St. Thomas seniors Derrick Diedrich, Pascale Kunda and Michael Sullivan were selected as the 2021 Tommie Award finalists, an annual honor given to a St. Thomas senior who, according to the university, “embodies the ideals of St. Thomas Aquinas through scholarship, leadership and campus involvement.”

Candidates are nominated by students and faculty, and three finalists are chosen from the nominees. A campus-wide vote from Feb. 9-11 will determine which of the finalists will receive the Tommie Award.

Derrick Diedrich

When Derrick Diedrich’s study abroad in Rome was canceled last year because of COVID-19, he was disappointed. He had spent three summers saving up for the experience, and it abruptly ended before it even began.

“I finally got there (Rome) only to be sent home a month later,” Diedrich said. “The spirits were kind of down.”

Instead of wallowing in disappointment, he made the most of his situation by connecting with his classmates.

“We had a little going away party up at the Terrace of Bernardi. I encouraged all the guys to use their bedsheets to look like Romans because we were in Rome,” Diedrich said.

This is something to expect of Diedrich because the St. Thomas senior loves connecting with people.

“I love building connections,” Diedrich said. “I found that, by being involved, I get to have the greatest number of connections as possible.”

The Tommie Award finalist has made a name for himself on campus, from serving as the Spirituality Committee Chair in the Undergraduate Student Government to being a member of the student-run Damus Board in the Opus College of Business.

Diedrich’s infectious enthusiasm for St. Thomas has been noticed by many, including St. Thomas senior Jenny Keller, one of his nominators for the award.

“He has put so much of his heart and soul into developing the community here and pursuing real goodness,” Keller said. “It’s always inspired me.”

The business leadership and management major’s biggest accomplishment during his four years at St. Thomas has been the deep friendships he has established with others and the growth he’s made in his own life.

“I’ve grown to know myself and how I interact with people and to have this deep love for others,” Diedrich said. “I’m very proud of that.”

Diedrich has learned a lot at St. Thomas, but his most important words of advice for fellow Tommies?

“Develop your gifts and become good at what you’re good at.”

Pascale Kunda

Campus Ministry has played a large role in Pascale Kunda’s experience; the St. Thomas senior serves as a peer minister for the Center for Campus Ministry.

“(Campus Ministry) has given me opportunities, resources and a community of people running after Jesus,” Kunda said.

The Tommie Award finalist is heavily involved in the Tommie community. She is a part of Tommie Catholic, a group that students from all faith backgrounds are welcomed to participate in, and serves as a student lead for the engineering student alumni mentoring program.

“The things I’m involved in are things I’m passionate about,” Kunda said.

While COVID-19 has presented many challenges for students to be active on campus, Kunda has made the most of this experience.

“We’re in the process of overcoming the challenge of a global pandemic,” Kunda said. “We’re finding solutions to still engage with people.”

Kunda’s leadership skills are what makes her unique from her peers.

“Pascale is one of the most humble leaders that I’ve ever met,” said junior Maggie O’Connell, one of Kunda’s nominators. “She has such a strong love for everyone she encounters”.

Becoming a Tommie Award finalist has been a huge honor for Kunda, who has made a name for herself on campus.

“I am grateful to everyone who has supported me to become a finalist,” Kunda said.

The mechanical engineering major has learned a lot during her time at St. Thomas. The most important piece of advice she leaves with fellow Tommies?

“Put yourself into situations where you encounter people from different perspectives,” Kunda said. “Your knowledge broadens.”

Michael Sullivan

When Michael Sullivan first arrived on campus as a first-year in fall 2017, he didn’t know anyone. The nearest student was 16 miles from his hometown.

“It was a little hard because you have to adjust,” Sullivan said.

Now, Sullivan serves as the president of the Undergraduate Student Government and is an Ashoka Changemaking Fellow and a student creator in the create[space] in the Anderson Student Center.

Sullivan, a business administration major, credits his campus involvement and motivation to wanting to meet as many people as he can.

“Going to events, joining clubs where I might not know many people, it’s just an opportunity to build relationships,” Sullivan said. “I think that’s been the best part of college.”

Sullivan’s Tommie pride has made him stand out from his peers, hence the Tommie Award nomination.

“It is clear to me that Sully is a part of this campus and this campus is a part of him,” said Josh Hengemuhle, assistant dean of students and one of Sullivan’s nominators.

While Sullivan has accomplished a number of things during his past four years here, his most rewarding experience as a Tommie has been serving as a student creator in the create[space].

“I’m most proud when I’m able to support people in the create[space] and see the happiness on their face,” Sullivan said.

There are many things Sullivan likes about being a Tommie, but his favorite thing is being in a welcoming, diverse space like St. Thomas.

“There are so many opportunities to connect with so many people that you may not have been able to connect with originally.”

Safiya Mohamed can be reached at moha9785@stthomas.edu.
Casey Eakins can be reached at casey.eakins@stthomas.edu.