University of West Alabama

Melanie Gravdahl, So., Tennis | Scholarship
Roseville, Minn.
Melanie Gravdahl was recognized for her outstanding academic achievement as a member of a St. Catherine team that received The Food Group's Serendipity Award at the 2026 MinneMUDAC competition. Gravdahl and teammates Emma Holden, Nesteho Abdi, Betlehem Gebrewolde, and Katie Rivas Sanchez were honored for identifying an unexpected and meaningful finding in their data analysis: Minnesota counties overlapping with Tribal Nations experience disproportionately high rates of food insecurity. Competing against teams from across the region, Gravdahl and her teammates demonstrated the impact of data-driven research in addressing important social issues.