The International Programs staff congratulates Father Jean-Pierre Bongila and Alexandre Ferreira, winners of the 2010-11 Global Citizenship Award.
They are recognized for their commitment to international and intercultural awareness throughout the St. Thomas community, their contributions to improve the climate for people of other cultures at UST, and connections they make between the UST community and the world.
International Programs thanks everyone who nominated someone for the awards and to every member of the St. Thomas community who is committed to global issues and understanding. The awards were presented at the annual GMSA International Dinner on Saturday, April 16.
Faculty Award: Father Jean-Pierre Bongila, School of Education
Father Jean-Pierre Bongila
Father Jean-Pierre Bongila is an assistant professor and director of the International Leadership Program in the Leadership, Policy and Administration Department of the School of Education at the University of St. Thomas. One of his nominators wrote that Bongila “exemplifies the characteristics of a global citizen both inside and outside the classroom.” He has made the St. Thomas experience a global one by being an instrumental figure in the formation of the Master’s Program in International Leadership that enhances students’ capacity for global leadership with a solid understanding of cross-cultural issues. In addition, he is the founder and organizer of the International Leadership Forum, which hosts national leaders and international heads of states, including former democratically elected African leaders. Bongila also developed and led the short-term study abroad program Leadership in International Contexts in South Africa.
Student Award: Alexandre Ferreira
Alex Ferreira
Alexandre Ferreira (Alex) was born in Brazil, came to Minnesota in 2009 and began taking classes at the ELS Language Center on UST’s St. Paul campus. Since then he has been an integral member of the student body and an advocate for inclusiveness and the promotion of cultural exchange on campus. Ferreira is a junior, majoring in English, and is a member of the Globally Minded Student Association, Literary Club and is an International Student Ambassador at the International Recruiting and Admissions office. He has made it one of his missions to educate the UST community’s perception of Brazil by giving many presentations on campus. His nominator wrote, “Being from Brazil, Alex has been an amazing ambassador for his country. He has also been a great ambassador for ELS students and has shown such success in not only his academics but through his English proficiency. He is a great role model for our students.”
