According to DeAnn Nelson, a teacher at Truesdell, students on the honor roll at Truesdell were selected first followed by students who were close to achieving honor roll status and could benefit from the positive influences at Builder Bound Camp. Truesdell has nearly 1,000 students enrolled.

“These kids are really excited.  To be selected amongst their peers and to be special is really good for our kids,” Nelson says.  “A lot of our kids have never thought they could go to college so to get them on a college campus is going to be a good experience for them.”

“It’s exciting because I got chosen for being a good student. It was the best day of my life,” says Riley Brotherton, who will enter the seventh grade in the fall.

“Whoa, I am going to college,” was the first thing that an elated Maria Stephens thought when she heard that she would be attending the camp.

This is the fifth year that Southwestern has collaborated with USD 265 to provide a similar camp.  For four years SC has partnered with Stucky Middle school thanks to a partnership developed between Dawn Pleas-Bailey, vice president for student life at Southwestern College, and Terrell Davis, the principal at Truesdell.  In 2012 Davis was transferred to Truesdell and contacted Pleas-Bailey to see if Southwestern could provide a camp for a larger number of students.  Many of these students are from economically disadvantaged families and would be first generation college attenders. Part of the mission of this camp is to expose these kids to the college experience and let them know that college is an option for them.

Ed Loeb, associate professor of mathematics at Southwestern, is leading the education side of the camp.

“The camp this year is organized into five distinct mini-courses,” Loeb says.  “These courses include leadership, creative writing, television production, business and economic development, and a course in simple engineering and design. The students have been split into five teams that will each participate in one of the courses over the three days.”

Courses are staffed by SC faculty (Lindsay Wilke, Cheryl Rude and Michelle Boucher) as well as by alumni (Tommy Castor and Gio Garcia).  Additionally, according to Loeb, instructors from The Independent School in Wichita and two from a small college in St. Louis will share their knowledge with the students.
 
“The courses will consist of nine hours of ‘seat-time’ over the three days as well as homework time in the evening for them to work on projects and materials for their classes,” Loeb says.

In addition to the classes, the students will go bowling at Hillcrest Lanes in Arkansas City and attend a movie at the Cowley 8 Cinema.  Apart from these organized outings, time is built into the schedule for the kids to learn from their mentors about student success, discuss and develop a healthy image of themselves, and establish an understanding that college is attainable if they wish.

The camp staff this year is composed of current Southwestern College undergraduates and alumni.  Student mentors include Paul Mata, Dejon Brison, Bethany Venn, CJ Bruce, Christine Sheppard, Gabby Gamez, Hayley Weston, Monica Gamez, Jordan Romines, Austin Sheppard, and Maggie Collett.  These mentors will be working with campers in both the academic courses and also in the social aspects of the camp.  Alumni involved in the camp are Brendt Winn, Justin Williams, Shelby Alexender, Tanner Seidel, RJ Schnack, Tashira Triplett, Gene Hartman, Tim Miser, and Anastasia Prokopis.

“This camp is phenomenal,” says Adam Bancroft, who works at Stucky Middle School and has been a part of the Builder Bound camp in the past.  “We want to build hope with these kids.  They were ready for camp from the moment they got off the bus.  It’s nice to see a lot of familiar mentors and sponsors.  To see the quality of college students, professors, and coaches here is tremendous.  To see them here and willing to give up some of their summer time to be involved to spark an interest in these younger kids, it’s great.”

Southwestern College is a private institution granting undergraduate and graduate degrees and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church.  About 1,700 students attend classes at the main Winfield campus, at six professional studies sites in Kansas and Oklahoma, or online around the world.

After 20 years at Southwestern College, Ronnie Jenkins, director of major gifts, will retire during the summer. Jenkins was honored at Founders Day activities at the college during April.

A 1963 graduate of Arkansas City High School and a 1967 graduate of Baylor University, Jenkins began his career at Southwestern Jan. 1, 1993.  Before that he had worked for his father and the family business, Jenkins and Sons Production Inc., in Arkansas City.  He was also a city commissioner for three years in Arkansas City and mayor in 1979.

Through the years, Jenkins has been in charge of establishing relationships and seeking donations for the college.  His territory of responsibility included the western third of the United States stretching from Arizona to Washington.

