Photo courtesy of Community Work and Learning
St. Catherine University’s Center for Community Work and Learning (CWL) received the L'Etoile du Nord Award, presented by Minnesota United FC and Target, for work that embodies the core values of MN United. The CWL team was honored during halftime at a Minnesota United playoff game on November 8.
The L’Etoile du Nord Award, presented at every MN United home match, celebrates community members and groups who make a difference and exhibit teamwork, inclusivity, and dedication. CWL, which turns 25 this year, was recognized for a quarter century of connecting St. Kate’s to the larger community through service and engaged learning opportunities.
“For 25 years, the staff, students, faculty, and community partners involved with Community Work and Learning have worked hard to provide opportunities for all members of St. Catherine University to live out the university’s core values of community and social justice,” said Sophie Hunt, director of Community Work and Learning. “It was an honor to be recognized by MN United and Target, and to celebrate together at such an exciting game.”
A group of St. Kate’s staff and students representing CWL, including President Marcheta P. Evans, received the award at Saturday’s playoff game against the Seattle Sounders. They were honored on the field at halftime, and received a novelty Loons jersey as well.
Jasmine Koch ’25, MPH’26, the community employment programs student coordinator at CWL, was also in attendance at the game.
“It was exciting to gain statewide acknowledgement of CWL’s work in relation to MNUFC’s core values and our social justice initiatives, which promote student learning opportunities and mutually beneficial collaborations with our community partners,” Koch said. “As a CWL student coordinator and a student who has engaged with CWL through both curricular and co-curricular means, I believe that CWL has set me up for success and sparked my curiosity for learning and applying new skills in real-world contexts.”
St. Kate's and MN United also partnered recently on a youth STEM clinic hosted at the National Sports Center in Blaine.