BGSU Firelands honors top students, community

HURON TWP. — In recent weeks, BGSU Firelands honored its top students and community partners during its 54th annual recognition program. These awards were presented to students, campus and community leaders: • The Dean's Distinction Award recognizes underserved student leaders who, through high academic achievement, are actualizing BGSU Firelands' access-oriented mission and transforming communities. The following students received the Dean's Distinction Award: Gabrielle Buathier, Huron; Justin Butler, Sandusky; Seannita Byrd, Sandusky; Meriah Claudio, Sandusky; Jeannine Cobbs, Sandusky; Loki Conley, Wakeman; Angela Dzwonczyk, Sandusky; Brandon Emmerich, Sandusky; Madison Garcia, Port Clinton; Janae Hatfield, Sandusky; Joshua Holbrook, New London; Jala Hunter, Sandusky; De'Agia Johnson, Sandusky; Tiantian Joseph, Norwalk; Gabriel Maldonado, Sandusky; Brandi McIntyre, Berlin Heights; Yalextza Olvera, Willard; Cheryl Pablo Torres, Sandusky; Yasmin Perez, Willard; Corissa Philon, Sandusky; Viviana Robinson, Willard; Samantha Rospert, Norwalk; Allie Steffanni, Norwalk; William (Billy) Tyler, Sandusky; Tyler Watts, Sandusky; Tori Wieber, Milan; and Kelsey Williams, Sandusky. • The Academic Excellence Award honors students who maintain a high level of academic achievement and participate in campus clubs or organizations, campus programming or otherwise display leadership on campus. These students received the Academic Excellence Award: McKenna Davis, Bellevue; Kaeley Schonhardt, Sandusky; Cayla Warner, Norwalk; and Lauren Zimmerman, Fremont. • The Student Distinguished Service Award recognizes up to five students who have provided exceptional service to some area of the college. The service can be accomplished in the context of a student club or organization, in support of campus events and programs or in other projects that enhance the BGSU Firelands community. The following students received the Student Distinguished Service Award: Donovan Heinze, Huron; Cayla Warner, Norwalk; and Jack Widenhofer, Milan. &emsp;&emsp; • The Academic Program Excellence Award acknowledges students in a BGSU Firelands-based major who maintain a high level of academic achievement, and who also participate in activities for the advancement of the program on campus or in the community. The participation may be in field work attached to course requirements or volunteer work. These students received the Academic Program Excellence Award: Shawnasy Armstrong, criminal justice, Sandusky; Allison Faber, diagnostic medical sonography, Gibsonburg; Keragan Fannin, psychology 3+1 degree, Collins; Bethany Graham, respiratory care, Monroeville; Wendy Hastings, inclusive early childhood education, Vickery; Ruby Michalec, communication 3+1 degree, Vermillion; Julia Nickell, bachelor's degree in technical and applied studies, Clyde; and Misty Tidd, human services, Bellevue. • Eleven students were honored for their activities and accomplishments as members of BGSU Firelands' 2022-23 student government. They are Loki Conley, Wakeman; Maxwell Hecht, Sandusky; Jaycee Jordan, Norwalk; McKayla Krawczyk, Sandusky; Avery Pettis, Sandusky; Philip Rohrbacher, Sandusky; Maysea Sax, Sandusky; Madalyn Thayer, Monroeville; Annabelle Wilken, Sandusky; Savannah Willis, Sandusky; and Rebekah Zapola, Huron. • The Links to Progress Award is given to the person or organization who has significantly contributed to the growth of BGSU Firelands. Campus community includes students, faculty, classified staff and administrators. Nominations are based on the qualities of leadership, services, dedication to growth of the college and initiative in an extraordinary manner. This year's recipient of the Links to Progress Award is Abbey Bemis, chief operating officer of Payne, Nickles & Co. • The Community Service Award is presented to an individual or organization from the community who has participated in the growth, development and promotion of BGSU Firelands. This year's recipient of the Community Service Award is Michelle Brodke, Ph.D., Sandusky