“My title is a bit misleading,” Jenkins says.  “Every gift is a major gift, whether $5, $50, or $500,000.”

The campus and the landscape of the college look much different today than they did in 1993 and of this change has come about largely through Jenkins’s efforts.  He is proud of many of Southwestern’s improvements (Jantz Stadium construction, Stewart Field House and Deets Library renovations) but two achievements are especially close to his heart: the Mazie Barnett Kilmer Endowed Chair for Strings and the Richardson Performing Arts Center. 

“When I first came to Southwestern, Richardson Auditorium was what I wanted to change,” Jenkins says.  “For years there was no interest in redoing the auditorium.  When the decision was made to renovate, though, I couldn’t imagine the results would be as spectacular as they are.  To turn what was basically a barn into a facility that is so acoustically wonderful is remarkable.”

Southwestern College Dick Merriman is thankful for the work Jenkins has done through the years.

“Ronnie has been an effective ambassador for the college and has been a very skillful advocate in seeking financial support for Southwestern,” Merriman says.  “He has helped our donors help Southwestern achieve great things, particularly in the performing arts, and I’m very grateful for his service.”

When asked what he will miss most, people were first and foremost on his list.

“I like the people I work with,” Jenkins says. “I will miss the annual trips to see donors who have become friends.  I will miss the people.  The physical being of the college is one thing but the real deal is the people who support it and have been here and have feelings for it.  There is a real sense that people are pleased with the direction the college is going.  People want to be a part of a winning team and a winning team is easier to support.”

Jenkins is looking forward to spending more time with his wife, Anita Judd-Jenkins, and being able to simply stay home. 

“It’s been an incredible experience for me to get to be here and get to know the college like I have.  I think it is a real treasure.  In the pantheon of private colleges in the state of Kansas, Southwestern is probably in the best position it has ever been.  It is a result of not only our office but the administration, our communications that go out and our admissions team.  I feel a bit like Jerry Seinfeld and his television show. When he got to the top of the ratings he said, ‘It’s not going to get any better than this for me.’”

The Student Government Association initiates the process for naming Masterbuilders by calling for each member to nominate students.  The list of students who receive a vote are then submitted to a faculty vote.  Finally, the entire student body votes, choosing recipients from the names remaining on the list. 

Masterbuilders for 2012-2013 include: Clint Dick, Spivey; Sally McGuire, Denton, Texas; Derreck Carter-House, Conway Springs; Meeka Gentry and Hannah Podschun, Winfield; Jessie Riggs, Wellington; and Kaley Rodriguez, Salina.

The outstanding student-athlete award is given in memory of Tracy Young by Bill and Georgianna Young.  Tracy was in the class of 1982.  The award is presented to the top senior female and male student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional performance in athletics, academics, leadership, and college and community service.

Adelman is a biology major.  He is a two-time NAIA Cross Country All-American, an NAIA Track and Field All-American, and has earned multiple Champion of Character awards at both the KCAC and the NAIA level.  He has also qualified for nine NAIA cross country and track and field national championships.  Adelman has been involved in student government, and has been a lab tutor for “Science, Society, and the Environment.” 

Rodriguez is an elementary education major and a leadership studies minor.  She is a four-year member of the volleyball team, and was a KCAC Academic All-Conference selection in 2012. She is an assistant teacher in the Southwestern College Learning Center, is a resident assistant in the freshman residence hall, and is actively involved with Leadership Southwestern.

Nominees also included:
 Sydnee Nelson, Clay Center, women’s cross country
 Melissa Roetzer, Dodge City, women’s tennis
 Rhea Rollins, Kansas City, Mo., women’s track and field
 Alyson Sparkman, Owasso, Okla., women’s soccer
 Jordan Barrett, Oologah, Okla., football
 Michael Morales, Ulysses, men’s basketball
 Jessie Riggs, Wellington, men’s tennis
 Austin Sacket, Derby, men’s soccer
 Bobby Weidner, Libertyville, Ill., men’s golf

This was the 15th annual presentation of the student-athlete award.

“These are wonderfully talented people who exemplify the best of the Builder Spirit,” says Andy Sheppard, vice president for academic affairs and dean of faculty at Southwestern.  “The awards express the community’s appreciation for the subtle leadership and service that these colleagues provide to others on a daily basis.”

