Black Hills State University recognized several exemplary students during the 33rd annual Student Volunteer Awards that took place in the Jacket Legacy Room on April 14.
Organized by the BHSU Student Engagement and Leadership Center, this celebration gives out individual and organization awards along with one scholarship each year. Eleven students were also recognized for completing the Leadership Certificate Program.
“I have loved watching each student leader grow in leadership from planning exciting new events, stepping up into new leadership roles, starting new organizations, or simply helping their organization get more involved on campus,” said Jessie Gramm, student engagement coordinator at BHSU.
The awards and recipients include:
Outstanding New Student: Sage Wilson
Outstanding New Student Organization: Ponder Magazine
Residence Life Involvement Award: Olivia Schaefers
Outstanding Leadership for Residence Life: Rawlin Smith
Outstanding Social Program: Global Jackets Food Festival, Psychology Club Take Back the Night, Swarm Days Mardi Gras Carnival
Outstanding Volunteer: Douglas Leffers, Katelyn Lueth
Outstanding Community Service Project: Psychology Club for their work at the Northern Hills Training Center
Dean of Students Rising Star: Avery Weibert
Most Improved Student Organization: KBHU The Buzz FM
Spirit of BH Award: Megan Brozik
Outstanding Student Leader: Liza Stahl
Excellence in Leadership: Brooklyn Anderson, Megan Bozik, Tianna Dwyer, Megan Finstrom, Alli McManus, Alaina Steveson, Elly Storm
Outstanding Student Organization: Swarm Days
BHSU Biology Professor Dr. Charles Lamb was recognized as the “Outstanding Advisor” for his 30 years of serving as the Health Science Student Organization advisor.
Several BHSU Student Organizations also recognized their own “Outstanding Organization Members.”
Dr. Pam Carriveau, associate vice president for academic programming at the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR) and interim provost at BHSU, announced three BHSU student organizations that will be recognized this fall by the SDBOR for their work during the 2024-25 academic year. The Board of Regents Award for Academic Excellence was given to Ponder Magazine. Through events like launch parties and the 605 Magazine panel discussion, Ponder fostered valuable networking opportunities between students and industry professionals, promoting career development and community engagement. The Board of Regents Community Service Award was given to Shutter Buzz for their work with the Empty Bowls Project that helps local food banks, and the Board of Regents Organization Leadership Award recognized the members of Jacket Catholic for their growth and collaboration.
Throughout the program, votes were cast for the Student Leadership Scholarship winner, and Noah Westergaard was announced as the recipient.