KU announces 2013 University Student Awards

LAWRENCE — The University of Kansas has honored 10 students with 2013 University Student Awards, recognizing students’ academic, volunteer and leadership accomplishments during their time at KU.

• The Class of 1913 Award: Bernadette Ann Myers, Prairie Village, and Sida Niu, Overland Park. This award annually goes to a graduating man and woman who show evidence of intelligence, devotion to studies, personal character and promise of usefulness to society.

• The Donald K. Alderson Memorial Award: Bryan Trong Do, Wichita. This award goes to a graduating senior who has demonstrated loyalty to and interest in the university and who has been active in events and services that benefit other students. The award was established in memory of Alderson, former dean of men and dean of
student services.

• The Alexis F. Dillard Student Involvement Award: Shannon Marie Collins, Fairfax Station, Va., and Kimberlee Faith Hinkle, Wichita. This award goes to a graduating student who has unselfishly contributed to the university through campus involvement. The award was established in 1993 by Dillard’s family and friends to remember and honor him.

• Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Awards: Carol Kruse, Lawrence, and Megan Anne Watson, Overland Park. This award annually goes to students who demonstrate a concern for furthering the ideals of the university and higher education. The award was established by a group of seniors in 1973 to honor their fellow student, Leffel.

• The Caryl K. Smith Student Leader Award: Matthew Brian Moore, Wichita. This award goes to a graduating fraternity or sorority member who has demonstrated commitment to the local chapter, the KU greek community, the university and the Lawrence community. The award was established in 1993 to honor Smith, a former dean of student life.

• The Agnes Wright Strickland Awards: Hannah Marie Bolton, Saint Libory, Neb., and Samuel Philip Schroeder, Independence. These awards were established in 1953 in memory of Strickland, a member of the Class of 1887. The awards annually go to graduating seniors in recognition of their academic records, demonstrated leadership in matters of university concern, respect among fellow students and indications of future dedication to service in the university.

• Kathryn Nemeth Tuttle Student Scholar Award: Cooper Lucas Nickel, Lindsborg. This award is presented to a graduating senior scholarship hall man or woman (currently residing in a scholarship hall). Recipients shall have demonstrated academic focus leadership in his/her scholarship hall and also commitment to the KU and Lawrence communities.

The University Student Awards committee selects the winners from throughout the university from nominations submitted by students, faculty and staff. The selection committee includes students, faculty and staff.

Biographical information on recipients:

The Class of 1913 Award:

Bernadette Ann Myers graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in English and Italian. She was a KU finalist for the Rhodes, Marshall and Mitchell scholarships, a Hall Center for the Humanities Scholar, University Scholar, Watkins-Berger Scholar, recipient of the Nelson Humanities Scholarship and a member of the University Honors Program. She also received honors for her involvement in student housing and study abroad. She was the managing editor of Siren, the undergraduate writing journal; and a columnist for the University Daily Kansan. She also was vice president of the KU Water Polo Club. She is the daughter of Joe and Sheila Myers of Prairie Village.

Sida Niu graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He was a Hall Center Scholar and a Self Engineering Leadership Fellow. Among his other honors, he was a Summerfield Scholar, member of the University Honors Program and a Dean’s Scholar. He was a member of University Scholars, which honors 20 sophomores who are selected on the basis of academic credentials, commitment to their education, intellectual promise and evaluations by instructors, advisers and other faculty members. He was active in the Center for Community Outreach and Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Niu plans to attend the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He is the son of Shan Bai, Overland Park.

• The Donald K. Alderson Memorial Award

Bryan Trong Do graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and a minor in leadership studies. Do was a finalist for KU’s Ex.C.E.L. Award in 2012. Among his campus leadership roles, he was vice president for the Mortar Board Honor Society Torch Chapter, co-chair of the Homecoming Steering Committee and president of Student Union Activities. He plans to study physical therapy. He is the son of Hien Do and Huong Huynh of Wichita.

• The Alexis F. Dillard Student Involvement Award

Shannon Marie Collins graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in political science and minors in public policy and leadership studies. She was finalist for KU’s Ex.C.E.L. Award in 2012. She was a member of the University Honors Program and Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. She was vice president of administration for Student Union Activities and active in the Big Event community service day and the LeaderShape Institute. She is a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and participated in Rock Chalk Revue. She is the daughter of David Collins, Fairfax Station, Va., and Jamie Collins, Woodbridge, Va.