(Pictured:  Linda Kissire, Bobi Muldrow, Jackson Lashier)

Awards for years of service were also presented for:

• 35 years: Bill DeArmond, Jim Helmer
• 25 years: Roger Moon, Allyson Moon, Tim Shook, Terry Barnett
• 20 years: Bob Gallup, Sharon Wright, Michelle Boucher, Jackie Berryman, Jane Schlickau, Ronnie Jenkins
• 15 years: Lisa Braun, Dick Merriman, Michael Tessmer, Tracy Frederick, Tami Pullins
• 10 years: Joe Wood, David Gardner, Stephen Woodburn, Chris Schmitz, Jimmie Tagg, Charles Osen, Tommy Vargas, Ray Baldwin
• 5 years: Kristin Humphreys, Skye Browning, Marla Sexson, Susan Burdick, George Hindman, TJ Harris, Jason Speegle, Lock Schnelle, Justin Hearne, Jimmy Holland, Kristen Pettey

Jordan Stalder, senior from Chapman, was named four-year magazine-yearbook Journalist of the Year.  She received a $250 cash award and a plaque for her honor. Stalder also earned second place in caption writing.

“Creating a yearbook is a thankless job. An effective yearbook editor must combine imagination with attention to detail and self-discipline,” says Stacy Sparks, associate professor of journalism at Southwestern College. “Jordan Stalder has done an outstanding job of collaborating with others during four years on the Moundbuilder yearbook staff. She has earned the distinction of being named a Journalist of the Year by the Kansas Collegiate Media.” 

The Moundbuilder yearbook staff earned a bronze medal in the overall competition and took first place for illustration and for cover design.

“The Collegian” student newspaper earned a silver medal in the four-year private college division and UpdateSC (scupdate.org.), the online news site, took second place among four-year private colleges.

Jonathan Woon, Malaysia, and Taylor Posey, Wayne, Okla., took second place across all divisions in multi-media storytelling. Woon also won the four-year private college newspaper news photography competition and earned honorable mentions in news

photography and sports photography.

Clinton Dick, Spivey, took first place in feature writing and sports feature writing; second place in front page design; and honorable mention in sports news writing and sports photography. Dalton Carver, Ozawkie, placed second in review writing.

Carver, Dick, Maggie Dunning, Min Jiao, Kyle Killgore, Bailey VenJohn, and Woon attended the conference at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita.

A total of 163 students and advisers from 18 colleges and universities participated in the conference. In addition to earning awards, the students attended 18 breakout sessions over a variety of journalism topics and heard two keynote speakers.

Woon participated on a panel, “Rethinking student media operations,” along with Dave Bostwick, faculty adviser at Baker University; Laura Guy, faculty adviser at Garden City Community College; Hannah Wise, student from the University of Kansas; and Brad Barnes, student at Baker University.

The students were accompanied by Sparks, who was re-elected to a two-year term as secretary of Kansas Collegiate Media. She worked with other officers to coordinate programming for the conference.

More than 400 entries were submitted in this year’s Sharkie Awards. Judges from Brainshark and other presentation experts evaluated submissions based on presentation quality, clarity, organization, and aesthetics. Entries had to demonstrate effective use of Brainshark’s technology – which lets users transform static documents, such as PowerPoints, into online and mobile video presentations.

Quiett, Web producer at Southwestern College, produced an animated online Christmas greeting that was posted on the Southwestern College website and e-mailed to alumni.  The greeting features Jinx and Bobo, a parody of Hallmark’s Hoops and Yoyo, as they riff on Southwestern College traditions and holiday spirit. SC seniors Justin Tinker and Chris Cole provided the voices for the production.  Southwestern College graphic designer Susan Burdick provided the background art.

“I was excited and flattered when I found out that we had won and that our work had been recognized,” Quiett says.  “We create some kind of electronic Christmas card each year.  Typically they are more reverential in tone, but this year we decided to create something a little more light-hearted.”

To view the award winning presentation, go to www.sckans.edu/christmas. 

