James Sears, Staff Writer
Folks gathered at the second annual International Achievement Awards in Kennesaw last week to honor a Kennesaw State University student, alumna, faculty and others.
The International Achievement Awards, which honors those at KSU who have contributed to global awareness and international cooperation in the previous year, was held at the Marietta Country Club in Kennesaw on March 26. Recipients included sophomore exercise science major Destiny Nieves, Elizabeth Elango Bintliff of Heifer Project International, Dr. Laurence Sherr, a professor of music at KSU, Dr. Daisaku Ikeda of Soka Gakkai International, and Alberto Quinti of the Il Sasso Language School.
“Kennesaw State University has a reputation as a global leader in international education and global engagement,” Dr. Lance Askildson, Executive Director of KSU’s Institute for Global Initiatives said.
The event is organized by the division of global affairs and funded by the Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth Foundation. All money raised during the event went towards KSU’s study abroad programs.
Nieves, who is a member of Delta Epsilon Iota and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, received the Emerson Scholarship for the Advancement of International Education and is the first student to be honored at the International Achievement Awards.
“This is really humbling,” Nieves said. “There are so many people here who are smart, talented and passionate, so just for the committee to see potential in me is really appreciated.”
The Emerson Award provides financial aid to students who embark on a Division of Global Affairs education abroad program that includes a formal service, learning or community engagement component.
President Daniel S. Papp commented on Nieves’ achievement.
“Destiny’s award this evening and what Destiny herself is doing is one of these classic faces of higher education,” Papp said. “Changing lives and people; that’s what higher education is all about.”
Bintliff, who earned her bachelor’s in international studies at KSU and master’s in African studies at Yale University, received the Madhuri and Jagdish N. Sheth Distinguished Alumni Award for Exceptional Humanitarian and Service Achievement.
“The world truly is a global village and each of us is connected to the other,” Bintliff said. “Tonight I want to call on those who have resources to give, those who have influence to act, and those who have platforms to speak until hunger, poverty and inequality are things of the past.”
The Alumni Award is given to those who have made great contributions to government, humanity, science, art, or human welfare.
Sherr, a composer-in-residence at KSU, received the Distinguished Faculty Award for International Achievement.
“It’s been my great pleasure to be at KSU for the past 20 years to find support from the chair, from my dean, from the International Global Institute…and from the university to carry out the work I do,” Sheer said.
The Faculty Award is given to those who exhibited excellence in teaching, research and creative activity, and professional service.
Other honorees include Ikeda, who received the 2015 Kennesaw State University Global Public Service Prize for his work with creating peace, valuing diverse cultures and promoting education; and Quinti, who received the Division of Global Affairs Distinguished International Community Partner Award for his work with KSU to establish international outreach in Italy.
Papp closed the night by inviting everyone to Montepulciano, Italy from May 30-31 to dedicate KSU’s first international campus.
