05/03/18
HAYS, Kan. – Nominees for three top awards have been announced by the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association.

Thirty-eight graduating seniors have been nominated for the 2018 Torch Award, the highest student honor, and 68 faculty were nominated by members of the class of 2018 for the Pilot Award for outstanding faculty member.

In addition, 28 graduate students who will complete their degrees this spring were nominated for the association’s Lighthouse Award, created this year to honor the outstanding student completing graduate studies.

The Torch and Pilot Awards, created in 1974, are presented every year at the Graduate and Faculty Luncheon in advance of Commencement. Torch Award and Lighthouse Award candidates are nominated by members of the faculty on the basis of classroom excellence, participation in professional organizations and involvement in student, civic or research activities.

Pilot Award candidates are nominated on the basis of classroom excellence, ongoing research and service activities.

Nominees for the Torch Award and the Lighthouse Award are listed alphabetically by hometown. The list excludes one student who requested privacy.

Torch Award

BELOIT (67420): Emily Brandt, majoring in political science, is a Beloit High School graduate.

BUCKLIN (67834): Janae Powell, majoring in communication sciences and disorders, is a Bucklin High School graduate.

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio (43725): Andrea Jamiel, majoring in psychology, is a Cambridge High School graduate.

CLAFLIN (67525): Peyton Broeker, majoring in communication sciences and disorders, is a Central Plains High School graduate.

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (80921): Ella Ingram, majoring in organizational leadership, is a Discovery Canyon Campus High School graduate.

DIGHTON (67839): Clayton Capra, majoring in music education, is a Dighton High School graduate.

DODGE CITY (67801): Lauren Oldham, majoring in communication sciences and disorders, is a Dodge City High School graduate.

EMMETT (66422): Stephani Robbins, majoring in management, is a St. Marys High School graduate.

EVANS, Colo. (80620): Brianna Hardy, majoring in English, is a Greeley Central High School graduate.

GARDEN CITY (67846): Yoana Cruz, majoring in management, is a Garden City High School graduate.
Carla Parra-Martinez, majoring in communication, is a Garden City High School graduate.

GRAINFIELD (67737): Tuker Gillespie, a double major in agricultural business and agriculture, is a Wheatland High School graduate.

GREAT BEND (67530): Alexis Werth, majoring in nursing, is a Great Bend High School graduate.

HASTINGS, Neb. (68901): Sarah Jarmer, majoring in English, is a Hastings High School graduate.

HAYS (67601): Kiera Schwarz, majoring in finance, is a Hays High School graduate.
Maleigha Siglinger-Albers, majoring in English, is a Hays High School graduate.
Jaici Simon, majoring in English, is a Hays High School graduate.
Olivia Wiesner, majoring in tourism and hospitality management, is a Hays High School graduate.
Chloe Zimmerman, a double major in accounting and finance, is a Thomas More Prep-Marian High School graduate.

HOLYROOD (67450): Connor Phelan, majoring in geography, is a Rangely High School graduate.

OTTAWA (66067): Carlie Snethen, majoring in organizational leadership, is a West Franklin High School graduate.

LARNED (67550): Reagan Quick, majoring in accounting, is a Larned High School graduate.

LEAVENWORTH (66048): Megan Rust, majoring in organizational leadership, is a Leavenworth High School graduate.

McKINNEY, Texas (75070): Vianei Sanchez, majoring in accounting, is a McKinney High School graduate.

McPHERSON (67460): Casey Higgins, majoring in criminal justice, is a McPherson High School graduate.
Keshawn Sewell, majoring in health and human performance, is a McPherson High School graduate.

OLATHE (66062): Haydee Reyes-Alvarado, majoring in organizational leadership, is a Spring Hill High School graduate.

OTIS (67565): Dalton Steinert, majoring in accounting, is an Otis-Bison High School graduate.

OVERLAND PARK (66221): Anna Wilson, majoring in nursing, is an Olathe South High School graduate.

PARKER, Colo. (80134): James Kadolph, majoring in history, with a concentration in secondary education, is a Chaparral High School graduate.

RAPID CITY, S.D. (57701): Chantel Bollinger, majoring in art, is a Rapid City Central High School graduate.

SALINA (67401): Rachel Guillot, majoring in organizational leadership, is a Salina South High School graduate.
Shaelin Sweet, majoring in English, is a Salina South High School graduate.

SENECA (66538): Kayce Feldkamp, majoring in accounting, is a Nemaha Valley High School graduate.

SHATTUCK, Okla. (73858): Brianna Witchey, majoring in sociology, is a Shattuck High School graduate.

SPEARVILLE (67876): Joshua Renner, majoring in English, is a Spearville High School graduate.

ULYSSES (67880): Anna Otter, majoring in nursing, is a Ulysses High School graduate.

WELLINGTON (67152): Gracie Defore, majoring in tourism and hospitality management, is a Wellington High School graduate.

Lighthouse Award

ANYANG, China: Xin (Jason) Zhang, completing a Master of Business Administration.

ASHLAND (67831): Bruce (Alan) Romans, completing a Master of Business Administration (leadership studies).

AUGUSTA (67010): Michael Denton, completing a Master of Business Administration (finance).

BELOIT (67420): Jeremy Hughes, completing a Master of Business Administration (international business).

DEERFIELD (67838): Leginia Ortiz, completing a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

HAYS (67601): Sophie Amatya Dhoubhadel, completing a Master of Business Administration (finance).
Moisés DeLima, completing a Master of Arts in English (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages).
Marie Henderson, completing a Master of Science in instructional technology.
Silas Hibbs, completing a Master of Business Administration.
Juan (Josephine) Xu, completing a Master of Business Administration (marketing).

