Two CAS International Students Earn Scholarship for Supporting Other Students
Two undergraduate international students in the College of Arts and Sciences at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville have been honored for their involvement on campus and commitment to making other international students feel welcome at SIUE. Sophomore Blessing Udoh and junior Quynh Nguyen are two of the three recipients of this year’s Richard and Patricia Dremuk International Scholarship bestowed by the SIUE Office of International Affairs.
“Both of these students contribute to SIUE’s mission of ‘shaping a changing world,’” said Mary Weishaar, PhD, executive director of the Office of International Affairs. “Please join me in congratulating them on this award.”
Udoh, a biological sciences major from Nigeria, has found a second home at SIUE. As a Meridian Scholar, she is committed to her coursework, but she also makes time to serve those in need. Udoh has volunteered extensively in the community, including with the Cougar Cupboard and as a notetaker for the Office for Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS). She is a member of the African Student Association and the American Medical Student Association, and she serves as a mentor in the Honors Student Association.
“Being involved on campus creates a sense of community for me,” explained Udoh. “I think people have this idea that volunteering and giving back has to be huge, but it can just be something really basic like sharing your notes with another student or helping out.”
When Nguyen arrived on campus as a freshman, she was homesick for her native Vietnam. After missing her new international student orientation, it took her longer than expected to adjust to life on campus. For that reason, the mass communications major has dedicated much of her time outside of class during the past few years to helping new international students acclimate to campus life. Nguyen is a member of the Global Ambassador Program and volunteers with the Office of International Affairs for the new international student orientation she missed for herself. She also participated in a video for the Office of International Admissions, sharing her experiences as an SIUE student.
“I missed my own orientation, and I feel like I missed a lot of information that is useful for international students to know,” said Nguyen. “So that’s why every year I want to help students get used to their new environment.”
For earning the Richard and Patricia Dremuk International Scholarship, both Udoh and Nguyen will receive a $2,500 scholarship funded by an endowment gift from Richard and Patricia Dremuk.
Photo: Sophomore Blessing Udoh (left) and junior Quynh Nguyen are two of the three recipients of this year’s Richard and Patricia Dremuk International Scholarship.
