This year, Andres Fernandez was awarded the John W. Price award at the Annual International Dinner on April 4th. This award is given in memory of John W. Price, who was the Director of International Programs at the University YMCA for 18 years. Price inspired many community and university members to appreciate different nationalities and helped unite the international community here at the university. After his retirement from the YMCA in 1968, Price continued to spread understanding between different cultures through working with the Office of International Student Affairs and with the Cosmopolitan Club.
Andres was the recipient of this award for his leadership, hard work, and involvement in the international community at UIUC. As the Cosmopolitan Club's house manager for the year 2003-2004, he has been setting up and supervising weekly coffee hours and international dinners. In addition to promoting cultural understanding in this way, he also does so internally with the in-house members of the club. As the house manager he has been able to be a friend to everyone as well as act as an effective leader, while maintaining harmony and understanding amongst all.
In addition to his hard work with the Cosmopolitan Club, Andres also works at the Office of the Dean of Students as Coordinator of Student Summer Orientation. In this position he is able to keep working with incoming students of all backgrounds, making them feel comfortable at the university as they enter a new stage in their lives. It is impressive how as only a sophomore, and with two jobs, Andres has been able to maintain a GPA of 3.7.
His personable skills and charismatic attitude have made him very successful at meeting and interacting with students from all over the world. His energetic persona, along with his responsible approaches and commitment to the Cosmopolitan Club, has earned him the house manager position for the upcoming school year as well.
Andres originally heard about the Cosmopolitan Club through his brother-in-law Ivan Feitl, who was also house manager of the club two years ago. Andres's oldest sister, Laura, is married to Ivan. Andres's other sister, Diana, has been a resident at the Cosmopolitan Club since Spring 2003. This family has strong ties and is very loyal to the Cosmo Club!
