Best of 2020-21: Students, groups earn leadership, Wood, co-op, Global Ambassador awards

More than 100 recognized during year-end program
May 5, 2021

More than 100 students and student groups were recognized at University of Wisconsin-Stout’s annual Leadership Awards program released virtually April 28.

Winners were announced for the Samuel E. Wood Medallion and campus Leadership Awards for the 2020-21 academic year. Also, the Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Student of the Year Award winners were named for 2020. The Office of International Education awarded one Global Ambassador.

Those nominated for awards also were recognized.

Chancellor Katherine Frank, at left, pictured with Chris Johnson, an Outstanding Student Leader of the Year winner. / Photo by UW-Stout Involvement Center
Chancellor Katherine Frank, at left, pictured with Chris Johnson, an Outstanding Student Leader of the Year winner. / Photo courtesy Involvement Center

Those nominated for awards also were recognized.

The event was sponsored by the Involvement Center, Stout Student Association, Career Services and the Office of International Education. The ceremony was held virtually and can be viewed here.

Wood Medallion

Thirteen students received the Wood Medallion, given annually to seniors who have been active in student activities and exhibited an outstanding degree of leadership while at UW-Stout. Winners are chosen by a committee representing students, faculty and staff.

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Kaitlyn Eyerly photo / Photo courtesy Involvement Center

The medallion is the highest nonacademic award for students.

Samuel E. Wood was a longtime assistant chancellor for Student Services/Dean of Students. He retired in 1991 and died in February 2013.

The Wood award recipients are:

Leadership Awards

Winners of the annual Leadership Awards are chosen by a committee made up of students and staff. The winners are:

  • Outstanding Student Leader of the Year, three winners: Chris Johnson, Reedsburg, vice president of Stout Student Association and president of People’s Organization for Network Gaming; Hazel Peterson, Ladysmith, student assistant in art and design, music director and executive board member of Blue Devil Productions, panelist for trans/nonbinary student panel for the Qube; and Nilu Umarova, Tajikistan, student assistant in Human Resources, president International Club, member Club Management Association of America, Career Services Student Advisory Committee member
  • Student Organization of the Year, two winners: Engineers Without Borders and Natural Areas Club
  • Student Organization Event of the Year, four winners: American Red Cross Blood Drive, Gamma Sigma Sigma; Fast Fashion and Human Trafficking, FLIGHT Club; Galloway Creek Clean Up, Natural Areas Club; Entrepreneurship and Marketing Workshop at Mainstream Boutique, Stout Retail Association
  • Bill Siedlecki Adviser of the Year, Malinda Hebert, Gamma Sigma Sigma
  • Student Employee of the Year, three winners: Kaylee Harris, Auroral, Ill., Involvement Center; Olivia Johnston, Gurnee, Ill.,  TRIO Student Support Services, Fostering Success and First Year Advising; Shelby Larson, Maple Lake, Minn., Math Teaching and Learning Center
  • Student Staff Team of the Year, three winners: Counseling Center, front office staff; Memorial Student Center, dining student manager team; Involvement Center, specialists

Global Ambassador

Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award

The Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year Award was given to 21 students.

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Jake Thomas photo / Photo courtesy Involvement Center

More than 700 students participated in co-ops and internships in the past year through Career Services.

The winners are selected by the program’s Advisory Committee for excellence and achievements in their positions, for contributions to their employers and for academic achievement.

This year’s winners, their majors and employers are:


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