James Apple, Environmental Resources Engineering major, and Vynessa Ortiz, Political Science/Ethnic Studies major, were named Outstanding Students of the Year for their Co-Curricular Contributions.
Apple is a student assistant at the Schatz Energy Research Center and President of the Renewable Energy Student Union. Ortiz has been active in the Women’s Resource Center and the Educational Opportunity Program, among others.
Lindsay Weymouth won the Patricia O. McConkey Award for Outstanding Thesis, named after the late staff member in the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. Weymouth, a member of the Department of Psychology’s academic research program, wrote her thesis about raising children violence-free. The department nominated her unanimously.
Other award recipients were: Yang (Violet) Yang (Geography), Academic Excellence in the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences; Chris Smith (Wildlife Management), Academic Excellence in the College of Natural Resources and Sciences; Jennifer Williams (Child Development), Academic Excellence in the College of Professional Studies; Mason Lev, Best Individual Artistic Achievement, Visual & Performing Arts; Kevin Whitesides, Best Presentation to a Professional Association; Vitek Jirinec, Best Undergraduate Research Project; Devin McDonnell, Best Forensic Debate Presentation or Competition; Luke Ramseth, Excellence in Intercollegiate Athletics or Sport Clubs; Vanessa Pike-Vrtiak, Al Elpusan Award for Activism; Sean McCann, Al Elpusan Award for Activism; Winona Aubrey, Outstanding Contribution to a Campus Club, Program, or Organization; Kacie Flynn, Excellence in Community Service; Joyce Tam, Outstanding Contribution to an Associated Students Program; Phoebe Morgon, Brian Lorensen, Residence Life Staff Award; Tall Chief ‘TC’ Comet, Advisor of the Year.