Meet our 2024 Alumni Award Winners
CLA alumni are transforming the world. If you need proof, look no further than these eleven catalysts for change. Nominated by their peers, we're excited and proud to recognize this year's Alumni of Notable Achievement and Emerging Alumni Award recipients!
Alumni of Notable Achievement
The College of Liberal Arts Alumni of Notable Achievement award, celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, is one of two Outstanding Alumni Awards that highlight former students who have stood out as great leaders, professionals, and community service-oriented individuals. This award is one of the ways that CLA comes together to celebrate alumni for their achievements in all areas of society—career paths, interests, community involvement, talents, achievements, and more.
All nominees for this award are submitted by fellow CLA faculty, alum, staff, and friends, and the winners are selected by a committee of past honorees. This award was started in 1994 and has since been given each year (with the exception of 2019-20). These handpicked individuals are celebrated and honored for their impact on the world around them.
Lauren Buckley (BA ‘05, journalism and sociology of law, criminology & deviance), a “lifelong learner and creator at heart," exemplifies the power of a liberal arts education through her work in community-focused innovation and leadership. As co-founder of The Hush Collaborative and The Coven, she has created spaces for empowerment, inclusion, and meaningful impact, centering people and community.
Dr. Tenbit Emiru (BA ‘99, PhD ‘03, psychology), a “transformative healthcare provider and leader," promotes health equity and improving outcomes for underserved communities. As Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at UCare, she drives strategic initiatives to integrate whole-person care, expand mental health access, and reduce disparities.
Santino Fontana (BFA ‘04, acting), the "most distinguished alum in the history of the BFA Acting Program,” is a nationally acclaimed actor whose extraordinary achievements span Broadway, film, and television. A Tony Award winner for Best Leading Actor in a Musical for Tootsie, he has also earned accolades for his work in Disney's Frozen and TV series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg (MA ‘05, PhD ‘08, political science), "passionate about unleashing the potential of human capital for social transformation,” is a changemaker who fosters equity and empowerment. As the founder of Akili Dada and Black Women in Executive Leadership (B-WEL), she has created platforms that invest in young African women and amplify the voices of Black women in senior executive roles, addressing systemic barriers to gender equality.
Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg: A Visionary and Passionate Political Scientist
Caroline Kent (MFA ‘08, art), a "role model for her success and ambition as a professional artist," demonstrates creative excellence through her boundary-pushing work in abstract painting. A co-founder of an experimental gallery in Minneapolis and recipient of a Pollock-Krasner Foundation Grant, Kent has garnered international acclaim for her exploration of identity and language through abstraction.
Kathleen Kuehnast (PhD ‘97, anthropology) studies the impacts of war and violent conflict on women and their communities, aiming to "make the invisible visible" and recognizing the critical roles women play in building peace. Her work is in collaboration with practitioners, academics, and policymakers, where she strives to find common ground and common languages among these distinct approaches to understanding women in war.
Kate Nelson (BA ‘07, journalism), "one of few Native journalists recognized and respected at an international level," reshapes mainstream narratives, while producing widely read articles for top-tier media outlets. Her dedication to representation and storytelling with integrity has elevated Indigenous change makers and inspired dialogue in local and global communities.
Emerging Alumni Award
The Emerging Alumni Award is one of CLA’s Outstanding Alumni Awards that highlights recent graduates who have been remarkable leaders, creators, and community service-oriented individuals.
Nominees of this award are chosen each year by members of the CLA Student Board and past honorees of this award. All nominees are new alumni who have graduated from the College of Liberal Arts generally within the past 10 years. These individuals are chosen for their outstanding contributions to their fields and communities while still emerging in their professional careers.
Ahmed Anzaldúa (DMA ‘19, music), a "remarkable scholar, teacher, and conductor," is nationally recognized for amplifying marginalized voices. As founder of Border CrosSing, he has rebuilt choral traditions to integrate diverse musicians, audiences, and repertoire. His work, including co-editing the Justice Choir Songbook, highlights his commitment to using music as a tool for social change.
Gabrielle Grier (BA ‘17, art), an "artist, visionary, facilitator and participant of growth," is recognized as one of the Twin Cities’ top leaders in driving social and political change systems change. As the former Chief Innovation Officer and current artist in residence at the African-American Leadership Forum, she oversees strategies to address systemic inequities, and her leadership at Juxtaposition Arts culminated in the opening of a groundbreaking new building in 2023.
Dr. Scotty Horey (MM ‘09, DMA ‘13, music), an "immensely inquisitive and curious individual," is a professor of music at The Music School of Delaware and advocate for holistic awareness. His impact includes performances, clinics, and cultural exchange projects that foster unity and celebrate diversity, creating a powerful message of global interconnectedness.
Bethany Khan (BA ‘09, journalism), "absolutely instrumental in organizing the people of Nevada in key elections," harnesses the power of words to advocate for marginalized communities and elevate underrepresented voices. Through her strategic communications work with the Culinary Union in Nevada, she has advanced labor rights, mobilized workers, and influenced key political outcomes, including pivotal elections.
