SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Missouri State University-West Plains graduate Micaela Wiehe, West Plains, was one of six students who received the 2017-18 Citizen Scholar Award presented Thursday, Dec. 14, by the Missouri State University Board of Governors during its regular meeting in Springfield.
The award, established in fall 2007, is given annually to students “who exemplify the concept of a citizen scholar,” university officials said.
Wiehe graduated magna cum laude with an Associate of Arts in General Studies degree with a Specialization in Honors from Missouri State University-West Plains in May 2016 and transferred to the Missouri State University campus in Springfield, where she is on track to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Spanish with a minor in Latin American Studies.
ACTIVITIES AT WEST PLAINS CAMPUS
During her time at Missouri State-West Plains, Wiehe was an active participant in the Student Government Association (SGA), the International Student Association (ISA) and Student Ambassadors, serving as treasurer of SGA and ISA from January to May 2016 and as the SGA representative for the Student Ambassadors from August 2014 to May 2015. In addition, she was a walk-on member of the Grizzly Cheer Team and was one of the students chosen to participate in the China Semester Study Away Program during the 2015 fall semester.
Wiehe also was the lead lifeguard and desk manager of the West Plains Civic Center Pool and Fitness Center managed by the Missouri State University-West Plains University/Community Programs (U/CP) Department from March 2014 through May 2016, and she served on the department’s Theater and Events Committee from August 2015 through May 2015.
AWARDS
At the 2015-16 Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony, Wiehe received the Distinguished Public Affairs Fellow Award, the Outstanding Student Leader Award, the Award of Excellence for the Office of Treasurer of the Student Government Association and Distinguished Member of the Student Ambassador Program in 2015-16. She also was nominated for the Community Service Award at the 2014-15 Celebration of Leaders event.
SPRINGFIELD CAMPUS ACTIVITIES
Since transferring to the Springfield campus, Wiehe has continued her active role, working at the Foster Recreation Center as a supervisor for the aquatics department and swim lesson coordinator. She also teaches group exercise fitness classes; lifeguard and first aid certification classes; paddle boarding technique, fitness and yoga classes; and leading outdoor paddle boarding excursions. She also serves on the center’s advisory board and is a risk management ambassador for the center’s aquatics department.
In addition, Wiehe is an active member of the Association of International Students, helping coordinate activities that help international students adjust to life at Missouri State University and the Springfield community, and she serves as an International Student Ambassador for prospective international students who visit campus and a Transfer Mentor for students transferring to the university from other colleges and universities.
Wiehe also was the first student chosen to participate in the Study Away México Program. For eight weeks from June to August this year, she studied at the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara campus studying Spanish and learning more about the Mexican culture.
VOLUNTEER WORK
Her desire to serve both campus communities, as well as the community at large, can be seen in her volunteer work with numerous organizations during her academic career, including the Salvation Army, Boys and Girls Club of West Plains, Missouri State-West Plains’ Annual Auction, Common Grounds for Girls, the Champion Athletes of the Ozarks and Safe to Swim Programs, and as a writing judge for the annual LAD Fair.
Even during her time in China, Wiehe reached out beyond her internship duties to teach preschool English classes to Chinese students and organized a weekly English Corner where Chinese students could meet with American students and practice English.
DEEPLY DEDICATED TO BEING A CITIZEN SCHOLAR
Those nominating Wiehe for the award said she is deeply dedicated to attributes of a citizen scholar, pointing out she is “the type of academic that sees her education as a blessing and a moral obligation” to help others achieve their greatest potential, one “who recognizes her privilege and seeks to use this privilege to help as many people as she can.”
What distinguishes Wiehe for the award, they add, is her heart for diversity. “Her community service spirit is not restricted by any culture, nation or ideology. She authentically believes in the pillar of public service regardless of any geo-political variable,” they said.
“Micaela is a great choice for this award,” Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett said. “Not only has she excelled in the classroom, she has taken the three pillars of our public affairs mission – ethical leadership, community engagement and cultural awareness – to heart through her academic work, participation and leadership in student organizations and her study abroad and international experiences. She represents the ideal citizen scholar, and we are proud of her.”
OTHER RECIPIENTS
Other recipients of the award this year include Connor Aller, a senior from Holt who is majoring in accounting with minors in Mandarin and economics; DeAntra “Shae” Darough, a graduate student from Cahokia, Illinois, who is pursuing a master’s degree in health administration; Lily Johnson, a senior from Wildwood who is majoring in cell and molecular biology with a minor in chemistry; Kendell Loyd, a graduate assistant from Redford who is pursuing a master’s degree in biology; and Brandon McCoy, a senior from Spokane who is majoring in economics with minors in finance and general business.
The Citizen Scholar Award is given to students who have contributed to the university, advanced the university’s public affairs mission, and have significantly engaged in extra-curricular accomplishments and/or in significant service activities to the community. Each recipient receives a crystal globe in recognition of the award, and their names are added to the Citizen Scholar Wall at Plaster Student Union on the Springfield campus.