Show-Me State Times

The Center for Bosnian Studies at Saint Louis University will honor Nermana Huskić with the 2025 Civic Courage Award. The award recognizes individuals who demonstrate respect, equality, and pluralism, values associated with Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Nermana Huskić is the founder and executive director of RukaNade, a non-profit organization that supports people in need in Bosnia and the unhoused population in St. Louis. She will receive the award during a ceremony scheduled for October 22 at Saint Louis University.

The Civic Courage Award was established in 2015 to acknowledge those who show tolerance, respect, and care for others. The Center for Bosnian Studies is noted as the only initiative of its kind in North America. It preserves historical and cultural records of Bosnian genocide survivors and their families, especially within metropolitan St. Louis, which has an estimated 60,000 members in its Bosnian community—the largest outside Bosnia-Herzegovina.

“Nermana is an active member of the St. Louis Bosnian community and a leader in humanitarian efforts both here and in Bosnia,” said Adna Karamehic-Oates, Ph.D., director of the Center for Bosnian Studies at SLU.

Huskić was born in Zvornik, Bosnia and Herzegovina. At age five she experienced war firsthand when her family fled their hometown but continued to face conflict throughout the war years. She moved to the United States with her family at age eleven.

Founded by Huskić in 2017, RukaNade—meaning "hand of hope"—works with various groups including St. Louis’ unhoused population, seniors, youth, as well as families and orphans in Bosnia.

Earlier this year, Saint Louis University became the permanent home for the Center’s oral histories, rare collections, circulating materials, and digital archives. The center began as the Bosnia Memory Project in 2006 before being renamed in 2020 to reflect its expanding role as a resource on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The upcoming event is sponsored by both the Center for Bosnian Studies and Midwest BankCentre.

The ceremony will take place at 6 p.m., Wednesday, October 22 at Pere Marquette Gallery in DuBourg Hall on campus. Attendance is free but registration is requested.