Students receive UW-Stevens Point’s Chancellor’s Leadership Award
12/11/2014
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Recognized for leadership and service to the campus and community, 32 December graduates will receive the 2014 Chancellor's Leadership Award at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The awards will be presented by Chancellor Bernie Patterson in a ceremony on Friday, Dec. 12.

Established in 1978 at the urging of former Chancellor Lee Sherman Dreyfus, the award honors graduates who contribute significant leadership, demonstrate university or community service and display a commitment to personal growth. Each recipient receives a bronze medallion emblazoned with the university seal, hanging from a purple and gold ribbon. 

Those students receiving the Chancellor's Leadership Award, listed by hometown, include:
  • ​Kelly Wirkus, Athens, the daughter of Allen and Barb Wirkus, majored in biology with a minor in chemistry. She was vice president of Omicron Delta Kappa and was active with campus blood drives, American Chemical Society, Gender and Sexuality Alliance, 4-H, Special Olympics and the Boys and Girls Club.

  • Kelly Redmond, Brookfield, the daughter of Tim and Karol Redmond, majored in wildlife ecology with a minor in biology. She was active with the Students for Wetland Awareness Management and Protection, The Wildlife Society, Animal Behavior Club, College of Natural Resources Student Research Symposium and humane society. She also worked at the Tutoring-Learning Center.

  • Erin Baudhuin, Brussels, the daughter of Michael and Connie Baudhuin, majored in business administration and international studies with minors in economics and Spanish. She was co-president of Pointers with Passports and active with Special Olympics, International Club and varsity and club volleyball.

  • Yujing Hu, Changsha, Hunan, daughter of Nengyong Hu and Rangping Cai, majored in international studies and land use planning. She was active with the International Club, Chinese Culture Club and Festival of India. She served as a residence hall community adviser, tutor and peer mentor.

  • Pierre Clark, Chicago, was a dance major. He was vice president and sergeant-at-arms for Sigma Tau Gamma and was active with the Gay Straight Alliance, Boys and Girls Club, Make- A-Difference Day and International Dinner.

  • Kristin Counihan, Green Bay, the daughter of Rick and Lori Counihan, majored in early childhood education with a minor in early childhood special education. She served as vice president and president of the Association for the Education of Young Children, vice president and membership coordinator of the Student Wisconsin Education Association and as a volunteer for College Days for Kids, Labor of Love, Be the Change Day and the Central Wisconsin Reading Council.

  • Shannon McGinn, Hampton, Minn., the daughter of Jerry and Amy McGinn, majored in interior architecture. She was co-president of the American Society of Interior Designers and the Illuminating Engineering Society and president of the International Interior Design Student Association. She also served as a writing consultant for the Tutoring-Learning Center.

  • Ian Hackett, Holmen, the son of Lon and Michele Hackett, majored in fisheries and water resources and biology. He was a CRU student mentor, residential living community advisor, public relations officer for the Fisheries Society, member of the Adventure Club and a small group bible study leader.

  • Jessica Cox, Hurley, the daughter of Norman and Leilah Cox, majored in elementary education with a minor in mathematics. Cox was active with Kappa Delta Pi, the National Residence Hall Honorary and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She also served as a peer adviser, tutor and guide for College Days for Kids and Women and Science Day. She also was a residence hall community adviser and volunteer with Americorps VISTA.

  • Jenna Furger, Lodi, the daughter of Jim and Norma Furger, majored in communication with an emphasis in public relations. She was active in the Public Relations Student Society of America, National Society of Leadership and Success, Society of Human Resources Management, UWSP Conduct Board, Pink Week, Portage County Coalition for Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Homecoming and the Student Government Association. She also was co-founder of the Bring-A-Buddy campaign and an intern with University Relations and Communications.

  • Sammy Chaara, Madison, the son of Mabrouk Chaara and Patricia Chaara, majored in biochemistry with a minor in physics. He was a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary, a Labor of Love site leader and a volunteer with the Children’s Museum, Homecoming cleanup, St. Michael’s Hospital and Wisconsin State Science Olympiad competition. He also served as a residence hall community adviser.

  • Stephanie Mohrmann, Madison, the daughter of Sue Besler and Paul Mohrmann, majored in communication with an emphasis in public relations. She was a member of the University Centers Advisory and Policy Board, and Public Relations Student Society of America.

  • Brock Hanke, Mayville, the son of Andrew and Kimberly Hanke, majored in health science pre-physical therapy. He was active with the UW-Stevens Point Fire Crew, Sigma Mu Tau, National Society of Leadership and Success, Bass Fishing Club and the Muscle Dystrophy Association Summer Camp.

  • Katherine Knight, Medford, the daughter of Greg and Barb Knight, majored in communication with a minor in political science. She was active with the Public Relations Student Society of America, residence hall governance, ArtsBash, 90FM Trivia, Make-A-Difference Day and Salvation Army. She worked for the UWSP Foundation and Residential Living.

  • Nigel Golden, Milwaukee, the son of Emma Golden-Kearney, majored in biology and wildlife ecology research and management. He was treasurer and president of the Black Student Union, founder and treasurer of Multicultural Awareness in Natural Resources and Related Sciences, a senator with the Student Government Association and a research associate with the Biology Department.

