FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:

Nikki Shasserre c: (734) 330-6710,

nshasserre@focusonline.org,

FOCUS Director of Public Relations

FOCUS Honors Top Male and Female Student Leaders
 

Students honored from North Dakota, Illinois and Nebraska
 

GREELEY, Colo., May 2, 2007 – FOCUS, the Fellowship of Catholic University Students, has announced their top student leader awards for the 2006-07 school year.  The St. Francis and St. Clare awards are presented to the top male and top female student leaders each year.  The award is given to FOCUS students who best live out the FOCUS vision on their campus by their effort and desire to bring Jesus Christ and the Catholic Church to their peers.  Student nominations are submitted by FOCUS team members from across the country.  The recipients of the St. Francis and St. Clare Awards are as follows:

St. Francis Award Winner: Paul Wilburn, Jr., North Dakota State University  

St. Francis Runner-up: Connor Danstrom, University of Illinois

St. Clare Award Winner: Kate Slemer, University of Illinois

St. Clare Runner-up: Katy Dornbos, University of Nebraska at Lincoln

St. Francis Award Winner Paul Wilburn, Jr.

Paul Wilburn’s Bible study leader, Erick Clark, nominated Paul for the St. Francis award.  Eric Clark currently serves as the FOCUS Campus Director at North Dakota State University.  “Paul does the little things with great zeal and love.  He has taught teachers how to teach,” said Clark.  “He started leading a Bible study with five men during his sophomore year of college.  Within two weeks, three of the students left his study.  He didn’t give up and asked others into the study.  The group grew to eight men.  One year later, three of the students from Paul’s Bible study lead their own studies with 18 other men, one student converted to the Catholic faith, two students came back to the Catholic Church, one student has applied to be a FOCUS missionary and one student has entered the seminary.

Upon receiving the award, Wilburn said, “My greatest desire wouldn’t be that people would look back at my time at the Newman Center as being the “great times.” But rather my desire would be that God would bring bigger fruits, filled with greater conversions and more impact on the FOCUS movement for years to come.”  Wilburn is a Junior majoring in Business from Glendive, MT. 

St. Francis Runner-up Connor Danstrom

Nick Blaha was Connor Danstrom’s former FOCUS Bible study leader at the University of Illinois and nominated him for the St. Francis award.  Nick Blaha is currently studying for the priesthood at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois.  “In a culture that seems to be indelibly bound up with hedonism and individualism, Connor has presented a challenging alternative that not only addresses the deep needs of the human soul but is attractive to ordinary college students.  This was not only done compellingly in his words, but in his deeds as well,” Blaha said.  “Connor's vision, activity and perseverance in this matter has made a significant impact upon the face of FOCUS at the University of Illinois that is clearly visible and I have no doubt that it will be so for years to come.”

Conner thanked FOCUS for the award, "I will take my experience in FOCUS with me for the rest of my life.  It has been a tremendous opportunity to learn true Christian leadership from great men and women of faith.  I have all the FOCUS missionaries and clergy at the St. John’s Newman Center to thank for this award.  Without their influence, I would not have become the man I am today," Danstrom said.  Danstrom is a Senior majoring in Biochemistry from Winnetka, IL with plans to enter the seminary following graduation. 

St. Clare Award Winner Kate Slemer   

Kari Deplazes, FOCUS missionary at the University of Illinois, nominated Kate Slemer for the St. Clare Award.  “She is unlike any leader I've ever seen,” Deplazes said.  At first, Kate seems like a quiet, soft-spoken woman.  She does not need to be the center of attention in a group; actually, more often than not she's the one taking time to listen intently to the one person in the room or group that came without a friend.  Kate's ability to love in an unassuming, sweet, and attentive way draws others to her.  I've seen her ability to draw others toward Jesus Christ and goodness just through showing them Christ's love in such a warm and kind way.” 

Kate was presented with the award at a FOCUS large group event in Champaign, IL, "It was actually very humbling to receive the St. Claire award.  I feel very blessed and honored to have even been considered for it,” Slemer said.  Slemer is a Senior majoring in Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences from Glen Carbon, IL.   

St. Clare Runner-up Katy Dornbas

Sarah Allibone, a FOCUS missionary at the University of Nebraska, nominated Katy Dornbas for the St. Clare Award.  “Katy exemplifies the “FOCUS Big Three” commitment to chastity, sobriety and excellence,” Allibone said.  Students look to Katy as an example of these areas being lived out well, as Katy genuinely lives by example.  She is an excellent model of "actions speak louder than words" as her life and actions speak to those she comes in contact with.” 

Katy felt honored to receive the award from FOCUS, “Upon receiving the award, I kept thinking how great is it that we have FOCUS on this campus, in our nation, and in our world, as a venue by which we (college students) can share what we've been given by Christ," Dornbas said.  “I have a great desire to serve, to give myself to God, and God has provided a way for me to do that through the principles and charisms of FOCUS.  FOCUS has armed me with a vision; not only for campus life, not only for my earthly life, but for Eternal Life, Heavenly Life.”  Dornbas is a Senior majoring in Nutrition Science from Lincoln, NE.     

ABOUT FOCUS:  Founded in 1998, FOCUS is a national student outreach organization serving  both secular and Catholic college campuses. Through small group Bible studies, large group leadership training, and one-on-one discipleship, FOCUS brings the teachings of Christ and the faith and moral traditions of the Catholic Church to college students and gives them the tools to help share those teachings with their friends and family. While fostering an increased interest in religious life among college students is one of FOCUS’ stated goals, the organization’s primary objective is to form communities on college campuses nationwide where students can follow Jesus Christ and live out their Catholic faith in environments that are often hostile to such beliefs.  www.focusonline.org