Awards and accolades abounded when faculty, staff and students at Missouri State University-West Plains (MSU-WP) gathered April 20 for the Celebration of Leaders student awards ceremony at the West Plains Civic Center.
The annual event recognizes students for a variety of academic and leadership achievements and serves as the installation service for the new Student Government Association (SGA) president and vice president for the upcoming academic year.
Sworn in during the SGA transfer of power ceremony were 2023-2024 Trent Stine, West Plains, and Vice President Sophia Keeney, Van Buren. The officers were sworn in by 2022-2023 SGA President Jackson Wright, West Plains.
Distinguished Public Affairs Fellow Award
Another highlight of the evening was the awarding of the Public Affairs Fellow Awards. The awards recognize students for advancing the university’s public affairs mission both on and off campus and demonstrating ethical leadership, civic engagement and cultural awareness. Students receiving the “distinguished” designation go above and beyond in their efforts to advance the university’s public affairs mission.
This year, the Distinguished Public Affairs Fellow Award was given to Heather Day, West Plains. Public Affairs Fellow Awards were given to Lucy Hershenson, West Plains; Ashleigh Jackson, Thayer; Sthefany Maximo Carvalho, Uberlandia, Brazil; and Jackson Wright, West Plains.
The awards are sponsored and selected by the Public Affairs Committee.
Other awards and honors
Other awards and their recipients included:
- Campus Service Award – Kenzie Warren, West Plains
- Multicultural/International Leadership Award – Sthefany Maximo Carvalho, Uberlandia, Brazil
- Outstanding Corps of Opportunity Award – Savannah Summers, Pottersville
- First Generation Award – Brittany Fettig, Alton
- Faculty Mentor Award – Professor of Political Science Kathleen Morrison
- Staff Appreciation Award – Coordinator of Residence Life Trace Winfrey
- SGA Outstanding Member Award – Megan Rice, Imperial
- Outstanding Student Employee of the Year Award – Wyatt Gutierrez, West Plains
- Outstanding Campus Influencer/Student Ambassador Award – Emilee Dougherty, West Plains, and Grace Schierling, Mountain View
- Community Service Award – Andrew Howard, Piedmont
- Outstanding Resident of the Year Award (Grizzly House) – Alana Moesch, Lajeado, Brazil
- Outstanding Resident of the Year Award (Grizzly Lofts) – Justin Rusk, Silva
- Resident Assistant of the Year Award – Meghan Johns, Ellington
- Outstanding Cheer Team Student Athlete of the Year – Viviana Prado, Lemont, Illinois
- Outstanding Volleyball Student Athlete of the Year – Lexi Shumpert, Mountain View
- Outstanding Basketball Student Athlete of the Year – Sterling White III, Chesapeake, Virginia
- Outstanding Softball Student Athlete of the Year – Lexy Bridges, Diamond
- Outstanding Esports Athlete of the Year – Brock DeWeese, West Plains
- Outstanding Academic Achievement and Leadership Award – Heather Day, West Plains
- Outstanding Student Leader Award – Trent Stine, West Plains
Photos of all the winners can be found in the 2023 Celebration of Leaders photo album on the MSU-WP Facebook page.