  • Jacob Marty, Monticello, the son of James and Linda Marty, majored in wildlife ecology research and management with minors in conservation biology and biology. He served as a liaison and project leader for The Wildlife Society and was the Quiz Bowl Project founder and leader. He also was a peer adviser for the College of Natural Resources, an intramurals official and a volunteer with Special Olympics.

  • Mykalia Lo, Neenah, the daughter of Leeseng Lo and Malee Lo, majored in elementary education with a minor in English as a second language. She was active with CRU, Hmong and Southeast Asian Club, Relay for Life, Student Wisconsin Education Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, The Homework Center and The Latchkey Program. She served as an intern in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and volunteered at a nursing home.

  • Lauren Gilchrist, Plover, the daughter of Dan and Carla Gilchrist, majored in communications with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in professional writing. She was active in the Newman Student Association and Public Relations Student Society of America and acted as the Stevie Pointer mascot. She also served as an intern for Make-A-Wish Wisconsin. She has volunteered more than 165 hours of volunteer work in the community.

  • Jennifer O’Rourke, Portage, the daughter of Phil and Cathy O’Rourke, majored in economics and business administration with a minor in finance. She was president of the Student Finance Association, a volunteer with Relay for Life and Labor of Love and a peer mentor and adviser with the School of Business and Economics.

  • Krista Kamke, Pulaski, the daughter of Warren and Janet Kamke, majored in water resources with minors in biology and geographic information systems for emergency management. She was active with the Public Relations Student Society of America, STEM Day for Girls, Habitat for Humanity and the Residence Hall Association. She served as a residence hall community adviser and assistant hall director as well as a student ambassador.

  • Samantha Martinez, Rhinelander, the daughter of Tony Martinez and Jeanne Thorne, majored in Spanish and minored in anthropology, ethnobotany and environmental studies. She was active with the Spanish Club, Society of Ethnobiology, Residential Living and Sustainable Agriculture in Communities. She helped with local food and energy fairs.

  • Cullen Sutherland, Stevens Point, the son of Kay Lockwood and James Sutherland, majored in vocal performance and choral music education with a minor in German. He was a peer adviser in the Music Department and performed in the UW-Stevens Point Opera Workshop. He also worked in the University Centers.

  • Di Yang, Stevens Point, the son of Peiming Yang and Fenglian Guo, majored in mathematics – actuarial science and economics. He was active in the Chinese Culture Club, International Club and Boxing Club. He served as a student ambassador and tutor.

  • Emily Wisinski, Stevens Point, the daughter of Richard and Laurie Geesey and the spouse of Scott Wisinski, earned a Master of Science in Education degree. She was active with Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Career Day for both boys and girls, Stevens Point Academic Advising Association and the annual Teaching Conference on campus. She also worked in the Tutoring-Learning Center.

  • Jesse Kosobucki, Stevens Point, the daughter of Deb and Dave Kosobucki, majored in business administration, communication and German. She was active with German Club, the College of Letters and Science Dean’s Advisory Council, School of Business and Economics Student Mentor program and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  She also worked in the Career Services Office and Department of Foreign Languages.

  • Joshua Philon, Stevens Point, the son of Cashona Riley and Phillip James, majored in communication with a media studies emphasis. He was active with the International Club and a volunteer with UW-Stevens Point Commencement, Portage County Girls and Boys Club, The United Way, Make-A-Difference Day, Special Olympics Wisconsin State Summer Games, Salvation Army and Relay 4 Life.

  • Nkaohly Xiong, Stevens Point, is the daughter of Johnny Xiong and Pahying Lee and majored in pre-occupational therapy with a minor in psychology. She was active with the American Multicultural Student Leadership Conference, Blood Drive, Hmong and South East Asian-American Club, Portage County Cultural Festival and Make a Difference Day.

  • Sarah McQueen, Stevens Point, the granddaughter of Jean McQueen, majored in international studies and English with a minor in communication. She served as vice president of the Lincoln Hills Poetry Project and volunteered at the Humane Society of Portage County. She also worked as an associate editor for the Portage County Gazette.

  • Julie Martin, Waukesha, the daughter of David and Cathy Martin, majored in family and consumer sciences secondary education, with a minor in nutrition and health education. She was president of the Stevens Point Association of Family and Consumer Sciences and active with Student Wisconsin Education Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, the Wisconsin Affiliate of Family and Consumer Sciences and American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. She worked with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was a residence hall community adviser and reproductive health peer educator.

  • Ge Xiong, Wausau, the daughter of Tou Xiong and Khoua Xiong and the spouse of Andrew Nicholson, majored in physical education with a minor in health education. She was active in the Hmong and Southeast Asian American Club, International Club, Portage County Cultural Festival and Boys and Girls Club.

  • Danae Jaslow, White Bear Lake, Minn., the daughter of Ken Jaslow and Sharon Jaslow, majored in elementary education with a minor in psychology. She was active in Sign Language Club and residence hall government and volunteered for the annual statewide Family Conference.

  • Jennifer Bartram, Wisconsin Rapids, the daughter of Daniel and Tina Bartram, majored in psychology with a concentration in human services and a minor in sociology. She volunteered with Neighborhood Table, Salvation Army, the humane society and her church. She also was a teaching assistant in the psychology and English departments and a writing consultant for the Tutoring-Learning Center.

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