Four SJU students to be honored with Caritas Man of Extraordinary Service Award

Four Saint John's University students will be presented with the Caritas Man of Extraordinary Service award at a private reception and luncheon on Sunday, April 26.

Seniors Austin Barkley and Jake Barrientos, junior Matthew Fink and sophomore Lukas Steffensmeier will each be awarded a $2,500 scholarship.

The Caritas Man of Extraordinary Service Award was created by an anonymous donor to honor SJU students who excel in the community and reflect the Benedictine values of SJU. This award is given to students who show dedication to community service, and engagement in student, civic and social leadership roles.  

Austin Barkley, a Hispanic studies major from Sartell, Minnesota, has been volunteering his whole life. Barkley began his SJU volunteering experience mentoring teens as a leader for a local youth group. During his second year, he participated on an Alternative Break Experience (ABE) trip to Kansas City, Missouri, where he spent a week at a preschool for low-income families. His junior year, he studied in both Chile and Spain, where he volunteered twice a week as an English teacher at schools in the communities. Last summer, he was an Intern at Anna Marie's Alliance in St. Cloud. This year, he served as a co-leader on the Esperanza, Ecuador, ABE trip. He also serves as the chair for the Saint John's Class of 2015 Committee and as a member of this year's United Way Access to Food Investment Team. "The University's commitment to community has taught me the value of serving wherever I am," Barkley said.

Jake Barrientos, a communication major from Red Wing, Minnesota, has been actively involved in service while attending SJU. Barrientos has served as a mentor for the Intercultural Center, a panel representative for Admission and has hosted many prospective students. He has also created and launched a social venture that provides high school aged-Latinos from Cold Spring, Minnesota, with Latino student mentors from CSB/SJU. Barrientos has also volunteered at a Latina Women's shelter where he served as a positive male role model to the young children who were staying there. After graduation, Barrientos is eager to continue serving others and strives to live by this quote on a daily basis, "People may not remember exactly what you did, or what you said - but they will always remember how you made them feel."

Matthew Fink, a communication major from North Mankato, Minnesota, became general manager of the campus radio station KJNB his first year and later completely remodeled the station. This past year, Fink assisted in spearheading the video streaming of SJU athletic events, and currently serves as the manager of SJU athletic streaming operations with KJNB Radio. Fink's love for radio does not end at CSB/SJU. While studying abroad in Ireland, he accepted an offer for a radio show on University College Cork's student radio station. Currently, Fink is working on a project to create a new student media organization on campus called Johnnie-Bennie Media that will combine radio, television and print news to create a more stable organization that will exist for years to come. Fink is also involved with CSB/SJU's campus ministry serving as a lector and was elected to be president of the CSB/SJU Chamber Choir. "The unique Benedictine Character on our campus becomes one with our own character," Fink said.

Lukas Steffensmeier, a theology major from Des Moines, Iowa, has served many roles at CSB/SJU. Steffensmeier has served as a summer camp counselor since his junior year of high school and has taught religious education at the St. Joseph Parish for the past two years, including confirmation classes. He has also lead the BOOYAH Bible Study for first year through Magis Ministries. Steffensmeier has been active with helping plan Mom Prom, he served as the assistant chairman both last year and this year. He is the Chancellor for the Knights of Columbus and is vice president for Fides et Ratio. Steffensmeier explains that when he serves, "I myself am not the center of my own concern; rather, it is those whom I am serving."