Kimberlee Faith Hinkle graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and a minor in communications studies. She was president of Student Union Activities. She was active in the Big Event community volunteer day, KU Alternative Breaks, Mortar Board Honors Society, KJHK 90.7 FM and the KU Memorial Unions. She plans to attend graduate school at KU. She is the daughter of Tim and Tammy Hinkle of Wichita.

• Rusty Leffel Concerned Student Awards

Carol Kruse graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in communications studies and a minor in leadership studies. She received the Outstanding Nontraditional Student Award in 2011. She was active in the Center for Service Learning and a dedicated community volunteer. Among her volunteer work were the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, Lawrence Community Shelter, Douglas County Senior Services, Prairie Park Elementary School and Girl Scout Troop 3326. Before pursuing her degree, she operated a licensed child care facility and worked for the Douglas County Visiting Nurses Association. She is the daughter of Clare Chamberland of Duluth, Minn.

Megan Watson graduated in May with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and English. She was executive director of KU Dance Marathon from March 2011 to January 2013 and was active with the fundraiser for several years before assuming the top leadership role. She was a Watkins-Berger Scholar, Robert J. Dole Public Service Scholar, Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholar, Hall Center Scholar and a member of the University Honors Program. She was president of her freshman and sophomore class and membership co-chair for the Mortar Board Honor Society Torch Chapter. She was active in the Center for Community Outreach and volunteered at Health Care Access Clinic and Jubilee Café. She plans to attend the KU School of Medicine in the fall. She is the daughter of Teresa Watson and Philip Watson, both of Overland Park.

• The Caryl K. Smith Student Leader Award

Matthew Brian Moore graduated in May with a degree in human biology. He is a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity and served two terms as president of his chapter. He served as chief justice of the judicial board of the Interfraternity Council. Moore was active in Rock Chalk Revue, serving as fundraising coordinator in 2011-12 and executive producer in 2012-13. He received many honors from the Greek community, including outstanding fraternity leader of the year and outstanding Greek senior, both in February 2013. He was an Ex.C.E.L. finalist in 2012. He received the outstanding volunteer award from the Jay Doc Free Health Care Clinic in 2012. He plans to attend the KU School of Medicine in the fall. He is the son of Dennis and Michelle Moore of Wichita.

• The Agnes Wright Strickland Awards

Hannah Marie Bolton graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in business management and leadership. She was student body president in 2012-13 and previously served as Student Senate chief of staff. She co-founded and co-directed the Big Event community service day for students. She was a KU Honors ambassador and a participant in the LeaderShape Institute. She was selected as the David A. Ambler Outstanding Campus Leader and the Outstanding Greek Senior. She is a member of Chi Omega sorority. She plans to attend Vanderbilt University in the fall to study for a master’s degree in higher education administration. She is the daughter of Kellee Feuerborn of Lawrence and Mark Bolton of Saint Libory, Neb.

Samuel Philip Schroeder graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering. He is a founding father of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and served as the chapter’s vice president in 2011. He received the 2013 Outstanding Greek Senior award. He was a member of the Hazing Prevention Task Force. Schroeder was a 2012 Ex.C.E.L. finalist and was featured on the 2012-13 Men of Merit poster. He was a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Board. He accepted a job as a completions engineer with ConocoPhillips in Houston. He is the son of Tom and Debbie Schroeder of Independence.

• Kathryn Nemeth Tuttle Student Scholar Award

Cooper Lucas Nickel graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in human biology. He lived in Pearson Scholarship Hall all four years of his time at KU and served as food board manager in 2012-13, overseeing the planning and preparation of meals for his hall. He also was social and community service chair for Pearson. He was a Summerfield Scholar. He also received distinguished resident and new man of the year honors at Pearson. He was active in the Center for Community Outreach. He participated in the the Scholars in Rural Health Program and will attend the KU School of Medicine in the fall. He is the son of Graig and Jaime Nickel of Lawrence.