“We talked about policies, hardships and political instability within a country, but I was struck by how we didn’t discuss the well-being of the people who were living there,” said Limbong. “How were communities doing during these times of war, natural disasters and other atrocities?,” she wondered.

It was this desire to understand the people and root causes of issues that led the Louisville native and to study public health. 

Limbong, who will graduate with a bachelor’s degree in public health in May 2026, explored the global interconnectivity of cultures when she embarked on a month-long project in the African country of Malawi this past summer. This opportunity was led by Rochelle Holm of the Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute.

According to the Food Agriculture Organization (FAO), Malawi’s economy is largely agricultural with more than 80 percent of the population dependent on farming. While this supports livelihoods for millions, Malawi is vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters. Unsafe drinking water, sanitation and hygiene are concerns for much of the population.

In Malawi, Limbong assisted with nutrition research by surveying hundreds of Malawian university students and staff. The aim was to see if dietary indicators can be detected in wastewater and environmental surveillance, and how that compared to what people reported. She explored her interest in food insecurity by visiting a coffee planters’ co-op and participating in a grassroots feeding program for vulnerable community members.

The ‘warm heart of Africa’: Beyond the stereotypes

Malawi is often described through a narrow lens defined primarily by economic hardship. While poverty is a reality for many, Limbong said that is not the full story. Approaching Malawi with the intention of learning from local communities, Limbong focused on listening to resident voices. Through conversations with Malawians, she began to see how limiting the dominant narrative can be.

“Malawians are resilient, brilliant, and capable,” she reflected. “They are doing their best to provide for their families and are innovative in the ways that they can be.” For Limbong, it was essential not to reduce people to their struggles alone. “I want to make sure we don’t forget people’s humanity,” she said.

In the country known as “the warm heart of Africa,” Limbong was particularly struck by the communal nature of Malawian culture. Almost every evening, she heard large groups of people gathered together singing. These moments reflected more than music. “It speaks to the community-centric nature of the people,” she explained. “I think it’s important to be fully immersed, take time to hear people’s life experiences, and to share those stories from their perspective.”

Global citizenry

Upon graduation in May, Limbong plans to continue public health at UofL and pursue a master’s degree to better understand where her gifts align with the needs of the community.

Limbong said her Malawi experience deepened her understanding of global humanitarian work as both meaningful and demanding, “This is important work and hard work,” she said. “The experience helped me examine how my own contributions can fit into the broader picture of global health.”

For Limbong, what resonated from her experience was a sense of collective humanity. “While our realities might be different, they impact one another,” she said. “We are all connected on this shared earth, and that is something I will take with me wherever I go next and whatever I end up doing.”

Jewell, who majors in political science, is a Harlan Scholar, Woodford R. Porter Scholar, Martin Luther King, Jr. Scholar and McConnell Scholar. He serves as a Student Government Association Arts and Sciences senator and the Club Programming Committee chair. He has also served as president of the Society of Porter Scholars and as a member of the UofL Honors program, Students Stimulation Conversation and the Task Force Freshman. 

“I chose UofL because it was one of the only schools where I really felt like I had a family already at the university and people who were truly interested in my progression not just as a student but as a person in general,” Jewell said. 

Morgan, who majors in English and Spanish, is a Governor’s Scholar and a Vogt Scholar. She serves as the SGA’s Arts and Sciences Council president and executive staff. She has served a

s a member of the PEACC Program, the raiseRED Marathon, Order of Omega president and Chi Omega Sorority.

“I chose UofL because it’s very different from where I’m from. It’s a lot more diverse, which I think offers a lot of growth as an individual,” Morgan said. “Everyone is so encouraging and willing to help you learn not only about other people but about yourself.”

Each year, UofL bestows an award to an outstanding senior man and woman as Mr. and Ms. Cardinal. This award is based on academic achievement, extracurricular activities, contributions to the university, an explanation of what the “Mr. and Ms. Cardinal Award” means to the applicants as well as an interview by a panel of judges.

Check out a video of Mr. and Ms. Cardinal below.