Kansas State University

Reminder: Commerce Bank Presidential Awards for Diversity nominations due Nov. 30

Submitted by Adrian Rodriguez

Nominations are open for the Commerce Bank Presidential Faculty and Staff Award for Distinguished Service to Historically Underrepresented Students and the Student Award for Distinguished Services to Enhancing Multiculturalism at K-State.

The nomination and application forms are available online. The nomination deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.

The Faculty and Staff Award, established in 1978, recognizes an outstanding individual's contributions to the development of quality education for historically underrepresented students at Kansas State University. Nominees may be a faculty or staff member, an alumnus, or a friend of the university. The William T. Kemper Foundation through the Commerce Bank sponsors this cash award.

The Student Award, established in the spring of 1997, recognizes an outstanding student's contributions to diversity enhancement within the student sector. The William T. Kemper Foundation through the Commerce Bank sponsors this cash award.

Commerce Bank Presidential Awards Selections committee members include:

• Trisha Gott, associate director, Staley School of Leadership Studies.
• Patricia Hudgins, associate director, Career Center.
• Rebeca Paz, assistant director, Office of First-Generation Students.
• Spencer Wood, associate professor, sociology, anthropology and social work.
• Spencer Clark, assistant professor, curriculum and instruction.
• Brandon Haddock, coordinator, LGBT Resource Center.
• Jordan Peyton, president, Asian American Student Union.
• Del’Sha Roberts, president, Black Student Union.
• Monica Romero, president, Hispanic American Leadership Organization.
• Triston Herbst, president, Native American Student Association.
• Bryan Samuel, chief diversity and inclusion officer.
• Adrian Rodriguez, associate vice president for student life-diversity and multicultural student affairs.

Both award recipients will be celebrated at the Commerce Bank Awards reception on Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2019 during the university's Martin Luther King, Jr. Observance Week. The faculty/staff award recipient will be recognized at spring commencement.

For more information, contact Michele Benevento, selection committee staff support, at mbenevento62@k-state.edu or 785-532-6276 or Adrian Rodriguez, selection committee chair, at adrianr@k-state.edu.