Outstanding international students recognized

The University of Southern Indiana's Center for International Programs recently recognized two USI international students who have made a significant impact on the University community, as well as the community-at-large.

The Center's 2015 Outstanding International Graduate Award is Meschac Gervais of Haiti, and its 2015 Peace Ambassador is Batool Almanea of Saudi Arabia.

The Outstanding International Graduate award was established to recognize an international student with outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement upon his or her graduation from USI. Gervais earned a Master of Public Administration degree from USI this spring.

Heidi Gregori Gahan, associate provost for International Programs and Services, said Gervais is outstanding in every way. "Not only is he a stellar student in all respects, he has distinguished himself well beyond the classroom. He embodies servant leadership through his actions and words, and has the ability to connect our students with the community and thereby build bridges to greater understanding."

The Peace Ambassador Award was created to recognize an outstanding international student whose actions and involvement in campus and community life have contributed to greater cross-cultural awareness and to an increased understanding of the world, its peoples and traditions.

Almanea was recognized for her academic excellence and for the impact she made on the community while serving as an intern at a local health facility. While completing her internship at the West River Health Campus, her actions and words opened the doors of cultural exchange to over 250 staff members and residents at that facility.

Almanea's supervisor said, "Words alone will never be able to describe how delightful and amazing this young woman truly is.  She possesses a servant's heart and will serve her country very well. We have discussed cultural differences between her country and ours on everything including religious beliefs and taxation!  One of the things that has impressed the most is her eagerness to learn about our country and beliefs without judgment."

For more information about International Programs, go to www.usi.edu/international.