Macalester Grads Score Olympic Spot, Mandela Scholarship

Conor McDermott-Mostowy studied neuroscience at Macalester College while competing in World Cup speed skating events. This February, that balancing act paid off when he placed ninth in the men's 1,000 meters at the Winter Olympics in Italy.

The 2024 graduate earned his Olympic spot by winning the 1,000-meter race at the U.S. Speed Skating Team Trials in Milwaukee. His journey shows how some students are redefining what's possible when pursuing both academic and athletic excellence.

Meanwhile, fellow 2024 grad Bobbie Pennington became the first Macalester student ever to win a Mandela Rhodes Scholarship. The prestigious award combines full graduate school funding with leadership training inspired by Nelson Mandela's legacy.

Originally from Eswatini, Pennington will study development finance and governance at the University of Cape Town. He's focused on building state capacity to support African-led economic growth, bringing his economics and international studies background to work on real-world challenges.

The college's economics connections run deep. Timothy Taylor, who has maintained an office at Macalester for over 20 years, just became a Distinguished Fellow of the American Economic Association. Since 1965, only about 200 people have received this honor.

Taylor has edited the Journal of Economic Perspectives since 1986, making complex economic research accessible to everyday readers. He regularly speaks to classes and hires Macalester students as research assistants, creating a pipeline between academic theory and practical understanding.

The Ripple Effect

These individual wins reflect something bigger happening at small liberal arts colleges. Macalester was also named a top Fulbright producer for the fourth straight year, with seven students heading to teach and research across six countries this year.

The college joined six others in a new National Civic Story Lab Fellowship, receiving $7,500 to help students document local grassroots changemaking. Students will partner with Twin Cities community organizations to connect historical and contemporary narratives through multimedia projects.

Even alumni are paying it forward in creative ways. Sophie Nikitas launched the third season of her horror podcast "Out Cold" with two fellow Macalester grads, funded by a Minnesota State Arts Board grant.

These stories share a common thread: people using their education not just to advance themselves, but to serve communities and tell important stories. From Olympic ice to African development offices, Macalester's 2,000-student campus is punching well above its weight.