“The competition in this year’s Sharkie Awards was especially fierce, with many organizations using online video presentations to communicate with impact,” said Irwin Hipsman, Brainshark’s director of customer community. “Terry Quiett from Southwestern College went above and beyond. At a time when it’s increasingly important to break through the deluge of communications, Southwestern is using online presentations to inform, motivate and truly ‘wow’ its audiences. We commend them on the excellent use of Brainshark’s technology.”

More information about the awards program, including a gallery of winning presentations, is available at www.brainshark.com/campaigns/sharkie-awards-2013.

The winning nominees were:
• Tamara McEwen, assistant professor of biology
• Sheila Krug, vice president for finance and human resources
• Pat Boggs, student life office manager.

Lai-L Clemons, diversity council chairman, says that this event is a good way to recognize Southwestern College women.

“A lot of times when we think about phenomenal women, we look outside of Southwestern College,” Clemons says.  “We need to look at the women that are right here and recognize them and award them for their great contributions.”

A total of nine women were nominated for the award.  Each of them received a certificate and a carnation.  McEwen, Krug, and Boggs received a frame that has the “Phenomenal Woman” poem by Maya Angelou, a Moundbuilder mug, and candy.

“Most importantly, they get to know they were the first to ever do this and people do recognize the hard work they are doing and they are greatly appreciated,” says Clemons.

one of the newly elected members.

The two officers and three members will begin their terms on June 1, 2013.

The newly elected officers are:
• President-Elect: Carol Brunson Day, consultant, Silver Spring, Md.
•  Treasurer: William H. Isler, President, The Fred Rogers Company, Pittsburgh, Penn.

In addition to Luo, newly-elected board members are:
• Chad Dunkley, chief operating officer, New Horizon Enterprises, Plymouth, Minn.
• Ann McClain Terrell, director, early childhood education, Milwaukee Public Schools, Milwaukee, Wis.

“Our new board members bring a wide range of expertise and experience in the early childhood education field to NAEYC,” said Gera Jacobs, president of NAEYC’s Governing Board. “We welcome them to the board and look forward to working together to advance NAEYC’s mission of promoting high-quality early childhood education for all children.”

NAEYC’s 17-member board governs the association, which is nationally recognized for setting standards of quality for early childhood centers, schools, and teacher preparation programs; convening thought leaders; publishing research-based position statements, books, and periodicals that guide early childhood policy and practice; and providing an array of professional development opportunities for early childhood educators.

“We are pleased that these distinguished members will be joining the extraordinary leaders on our governing board,” said Jerlean E. Daniel, executive director of NAEYC. “I am confident they will help lead our association in this exciting time of national focus on early childhood education.”

EVENT CANCELLATIONS

The KCAC women’s basketball championship that had been scheduled for Monday night has been postponed to Tuesday night in Hartman Arena.

SC Learning Center will be CLOSED on Tuesday, February 26th due to the blizzard-like conditions. This decision was made after detailed discussions with the district and college.

"We appreciate the flexibility of Hartman Arena and KCAC fans in accommodating the KCAC Basketball Championship move to Tuesday night," KCAC Commissioner Scott Crawford said.

The Southwestern Lady Builders will be participating in the KCAC Women's Basketball Championship game for the third time in the last four years, and will be a KCAC Championship Monday event participant for the second-straight season. Last season, Southwestern fell two points short of its first KCAC Tournament title in a loss to Sterling at Hartman Arena. The Lady Builders will meet a KWU team that has never played in Hartman Arena, and has not participated in a KCAC Championship game since the 2010-11 season.

A full game preview will be posted Monday at www.buildersports.com.

The Spring 2013 Grad Finale is being held the following times and locations:

• Monday, March 4, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: Winfield Main Campus, Student Center Pounds Lounge
• Monday, March 4, 3:30 p.m.-6:00 p.m.: Professional Studies Wichita East Center, 2040 S. Rock Road

Refreshments will be served and a drawing will be held for all participants who complete a check-off sheet and enter the drawing. Expect to spend about 30 minutes at the event you choose to attend.

For students unable to attend the scheduled events, please watch your email for further details. Additional information about Commencement will be posted on our website after the Grad Finale event.

