Student Awards Night 2019
Two former Fighting Bees football players were honored Thursday night for promoting a "team atmosphere" of inclusivity and support at St. Ambrose well beyond the field of play.
Fritz Dieudonné, the coordinator for intercultural life and leadership programs and a versatile football lineman from 1996-99, was honored with the Ambrosian Spirit Award. The award is presented annually to a student, staff member or faculty member who exemplifies the values and mission of St. Ambrose.
Ryan Saddler, the university's director of diversity and director of accessibility resources and a standout receiver from1991-94, was awarded Staff Member of the Year for "consistently seeking to help everyone by any means possible."
More than 80 students were honored for achievement in the classroom and other areas of academic, athletic and student life.
Chris Martin, PhD, MSW, an assistant professor in the Master of Social Work program, received the Graduate Faculty of the Year award and Nora, PT, PhD, was presented the Faculty Member of the Year Award.
Kevin ‘88 and Karen Curran, who were wed by Rev. George McDaniel '66 in Christ the King Chapel, were named Parents of the Year after being nominated by daughter Megan, who followed siblings Brady '15 and Kelly '18 to SAU.
"My parents have been St. Ambrose's biggest fans since before I was even born," Megan, a junior, wrote. "They love to come to attend mass, where they catch up with Fr. McDaniel, go to Alumni events, and attend events that pertain to me and my siblings. They love talking with the staff and faculty about the university and me and my siblings, knowing they are looking out for us. My mom, who attended Illinois State University, always says she wishes she would have attended St. Ambrose because it is evident that those who work here do not just care about your education, they care about you as a whole person and want you to enjoy your time at Ambrose while also preparing you to be successful in the future."
Dieudonné was selected for the Ambrosian Spirit Award by the Phi Eta Sigma campus chapter. He was honored for "taking the time to reach out to students who were struggling and making sure all students are on track for success," his citation read. "(He) has particularly excelled in creating an inviting environment and providing comfort to underrepresented populations on campus. He has been a positive light on this campus."
Of Saddler, nominator and sophomore Carly Miller wrote: "He is a role model for members of our campus, whether that be through his leadership for accessibility services or through promoting diversity. This semester, Ryan has spoken out against hatred spread (through graffiti) on our campus and he has made students unite with love and solidarity in the midst of it all. Ryan is someone who everyone genuinely admires and seek to be more like."
A full list of Student Award Night winners follows:
Sister Annette Walters Award for Outstanding Senior Psychology Student: Finalists: Ashley Plumb, Carrie Brondyke, & Allison Drechny Winner: Ashley Plumb
Excellence in Psychology Service Award: Finalists: Carrie Brondyke, Joaquin Bueno Diaz, & Lesley Dominic Winner: Joaquin Bueno Diaz
Ambrosian Spirit Award: Fritz Dieudonné
Faith Learning Justice Award: Katie Galuska
Wilber Award for Student Research in Non-violence: Finalists: Alec Mason, Gillian Sutton, & Keegan Steele
Sister Ritamary Bradley Award: Ashlynn Maczko
Kokjohn Foundation Grant for Peace & Justice: Kaitlin Blinkley, Meghan Curran, Jake Kleiner, & Griffin Reed
Triota Honor Society: Erica Eastland, Emily Seaman, Mary Jacobsen, Ciara Brabant, & Alison Yonushatis
Kilfoy Cup Award: JJ Penrod & Lucas Terveer Derrek
D. Drexler Employees of the Year Award: Caitlin Cleveland & Matt Sapyta
Graduate Student of the Year: Olivia Meinholz
Graduate Faculty of the Year: Chris Martin
Most Dedicated to Study of Criminal Justice: Matt Sapyta & Courtney Arndt
Outstanding Student in Sociology: Leana Owen & Jennifer Marten
Outstanding International Studies Student: Delina Tesfamichael
Outstanding Political Science Student: Ana Sperling, Sara Killackey, & Patrick Redmond
Peace Corps Prep Certification: Delina Tesfamichael, Sara Hipsman, & Daniel O'Donnell
Accessibility Resource Center 2018-2019 Service Award: Carly Miller
Accessibility Resource Center 2018-2019 Leadership Award: Isabel Noble
College Reading & Learning Association Level 1 Tutoring Certification: Alexandra Axup, Devin Attig, Carrington Curphy, Jacob Deeter, Kathryn Gary, Abigail Happ, Sarah Kovach, Aaron Kussman, Jocy Magana, Evelyn Nunez, Lauren Ogden, Mia Pranckus, Nicholas Schaffer, Kristina Shelman, Cate Tompson, Rachel Wiedman, & Sarah Willman.
College Reading & Learning Association Level 2 Tutoring Certification: Caroline Brondyke & Ashley Plumb
Outstanding Senior Student Worker of the Year: Crystal Bautista
Outstanding Archives Assistant: Kylie Flynn
Outstanding Production Assistant: Josie Hennings
Museum Studies Award: Kylie Flynn
John Schmits Award: Megan Peterson
Outstanding Graphic Design Student: Sarah Thilenius & Carson Krause
Book Arts Award: Murphy Garcia
Dr. Charles & Joyce DCamp Scholarship: Jacob Matthews
Edith Yutt Scholarship: Elli Decker & Allison Huston
Agnes Rose Malik: Colin Evers
Spirit of Sodexo: Brent Schwoebel
Faculty Member of the Year: Dr. Nora Riley
Staff Member of the Year: Ryan Saddler
Parents of the Year: Kevin and Karen Curran
Male Scholar-Athlete of the Year: Alex Portwood
Female Scholar-Athletes of the Year: Morgan Krieger & Shannon McEachern
Agnes Renner Award: Shannon McEachern
George McDaniel Scholar: Steven Gamet & Madelyn Thompson
Outstanding Theater Major: Rebecca Moews
Residence Life "Of the Year" Awards: Student of the Year: Ania Dukes, Leonard Jones, Christin Lucas, & Yasmin Toto. Resident Advisor of the Year: Andrew Rucker. Elevated Role of the Year: Madison Grundler. Program of the Year: Isaiah Hawkins
Stan J. Kabat Leadership Award: Hunter Harris
Olive C. Farr Scholarship Award from the Iowa Physical Therapy Foundation: Carissa Origer
Thomas F. Chouteau Art History Award: Sarah Heffron
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