The University of Notre Dame鈥檚聽聽recognized seven students at the 32nd annual Student Leadership Awards Banquet on Tuesday, April 10. These聽聽honor current students who have made exceptional contributions to the Notre Dame community.
, honoring a graduating senior who has made substantial personal efforts to advance the interests of students at Notre Dame, was given to Xiao 鈥淔lora鈥� Tang of Beijing, China.
As a political science and theology major with a minor in peace studies, Tang has served as a senior anchor intern in the where she co-led the RCIA program, guiding students on a year-long faith journey toward becoming fully initiated into the Catholic Church. Also in Campus Ministry, Tang founded the first fellowship group to support the faith needs of Chinese Catholic students and faculty at Notre Dame. In addition, Tang served on the Orientation Steering Committee and as an international ambassador for .
聽annually honors a graduating senior whose leadership has significantly advanced the climate of welcome and inclusion within or beyond the University community. This year鈥檚 recipient is Gregory Jenn from San Diego, California.
A Latino studies, romance languages and political science major, Jenn is committed to improving the climate of inclusion on campus, especially for Latino/a students and undocumented students. In his time at Notre Dame, Jenn has served as the president of the , as president of Ballet Folklorico and as the student director of the mentorship program.聽
罢丑别听, given to a graduating senior who exemplifies the ideals of the University through outstanding community service beyond the University community, was awarded to Majak Anyieth from Bor, South Sudan.
A science pre-professional and education major, Anyieth holds a deep commitment to promoting peace through education in his home country of South Sudan. Before coming to Notre Dame, Anyieth attended the in South Africa. In his time at Notre Dame, he founded the nonprofit organization with the purpose of building schools in South Sudan and educating children in the hopes of becoming leaders and proponents of peace. Last spring, the organization opened its first school and welcomed more than 200 students.
罢丑别听聽was awarded to Liam Maher from South Bend, Indiana. This award is given to a graduating senior who embodies Blessed Father Moreau鈥檚 vision of educating heart and mind as well as someone who has demonstrated significant effort in advancing the Catholic character of the University.
An art history and political science major, Maher has been extensively involved in advancing the Catholic character on campus, particularly through leadership roles in Campus Ministry and the . He serves as the president of the Notre Dame Folk Choir and as the spirituality committee chair for the PrismND LGBTQ Alliance, and is a member of the .
Christopher Dethlefs from La Vista, Nebraska, was awarded the聽, presented to a graduating senior who exemplifies the qualities for which former Notre Dame Trustee Ray Siegfried was known, including leadership, generosity, devotion to the Catholic faith and affinity for athletics.
Dethlefs is a four-year member of the club, serving for two years as captain and personally raising more than $17,000 through Bengal Bouts. A resident assistant in Sorin Hall, he has also been the dorm service commissioner for two years and was a participant in the International Summer Service Learning Program through the .
Maxwell Ujdak from South Bend was awarded the聽, honoring an outstanding undergraduate student who exemplifies the qualities for which Russo was known, including service, personal character and striving to bring the best out of themselves and others.
Ujdak, a marketing and visual communications design double major, blazed a new path within the as the first student band manager to become a member of the Irish Guard. A resident of Zahm Hall, Ujdak was also one of two designers on the 2016 Committee, which sold more than 150,000 units.
罢丑别听聽was presented to Selena Ponio, originally from Manila, Phillippines. This award is given to a graduating senior who exemplifies the qualities of Moore, a former Notre Dame associate vice president, who was known for his integrity, character, commitment to Notre Dame and writing ability.
Ponio, an international economics major with a minor in the , has worked as a writer and editor for and interned at the and CBS鈥� 鈥�.鈥� Topics of her stories included the reaction of friends in her hometown of Dallas to the horrors of the 2016 shooting of police officers in that city, and memories of her own American citizenship ceremony.