The President’s Award is given to a senior student who has greatly contributed to the development of a strong sense of community at Northern Kentucky University through special efforts to break down barriers of discrimination, promote international awareness, promote the interaction of traditional and non-traditional students, promote diversity or promote handicap awareness and access. A minimum grade point average of 2.5 is required. This award will be presented upon completion of degree requirements. The award does not have to be given if the committee determines there are no suitable nominees during a particular year. The Office of Student Life sponsors this award.

For all of his life, Reid has been involved with music—at school, at home and in the community. He enrolled in NKU’s Music Education Program to make sure other students had meaningful experiences with music, too.

Changing the status quo is part of everyday life for Reid Wassmer—from his favorite altered version of the Italian sandwich at Mondo subs to affecting assumptions around discrimination.

In his pursuit to break down barriers, he became an essential member of the Mourning the Creation of Racial Categories (MRCR) project. MRCR was created to tell the story of how and why racial categories were created in America, and how they sever family, ancestral and romantic ties. Serving as composer, musician and web designer, Reid coordinated with nearly 80 students, faculty and staff to score the documentaries.

“Being seen as an artist by my peers and faculty, and working with them to create something bigger and more important than myself, is without a doubt the most important thing I did at NKU,” says Reid.

Reid is thankful for the familiarity and routine that NKU provided. Upon graduation, he hopes to become a band director or open his own café.