Eva Draper of Omaha, Neb. was presented with the Dave Lorenz Senior Leadership Award. Named in honor of Dave Lorenz, former Dean of Students at USD, this award is given to a graduating senior who has enriched campus life throughout his or her tenure. Britni Waller of Lincoln, Neb. was presented with the Servant Leader Scholarship Award by the Gary and Judy Marx Endowment. This award, presented by the College of Arts and Sciences, is awarded annually to an undergraduate or graduate student for understanding the obligations as citizens of a local community and a sense of responsibility as a citizen of the world and custodian of the planet.

Hanna McElroy of Sioux City, Iowa received the Office of Student Life’s Community Spirit Award, awarded to a student whose work demonstrates a compassion for others through efforts in community service on a local, national or global level; and Levi Froke of Aberdeen, S.D. was honored with the Outstanding Leadership and Service Award from the Office of Student Life. Two students recognized for overall Outstanding Leadership and Service were Eric Schlimgen of Rapid City, S.D., and James Payer of Vermillion, S.D. while Brittany Kielhold of Sioux City, Iowa was recognized with the Outstanding Diversity Leadership Award. Three students were recognized with Unsung Leader Awards by the Office of Student Life: Becky Jarding of Sioux Falls, S.D., Courtney Krcil of Dante, S.D. and Darcy Leischner of Parkston, S.D.

Alexandra Brummer of Council Bluffs, Iowa was presented with the Service Learning Advocate Award, given annually to a student who exemplifies leadership in the doctrine of service-learning; and Ashlin Peitzmeier of Omaha, Neb., received USD’s New Student Leader Award, presented to a first-year student who has become involved in campus or community activities. Jake McBride of Vermillion, S.D. received Community Advisor of the Year and Stephanie Andell of O’Fallon, Ill. was awarded the Rookie Community Advisor of the Year.

The School of Law honored Jason Krause of Hartford, S.D. with two awards: Student Bar Association Student Leadership Award and the American Law Institute/American Bar Association Scholarship and Leadership Award. Samantha Mollet of Jefferson, S.D. and Cassie Bennett of Vermillion each received the law school’s R.D. Hurd Volunteer Law School Society, Outstanding Pro Bono Services and Leadership Award. Shari Fischbach of Mellette, S.D. and Tiffany Buehner of Brandon, S.D. received the School of Education Outstanding Leadership Award (Undergraduate Student) while Lisa Wolf was awarded the School of Education Outstanding Leadership Award (Graduate Student). Aaron Oestmann of Rapid City, S.D. and Kayla Foreman of Orient, S.D. received the Beacom School of Business Outstanding Leadership Award and the School of Health Sciences awarded Student Leader Awards to Lacey Lane of Sioux Falls, S.D. and Wade Fligge of Harrisburg, S.D., who also received the Office of Student Life’s Graduate Student Leadership Award.

Additional awards were presented to Kaiti Strayer of Sioux City, Iowa for “Best in Show” Stillwell Art Competition; Allison Marcus of Olivia, Minn. for the “110% Award” from University Libraries; Ken Granle of Mantorville, Minn. for Most Dependable (University Libraries); Rachel Blake of Centerville, S.D. received the Student Assistant Outstanding Leadership Award from University Libraries; Jennie Bellis of Vermillion, S.D. received the John W. Carlson Research Grant presented by the College of Arts and Sciences; Nolan Goetzinger of Rapid City, S.D. received the Dean Joseph H. Cash Award for Excellence in Writing; and Corryn Celmer of Broomfield, Colo., received the Student Ambassador of the Year for exemplifying true commitment to the Office of Admissions and university community.

Students recognized at the awards ceremony were nominated by peers, faculty and staff members. All students, undergraduate or graduate, were eligible for nomination.

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