Each year, during Brescia University’s Founder’s Week there is a tradition of recognizing one male and one female student who possess in remarkable ways the spirit of Saint Angela Merici. Angela Merici was a leader in great and small ways and touched the lives of many. She is responsible for the formation of the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph who founded Brescia University in 1950.
This year, Marketa Kreuzingerova, a junior studying accounting from the Czeck Republic and Peter Olisa, a sophomore in Engineering Studies from Nigeria-West Africa were nominated and chosen to receive this honor.
Saint Angela attracted people from all walks of life; rich and poor, nobility and common folk, learned and uneducated. She is often noted for her hospitality, her healthy sense of self in relationship to God and others, her contemplative spirit while being involved in the world and her ability to be a reconciler and peacemaker.
Any member of the Brescia family (Students, Faculty, Staff, Administrators) had the opportunity to nominate a Brescia student to receive the “Spirit of Angela Award.”
Marketa was described as a woman of integrity, with respect for others and their gifts and as a woman with an intellectual and spiritual hunger.
“Marketa has been an active member on campus and an example of academic integrity, from academics to residence life, international studies and events and internships” Sister Rose Marita, co-chair of the Spirit of Angela Committee said. “Marketa has a hunger to bring goodness to others each and every day in whatever way she can. In her there is found an example of humility, and servant leadership that is the epitome of the Spirit of Saint Angela Merici.”
Peter was recognized as a quiet, unassuming man of strength, as having a gratitude that is contagious and wisdom beyond his years. But what stood out about Peter most was his love for God.
“Above all, in my encounters with Peter, I have known him to be a man of God, a man who seeks and finds and questions in a way that further quenches his longing for God. Whatever difficulties he has experienced in his life indeed made him stronger and wise and compassionate,” Dr. Daniel Kuntz , co-chair of the Spirit of Angela Committee said.
Along with the “Spirit of Angela” recipients, a number of other student leaders were also recognized for their service to the Brescia community:
Alexxis Ross-Logan (Student Activities Program Board), Carleigh Jo Bright (Student Government Association), Samantha Walker (Women’s Track), Andrew Atkins (Men’s Track), Cynthia Leonardo (Student Ambassador), Sarah Elrhanjaoui (Women’s Soccer), Alejandra Matiz (Women’s Tennis), Jonathan Kamuf (Men’s Tennis), Italo Arruda (Men’s Soccer), Leah Armstrong (The Broadcast), Lutisha Buckner (Black Student Union), Aaron King (Baseball), Emily Fabrizio (Ichabod Society), Kumari Logan (Honors College-second year), Margaret Ballou (Honors College, first year), Allison Simpson (Psychology Club), Shelby Goff (Social Work Club), DeAnna Nash (Bearcadettes), Julie Whitfil (Women’s Basketball), Katie McClure (First Year Experience Peer Educator), Rose Ripa (Residence Life), Sara Morgan (Kentucky Education Association/Council for Exceptional Children)