M State Student Awards and Recognition

2024 Student Awards

Faculty and staff recently nominated students and student organizations for 2024 student awards. Congratulations to all M State student awardees!

President's Leadership Award

Cody Barr, Associate Degree Nursing AS, Wadena

Honors the best of student leadership at M State. Qualities include strong leadership skills, impact on the campus community, and involved in a variety of organizations and activities both on and off campus.

Provost's Academic Excellence Award

Jakob Vander Wal, LPN to Associate Degree Nursing Bridge AS, Moorhead

Awarded to a student whose academic record displays distinction, quality, and/or brilliance in a program or transfer area.

Vice President of Student Affairs Outstanding Student Award

Amanda Joarnt, Associate Degree Nursing AS, Wadena

Recognizes a student who shows outstanding commitment to their education while balancing work-life obligations.

Outstanding Student Employee Award

Brandon Fairbanks, Automotive Service Technology AAS, Moorhead; Alexis Linebaugh, Dental Hygiene AAS, Moorhead; Ismail Mohamed, Dental Hygiene AAS, Moorhead; Isaiah Palmer, Graphic Design Diploma, Moorhead; Carter Powell, Liberal Arts & Sciences AA, Moorhead; Elijah West, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Moorhead; Daevion Wilson, Business Transfer Pathway AS, Fergus Falls

Recognizes a student who has gone beyond in their commitment and fulfillment of the duties associated with their on-campus employment.

2023 Student Awards

Faculty and staff nominated students and student organizations for 2023 student awards. Congratulations to all of our student recipients!

Outstanding Student Employee

Mya Miller, Ismail Mohamed, Carter Powell, Johnathan Suchy and Marqual Turner

Recognizes a student who has gone beyond in their commitment and fulfillment of the duties associated with their on-campus employment.

M State Spirit Award

Kaitlyn Beil and Noel Kabanga

Recognizes the impact students have on the M State community. This student promotes M State at the college and in the community.

Rising Artist Award

Abdikadir Ahmed and Grace Liebl

Recognizes a student in any M State Fine Arts activity who demonstrates dedication and promise in their creative area while having a positive impact in their group or classroom.

Perseverance

Cosmos Boadi, Jourdan Fischer, Lanessa Green, Keondre Hodges, Susan Kamstra and Rheanna Rudd

Recognizes a student who shows outstanding commitment to their education while overcoming personal, health or societal barriers. This award recognizes courage and determination in the face of adversity.

Emerging Leader

Mya Miller

Presented to a first-year student who has contributed to the M State community through their involvement in a campus organization, athletic team, residential community or community service program. The nominee must also show significant potential for continued leadership and civic engagement.

Program Excellence Award

Justice Arntson (Graphic Design Technology), Amanda Cumberworth (HIT/Coding), Grace Lider and Kiley Pederson (Nursing), Anna Hillukka (Psychology), Kaley Quam (Science), and Lindsey Siverson (Surgical Technology)

Designed to recognize excellence in a student's academic work.

Student Organization of the Year

Student Government Association - Fergus Falls

Vice President’s Community Leadership Award

Jourdan Fischer

Recognizes an individual student or student organization whose engagement in the community is especially impactful.

President’s Leadership Award

Kenneth Cooper Jr. (KJ), April Kerkvliet, Isis Lopez

Honors the best of student leadership at M State. Qualities include strong leadership skills, impact on the campus community and involvement in a variety of organizations and activities both on and off campus.

2021 Student Leadership and Social Impact Awards

Sixteen outstanding students and student organizations were recognized April 8 during the virtual collegewide Student Leadership and Social Impact Awards Ceremony. The awards were sponsored by the Office of the Dean of Students, with nominations submitted by M State faculty and staff.

Outstanding Student Employee

Travis Berg and Joseph Kimbrough

Recognizes a student who has gone beyond in their commitment and fulfillment of the duties associated with their on-campus employment. Nominees must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Spartan Spirit Award

Suham Ali, Sam Mukanya Mukengeshayi and Spartan Athletics

Recognizes the impact students have on the M State community. This student promotes M State at the college and in the community. Nominees must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Perseverance

Jacob Seebold, Brandi Ochoa, Elizabeth Meier, Christopher Almendarez and Ryan Countryman

Emerging Leader

Elliot Duggan and Jessica Castillo

Vice President’s Community Leadership/Impact/Social Justice

Melody Staebner

Recognizes an individual student, student organization or initiative whose engagement in the community is especially impactful. The student(s) selected to receive this award will have demonstrated the highest standards of professional and ethical conduct and address social justice issues when negotiating engagement in the community. Nominees must have a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.

President’s Leadership Award

Kaitlyn Blake, Martin Hayes and Tyler Willis

Additional congratulations to these M State students

Seven M State students awarded Live Your Dream scholarships

Amanda Schermerhorn named Student Leader of the Year by LeadMN

M State students named to 2020-21 All-Minnesota Academic Team

Staebner receives Civic Fellow, World Citizen Awards

Rudolph, Walker awarded 2021 Ashley Perrine Scholarship

Graphic Design student Michael Brunette wins silver award in design competition