The “Campus Changemakers Celebration” is a campus event that started 16 years ago. Previously named “100 Who Influence,” the idea was to bring students and the Board of Trustees together in an effort to amplify student voices and needs. The event, traditionally held as a luncheon or dinner, meant to give students an opportunity to communicate campus needs with Board of Trustees members one-on-one.
The idea of the name change was first brought up as a way to make the event seem less exclusive. The Hamline University Student Congress (HUSC) External President Elisa Lopez explained the intent behind the name change.
“This year, we’ve changed it to the Campus Changemakers Event. It was brought up by students, one, to teeter away from the ‘Top 100’ idea of ‘here’s the top 100 students,’ and also to switch from a luncheon to a proper celebration,” Lopez said.
The new name is meant to put a focus on campus development as a way to highlight the progress that students have made on campus. But the name change is not purely for aesthetics. HUSC leaders intend to move from a luncheon to a proper celebration that says thank you to the student leaders helping make the community a better place and focuses on what students place most of their value on. Additionally, there is an intent to show the Board of Trustees what students are prioritizing and what they want to see more of on campus.
“A lot of the time, the board doesn’t have many options to meet with students. This serves as an opportunity to have a better understanding and appreciation for what it’s like to be a student on campus.” Lopez said.
During previous years, there have been criticisms and arguments regarding decisions on who fits into the “100”. Although the invitations were sent to leaders of student organizations, some students felt that only including leaders discounted the work students in non-leadership positions had done. At HUSC, leadership is recognized as one of the most important traits.
“The most important thing about being a leader is to be community-oriented. That is something that I value a lot and have seen a lot in all of my favorite mentors and leaders of this campus — making sure you are focusing on not just what you want, but what the community needs.” Lopez said.
Dean of Students Patti Kersten, who also takes part in the organization and development of the event, places emphasis on the community but also wants to bring in students who have taken the initiative to be leaders.
“Those who have chosen to be in those roles — leading student organizations, being in positions across campus that build a community, that support other students — and I think that’s a broad selection across the campus,” Kersten said.
Kersten also brought up the idea of reserving around 20 spots that would let students bring themselves forward and apply to be a part of the event.
“We’re gonna go after those who are listed in leadership roles right away — you know, leaders of student organizations, athletics, those who are in music, in theater. But Student Congress has had talks about 20 spots that students can sign up to be a part of.” Kersten said.
The decisions of what makes a good leader do not have to be viewed purely through a student or administrator’s lens. Chair of the Ethics and Belief Systems Department, Samuel Imbo, offers insight from a philosophical standpoint.
“Leadership, for me, is having a vision of a place you want to go and being able to move people to that place. So having a vision and being able to transform that vision so that other people concede to it.” Imbo said
As the Changemakers Celebration embraces its new identity, it reinforces the idea that leadership is not about exclusivity but about community engagement. Ultimately, the event is meant to highlight that leadership comes in many forms. As students are encouraged to engage in ways that feel right to them, the message comes clearly from the Dean of Students: “Pick something that you’re passionate about and be a part of it.”
