ABERDEEN, S.D. — Northern State University recognized outstanding student leaders, organizations and campus partners at the 39th annual Wolfy Student Engagement Awards, an evening dedicated to celebrating the individuals and groups who make Northern a vibrant and supportive campus community.
"The Wolfys celebrate the ways our students go above and beyond to make Northern's community an engaged and vibrant place to be," said Alison Kuch, director of New Student and Engagement Programs. "Our students already accomplish so much in the classroom, so seeing them invest in their peers and contribute meaningfully outside of it is something I'm incredibly proud to be a supportive part of. Student engagement is what transforms a college into a community, and peers into friends."
Admissions Awards
- Most Improved STAR: Taylor Elsenpeter
- STAR Energy: Greta Brooks
- STAR of the Year: Ann Sarah Paul
Residence Life Awards
- Residence Life Rising Star: Tevyn Lutz and Chi Ukegbu
- Community Builder of the Year: Sarah Osborne
- Community Assistant of the Year: Claire Haas
SDBOR Student Organization Awards
- Academic Excellence: Honors Club
- Organizational Leadership: Student Government Association
- Community Service: MEDLIFE
NSU Foundation GiveNDay Challenge Winner
- MEDLIFE
Wolfy Student Engagement Award Winners
- Champion for Inclusion: Andrea Phillips
- Community Engagement Project of the Year: Culture Fest, International Student Organization
- Emerging Leader of the Year: Tessa Sieh
- Excellence in Student Government: MacKenzie Turner
- Most Improved Student Organization: Student Government Association
- Program of the Year: Honors Quiz Bowl
- Intramural Referee of the Year: Xavier Kadlec
- Intramural Team of the Year: 1501 — Carter Moller, Daniel Leiferman, Treyson Schulz, Trevor Beyers, Vance Borchers, Andrew Brennan, Cole Ducheneaux, Jeffery Boschee, Taylor Thorson, Gracen Hansen and Zachary Palmer
- Servant Leader of the Year: Abiah George
- Student Employee of the Year: Natalia Szybinska
- Student Leader of the Year: Harley Davis
- Student Organization Advisor of the Year: Dr. Hannah Walters
- Student Organization of the Year: NSU Speech and Debate
"Receiving the Student Employee of the Year Award means a lot to me," said Natalia Szybinska, a senior majoring in communications with an associate degree in digital entrepreneurship. "My last two years working with the Northern micro-credential program have helped me grow personally and provided me with extremely valuable professional experience. This year, the micro-credential program was highly successful, and I am grateful that I was able to be a part of it. Thank you to Jennifer Deutsch for trusting me and giving me the opportunity to do creative and meaningful work in the area of micro-credentials."
Nominees The following individuals were nominated for Wolfy Awards, a recognition in itself of the respect and appreciation of their peers, faculty and staff:
Haylee Bohnet, Xavier Kadlec, Chimnyerem Ukegbu, Kylie Clemens, Gunnar Larson, Tessa Sieh, Zachary Daggett, Nick Noeldner, MacKenzie Turner, Harley Davis, Tobi Obiora, Gavin Wollman, Maggie Fites, Andrea Phillips, Alison Kuch, Jasmin Garcia, Claire Schaefer, Dr. Hannah Walters, Abiah George, Carter Schmidt, Dr. Cheryl Wold, Taylor Ingemansen and Natalia Szybinska.