By Tim Leeds
Montana State University Northern has issued a press release naming the 14 winners of the 2001 Student Excellence Award winners.
The students must have earned 60 credits and have maintained a 2.75 GPA (grade point average) to be nominated. Nominees are also evaluated on a commitment to academic achievement and extracurricular participation.
The following students will receive their awards at the Student Excellence Convocation in the SUB (Student Union Building) ballroom at 10 a.m. Friday. They are also invited to the student excellence luncheon in the SUB dining room following the convocation.
Lloyd Brumbaugh will receive his bachelor's degree in automotive technology with a minor in electronics engineering technology in May. Brumbaugh has maintained a 3.50 GPA at Northern while working various jobs to support his wife and two children. He has run the auto and diesel night labs this year, has received several scholarships, been active in campus clubs, search committees and in business co-ops.
Kelsy Burgmaier, daughter of John and Deanna Burgmaier of Power, is majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry at Northern. Burgmaier has maintained a 3.66 GPA, participated in numerous clubs, played on the Skylights basketball team for four years,making Academic All-conference in 1999, and has done volunteer work. She is a tutor, has received scholarships while at Northern and plans to apply for medical school next year.
Angela Childs, the daughter of Patricia Childs of Havre, has earned bachelor's degrees in business technology and graphic design and minors in liberal arts and marketing while maintaining a 4.0 GPA for five straight semesters. She participates in campus activities, volunteers at Bear Paw Ski Hill, volunteers graphic design work at local businesses and works three jobs in Havre. She has received several scholarships and awards.
Brianne Dunn, daughter of Russ and Patty Dunn of Great Falls, will graduate with a major in business technology and a minor in accounting. She has maintained a 3.86 GPA and was the 1999-2000 Skylights basketball team captain and made the Academic All-conference three consecutive years, has participated in and led in several campus clubs and activities and received several scholarships.
Mike Hryszko will receive his associate's degree in nursing in May, and intends to receive his bachelor's in nursing by December 2003. Hryszko has been active in many community and youth-oriented activities in Cascade County such as Cub and Girl Scouts and the Benefis Healthcare Foundation and the Red Cross, and has also been active on campus and in the community since coming to Northern.
Hillary Krass, daughter of Harlan and Jane Krass of Hogeland, will receive her bachelor's degree in biology with a minor in chemistry in May. She has completed 25 credits more than are required for graduation in eight semesters while maintaining a 3.72 GPA. She is active in many events, clubs and activities on the campus and in the area, and works for the U.S. Postal Service in Hogeland.
Ben Melcher will graduate with a major in automotive technology and a minor in electronics engineering technology. He has a 3.54 GPA. Melcher is an ASE certified mechanic, is active in clubs and services on and off campus and has co-oped with General Electric and has developed a training program for them.
Quincie Lords will graduate in May with bachelor's degrees in business education, PE (physical education)-health and health promotion. She is an American Red Cross instructor, has volunteered to teach on and off campus, works at many services and organizations on campus and has received many scholarships and awards.
Kevin Mathweg, son of Lynn and Dave Mathweg of Roseburg, Ore., is a senior majoring in automotive technology with a 3.86 GPA. He has worked in and led many services and organizations on the campus, including editing the Northern Light, the campus newspaper, and being president of the VICA Club..
Andrew Morris, son of Del and Barbara Morris of Townsend, plans to complete his bachelor's degree in computer information systems in May 2003. Morris has been a resident assistant for three years and is now the head resident. Morris has been a student senator for three years and is the recipient of the Kevin Yeager Memorial Scholarship.
Katherine Nagengast, daughter of Richard and Angela Nagengast of Great Falls, is an elementary education major with a minor in reading. The honors she has received include being the first Northern student to be a student delegate to the National Education Association Convention, the first student delegate from the campus at the state teacher's convention October 2000 and is the only student on the 2001 NEA Committee on Human and Civil Rights and is past president of Northern's SEA.
Bruce Patera is an English education major with a history minor, earning a 3.64 GPA. He has been a peer mentor on and off campus, has been in "Who's Who in American College and University Students" for two years, is active in campus clubs and organizations and created a poetry forum where students read original, or other writer's, poems.
Donna Young, daughter of Daisy Linthicum of Harlem, is a double majoring in water quality and biology and is minoring in chemistry with a 3.83 GPA while maintaining a home with four children in Fort Belknap. She has participated in several clubs and has received many awards and scholarships.
Abel Valdez, son of Robert and Gloria Guajardo of Gervais, Ore., will complete his bachelor's degree in community service in July. He has volunteered his time to organizations on and off campus, is a two-time regional champion and two-time regional runner-up on Northern's wrestling team, and currently is ranked second nationally in his weight division. He has been named NJCAA All-American and has been named NAIA All-American twice.
