December 20, 2012
Time management, organization give Sublette student the key to success
Submitted by Communications and Marketing
Good grades are important to Lainie Sjeklocha, but her main goal as a student at Kansas State University is having a good college experience.
She has accomplished both.
Sjeklocha, Sublette, was named the College of Business Administration's Fall 2012 Outstanding Senior, an honor given by the Dean's Student Advisory Council to a student who has excelled in the college. She also recently graduated summa cum laude, which is the university's highest graduation honor and awarded to students with a 3.95 grade point average or higher. Sjeklocha received bachelor's degrees in accounting and finance in December.
The secret to her success, she said, is organization and time-management, including a paper planner full of entries, now crossed out, for classes, meetings, trips and study times. A perfectionist, she said she also made an effort to get to know her teachers and seek out help when needed.
In her nominations for the outstanding senior award, Sjeklocha is described as dependable, active, and respected by her peers, as well as humble, and the type of quiet, committed leader and role model that makes Kansas State University great.
Along with her high grades -- she's been on the semester honors list since coming to the university in fall 2008 -- Sjeklocha has been actively engaged in the College of Business Administration and involved in several student organizations, including as an officer of the Student Finance Association; a member of Beta Alpa Psi, the accounting student club; and a past member of the Dean's Advisory Council and the Joint Projects Committee, a group of student leaders who plan a large professional development event for all business students.
"I enjoyed being in the student clubs and interacting with others," Sjeklocha said. "I also enjoyed talking and getting to meet recent K-State grads who have visited for recruiting from companies like Koch or ConocoPhillips."
As an example of her dedication to the college, Sjeklocha had perfect attendance to every bimonthly Student Finance Association meeting and event. She also volunteered to give tours to prospective faculty.
"She is someone you can always count on to be there and contribute," said Scott Hendrix, instructor of finance and faculty adviser for the Student Finance Association, who nominated her for the award. "She has organized trips, helped plan career fairs and performed numerous other duties as an officer."
As for the college experience, Sjeklocha said that her dedication to schoolwork didn't stop her from enjoying her time at Kansas State University. She attended all home football games as a student -- and some away games as well. She also made many friendships she cherishes.
"I never felt like I lived in the library," she said.
Now back in Sublette, Sjeklocha will be working as a compliance officer at Centera Bank. She wanted to return to her hometown to take advantage of the opportunity created for her at the bank she worked during breaks from school for the last few years. She also wanted to see her 12-year-old sister, Lexie, grow up.
Sjeklocha is the daughter of Dave and Sheri Sjeklocha. In addition to her sister, she has a 19-year-old brother, Cole.