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Alongside more than 100 of their peers, three ���Ͽ� students were honored as Outstanding Student Leaders of the Year at the annual  on May 6, for their commitment, involvement and service around campus and the Menomonie community:

• Brett Bender, a computer networking and information technology major from Rio
• Melody Lueck, a graphic design and interactive media major from Fort Atkinson
• Gabe Cauwels, a business administration major from St. Paul.

Each outstanding student feels that their ���Ͽ� experiences and opportunities have prepared them to make an impact after graduation.

“���Ͽ� has given me a starting point for how I can continue making an impact wherever I go,” Bender said. “The hands-on opportunities and empowerment I’ve been given to make change have allowed me the ability to start the long process of honing my leadership skills – something that will never be finished.”

Seniors Bender and Lueck, who will graduate this fall, also received the Samuel E. Wood Medallion, the university’s highest nonacademic honor for students. Fourteen seniors were honored with the medallion this year.

“To be recognized among so many talented peers is humbling, but to me, these awards mean much more than an individual achievement. They are a testament to the growth I’ve experienced here at ���Ͽ� and the incredible community I’ve been surrounded by,” Bender said.

Lueck agreed, adding, “These recognitions reflect the impact I have been able to make within the ���Ͽ� campus and community throughout my four years here. As I begin my final semester this fall, I hope to continue making a meaningful difference and leave the same positive impact that has shaped my experience so far.”

Leadership is about opening doors for others

Bender is a student supervisor with the Event Technology Crew in the Student Centers and a resident advisor within HKMC Hall. When Bender came to ���Ͽ�, he knew he wanted to make an impact, but he wasn’t sure how. 

“Through the support of my peers and the opportunities I’ve received, ���Ͽ� started to feel like home,” Bender said. “The opportunities I’ve been given are invaluable and irreplaceable. They’ve allowed me to grow not only as a leader in professional settings, but as an individual. Without the opportunities that I’ve been able to take advantage of, I do not believe that I would be as successful of a student as I am today. I will always hold the experiences I’ve had near and dear to my heart.”

Bender believes that “Leadership is about opening doors for others and creating a space where everyone feels empowered to contribute. For me, student leadership means a lot of things. It ranges from feeling empowered and enabled, to conflict resolution and compromise. Following graduation, I hope that wherever I go, I will be able to make those around me feel empowered, and that no matter how small the voice, everyone has a voice.”

Bringing people together in meaningful ways

Lueck is an executive producer with Blue Devil Productions, serves as president of the American Institute of Graphic Arts student organization, is the designer and secondary event coordinator of People’s Organization of Network Gaming (PONG), a First-Year Orientation assistant and a Week One Orientation leader.

“I truly enjoy creating events and experiences that positively impact the ���Ͽ� community and bring people together in meaningful ways,” Lueck said. “These opportunities have meant so much to me throughout my time here. Without them, I may never have discovered this passion.”

Student leadership is extremely important to Lueck. “Making a positive impact, whether that be with my colleagues or the campus community as a whole, has given me the drive to succeed in college. I hope to continue having this passion, positively impacting others as I continue into my career,” she said.

Building relationships across all majors

Cauwels serves as the Service Club at Stout president and the vice president of finance for the American Marketing Association student chapter. He works as an involvement specialist in the Involvement Center.

“These opportunities on campus have helped me build relationships with people not just in my major but across all majors, as well as allow me to make a positive impact on the local and distant communities and develop my professional skills,” Cauwels said.

“Student leadership has truly made me more sure of myself and helped me balance responsibilities in a variety of settings. I plan on taking the problem-solving skills I have gained from these experiences and applying them to whatever I do outside of school,” he added.

Samuel E. Wood Medallion and Leadership Award recipients

Less than 1% of full-time students receive the Wood Medallion. It is presented to seniors who have contributed to student activities and have demonstrated leadership and scholastic ability. Winners are selected by a committee of faculty, staff and students.

Other Wood Medallion recipients were:

• Emily Avila, interior design, Hudson
• Alexis Bellotti, animation and digital media, Kaukauna
• Sumnima Devkota, psychology, Kathmandu, Nepal
• Bergen Haag, industrial and product design, St. Paul
• Cara Jenquin, individualized studies, Menomonie
• Madelyn King, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, real estate property management, Brownville
• Madi Klaja, packaging, Hudson
• Melissa Kosharek, computer science, Dickeyville
• Kloie Potts, family and consumer sciences education, Elkhorn
• Noah Rosenberger, hotel, restaurant and tourism management, Sauk Rapids
• Kayne Whitney, cybersecurity, Waunakee
• Maria Winkelman, professional communication and emerging media, St. Cloud, Minnesota.

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

Additional awards presented were:

• Student Employee of the Year, three winners: Drew Albert, Event Technology Crew; Maria Winkelman, Involvement Center; and Nolan Zachgo, Math Teaching and Learning Center.
• Student Staff Team of the Year, three winners: Student Center’s Event Technology Crew; Writing Center’s peer writing consultants; and Math Teaching and Learning Center’s teaching assistants.
• Student Organization of the Year, three winners: Barbecue Eaters and Enthusiasts Federation, DND Club and Service Club at Stout.
• Student Organization Event of the Year, three winners: Philosophy Club’s “Does God Exist? A Student Debate”; Craft Club’s “Make Your Own Keychains”; Service Club at Stout’s “Trick or Treat So Others Can Eat.”
• Bill Siedlecki Advisor of the Year, two winners: Danielle Clarizio, International Club; and Fred Prassas, Institute of Real Estate Management.
• Twenty-four students received the Outstanding Cooperative Education and Internship Program Student of the Year.

The Leadership Awards ceremony is sponsored by the Involvement Center, Stout Student Association and Career Services.