Congratulations, McKendree Leadership and Service Award Winners!

Lebanon, Ill. — Leadership and Service Awards were given to several of McKendree University’s top student leaders and organizations for their inspirational contributions to the campus and community at a recognition banquet on April 27 at the Regency Conference Center in O’Fallon.

Bearcats Football Head Coach Mike Babcock gave the keynote address. Jennifer Stroot, a McKendree University senior from O’Fallon, Ill., was introduced as a 2014 Newman Civic Fellow, one of 197 college student leaders from 36 states honored for their dedication to community service.

A total of 54 nominations were submitted for consideration. And the winners are:

Outstanding Registered Student Organization: Wonders of Wellness (W.O.W.) promotes wellness on campus and beyond, while providing opportunities for students to develop their professional skills. The group has collaborated with 10 other student organizations to host many creative, educational events on and off campus. W.O.W. also won the Bearcat Pride Organizational Award for exemplifying school spirit through its actions, values and commitment.

Outstanding Service Project: Joseph Gebke and Justin Fix,  both students and military veterans from Breese, organized a “Rock Out for Wounded Warrior Foundation” benefit concert to raise community awareness and $1,500 for the organization.

Student Hall of Fame: Megan Zurliene, a senior music education major from Breese, led the Kappa Kappa Psi collegiate honor band fraternity’s Mu Alpha Chapter to a record growth in membership.

Bearcat Pride: Kirsten Ratermann, a senior English major from Breese, has been involved with Student Ambassadors, Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Sorority, the leadership program, New Student Orientation and much more.

ACES Award, sponsored by the Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service: Autumn Twardowski, a senior elementary education major from Herod, volunteered over 400 service hours to university and community activities.

Country and Community Award: MSgt Philip Chapman, a senior management major at McKendree’s Center for Scott Air Force Base, is an 18-year Air Force veteran, president of his homeowners’ association, budget committee chair at Emmanuel Baptist Church, a host parent for Rotary International’s Youth Exchange Program and a member of several academic honor societies.

Outstanding Collaborative Program: “Test Your Gaydar,” a collaborative program hosted by members of Spectrum Alliance, Residence Life and Multicultural Affairs.

Outstanding Student Intern and Employee: Tim Rose, a senior history major from Highland, who has worked in the archives office since 2012. Lauren Haukapp, a junior marketing major from Trenton, has worked with the athletics department’s event staff for two years.

The Spark: Acadia Reynolds, a first-year elementary education major from New Orleans, has made an impact in a short time as a Lyn Huxford Center for Community Service Scholar, student leader and an executive board member of the Student Illinois Education Association.

Outstanding Social Fraternity/Sorority Chapter: Kappa Sigma Tau sorority established a new constitution, recruitment and member education program; identified a new philanthropic focus; and reorganized its officer positions to reestablish itself as “individual and unique” on campus.

 

-McK-