Business management major receives Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award
Dame Gamada, 40, a sophomore at Dakota County Technical College, was honored by LeadMN with the Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award for fall semester 2021. One of 20 students nominated by faculty in the Minnesota State system of colleges and universities, Dame received a $500 scholarship to recognize his exemplary understanding of our interconnected world.
“I am honored to receive the Mark M Welter World Citizen Award,” he said. “The scholarship is a huge help to me. I am able to think less about money and stay more focused on my schooling. I would like to say thank you again for the award.”
Originally from the market town of Nekemte (Naqamte) in Ethiopia, a country in the Horn of Africa with nearly 120 million people, Dame received an immigrant visa through the Diversity Visa (DV) program and moved to the U.S. in 2015.
“I miss my brothers and friends in Ethiopia,” he said, adding that he also misses Addis Ababa, the capital city of his birth country, but he enjoys the spring season in Minnesota. “My favorite memory of Ethiopia is when I was a young kid and played with my friends. We sometimes swam in a local river together.”
Mark M. Welter World Citizen Award¹
Mark M. Welter World Citizen Awards are given to Minnesota State students who exemplify an understanding of the interconnected world in which they live. They should exemplify the thoughts, words, and actions demanded of a 21st century world citizen.
Ideally, the students selected and nominated share some or all of the following beliefs/commitments:
- All people are of a common species who share a common adventure in a common home.
- The world shares common problems (pollution, terrorism, challenges) but views them through differing cultural and religious value perspectives.
- All citizens of planet Earth mutually share an interconnected, fragile biosphere.
- All people-all cultures, all creeds, all colors, and all countries-have been “depositors and with drawers at the world bank of knowledge.”
- Our world is increasingly, inexorably, and undeniably interdependent.
- No one nation, people, religion, or creed can unilaterally deal with contemporary challenges of pollution, population, poverty, pandemics, and peace.
- The candidate must be in good academic standing and will have graduated from high school.
- Financial need may be considered. PSEO students are eligible upon graduation.
For this award, eligible students are nominated by an academic or student affairs vice president, dean, or director at one of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities.
LEARN MORE…
Dame’s life in college…
DCTC 2021 Drive-Thru Graduation
Dame is majoring in Business Management at DCTC; he’s earning his Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) and is on track to graduate spring 2022. He’s earning diplomas in Multicultural Leadership and Multicultural Quality Management.
An exceptionally engaged student on campus, Dame serves as Student Senate treasurer. He also participates in Phi Theta Kappa, TRIO/Student Support Services, and the Multicultural Student Leadership Association (MSLA).
Dame works while going to school at Phillips & Temro Industries (PTI). He serves as a line lead in the Electric Vehicle department at PTI’s global headquarters in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Dame is looking forward to transferring to either Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota or St. Cloud State University after graduating from DCTC. He is centering his career plans on becoming a project manager. He is most interested in the manufacturing sector.
Anna Voight
“Dame is an exceptional student and leader. He is humble, kind, and goes above and beyond to support the success of his fellow students. I have worked with student leaders for more than 10 years, and of all the students I have worked with in that time, Dame stands out as the one most committed to helping his peers.
“I have lost count of how many times Dame has fielded questions from his peers and sought assistance getting them the information they need to be successful.
“I am so proud of Dame and all he does to support students at DCTC. He is a true servant leader who has qualities we should all seek to emulate in our own lives.”
Anna Voight
Associate Director of Student Life
Dakota County Technical College
More about Dame…
Dame and his wife, Lamrot Mammo, were married in 2012. They have four daughters ages 8½, 7, 2½, and seven months. Lamrot works part-time in a nursing home and spends most of her time caring for their children.
In his free time, Dame enjoys running 5Ks and playing soccer as a midfielder.
Dame Gamada • Q & A
Dame Gamada
What do you like best about the Business Management program?
I enjoy my multicultural courses the most. I like studying how culture helps create our human identities. I also like learning about cultural differences.
