On Sunday, April 23, 2017 the Staley School of Leadership Studies hosted its annual Celebrating Service and Leadership event. This event is held to honor those who have demonstrated exceptional service, leadership, and civic engagement at K-State, in the Manhattan community, and beyond.
Several students were recognized for their leadership in the Staley School and the community with the Pat J. Bosco Leadership Studies Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. These students demonstrate leadership and campus involvement while at Kansas State, show academic excellence in leadership studies courses, and display commitment to and involvement in the Staley School of Leadership Studies. The award recognizes Dr. Pat Bosco’s instrumental support in the establishment of what is now the Staley School of Leadership Studies.
Six students received the Pat J. Bosco Leadership Studies Outstanding Graduating Senior Award: Caden Laptad senior in Education and Mathematics from Olathe, Kansas, Emily Stolfus senior in Elementary Education and International Studies from St. Joseph, Missouri, Maddie Musil senior in Political Science and International Studies from Overland Park, Kansas, Emily Swan senior in Communication Studies from Roswell, Georgia, Katie Gehrt senior in Education from De Soto, Kansas, Gabe Gutierrez a senior in Management from Victoria, Kansas.
The Nonprofit Leadership Outstanding Graduating Senior award is presented to a student who exemplifies service to humanity, professionalism, measurable competencies and certification, inclusiveness, and academic excellence in the nonprofit leadership focus courses.
The student who demonstrates academic and leadership excellence in the nonprofit leadership focus is: Bre Lombard, senior in Marketing from Northwood, Iowa.
The Outstanding Service Champion is awarded to Debbie Nuss for her work with Everybody Counts. Everybody Counts, operating under the umbrella of the Riley County Council of Social Service Agencies (RCCSSA), is a grassroots effort that came about in response to an informational report to the USD 383 Board of Education in September 2013 indicating that over 250 students were self-reporting to be experiencing homelessness. She also serves as Vice Chair for Riley County Council of Social Service Agencies, member of Public Health Advisory Council, member of the Manhattan Juneteenth Council, and member of the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Committee.
The Outstanding Civic Engagement Award is given to a student who has demonstrated a commitment to personal development, intellectual growth, and positive community impact through their work as a citizen leader.
Receiving the Outstanding Civic Engagement Award for excellence in community engagement and strong commitment to service is: Zev Allen, senior in Life Sciences from Solider, Kansas.
The Candi Hironaka Outstanding LEAD 212 Class Leader award recognizes class leaders annually who carry on Candi’s tradition of care and excellence in performing their peer leader role, as a facilitator of learning, a mentor, a community builder, and a teaching team member.
The students receiving the Candi Hironaka Outstanding LEAD 212 Class Leader award are: Bailey Porter junior in Biochemistry from Overland Park, Kansas, Kayla Wilkinson senior in Biochemistry from Riley, Kansas, and Shunyce Battles senior in Psychology from Kansas City, Kansas.
In an effort to recognize K-State and Manhattan service partners, the Outstanding Community Service Awards are designed to honor individuals and groups who have contributed to the greater Manhattan community through their service and leadership. Kylie Davis, representative from Community First National Bank, joined us to award a generous donation to organizations of the recipients’ choice.
The Outstanding K-State Student Volunteer award is given to a student who demonstrates exemplary leadership in service, responsibility, and commitment. Their display of dedication and sensitivity to diversity is recognized while addressing a need in the community. Erin Hildreth, senior in Mass Communications and Gerontology from El Dorado, Kansas is recognized as the Outstanding K-State Student Volunteer for her service as a technology assistant at the Riley County Senior Center.
The organization recognized as the Outstanding K-State Student Organization promotes an ethic of service on and off campus through ongoing service or an exemplary one-time project.
The Outstanding K-State Student Organization is awarded to the Associated General Contractors Student Chapter. They are committed to involving others in service and dedicating their time to helping Habitat for Humanity with projects around the Manhattan community and across the country. These projects allowed the Associated General Contractors Student Chapter to apply its members’ construction experience and expertise, as well as educate younger members, to help communities in need of these skills. They designated their monetary award to support Habitat for Humanity.
Outstanding Community Service Partner is awarded to groups that have worked with HandsOn Kansas State and the Staley School throughout the year.
Receiving the Outstanding Community Service Partner award is the City of Manhattan Parks and Rec and City of Manhattan Codes and Services, represented by Matt Lamb who accepted the award on behalf of the City of Manhattan. They have provided insights into several community issues, have assisted in the mobilization of K-State students and community members, and have lead the campus and community in directly impacting the greater Manhattan community. Programs such as our annual Spring Clean-Ups and Furniture Amnesty Day meet the need of keeping the community clean and provide the valuable resource of gently used furniture to new homes at no cost. Parks and Rec has also partnered with the Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows Program to foster youth sports coaching in the Manhattan community. We thank both of these community partners for their ongoing support and commitment to making Manhattan, Kansas a great place to live.
The “Rost” Outstanding Faculty Award is given to a faculty or staff member who exemplifies the mission statement of the Staley School and who not only demonstrates these characteristics in their own lives but also inspires others to grow in their leadership.
Receiving the “Rost” Award is Dr. Andrew Wefald for his dedication to his students inside and outside of the classroom. Andy is pictured here with his spouse, Fani Kozar Wefald.
The night concluded with the presentation of the Susan M. Scott Community Leadership Award, which was established in Susan Scott’s name to recognize and celebrate her leadership as the founding director of leadership studies. The award is given to recipients who demonstrate leadership focused on bringing progressive change to communities.
Usha Reddi, Mayor of Manhattan, was awarded the Susan M. Scott Community Leadership Award for her years of dedication to passionate service and leadership that she has contributed as an active and engaged member of the Manhattan community.
Usha is a teacher in the Manhattan-Ogden school district. We came to know her through her work and advocacy in the City. She has graciously met with students to share about her civic work and invite them to get involved and has also worked with our faculty to serve on panels and offer feedback about the importance of civic leadership. In addition, she has supported programs like Leadership Manhattan and the City of Manhattan Leadership academy. She got deeply invested the 2016 Mandela Washington Fellows Program, by personally welcoming the group to Manhattan, hosting and taking out many of the Fellows to Rotary, to meals, and just to learn about the work that she does. At the event, she delivered a strong message about the need for leadership and public service in our communities.
For more information about Celebrating Service and Leadership and the awards, please visit our website.