1. Kansas State University
  2. »Division of Communications and Marketing
  3. »K-State Today
  4. »Hoover named 2017 Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year

K-State Today

April 14, 2017

Hoover named 2017 Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year

Submitted by Ashley Bailey

Kansas State University student employees, supervisors, family and friends gathered April 11 to recognize more than 40 K-Staters who were nominated for the Student Employee of the Year award.

Before announcing the 2017 winner, Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students, recognized the family of the late Kyle Pelton, the 2016 Student Employee of the Year. Pelton's post-graduation employer, Textron Aviation, was also acknowledged and presented a $1,000 lead gift that will help fund a a permanent display for all past and future award winners.

In addition to the gift, the award will now be known as the Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year award.

Shortly following the gift revealing, Dominique Hoover, student facility manager for K-State's Recreational Services, was named the 2017 Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year. Hoover is a senior in mechanical engineering and from Hutchinson.

"Personally, this honor means the world to me. Receiving this award made me realize how much my work actually contributes to everyone here at Kansas State University," Hoover said. "I know that every individual who is a part of this Rec family are more than honored as well to have the award come back to such a fantastic facility."

Hoover advises students working their way through school to practice their time management skills.

"Years in college fly by so fast, and without proper time management it is hard to find motivation in what you are doing. I would also say to stay motivated you have to find passion in what you are doing, and look for new and exciting ways to have fun doing whatever that may be," Hoover said.

Jason Brungardt, supervisor and assistant director for facility operations for Rec Services, mentions the impact Hoover has had on the department.

"Recreational Services is very proud of Dom for winning this award and very thankful for all the work he has put in along the way. Dom has left us in extremely good shape, and we wish him the best after graduation!" Brungardt said.

Hoover was selected for his exceptional reliability, quality of work, initiative, professionalism and adherence to the principles of the Wildcat Way.

The following students were finalists for the award: 

  • Ella Magerl, Recreational Services
  • Spencer Schrader, Applied Aviation Research Center, K-State Polytechnic Campus
  • Madison Smith, Academic Assistance Center
  • Jacquelyn Sommers, Engineering Extension

To see videos of all five finalists and winner, please visit the Career Center website

In this issue

Updates from leadership
News and research
Shared governance
Events
Kudos, publications and presentations
Campus construction and maintenance