News

University of Minnesota Crookston associate professor Danielle “Dani” Johannesen, Ph.D. has been announced as a 2022-2023 recipient of the Horace T. Morse University of Minnesota Alumni Association Award for Outstanding Contributions to Undergraduate Education.

University of Minnesota Crookston’s Black Student Association (BSA) has returned in 2023 with a renewed outlook in hopes to increase involvement and visibility. BSA president Amarah Byakweli and vice president Sumaya Ugas have taken the lead on giving students of all races the chance to honor black history, culture, and way of life.

Sumaya Ugas was born and raised in San Diego, California by her parents, Sahra and Mohamed, who are both from Somalia. She comes from a large family, with seven sisters and one brother, and is a first generation African American.

Amarah Byakweli is Congolese, with both of her parents being from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Growing up, Byakweli knew she wanted to explore different countries and cultures, primarily because she wanted to learn more about the DRC of Congo in Africa.

Crookston Rotary Club recently awarded their Fall 2022 scholarships to University of Minnesota Crookston Students of the Month Braden Letourneau, Annjelica Moreno-Englebrecht, Samantha Olek, and John LaCoursiere. The students were recognized and awarded on January 27 at halftime of the basketball game in Lysaker Gymnasium.