They’ve channeled passion into activism, led student organizations, interned at startups and, of course, excelled academically.
Meet the seven Klein College scholars who have earned the Diamond Award, the highest honor given by Temple University’s Division of Student Affairs and one that recognizes undergraduates for their leadership, scholarship and service.
Maya D. Minhas, KLN ’18, communications studies, said she is grateful to be part of this talented group.
Using what she learned about women’s health during her travels abroad, Minhas, who is originally from the United Kingdom, organized Anti-Shame Week first as an online campaign and later as an “in-person campaign” at Temple. The events informed about long-held stigmas associated with menstruation and about impoverished women who don’t have access to feminine hygiene products.
“The taboos related to menses, an incredible and natural bodily function that allows for the creation of life, are in fact one of the first ever demonstrations of gender identity oppression,” Minhas wrote for her article in Freely Magazine, which is published by and for international students. She serves as the publication’s director of outreach. The magazine was awarded in 2017 as the Best New Student Organization at Temple.
Minhas is also the cofounder of the university’s diversity and inclusion working group and presently works as a contractor at DoSomething.org, a mobile platform that gathers young people to help with a variety of social causes.
Her achievements have also earned her a Sol Feinstone Memorial Award, which is given to the Temple sophomore, junior of senior who has worked toward “constructive social and/or educational change inside or outside of the university community,” according to the university.
In an email, Dr. Scott Gratson, director of communication studies at Klein College, described Minhas’ work as “wonderfully eclectic and complex.”
Minhas said she is simply thankful to have so much support.
“As a Temple student and student leader, this award demonstrates the immense amount of possibilities and opportunities at Temple University in such a short amount of time,” she said, “and I am more excited than ever to see what future Temple Diamond Award recipients will do next!”
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Scholarship in hand, Pittsburgh resident Kayla Martin, KLN ’18, is bound for Temple University’s Beasley School of Law. Martin, who earned a degree in strategic communication with a concentration in rhetoric and public advocacy, served as president of the Black Law Students Association, vice president of services for Temple Student Government Administration and also as a past communication director for the Black Diamonds Union.
“Being an agent of change at this university has been rewarding,” she said in an email. “I found that service to the university and the surrounding community was the least I could do given the amount of opportunities and experiences Temple has provided me.”
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Journalist Jenny Roberts, KLN ’18, is an award-winning columnist for The Temple News who worked as executive editor for the 2018 edition of Covering Addiction, a course in which students spend a semester reporting on solutions to drug addiction in Philadelphia.
Roberts, a journalism and political science major from Breinigsville, Pennsylvania, also noted her work as a leader for The Petey Greene Program at Temple University, which sends students to tutor incarcerated individuals pursuing pre-GED or GED coursework.
“I’m honored to have been chosen as one of the students at Temple who are making a difference on campus and in society,” she said in an email. “I was inspired to hear about the work of my peers who have dedicated themselves to working on important issues, ranging from immigration to food insecurity to Temple’s relationship with the North Philadelphia community. I hope to continue combining my love of writing with my interest in social justice issues to continue making a difference now that I’ve graduated and will be leaving Temple.
But I’m really thankful for all the opportunities to lead and learn that I’ve gotten during my time here.”
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Bridget O’Hara, KLN ’19, is proud of her improvisation skills and is the founder of Temple Improvisation Club and its improv team, The Parliament. Honors and service achievements include a member of the honors admissions and transition team and service trips to Appalachia and an immersion program in El Paso.
The media studies and production student noted her production of two 30-minute documentaries, one on music education amid social change and another about environmental activism in Philadelphia. Over the summer, she will be in Australia studying environmental science with the School for Field Studies and on a scholarship from the Vira Heinz Program for Women in Global Leadership.
“I am excited and honored to win the award among so many other accomplished Temple students. As I continue into my last year at Temple,” she said in an email, “I will carry the spirit of the award with me and strive to make the most positive impact on the community that I can.”
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Amanda Morrison, KLN ’20, is pursuing a double major: strategic communication at Klein College and global studies in the College of Liberal Arts. Morrison said she loves her work as an honors ambassador, showing off the campus to prospective students and their families.
She’s the president and co-founder of Indivisible Temple, which defines itself on Facebook as a grassroots student-led movement working toward “continuous civic engagement and advocacy.”
Additionally, she tutors student-athletes in writing and Spanish at Temple’s Resnick Academic Support Center.
This year, Morrison gave presentations at the Global Temple and TURF-CreWS academic conferences, noting that three of her papers were published in the undergraduate peer-reviewed journal Perceptions.
“I am indebted to my professors, mentors, and peers for constantly empowering and encouraging me to achieve my goals. I truly believe this award is a reflection of the people who have poured into me over my years at Temple — from family and friends to professors and professionals. I think this award speaks less about my achievements and more about the incredible opportunities Temple University offers its students. I was honored to accept the Diamond Award this year and will use this achievement to remind me that there is still more work to be done over my next two years at Temple. I look forward to continuing to work hard in my studies while serving other students.”
Completing the list of the college’s Diamond Award winners for 2018 are Meghan Hill, KLN ’18, strategic communication and social influence; and Michaela Winberg, KLN ’18, journalism.
Hill and Winberg were unavailable for comment.