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Featured Alumnus: Sanel Fazlic '04
By Luke Sprunger, Student Contributing Writer
Sanel Fazlic, '04 After experiencing the loss of his father and eight other close family members during the Bosnian War, Sanel Fazlic, ’04 came to the United States to escape persecution and find new opportunities.  Driven and successful in America, he remains connected to his heritage and committed to supporting the Bosnian community.  Since 2007, Fazlic has served as president of the Bosnian Cultural Center, a non-profit organization that aims to preserve Bosnian culture and serve the faith needs of Bosnians of the Muslim religion.
 
The Bosnian Cultural Center, founded in 1997, has grown from 40 to more than 330 active families today.  For many Bosnians who fled the country during or after the war, the preservation of their culture and identity remains important.  “The Bosnian Cultural Center offers a place to pray, to practice, and to meet,” says Fazlic.  The center has various activity groups for members, and has held many fundraisers to benefit the Grand Rapids community, including a recent fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.  The center also maintains strong relationships with other Bosnian organizations across the United States.
 
As president of the Cultural Center, Fazlic is responsible for overseeing these groups and for events such as fundraisers, guest speaker appearances, and meetings with other organizations.  Fazlic has certainly set an example that makes him well-suited in the leadership role.  His hard work and determination are evident both in achieving success in his years at Aquinas, from which he graduated with honors, and in starting his own trucking firm, Fleet Quest, LLC, in 2005 with his cousin and co-owner Armin Hirkich.  Fleet Quest currently has 25 semi-trucks shipping products across 48 states.
 
Fazlic expresses a strong desire to help the Bosnian Community.  “My goal as a president is to see our youth grow up and have success in this country,” he says.  “Back home, my city had a similar center, and I always hear from my elders of how good it felt to be a part of something.  I would like to see the same happen here.” 
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