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (80129): Lauren Solzman, completing a Master of Professional Studies (human resource management).

KLEINMACHNOW, Germany: Felix Albl, completing a Master of Business Administration (marketing).

La CROSSE (67548): Nicholas Schmidt, completing a Master of Professional Studies (human resource management).

LARNED (67550): Amanda Haberman, completing a Master of Science in health and human performance.

LAVRAS, Brazil: Gilberto Pereira, completing a Master of Arts in English (Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages).

LIBERAL (67901): Lizette Avalos, completing a Master of Science in communication (general).
Joshua Joe “JJ” Widener, completing a Master of Business Administration (information assurance).

MANHATTAN (66502): Callea Breiner, completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

OBERLIN (67749): Abbie Weatherley, completing a Doctor of Nursing Practice.

OMAHA, Neb. (68135): Lauren Baird, completing a Master of Fine Arts (ceramics).
Christian Swanson, completing a Master of Science in speech-language pathology.

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (57106): Katelyn Haschke, completing a Master of Science in psychology (clinical).

AUGUSTINE, Fla. (32084): Herrick Smith, completing a Master of Fine Arts (ceramics).

TOPEKA (66604): William Wolff, completing a Master of Science in special education (high incidence).

VICTORIA (67671): Erica Dinges, completing a Master of Business Administration (human resource management).
Pamela Irwin, completing an Education Specialist degree in advanced professional studies (education administration).

WEST JORDAN, Utah (84081): Lynn Mellor, completing a Master of Business Administration.

Nominees for the Pilot Award are listed alphabetically.
Pilot Award

Dr. Kayvan Aflatooni, professor of physics.
Dr. Hendratta Ali, associate professor of geosciences.
Dr. Laura Andrews, associate professor of music and theatre.
Dr. Jill Arensdorf, associate professor of leadership studies and chair of the Department of Leadership Studies.
Erica Bittel, instructor of art and design.
Dr. Emily Breit, associate professor of economics, finance and accounting.
Dr. Keith Bremer, assistant professor of geosciences.
Dr. Gary Brinker, professor of sociology.
Dr. Frederick Britten, professor of communication sciences and disorders.
Dr. LeAnn Brown, associate professor of management and chair of the Department of Management.
Dr. Christie Brungardt, assistant professor of leadership studies.
Dr. Amanda Buday, assistant professor of sociology.
Dr. Nicholas Caporusso, assistant professor of informatics.
Dr. Robert Channell, professor of biological sciences and chair of the Department of Biological Sciences.
Dr. Kimberly Chappell, assistant professor of advanced education programs.
Allen Craven, associate professor of art and design.
Elizabeth Dingler, instructor of sociology.
Rachel Dolechek, graduate program coordinator in the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. Cheryl Duffy, professor of English and the Becky P. and Mike Goss Distinguished Professor of Excellence in Teaching.
Dr. Cole Engel, assistant professor of economics, finance and accounting.
Dr. Greg Farley, professor and dean of the Peter Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics.
Dr. Amanda Fields, assistant professor of English.
Toby Flores, associate professor of art and design.
Dr. Tony Gabel, associate professor of management.
Katherine Gabel, lecturer in nursing.
Dr. Eric Gillock, professor of biological sciences.
Dr. Larry Gould, professor of political science and chair of the Department of Political Science.
Jessica Heronemus, director of assessment and articulation for the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
Dr. William Hill, assistant professor of psychology and interim chair of the Department of Psychology.
Dr. Christine Hober, professor of nursing.
Dr. Sharla Hutchinson, professor of English.
Jacque Jacobs, program specialist in communication sciences and disorders and coordinator of the Herndon Clinic.
Dr. Whitney Jeter, assistant professor of psychology.
Dr. Elodie Jones, assistant professor of advanced education programs.
Dr. Gregory Kandt, professor of health and human performance.
Dr. Robert Keener, assistant professor of agriculture.
Bonnie Landgraf, assistant professor of nursing.
Dr. Jung Hee Lee, assistant professor of social work.
Dr. Eric Leuschner, associate professor of English and chair of the Department of English.
Dr. Patricia Levy, professor of social work.
Dr. Richard Lisichenko, professor of geosciences.
Brooke Mann, lecturer in psychology.
Dr. Jack Maseberg, associate professor of physics.
Dr. Brooke Moore, assistant professor of advanced education programs.
Dr. Paul Nienkamp, associate professor of history.
Emily Pinkston, lecturer in allied health.
Dr. Kenneth Rigler, associate professor of applied technology.
Dr. Scott Robson, associate professor of communication studies and chair of the Department of Communication Studies.
Dr. Timothy Rolls, associate professor of music and theatre.
Dr. Mindy Salmans, lecturer in advanced education programs.
Dr. Samuel Schreyer, associate professor of economics, finance and accounting.
Henry Schwaller IV, instructor of management.
Karrie Simpson Voth, professor of art and design and chair of the Department of Art and Design.
Dr. Craig Smith, associate professor of agriculture.
Dr. Kevin Splichal, assistant professor of advanced education programs.
Dr. Bill Stark, professor of biological sciences.
Dr. Janet Stramel, associate professor of teacher education.
Joshua Tanguay, lecturer in psychology.
Jon Tholstrup, instructor of informatics.
Chaiwat Thumsujarit, professor of art and design.
Dr. Peter Tramel, assistant professor of philosophy.
Dr. Edward Vengrouskie, instructor of management.
Dr. Beth Walizer, professor of teacher education.
Kathleen Ward, associate professor of nursing.
Dr. Gregory Weisenborn, associate professor of management.
Kenneth Windholz, instructor of psychology.
Dr. Teresa Woods, assistant professor of teacher education.
Dr. Hsin-Yen Yang, associate professor of communication studies.