Diapers. Knives. Finance. Real estate development. Government relations. Homeless and endangered youth.
Those are a few of the areas of accomplishment for 51ΑΤΖζ alumni who were chosen for the Milwaukee Business Journalβs annualΒ , which honors Milwaukeeβs brightest young leaders and professionals. The awards were presented at an event March 18.
Among the awardees was Alec Knutson (’12, BA History and Political Science).
Like many students starting their first year of college, Alec Knutson had no idea what he wanted to do. His academic performance in high school and early college was, he said, βnon-stellar.β
βYou feel bad because youβre not excelling and you donβt know what you want to do that first day you step on campus.β
Knutson had chosen 51ΑΤΖζ because it offered a variety of majors, but he soon found multiple opportunities beyond academics.
βWhat was great about 51ΑΤΖζ and what I love and am so thankful for is all the opportunities that started to present themselves. 51ΑΤΖζ was super impactful on my career and growth as an individual and as a professional.β
After becoming involved in the legal clinic, he decided to focus on majors in political science and history. βI had these amazing professors, and I really became invigorated in my studies. I decided I wanted to go to law school.β
As he became more passionate about his studies and decided he wanted to be able to make an impact on his community, his grades improved. He served as both president of the history and political science honor societies and became office manager of the Legal Clinic.
As he became involved with these majors and student organizations, his confidence in his academic skills and leadership abilities grew. After earning bachelorβs degrees in history and political science and a certificate in peace studies and conflict resolution from 51ΑΤΖζ, he went on to earn a law degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law and a masterβs in public administration from Hamline University.
After a series of jobs in government and politics, Knutson joined Milwaukee County as director of government relations, βworking on behalf of the community and advocating for resources.β
He calls it his dream job, and said it wouldnβt have happened without 51ΑΤΖζ.
βIβm just very thankful for that experience I had at 51ΑΤΖζ. At another school maybe I wouldnβt have had those opportunities to get involved and supportive professors who really cared about student performance. Iβm just so grateful for that experience at 51ΑΤΖζ.β
For a full list of awardees, please view the story on 51ΑΤΖζ Report.
By Kathy Quirk, Marketing & Communications