November 19, 2020
2020 Student Organization Awards recipients announced
Submitted by Center for Student Involvement
The Center for Student Involvement recognizes and celebrates the recipients of the 2020 Student Organization Awards.
Student organizations help shape the culture and experience of our shared community at K-State. We know this has been a challenging year for many organizations as we navigate a global pandemic and strive to maintain our community's health and safety as a top priority. Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize and nominate your peers for the outstanding work they have done.
Awards nominees were recognized on the Center for Student Involvement's Twitter and Instagram accounts. On Nov. 17, the Center for Student Involvement, in partnership with Blue Key Senior Honor Society, announced the 2020 Student Organization Awards recipients via Instagram Live. Watch a recording of the announcements.
2020 Student Organization Awards recipients:
• Outstanding Collaborative Event of the Year — Colin Ryan, financial comedian, Manage Your Money. Reach Your Dreams, hosted by the Union Program Council, Powercat Financial, K-State Proud and Personal Financial Planning; nominated by Baliegh Fry. The event was organized to educate students about the ways to manage money effectively in college and to share information about the resources available on campus such as meeting with a peer financial counselor at Powercat Financial to discuss budgeting, student loans and evaluating job offers or applying for a Student Opportunity Award through K-State Proud.
• Intercultural Event of the Year — ICC Food Festival, hosted by the International Coordinating Council, nominated by Tahmineh Azizi. The ICC Food Festival let the campus community try native dishes from cultures around the world right in the middle of campus. The event was planned by students who dedicate themselves year-round to celebrating their own cultures and heritage. The event was hosted as part of an ongoing effort to incorporate diversity-related themes in school culture.
• Student Organization Event of the Year — Orgiami, hosted by the Math Club, nominated by Tahmineh Azizi. Origami was hosted when undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines could network, learn, experience and tackle the most fun and amazing math challenges: origami. Students were able to take advantage of one of the best educational events and most interactive sessions at K-State and experience the greatest teamwork with other students to achieve the goal.
• Advisor of the Year — Jordan Kocher, advisor to Interfraternity Council and Panhellenic Council, nominated by Michael Porter. Kocher has been not only an exceptional advisor and advocate for IFC and PHC, but has also proven to be a figure of inspiration and strength for the Greek community here at K-State. During the COVID-19 outbreak, her leadership has proven to be invaluable as the councils navigate the uncertainty the virus brings. Despite the councils not knowing what will come next with the virus, they do know that they can always depend on Kocher to provide exceptional guidance, inspiration and leadership.
• Student Member of the Year — Cadence Ciesielski, member of Pre-Law Ambassadors, nominated by Tracey Lee. Ciesielski is an outstanding member of the Pre-Law Ambassadors who goes above and beyond to create and deliver meaningful programming to students and to provide a welcoming and inclusive community for any K-Stater who wants to learn more about the law. Ciesielski's goal is to help students meet their own career goals and was quoted to say, "If I help somebody in the program, then they can use their knowledge to help somebody else."
Congratulations to all of this year's nominees, and especially to the award recipients. The Center for Student Involvement thanks you for your hard work in making your organizations — and therefore K-State — a welcoming, active and inclusive community through your leadership and support.