Why did you choose to pursue a career in business?
I want to support a business community
What do you enjoy most about your role as Student Senate treasurer?
I really like our teamwork.
Four words that describe you as a college student:
TRYING. TO. BE. BETTER.
What advice would you give students thinking about joining a student club or organization?
Joining a student club is a great choice because you’ll have a lot of opportunities to meet different people and create valuable connections. You’ll also gain opportunities to help students and your community while getting good experience before graduation.
Student clubs are the place we practice what we learn in class. That makes student clubs great for self-development and building a good resume.
I also received the opportunity to meet President Biden because of my role as Student Senate treasurer.
President Biden and Dame
How has TRIO/Student Support Services helped you succeed on your academic journey?
Especially when I started class, I was helped by the TRIO/SSS program. I received tutorial and advising support and had access to useful resources.
What person has influenced your life the most and why?
My mother because I love her.
Where do you see yourself in 20 years?
I will lead my own business.
One word that best describes your experience at DCTC:
TRANSFORMATION
Dame Gamada gallery
Dame Gamada • 12 Answers
- Favorite physical activity: Playing soccer
Place you would most like to visit: Jerusalem, Israel- Most exciting thing you’ve ever done: I took a selfie with President Joe Biden at DCTC
- Three things you would do if you won a $1 billion lottery: 1) I would travel all over the world three times 2) I would support 1,000 college students and 1,000 kindergartners 3) I would buy a lottery ticket again
- Favorite book you’ve read lately: The New Economics by W. Edwards Deming
- Favorite place in Minnesota: Como Park Zoo and Conservatory; many options for running, playing soccer, having picnics, and canoeing
- One thing you most want to accomplish in life: Skydiving
Favorite animal in Ethiopia: Black-maned Ethiopian lion
- Dream occupation: Project manager
- Person you would most like to meet: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
- Skill you would most like to learn and master: Leadership
- Most important issue or problem facing humankind: Conflict
Learn more about Business Management at DCTC by contacting:
Harold Torrence
Business Management Faculty
651-423-8606
Scott Gunderson
Business Management Faculty
651-423-8295
Learn more about Student Life at DCTC by contacting:
651-423-8649
¹ SOURCE: LeadMN: Dr. Mark M. Welter Scholarships
More about Business Management at DCTC…
The Business Management program provides working adults with the essential knowledge, skills, and abilities to succeed in today’s increasingly competitive business environment.
As a student in the program, you will acquire universal competencies that can be applied to global and local organizations in the profit, nonprofit, and public sectors.
Degree and diploma options
Business Management A.A.S. degree: 60 credits
Rosemount campus • 100 percent online
Multicultural Human Resources Management diploma: 33 credits
Rosemount campus • 100 percent online
Multicultural Leadership diploma: 33 credits
Rosemount campus • 100 percent online
Multicultural Quality Management diploma: 33 credits
Rosemount campus • 100 percent onlineYou can individualize your degree by selecting an emphasis area by completing two of the following certificates:
Human Resource Management Certificate: 17 credits
Multicultural Supervision Certificate: 17 credits
Quality Improvement Certificate: 17 credits
Supervisory Leadership Certificate: 17 creditsLEARN MORE…
General and Operations Managers
Plan and coordinate the activities of organizations.
WAGE
This is a very high-wage career that pays well above the statewide median of $23.00/hour
Minnesota
Median: $50.00/hour
High: $73.07/hourSeven-county Twin Cities metro
Median: $55.93/hour
High: $79.74/hourOUTLOOK
In Minnesota, there are 40,490 workers employed in this very large career, which is currently in very high demand and seeing high growth compared to other careers. Growth rate in the Minnesota is 7.2 percent.
There will be a need for about 46,705 new General and Operations Managers to meet market demand between 2018–2028. This includes the demand due to replacement (workers leaving the occupation or retiring) as well as growth.
— Minnesota State CAREERwise Education
