NORTHERN TODAY 10 FALL 2014 STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS SCHUKKING – who is a native of the Netherlands, has studied abroad in South Korea and has traveled extensively – attended the World Affairs Councils of America 2014 National Conference in November. He was one of only 25 students selected nationwide to attend, and the second NSU student in two years to be chosen for the prestigious annual conference. Schukking, a history major with minors in geography and economics, was looking forward to the conference. “I just hope to meet and hear from leaders from across the country and share their experience about how they deal with issues, and what their view is on world affairs,” said Schukking, a senior who will graduate In Honoribus in May. This year’s conference, held Nov. 5-7, was themed “America and the World 2015,” according to the WACA website. Topics included: China, the U.S., and Asia; Russia/Eurasia; Cybersecurity; Future of Education; Youth, Jobs, and Social Unrest; Food and Water; Global Economic Realignment; Future of Energy; Africa; and Climate Change. (For more information, visit www. worldaffairscouncils.org.) Schukking said all of those topics interest him, but the youth and jobs topic is especially important as it relates to college students seeking jobs after graduation. He is also very interested in sustainability issues. The 25 students selected nationwide to attend the World Affairs Councils of America conference are funded through WACA scholarship money. Schukking was chosen by the South Dakota World Affairs Council as the South Dakota student to vie for one of the 25 spots. Jeanne Jones Manzer, SDWAC executive director, said the council was thrilled, but not surprised, that Schukking was selected to receive one of the exclusive scholarships to attend. At NSU, Schukking is actively involved on campus. He is vice president of the Student Association, and is also involved with the Honors Program. He has worked in the International Programs Office and Residence Life, and has participated in an alternative spring break trip. Last year, he won the prestigious Marlin R. Scarborough Memorial Scholarship, which is awarded annually by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Schukking has also taken advantage of study abroad opportunities at NSU, attending Hanyang University International Summer School in Seoul, South Korea, in 2012. This experience, he said, was extremely helpful in preparing him for the world affairs conference. “The Korea experience especially was eye-opening,” he said. “It was amazing there in Seoul.” Schukking, the son of Graham and Truus Schukking, moved to the U.S. with his family in 2007 when he was 14. He graduated from Lake Preston High School in 2011. NSU senior selected to attend conference on world affairs Menno Schukking brought a unique global perspective to Northern State University, and this fall he brought that perspective to a world affairs conference in Washington, D.C. S E RV I C E L E ARN I NG “YOU CAN JUST FOCUS ON CLASSES… BUT YOU SET YOURSELF APART BY WORKING HARD AND MAKING NETWORKING CONNECTIONS THROUGH THESE EXPERIENCES BOTH ON AND OFF CAMPUS.” This spring, Northern State University students will have opportunities to experience service learning in the U.S. and abroad. Two trips are planned for spring 2015: an alternative spring break trip to Orlando, and a trip to Peru in May. Leading the spring break trip in March will be NSU Director of Student Involvement and Leadership Clayton Kolb and Kramer Hall Director Jordan Palmer. The group will work with two nonprofit organizations in the Orlando area. Details are still being finalized, but Kolb said the hope is that students could work on projects they would not experience locally – perhaps dealing with poverty, inner city issues or environmental issues. The team of roughly 10 students was formed this fall. On the 10-day journey to Peru, students will perform service work at an orphanage in Lima. The group, expected to be about 15 students, will also explore sites such as Machu Picchu. Kolb will lead this group as well, along with Study Abroad Coordinator Liz Hannum. NSU alum Brett Newton worked with them to help set up the trip. Information sessions for the Peru trip are being held this fall. Both trips are part of an effort to focus on service learning and community involvement at NSU, helping students become more civic-minded. “I think as professionals in Student Affairs, our goal is to prepare students to be more engaged in their community,” Kolb said. Efforts are also under way to bring back a student-led service group that could lead service projects in northeast South Dakota. TWO SERVICE LEARNING TRIPS OPEN TO NSU STUDENTS continued on page 11
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