Two campus members were recognized for their exceptional service to the community with a pair of awards this April from the Student Affairs Division, one student and one staff member.
Pedro Portugal, a senior majoring in business administration and Spanish, was recognized as the winner of the Integrity, Leadership and Service Award for the Spring 2023 term at The College of Idaho. Also, Sergeant John Duncombe of the College’s Campus Safety department was honored for going above and beyond the call of duty with the Exceptional Community Service Award.
The Student Affairs Division recognizes one student each semester for their important contributions to the College’s culture. The award is given to students nominated by staff and faculty as someone who best embodies the values of the College community. Those values include community, integrity, leadership, and service. Portugal was nominated by Arnoldo Hernandez, the College’s Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Inclusion & Intercultural Engagement.
“His leadership efforts for the ALAS club, service to the Hispanic Youth Symposium and mentorship through Inclusion and Intercultural Excellence have had a definitive and powerful presence. His involvement in underrepresented student organizations training retreats with ALAS, AFRO, ISO, Interfaith and GSCA will be missed,” Hernandez wrote in his nomination. “I have a deep respect and admiration for Pedro.”
Meanwhile, the Exceptional Community Service Award is handed out when appropriate, not on a regular schedule. This designation covers life safety, actions or attempted actions taken by anyone in our campus community that aim to protect, or preserve life. This award also covers selfless acts of merit that protect our community.
“Sergeant John Duncombe has on many occasions shown a devotion to the safety and welfare of our students,” said Ben Mosley, the College’s Director of Campus Safety. “It was an honor to present him with this award on April 24 for going above and beyond the call of duty.”
The College of Idaho has a 132-year-old legacy of excellence. The College is known for its outstanding academic programs, winning athletics tradition, and history of producing successful graduates, including eight Rhodes Scholars, three governors, and countless business leaders and innovators. Its distinctive PEAK Curriculum challenges students to attain competency in the four knowledge peaks of humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and a professional field—empowering them to earn a major and three minors in four years. The College’s close-knit, residential campus is located in Caldwell, where its proximity both to Boise and to the world-class outdoor activities of southwest Idaho’s mountains and rivers offers unique opportunities for learning beyond the classroom. For more information, visit www.collegeofidaho.edu.