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New Outstanding International Achievement Award

by Cassandra Lalan

International Programs honored the winners of the Outstanding In­ternational Achievement Award during a reception at the Iowa Me­morial Union Gallery during International Education Week, Nov. 12-16, 2007.

William Reisinger presented graduate student Kate Karacay with the Outstanding Student International Achievement Award at the Nov. 15 International Education Week reception.

Holly Olson

William Reisinger presented graduate student Kate Karacay with the Outstanding Student International Achievement Award at the Nov. 15 International Education Week reception.

The new award is granted to UI students and community members who demonstrate significant accomplishments in advancing international understanding and education.

The student winner of the achievement award was Kate Karacay, a graduate student pursuing a master’s degree in interdisciplinary studies with an emphasis in international studies. Karacay is the founder and president of the Iowa Human Trafficking Awareness Project, member of the Iowa Network Against Human Trafficking, treasurer for the UI chapter of Amnesty International, and co-director of the Iowa United Nations Association.

Katy and Peter Hansen won the award in the community member category. The Hansens began their international careers as Peace Corps volunteers in the 1960s in Nigeria, and currently work to help students understand the world around them through local events, education and activities.

Katy Hansen serves as the co-director of the Iowa United Nations As­sociation and is a regular guest columnist in several Iowa newspapers.

Peter Hansen, a program assistant in the UI Department of Chem­istry in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, is an executive board member for the National Friends of Nigeria organization. He is also active in the Iowa United Nations Association, the American Civil Liberties Union and the Iowa City Foreign Relations Council.

“International issues spark pas­sion,” William Reisinger, associate provost and dean of International Programs, said. “We are incredibly fortunate to live and work in a com­munity filled with people who turn that passion into dedicated action. I am proud that, with these awards, the University of Iowa will regularly recognize how important such individuals are for the university’s educa­tional and public service goals.

“I could not be happier with the inaugural awardees. While far from alone in their concern for world issues, they exemplify particularly well a commitment to advancing international understanding and education.”