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Est. 2014
Capstone project has Paw Ler Shwe reflecting on his roots
When Paw Ler Shwe walks across the stage to receive his bachelor’s degree in health sciences on May 15, his steps will represent a much longer journey. His journey is one of distance and one of acceptance — learning how to succeed in a new environment, coming to terms with his identity, and, above all, helping others down the same path.
Everything is adding up for Professor Abraham Ayebo
As a boy, Abraham Ayebo lacked an appetite for mathematics, mostly because he felt studying the subject would be a futile pursuit.
“In my mind, I thought, ‘the math gene — I don’t have it,” recalls Ayebo. “That’s just what I thought.”
Over time, however, some of the variables in the equation began to change from Ayebo. With the addition of an encouraging educator and the subtraction of some self-doubt, Ayebo’s interest in math began to flourish — so much so that today he is an assistant professor of mathematics at the University of Minnesota Rochester.
‘The Nest’ opens to students
UMR opened a new student union known as ‘The Nest’ this month. The addition of the lounge, located in the former Loop restaurant space, 318 First Avenue SW, was brought on by a surge in enrollment at UMR. The space is meant for students to relax and hang out with friends and, in the future, grab a bite to eat. It includes a pool table, air hockey, ping pong, foosball, a piano, and more. The Nest was designed with student input and will also be used by student clubs and other on-campus organizations.
Recipients Announced for Chancellor's Awards for Public Engagement
The MN Campus Compact Presidents’ Awards — known at UMR as the Chancellor's Awards for Public Engagement — were announced this month. The awards recognize outstanding contributions in civic and community engagement by students, faculty, staff, collaborative teams, and community organizations on individual member campuses.
This year's recipients are:
Student Leadership Award: Yusra Yusuf
Civic Engagement Leadership Award: Angie Mejia, PhD
Community Partner Award: Omar Nur
Chancellor’s Corner
As we near the end of the spring 2021 semester, the University of Minnesota Rochester community is almost ready to celebrate and move forward — but first we need to pause for some intentional reflection. I invite you to join us.
Young people studying and coming of age in this era of separation, loss and trauma have much to share from their experiences. In the coming decades, this generation is likely to be heralded for historic contributions to human progress. At present, let us begin to reflect as we prepare to emerge from this time of tribulation into something new.
I suggest that we start this sense-making process by listening carefully to students and new graduates who have persevered through the current hardships. Your Rochester campus of the University of Minnesota is providing many opportunities to listen to student voices in the coming weeks:
Capstone Presentations: UMR seniors plan a personalized senior year, aligned with their career pathways and personal aims for development. This year, most of those well-made plans had to change. Each senior presented a reflection on their learning in a Capstone Presentation.
Truth of Mountains | Strength of Bridges: This community healing and empowerment project Counterspaces includes expression from UMR students who have been impacted by acts of racialized violence. This participatory display will be available at the Rochester Art Center beginning Wednesday, May 12.
Research and Education Symposium: Monday, May 3. See posters documenting student research accomplished during this challenging year.
Commencement: On Saturday, May 15, UMR graduates, faculty and staff will have the extreme pleasure of gathering in person to celebrate the commencement of our 2021 graduates. Guests are welcome virtually. Two graduates will be featured as speakers.
I remain in awe of the perseverance demonstrated by so many young people who are managing so much adversity.
—Dr. Lori Carrell, Chancellor of University of Minnesota Rochester
On Campus is a paid collaboration between the University of Minnesota Rochester and Med City Beat. Through this series, we strive to connect UMR with the broader community through storytelling; to promote the programs and resources available through UMR; to encourage engagement between current and former students; to keep the public informed of the latest campus news; and to highlight the accomplishments of students and faculty.
