PSU honors students for service & academic excellence

Pittsburg State University honored 23 students on March 1 with its Golden Gorilla Award. The award recognizes students for their contributions in the areas of community service, academic excellence, and involvement both on and off campus.

Students nominated were evaluated on the following criteria:

SERVICE: The desire and actions to aid the less fortunate and improve the quality of life for individuals at PSU or in the Pittsburg community.

ACADEMICS: Not only the student's GPA, but progressive improvements, and any independent research efforts or other intellectual endeavors related to their field of study, relevant honors included.

INVOLVEMENT: Participation in on-campus activities with an emphasis on any leadership roles, including intercollegiate athletics. Organizations not affiliated with the university should also be included if the applicant is actively involved, i.e. church clubs, PTA, etc.

This year's Golden Gorilla Award winners are:

Rye Addis, Oswego, Sr., Communication
Amy Bartlow, Pittsburg, Sr., Education
Kayla Carter, St. Paul, Sr., Accounting/Marketing
Aril Commons, Baxter Springs, Sr., Recreation
Nick Dellasega, Pittsburg, Sr., Finance
Rebekah Grieb, Olathe, Sr., Communication
Danielle Herman, Fort Scott, Sr., Nursing
Shauna Hillman, Cheney, Sr., Nursing
Jeremy Johnson, Haysville, Jr., Marketing
Cherrelle Jones, Wichita, Sr., Biology
Meghan Kranz, Leawood, Sr., Education
Casey Kuhn, Olathe, Sr., Mathematics Education
Joy Leek, Pittsburg, Jr., Communication
Ashley Lopez, Pittsburg, Sr., Communication
Anthony Moreno, Lee’s Summit, Mo., Sr., Communication
Elizabeth Perrey, Joplin, Mo., Sr., Accounting
Samantha Pinkal, Imperial, Neb., Sr., Construction Management
Jodi Smardo, Frontenac, Sr., Education
Audra Tope, Arkansas City, Sr., Psychology
Michelle Vosters, Olathe, Sr., Communication
Christa Weber, Columbus, Sr., Music Education
Ashley Weis, Derby, Sr., Biology
Erin Wells, Pittsburg, Sr., Mathematics

---Pitt State---