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Muslim Student Leader Honored for Integrity and Service

Rasheed Alhadi '15 earns Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award

Alhadi on second from right
Alhadi on second from right

Duke recognized two campus community members Friday with the 2015 Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for demonstrating a passion and commitment toward others in their personal and academic work. 

Brad Fulton, a Ph.D. candidate, and Rasheed Alhadi, an undergraduate, were honored by Duke administrators May 1 during a ceremony in the Allen Building. The award is sponsored by the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to perpetuate the characteristics of integrity and service exemplified by Sullivan, a New York lawyer and philanthropist who died in 1887. Duke bestows the award each year to one student and one faculty or staff member.

This was the first year that awards were presented at the same ceremony, bringing together students, faculty and staff to celebrate.

“Both are deeply committed to building bridges, reconciling worlds and celebrating differences,” said Sam Miglarese, director of the Duke-Durham Neighborhood Partnership. “This is an important way to recognize the depths of spirituality, service and humanitarian spirit of our community.”

Rasheed Alhadi

Alhadi will graduate this month with a bachelor’s degree in biomedical engineering and a minor in chemistry. As part of the nomination process for the Sullivan Award, he was recognized for his work and commitment with the Muslim Student Association and Duke Voices for Interfaith Action, showing a dedication to members of the Muslim community across the Duke, Durham and Triangle communities. 

“I don’t want to think about this award as a check box of important qualities, but as a reminder of goals we should all strive to be better at,” Alhadi said. “This embodies morals, values and character and it’s better than any academic award I could ever receive.” 

During his time at Duke, Alhadi spearheaded an interfaith engagement workshop on campus and helped plan the first Muslim youth leadership conference for Muslim high school students in the Triangle. He has also participated with Habitat for Humanity, helped form a community garden at the Center for Muslim Life and serves as a service-learning discussion facilitator for Duke’s Medicine and Medical Ethics group.

After graduation, Alhadi will teach underserved high school students in California before attending medical school.

“I cannot think of a current graduating senior who is more deserving of the recognition that comes with the Sullivan Award than Rasheed Alhadi,” wrote Christy Lohr Sapp, associate dean for Religious Life who nominated Alhadi. “In short, he is an excellent reflection of the best of what this award embodies and he is a great reflection of what Duke students have to offer.”