Abdul Omari of South Minneapolis didn't even think of studying at the University of Minnesota when he graduated from South High School. But four years later, Omari is graduating from U of M with a BA degree in Global Studies and a minor in African American and African studies and plenty of friendships and fond memories.

"I came to the U for financial reasons," said Omari, a recipient of Page,  Wallin, and President's Distinguished Scholar scholarships. "but I've grown to love the U more than I thought I would."

You have heard the age-old complaints students of color have about the U. It is huge and there aren't that many students of color. But Omari's success story is the perfect example that if you utilize the vast resources and support systems the U offers, put in the efforts and take control of your own destiny, you can excel.

 "I had the same problem," Omari said. "I was overwhelmed by its size and how few minority students there were. It wasn't motivating. In my first semester here I spent 80 percent of my time in my dorm room."