About the Honoree
John Price, a career YMCA professional, served as the International Programs Director of the University YMCA from 1950 to 1968. Under his leadership, hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and community members gained a special appreciation for the international richness of Champaign-Urbana and the special gifts that people of many cultures bring to the University of Illinois campus. Through his example and programs, students now spread around the globe a special commitment to international peace and understanding. John gave active leadership to the Cosmopolitan Club and International Student and Scholar Services (formerly the Office of International Student Affairs) where he served as a staff member following his tenure at the University Y.
About the Award
Given to a student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign who has shown a commitment to international understanding by organizing and delivering international programs and services. John Price, a career YMCA professional, served as the International Programs Director of the University YMCA from 1950 to 1968. Under his leadership, hundreds of students, staff, faculty, and community members gained a special appreciation for the international richness of Champaign-Urbana and the special gifts that people of many cultures bring to the University of Illinois campus. Through his example and programs, students now spread around the globe a special commitment to international peace and understanding. John gave active leadership to the Cosmopolitan Club and International Student and Scholar Services (formerly the Office of International Student Affairs) where he served as a staff member following his tenure at the University Y.
Frank Cabrera, 2022-23 Recipient
Frank Cabrera is a Senior at the University of Illinois, and through his work on campus has emerged as a spokesperson for the undocumented community. As the President of I-CAUSE (Illinois Coalition Assisting Undocumented Students Education) he has helped to create an alliance of undocumented students at Illinois for representation, resource gathering, and access to post-secondary education, while building awareness and creating an inclusive climate for undocumented students to voice their concerns and share their testimonies.
Beyond his work with I-CAUSE Frank also worked as a summer intern at La Casa Cultural Latina, where he had a significant impact, overseeing the early arrival program for Latino students with the assistance of another intern. This program helped to break through barriers and make younger students feel included and welcomed on campus. His organizing efforts also produced a gathering of all the Latino-affiliated organizations on campus, giving other Latino students who might not be familiar with the community the chance to learn and engage in social interactions.
Through all of his efforts, Frank has devoted his time to the cause of change and fights passionately for equity. He never stops trying to improve the community, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. Frank is a passionate leader who has demonstrated skill in bringing together stakeholders for a common cause, and mobilizing communities for the greater good. Frank always comes from a starting place of compassion and it is evident with how he leads.
Past Award Recipients
2023: Frank Cabrera
2022: Tyeese Braslavsky, Kat Carranza Bahena
2021: Daniella Di Stefano
2020: Denisse Gaitan
2019: Kelly Cuevas Tovar
2018: Kelsey Schreiber
2017: Hannah Jarman
2016: Keilin Jahnke
2015: Kenny Long
2014: Reshmina William
2013: Greg Damhorst
2012: Holly Curia
2011: Davide Motta & Jisoo Hyun
2010: Rakesh Kumar Gopchandani
2009: Iva Yankova
2008: Ellen Schenk
2007: Young Jae Lee
2006: Felix Autenrie
2005: Batamaka Some
2004: Andres Fernandez
2003: Michael Bullerman & Carlos Suarez
2002: Ruxandra Costescu
2001: Ivan Fietl
2000: Saravan Rajendran
1999: Rebecca Mladic
1998: Delphine Mei
1997: Ashish Deb Roy
1996: Eugene Yeo
1995: Jocelyn Chong
1994: Leslie Hammersmith
1993: Consolata Kabonesa
1992: Sufen Lai
1991: Lorraine Haricombe
1990: Jackie Buckley
1989: Lawrence Brown