Since arriving on the campus of Southwestern College, Woon has immersed himself in activities and projects; he excels in photography, journalism, and worship outreach. 
Woon came to Southwestern from Malaysia and was awarded a Bishop Scholarship which has helped pay his tuition.  The scholarship offered by the school changes from year to year, but represents one of the college’s most generous scholarships. The scholarship award also makes the student available for additional funds from the Institute for Discipleship. These funds are in addition to the scholarship and are need based.

“I came to Southwestern to study communications not knowing what communication studies were all about,” Woon says.  “I stepped into my first journalism class with Stacy Sparks (associate professor of journalism), not knowing anything about journalism and started to learn.  I like to learn new things. And then later on she invited to me to be on the newspaper staff (The Collegian) and I began to really appreciate journalism.  I work now a lot in the online area, social media, and pushing content.”

Woon has been involved heavily with worship outreach and chapel at Southwestern.  He has performed numerous times with the worship outreach team Selah.  He has now moved to a more behind the scenes role of producing music. 

“To me the true joy comes when I am able to capture the essence of worship on an mp3 file and a student then can listen to it in their car or on their iPod,” Woon says.

Chapel at Southwestern has been a valuable experience for Woon.

“For me, I generally relate to people through Christ,” Woon says.  “That is how I find community and support.  (Southwestern College campus minister) Ashlee Alley has always been there for me when I need help or support.  The people in chapel are great and were especially important to me my first few weeks here.”

Woon’s connections at Southwestern led him to a valuable internship during 2012 when he spent the summer as an intern for “The Upper Room” and lived in Nashville, Tenn.  “The Upper Room” is a global ministry dedicated to supporting the spiritual formation of Christians seeking to know and experience God more fully. From its beginnings as a daily devotional guide, “The Upper Room” has grown to include publications, programs, prayer support, and other resources to help believers of all ages and denominations move to a deeper level of faith and service.

“Connections, it is all about connections,” Woon says.  “If you know how to use these resources at Southwestern, it can happen for you.  I told Martin Rude (director of outreach ministry) and Steve Wilke (vice president for planning and new programs) that ‘hey, I need an internship’ and the idea was initially to get an internship at a recording studio which is what I am really passionate about.  Steve said that his sister, Sarah, is spearheading ‘The Upper Room’ publishing house and he encouraged me to do a dual internship.  Everything just fell into place and I got a great experience.”

Woon, who is on schedule to graduate in December, is now planning on going on tour with Rude, former Moundbuilder Josh Melcher, and current SC students. They will feature music from their newly finished worship album, “No Secrets.”  At the end of January, they will be leading a weekend event in Houston and then in May tour to Jakarta, Singapore, and Malaysia. 

“I grew up in Southeast Asia and I am looking forward to sharing our music,” Woon says.

 “The best part of a small college is if students know how to maximize the experience, they will get a lot out of it,” Woon says.

"Big Brothers Big Sisters is a great organization, I think the kids and our players really enjoyed interacting,” says head men’s basketball coach Matt O’Brien.  “I am thankful that BBBS continues to give us the opportunity to serve.”

Debi Clark, community director for BBBS, says the kids have a great time with the SC basketball players.

“We appreciate Matt O’Brien and his team’s involvement in our annual Halloween party; it is a great opportunity to introduce the team to our organization and let the youth in our program experience the players in a fun atmosphere,” Clark says.  “Our partnership is something we hope to expand and develop more opportunities to bring the youth and team together, and create more positive involvement for us both to make a greater impact on our community.” 

All 24 members of the men’s basketball team attended along with O’Brien and assistant coaches Tim Miser and Gene Hartman. 

The party was sponsored by Sally’s Palace, the Arkansas City Kiwanis, and the Arkansas City Police Department.

The Homecoming queen candidates are: Hannah Podschun, Winfield; Kaley Rodriguez, Salina; Danielle Morford, Medicine Lodge; Meeka Gentry, Norman, Okla.; and Anastasia Prokopis, Tulsa, Okla.

The Homecoming king candidates are: Clinton Dick, Spivey; Colton McNinch, Arnold; Jacob “Aron” Pfingsten, Ulysses; Frank Adelman, Yukon, Okla.; and Chris Cole, Stigler, Okla.

