Rasheed Alhadi receives community award

Duke University undergraduate Rasheed Alhadi received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award for his services to the community. .

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, according to a press release.

“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.”

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