JAMESTOWN, N.D. (UJ) – Dr. Polly Peterson, President of University of Jamestown, awarded senior Josselyn Pacheco with the inaugural Knight Award.

As students at the University of Jamestown progress on their Journey to Success, there is often a student who is challenged with obstacles during his or her pursuit to graduation. This award recognizes the resilience the student demonstrated in overcoming difficult obstacles.

Dr. Peterson, who selected Pacheco, among numerous other nominees, as the award recipient, said, “I am so proud to award Josselyn with this inaugural Knight Award. Josselyn has persevered through challenges both in high school and at UJ, but her desire to achieve a college education drove her to overcome these challenges. Josselyn leads by example and gives her all to everything she does. I have no doubt she is going to be successful as she graduates from UJ and begins her career.”

Additional student award criteria includes: the student must be at least a junior or senior who is committed to becoming a UJ graduate; the student must be engaged in both curricular and co-curricular experiences on campus; and the student must have demonstrated resilience and grit in overcoming a personal situation or obstacle.

Pacheco was nominated to receive the award by her UJ wrestling coach, Shauna Kemp. In the nomination, Coach Kemp explained how Pacheco broke her hand in the beginning of their wrestling season and was unable to compete.

“Instead of her backing away from the sport, she stayed involved and tried to improve herself in any way she could,” explained Kemp. “Josselyn juggled school, team time, student senate and had to work extra to pay off the medical bills she incurred from breaking her arm, and she did that all successfully.”

In addition to competing in wrestling, Pacheco has also served as President of the Jamestown Activities Board, orientation leader, a Resident Assistant, and a member of the student athlete advisory committee.