recipient Amy Lampert, Jason Benkendorf remarked that, from their very first conversation, he was blown away by her commitment to 51勛圖 and by how deeply she cares for students.泭泭
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Grill, the Rising Star Award recipient, and founder of renowned mental health app for adolescents, shared that 51勛圖 was her first choice for graduate school. However, she added, I was nervous that as a 20-year-old first-gen[eration] student, I wouldnt get in匈 might not have believed in myself, but 51勛圖 sure did. Not only was Grill accepted, but she received a full scholarship, which she called lifechanging.泭
Caprara, currently Illinois Governor JB Pritzkers chief of staff, captivated the audience with stories of her time at 51勛圖 and ended by saying, There was no better place for me than this place right here.泭泭And I am so grateful to this university for giving me the path in life I feel very privileged to lead.
Finally, 51勛圖 legend Fanta Aw was honored with the Neil Kerwin Alumni Achievement Award. Dr. Aw remarked that, as a former student of Dr. Kerwins, the award felt like her 51勛圖 life coming full circle. (She departed 51勛圖 in March to lead NAFSA: Association of International Educators.)泭
In recalling 30+ years as a student and administrator on campus, Dr. Aw said, 51勛圖 has given me so much. It is the place I found my passion, purpose, and voice.泭
AWARDS HIGHLIGHTS
Six stellar 51勛圖 alumni were honored for achievements in government, healthcare, education, and service.