4/27/21

Nominees for three top commencement awards have been announced by the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association.

Nineteen graduating seniors have been nominated for the 2021 Torch Award, the highest student honor, and 35 faculty members were nominated by members of the class of 2021 for the Pilot Award for an outstanding faculty member.

Three graduate students who will complete their degrees this spring were nominated for the association’s Lighthouse Award to honor the outstanding student completing graduate studies.

The recipients of each award will be announced by Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU president, at the university’s spring convocation on Friday, May 7.

The Torch and Pilot Awards, created in 1974, and the Lighthouse Award, created in 2018, are presented every year during spring commencement.

Torch Award and Lighthouse Award candidates are nominated by members of the faculty and staff on the basis of classroom excellence, leadership, participation in professional organizations, and involvement in student, civic or research activities.

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

Nominees for the Torch Award and the Lighthouse Award are listed alphabetically by their hometowns. Pilot Award nominees are listed alphabetically by last name.

Finalists for each award are denoted by an asterisk.

Torch Award Nominees

ANDALE: Zachary Meyer* is a chemistry major. He is a graduate of Andale High School.

DODGE CITY: Omar Alvarez is a finance major. He is a graduate of Dodge City High School.

GREAT BEND: Allison Muth is a leadership studies major. She is a graduate of Great Bend High School.

HAYS: Rachel Moravek is a sociology major. She is a graduate of Hays High School.

HAYS: Trevor Pfeifer is an informatics (digital media and journalism) major. He is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian Jr./Sr. High School.

HAYS: Conrad Vajnar* is an accounting major with a minor in criminal justice. He is a graduate of Hays High School.

HAYS: Grace Wasinger* is a psychology major. She is a graduate of Thomas More Prep-Marian Jr./Sr. High School.

HOISINGTON: Jonathan Ball is a finance major (banking). He is a graduate of Hoisington High School.

HOISINGTON: Emma Harmon is a communication sciences and disorders major. She is a graduate of Hoisington High School.

LITTLE RIVER: Brady Stephenson is a finance (economics) major. He is a graduate of Little River Senior High School.

McCOOK, Neb: Lexi Gross is an informatics (digital media production) major. She is a graduate of McCook High School.

McPHERSON: Ellea Ediger is a finance major (financial planning). She is a graduate of McPherson High School.

OSBORNE:  Olivia Engler is a finance (banking) major. She is a graduate of Osborne High School.

OSCEOLA, Neb: Bradley DeMers* is a political science major. He is a graduate of Osceola High School.

OVERBROOK: Emily Jo Linder is an English (writing) major with a minor in communications (public relations and advertising). She is a graduate of Baldwin High School and the Kansas Academy of Math and Science.

SALINA: Samual Neff is an accounting major. He is a graduate of Salina Central High School.

TOPEKA: Diane Nuñez is a geosciences (geography) major. She is a graduate of Topeka High School.

WICHITA: John Egan* is a finance major with certificates in accounting and insurance. He is a graduate of Wichita Collegiate School.

WICHITA: David Lingg is an international business and economics major. He is a graduate of Grace Christian Academy (homeschool).

Lighthouse Award Nominees

HAYS: Cyrus Haynes* is graduating with a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources.

MONTEZUMA: Remington Clark* is graduating with a Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology.

QUINTER: Blaine Wertz* is graduating with a Master of Science in Biology (Health-Professions).

Pilot Award Nominees

Dr. Gary Andersen is an assistant professor of advanced education programs.

Dr. James Balthazor* is an associate professor of chemistry.

Ms. Nikki Brown is an adjunct instructor of interdisciplinary studies and health and human performance.

Dr. Rob Byer is an assistant professor of philosophy.

Dr. Kim Chappell is an assistant professor of advanced education programs.

Dr. Ronald Christian is an assistant professor of applied business studies.

Dr. Betsy Crawford* is an assistant professor of teacher education.

Dr. Timothy Davis is chair and professor of social work.

Mr. Alan Deines is a director of the Robbins Banking Institute and an instructor of economics, finance & accounting. 

Dr. Eric Gillock* is a professor of biological sciences.

Dr. Christina Glenn is an assistant professor of economics, finance, and accounting.

Mr. Scott Gregory is an adjunct instructor of education.

Dr. Christine Hober* is a professor of nursing.

Dr. Elodie Jones is an associate professor of advanced education programs.

Mr. Randall Jordan is an assistant professor of applied technology.

Ms. Bonnie Landgraf is an assistant professor of nursing.

Dr. Peter Lillpopp is an assistant professor of music and theatre.

Ms. Tara Marshall is an instructor of communication sciences and disorders.

Mr. Ryan Olsen is an instructor of leadership studies.

Ms. Denise Orth is an associate professor of allied health.

Dr. April Park* is an associate professor of psychology.

Dr. Carol Patrick is a professor of psychology.

Dr. Kim Perez is an associate professor of history.

Dr. Ziwei Qi is an assistant professor of criminal justice.

Mr. Jeremy Ryan is an instructor of agriculture.

Mr. Jamie Schwandt is an instructor of health and human performance.

Dr. Nicholas Stewart is an assistant professor of biological sciences.

Dr. Jonathan Sumrall is an assistant professor of geosciences.

Dr. April Terry* is an assistant professor of criminal justice.

Ms. Carrie Tholstrup is an instructor of advanced education programs.

Ms. Rekala Tuxhorn is an instructor of social work.

Dr. Juti Winchester is an assistant professor of history.

Mr. Kenneth Windholz is an instructor of psychology.

One previous winner of the Pilot Award, ineligible for second awards, was also among the nominees: Dr. Robert “Bob” Keener, assistant professor of agriculture.