ST. PAUL, Minn. – Victor Wright (Cape Coral, Fla./Mariner) of Macalester football and men's track & field, and Malia Borg (Charleston, S.C./Academic Magnet) of women's swimming & diving and water polo, received the Presidential Leadership Award for Outstanding Seniors.
 
The award recognizes seniors for their scholarship and outstanding contributions to the Macalester community throughout their college careers. A student must have a history of significant contributions in a variety of areas of campus life in their time at Macalester, be a member of the senior class, have a GPA of at least 3.3, be a positive role model, and worked to promote one or more of the core values of the college to be considered for the award.
 
Victor, a computer science and economics major, carries a 3.5+ GPA. He is a two-sport athlete in football and track & field. Wright has been a leader for multiple organizations, such as the Men of Color Collective, Student-Athlete Advisory Council (SAAC), and Black Liberation Affairs Committee. Victor founded the Macalester Coalition Against Inequalities. "He brings a level of engagement and curiosity to everything he does," football head coach Phil Nicolaides said. "He is eager to learn how the world works and why it works that way, with hopes of making it a better place."
 
Malia is a neuroscience major with minors in biology, psychology, and chemistry. She carries a 3.6 GPA and is a dual sport athlete. Borg competed on the women's swim and dive team and water polo. She took on the role of SAAC president this year, increasing the collaboration and communication between the other three student-athlete leadership groups (SAMs, BIPOCa, and PAAM). Assistant Athletic Director and SAAC Advisor Devyn Smith said "Malia is consistent, kind, and empathetic --- and cares deeply for her teammates and the Macalester community as a whole." Borg was a critical part of the women's swim and diving team's success. "Malia's energy, belief, and consistent pursuit of growth is contagious; she creates the conditions for others to empower themselves to lead and succeed," added Smith.