North Park University honors two exceptional students with the Distinguished Senior Award each academic year. For 2024–25, Steve Aguilar BS ’25 and Fidelie Futi BS ’25 received the designation for their perseverance, academic success, and involvement in student life.

Director of the Office of International Affairs Tessa Zanoni nominated Aguilar and Futi, who each held leadership positions on and off campus. Zanoni first noted Aguilar’s passion and intelligence while advising him through the Fulbright Program application process, for which he was a finalist. Zanoni said Aguilar’s excitement toward robotics stood out just as much as his kind and thoughtful nature.

“Steve views engineering as a means to make the world a better place,” Zanoni said. “He has a servant-leader attitude and finds joy in teaching and sharing his interest in science with others.”

After graduating with his degree in mechanical engineering, Aguilar plans to attend United States Marine Corps officer candidate school and later pursue a PhD in mechanical engineering.

Similarly, Futi boasts a stellar academic record and leadership through service. Zanoni nominated Futi after advising her as an international student during her time at North Park.

“International student orientation is a difficult time for students acclimating to a new country,” Zanoni said. “Fidelie has been an outstanding leader for all her peers, but especially fellow international students as they navigate North Park and Chicago.”

Zanoni spoke of Futi’s resiliency as both an international and transfer student. Futi told the Distinguished Senior Award committee she came to North Park for better opportunities and learned to take advantage of every student group she could by always saying yes.

Futi served as the African Cultural Club president and was a research fellow at the University of Chicago. After Commencement, she will work in a clinical setting to gain more experience before taking the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT).