Polytechnic presents outstanding student awards, Wildcat Pride honors
MANHATTAN — Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus is honoring students for their academic achievements, leadership and personal contributions with its annual end-of-the-year awards.
The Wildcat Pride Awards are given to students who display attributes of community service, determination and dedication. Kansas State Polytechnic also presents an award for Most Inspirational student.
Jack Thomlison, senior in professional pilot, Overland Park, is the recipient of the Wildcat Pride Award for Dedication, which recognizes a student who goes above and beyond normal duties and is committed to a particular course of thought or action. Thomlison's nominator says he has demonstrated leadership, dedication and selfless service for the university, as well as a positive attitude toward encouraging fellow students in their studies. He has been a great example to other students through his own dedication to flight training and is always willing to discuss operations and his experience on campus with prospective students.
Marcello Dodd-Holliday, freshman in robotics and automation, Salina, is the recipient of the award for Most Inspirational student. This award honors a student who inspires others to achieve the highest level at which they are capable and epitomizes the qualities of determination, dedication and service. This student must also maintain a GPA of 2.5 or above. Marcello's nominator calls him an exceptional person and hard-working, incredible student who has been thrown a lot of curveballs but always maintains a positive attitude. Dodd-Holliday is a first-generation, nontraditional student and wants to be an example to his children about the importance of education.
Maritza "ChaChi" Rodriguez, senior in social work, Salina, is the recipient of the Wildcat Pride Award for Community Service. This award recognizes a student who understands the civic responsibility to help serve the local community and demonstrates involvement in the community. Her nominator has been impressed with her civic drive and knew she was destined to become a social worker the first time they met. Rodriguez has found ways to consistently incorporate what she’s learning in the classroom into projects she could initiate or be involved in the community. Among many other efforts, she has organized a faculty and student panel on diversity, represented her peers in student government, served on the Salina County Community Relations Board, and worked with the Salina City Relations Office to coordinate a book read and discussion for the community and campus.
Jazstyn Moyer, senior in airport management, Ulysses, was selected for the Wildcat Pride Award for Determination. The award is presented to a student who shows a quality of firmness in beliefs and actions, doesn't quit until an answer or decision is reached, and pursues life by focusing on achieving a goal with passion. She was nominated by her supervisor at the Student Life Center who calls her the most self-motivated person he’s ever worked with throughout his time in higher education at various institutions. Moyer is a person that sees the entire picture and is able to keep projects – and everyone involved with them – in smooth operating order. Because of her determination and grit, she received two full-time job offers prior to graduation. Her nominator hopes that every student on campus can learn from Jazstyn’s example of determination.
The following students and faculty also have received awards:
Outstanding Academic Student awards — Jadyn Cress, sophomore, chemistry, Berryton; Ethan Hamel, senior, UAS flight and operations, Damar; Cielo Lubaton, sophomore, applied business and technology, Fort Riley; Raphael Gutierrez, senior, UAS design and integration, Junction City; Taylor Pearson, junior, aviation maintenance management, Manhattan; Nathan Whoolery, sophomore, web development technology, Manhattan; Leslie Duenas-Galvan, senior, social work, Salina; Terrill Leaton, senior, computer systems technology, Salina; Morgan Perez, senior, digital media technology, Salina; Leo Ramirez, senior, electronic and computer engineering technology, Salina; Levi Unruh, senior, professional pilot, Salina; Bryan Weikle, senior, applied business, Salina; Jazstyn Moyer, senior, airport management, Ulysses; Alex Reichart, senior, robotics and automation engineering technology, Valley Falls; Jacob Worm, senior, mechanical engineering technology, Wichita.
Expository Writing Awards — Jonathan Wissing, junior, Hutchinson; Shea Clark, junior, digital media technology, Salina; and Brin Brody, sophomore, aeronautical technology, Edgewater, New Jersey.
Outstanding campus awards — Jan Hollander, Outstanding Staff Member of the Year; Austin Walden, Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year; Kebby Underwood, Outstanding Academic Advisor/Faculty Mentor of the Year; Shanna Walker, Outstanding Club Advisor of the Year; Department of Facilities, Most Outstanding Department of the Year; Logan Ragsdale, junior, Tonganoxie, Outstanding Student Employee of the Year.
All-university awards — Jazstyn Moyer, Ulysses, Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year Award; Satoru Okada, Japan, Dean of Student Life Outstanding Graduating Senior Award.
