Barlow Trophy Winner Advocates for Cultural Awareness
Sophia RichterSophia Richter has devoted much of her Alma College experience to promoting intercultural awareness through academic, artistic and extracurricular activities. She is the 2019 recipient of the Barlow Trophy, Alma College’s most prestigious award for a graduating senior.
The award, which is voted on by Student Congress and faculty members, is presented to a graduating student in the top 10 percent of the senior class who has made incredible contributions to both the campus and the community.
Richter’s off-campus experiences included a year in Paris, where she studied at local universities and participated in two internships. On campus, she has encouraged students to engage with the world as an advocate for study-abroad at admissions events, Center for Student Opportunity symposiums and academic panel presentations.
She also has encouraged students to learn about and engage with communities that face critical socioeconomic, environment and cultural challenges. She has volunteered at Standing Rock Indian Reservation in South Dakota and participated in numerous Alternative Break trips addressing immigration and refugee services, environmental conservation and urban farming.
Richter, who is completing a double major in economics and French, also has played the bagpipes with the Alma College Pipe Band, served as a French teaching assistant and was co-founder and vice president of the Economics Club.
A graduate of South Kingston High School in Rhode Island, she is the daughter of Matthew and Elizabeth Richter.