Theology Students Honored with Leadership Awards

Author: Ann Hastings

The Blessed Basil Moreau, C.S.C., Leadership Award was awarded to Jenna Ahn. The award, established in 2010, is given to a graduating senior who embodies Blessed Father Moreau’s vision of educating heart and mind as well as a one who demonstrates a significant effort to advancing the Catholic character of the University.

Ahn has been extensively involved in both the Center for Social Concerns and Campus Ministry, serving as a student leader on a task force working to unite the students involved with both entities. As a theology and pre-health major, she participated in both the Summer Service Learning Program and the International Summer Service Learning Program through the Center for Social Concerns, traveling to Kolkata, India, to work with the Missionaries of Charity. Deeply impacted by her time in India, she procured a grant to return for another summer to conduct research on her honors thesis in theology. Ahn also served as resident assistant in Walsh Hall.

Elizabeth Tucker was given the Ray Siegfried Award for Leadership Excellence, presented to a graduating senior who exemplifies the qualities for which former Notre Dame Trustee Ray Siegfried, Class of 1965, was known, including leadership, generosity, devotion to the Catholic faith and affinity for athletics.

An accountancy major and theology minor, Tucker is a four-year member of the varsity women’s soccer team, serving as captain for her junior and senior year. A Capital One first-team Academic All-American and Academic All-District choice in varsity soccer, her leadership and generosity are evident both on and off the field. As team captain, she spearheaded team community service efforts, partnering the team with local hospital to adopt a patient, coordinating efforts to tutor at a local elementary school and organizing team participation with groups including Special Olympics and the Ronald McDonald House. She served as executive board member for the Notre Dame Student-Athlete Advisory Council and has participated twice in the Rosenthal Leadership Academy. Her volunteer activities extend beyond those with the team, assisting with the Notre Dame Vivian Harrington Gray Tax Assistance Program and visiting local elementary schools for weekly tutoring and as part of the Dream Team Program.

Originally published by Ann Hastings at news.nd.edu on April 04, 2014.