Each semester, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point’s best and brightest student leaders are presented with the Chancellor’s Leadership Award. This winter, 17 students from the College of Professional Studies have been selected for this honor. These students are a select group of graduating seniors who throughout their careers at UW-Stevens Point have contributed significant leadership, demonstrated campus and/or community service and shown a commitment to personal growth.
The Chancellor’s Leadership Award was developed at the urging of Chancellor Lee Sherman Dreyfus in 1978. Until then, the only award given to graduates for their university career achievements was the Albertson Award. Since relatively few met the qualifications for an Albertson Award, Chancellor Dreyfus was concerned that the last thing many of our graduates heard from the university after years of contributions was that they had lost. He felt all who had provided significant service to the university community should receive some honor, and from that annual pool, the Albertson Award should be selected.
In addition, five other recipients (*) have a teaching intent through the School of Education. All 40 university honorees will be recognized at the Chancellor’s Leadership Awards Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 13 in the Laird Room of the Dreyfus University Center.
Congratulations to all award winners!
College of Professional Studies majors:
Rachel Brown, Neenah, daughter of Mike and Beth Brown, majored in physical education with a minor in health education. She coached Special Olympics, tutored for the Boys and Girls Club Homework Center, and was an honors intern.
Alicia Casey, Appleton, daughter of Bill and Connie Casey, majored in elementary and special education, with a minor in emotional and behavior disturbance education. She served as president of the Association for Education of Young Children, a volunteer for Journey in Special Education in Namibia, Africa, and a co-founder of the School of Education Food Drive.
Jessica Dredske, Pardeeville, daughter of Doug and Julie Dredske, majored in health promotion/wellness with a minor in nutrition. She served as secretary of the National Wellness Institute Student Chapter and as missionary for Living Hope International Orphanage. She also received a Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Conference Sportsmanship Award.
Julia Driscoll*, Oconomowoc, daughter of Michael and Caroline Driscoll, majored in instrumental and general music education. She was the publicity director and secretary for the Delta Omicron music honor society, co-music director for vacation bible school and a recipient of the Jan and Mark Seiler Foreign Language Award.
Lindsey Flugaur, Stevens Point, daughter of Rick and Lesa Flugaur, majored in elementary education with a minor in natural sciences. She served as secretary of the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society, a teacher’s aide and as a volunteer with the Central Wisconsin Children’s Museum.
Joshua Hames*, Sobieski, son of Gary and Connie Hames, majored in natural science with an emphasis in life science and a minor in biology. He served as a youth mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters, a volunteer with the Student Involvement and Employment Office and an assistant coach with UW-Stevens Point men’s rugby team.
Anna Huemann*, Champlin, Minn., daughter of Jay and Susan Huemann, majored in instrumental and general music education. She served as a member of the Central Wisconsin Symphony Orchestra and American String Teacher Association, and received the Edmund Bukolt String Scholarship.
Kimberly Johanik, Bayfield, daughter of Joe and Mary Johanik, majored in early childhood education with minors in early childhood special education and teaching English as a second language. She was president of the Campus Girl Scouts, a volunteer with the Wisconsin Lions Camp and religious education program assistant at Newman Catholic Center.
Valerie Johnson, Ogema, daughter of Leo and Joyce Johnson, majored in special education with a minor in cognitive and learning disabilities education. She served as a member of the Student Council for Exceptional Children, volunteer with McDill Elementary School and as a personal care worker for My Innovative Services.
Kaitlyn Luckow*, Germantown, daughter of Gordon Luckow and Lynn Faina-Luckow, majored in secondary English education. She was a managing editor for the Pointer campus newspaper, a show host on 90FM campus radio and a recipient of the Division of Communication Award for Management and Leadership.
Michael Montemayor, Milwaukee, son of Melecio Montemayor and Judy Younk, majored in business administration with a minor in psychology. He helped organize World Aids Day events at UW-Stevens Point, volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and was a membership coordinator for Lead by Example.
Aaron Nelson, Oregon, son of Brett and Sue Nelson, majored in health science with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy and a minor in psychology. He was a physical therapy volunteer at Meriter Hospital, a volunteer with the Red Cross blood drive and the recipient of the School of Healthcare Professionals Scholarship.
Alexander Niznik, Medford, son of Dan and Pam Niznik, majored in health science with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. He volunteered with the Literacy Council of Wood County and Ciclovia Bike Event and tutored at the Mary K. Croft Tutor-Learning Center at UW-Stevens Point.
Michelle Normington, Saukville, daughter of Tim and Sharon Normington, majored in health science with an emphasis in pre-occupational therapy. She served as a conference coordinator for CRU (a Christian service organization on campus), a teacher and construction team member for a Belize mission trip and a volunteer for Fort Wilderness Project Serve.
Nikki Rzentkowski, Amherst Junction, daughter of Randy and Doreen Rzentkowski, majored in elementary education and minored in health education. She was a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, a soccer coach and a distance learning facilitator.
Clint Schill, Auburndale, son of Jerome and the late Elaine Schill, majored in accounting and business administration, with minors in economics and philosophy. He worked as a volunteer tax preparer for Volunteer Income Tax Assistance and as a payroll assistant for UW-Stevens Point Human Resources. He received the Saint Jean Baptiste Educational Foundation Scholarship.
Ariel Schmoldt, Neenah, daughter of Tom and Lori Long and spouse of Dylan Schmoldt, majored in elementary education with minors in mathematics and Spanish. She served as vice president of the National Society for Leadership and Success, a member of the Children’s Ministry at New Hope Lutheran Church and as a teacher’s aide for UW-Stevens Point’s University Child and Learning Care Center.
Kayla Schultz*, Saint Francis, daughter of Chris and Kelly Schultz, majored in health care administration and pre-nursing with minors in psychology and business. She served as a fundraising co-chair for Colleges against Cancer and member of Habitat for Humanity and Sigma Mu Tau.
Aaron Stauffacher, Darlington, son of Jay Stauffacher and Robin White, majored in political science and economics. He was captain of the UW-Stevens Point football team and a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and the Student Legal Society.
Megan Stebane*, Kaukauna, daughter of Bob and Judy Stebane, majored in natural sciences with an emphasis in secondary sciences and a minor in biology. She served as an assistant teacher at Mosinee Middle School, biology intern for the Wisconsin Dells School District and instructor for a youth softball camp.
Taylor Strane, Neenah, daughter of Jeff and Mary Strane, majored in health care administration with a minor in business administration. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and served as an intern for the Aging and Disability Resource Center of Portage County and as an assistant for the Disability and Assistive Technology Center.
Julia Vande Hei, Seymour, daughter of Ray and Beth Vande Hei, majored in health science with an emphasis in pre-physical therapy. She was a member of Sigma Mau Tau, a lector at Newman Parish and a volunteer with the Salvation Army.
Wade Weisnicht, Shawano, son of Jerry and Diane Weisnicht, majored in pre-physical therapy. He volunteered with the Salvation Army, instructed a Shawano Youth Basketball Camp and was active with the National Leadership Society.