The crowning will occur at halftime of the Southwestern College Homecoming football game against Friends University. The game starts at 1:30 p.m. in Richard L. Jantz Stadium.

• Watch the live webcast

Linda Kissire has been promoted to coordinator of academic records and processes.

“These promotions are indicative of our continued focus on quality academics here at Southwestern College Professional Studies,” said Pamela Monaco, vice president of Southwestern College Professional Studies. “With these newly created positions, we have individuals who can focus solely on key aspects of academics such as quality curriculum, quality instruction, and quality information.”

Launch of the site expands the reach of the traditional campus bookstore around the world. With alumni and current learners now found in all corners of the globe, this instant access to Moundbuilder gear is expected to appeal to shoppers of all ages. The store is an Amazon Webstore, so it will have the functionality of one of the most recognized names in internet commerce.

The site can be located at www.moundbuildermarket.com. 

“When the college made the decision to not be in the business of selling books, this freed us to think of the best way to reach people who might want an SC t-shirt or a gift for an alum,” says Jason VenJohn, market manager. “We looked at a lot of different models and the online store made the most sense.”

In addition to clothing of all kinds (t-shirts, hoodies, sweatpants, hats, and other items), the store has gift items such as drinking glasses, blankets, pennants, and license plates. All are branded with the distinctive Jinx or Southwestern College logos, and are aimed at both campus and Professional Studies audiences.

“To celebrate the grand opening we’re offering a 10 percent discount on all purchases made through the store,” VenJohn adds. “Shoppers should enter the code JINX0001 at check-out.”

Special sales also are being offered on shatter shirts and dinner glasses.

For more information about the Moundbuilder Marketplace, contact VenJohn at jason.venjohn@sckans.edu.

Lai-L Clemons, dean of the camp, says the camp allows the students a chance to think about going to college.

“We want these students to know that they can attend college,” Clemons says.  “And not just Southwestern, they can start thinking about attending any college that they want.”

The students at camp have earned their way to SC.  They were chosen based on their academic performance, grade-point average, how well they performed on assessments, and attendance. 

“How students perform in eighth grade says a lot about how they will do in college,” says Southwestern College vice president for student affairs Dawn Pleas-Bailey.  “These are the exceptional kids from Stucky.”

At camp the middle school students get a taste of the college life.  They have classes in math, music appreciation, history, English, leadership, and communication.  They are taught by Southwestern College professors Rodney Worsham, Michelle Boucher, Cheryl Rude, and Matt O’Brien. They eat their meals in the Southwestern College dining area, and participate in activities such as roller skating, bowling, and movie night at the Cowley Cinema 8. Prior to dismissal of the camp, they will go through group presentations and assessments.  

“These middle school kids get to experience what it’s like to be a college student,” says Pleas-Bailey.   “Classes, presentations, cafeteria food, and fun things at night; they have to be able to balance their activities.”

Coreon Brinkley is at the camp for a second time.  His mother, Michon, says that she saw lots of improvements from Coreon after attending camp last year.

“He (Coreon) really tries to be more prepared for whatever he might be doing,” Michon says.  “This is a good camp.  It is a great way for the kids to interact and I think it prepares them for the transition from middle school to high school and to college.”
  The campers get to interact with eight or nine SC college students who are assisting with the camp.  

Southwestern College has a partnership with Stucky Middle School.  It is aimed at giving all of them a broader education. The goal is to guide middle school students toward pursuing college educations and all Stucky graduates who are accepted to Southwestern will receive scholarships.  The partnership includes mentoring, summer camps, campus visits, and other fun and educational activities.

Adam Bancroft, teacher and administrator at Stucky Middle School, has been at Stucky since it opened nine years ago.  He says the connection to Southwestern College is important to his students.

“Our partnership with Southwestern has been fabulous,” Bancroft says.  “With President Merriman and Dawn (Pleas-Bailey) speaking at Stucky from time to time, it really gives the kids a connection of where they could be in four to five years.

Two former Stucky Middle School students enrolled at Southwestern for the 2011-2012 school year. 

The Student Government Association initiates the process for naming Masterbuilders by calling for each member to nominate students.  The list of students who receive a vote are then submitted to a faculty vote.  Finally, the entire student body votes, choosing recipients from the names remaining on the list. 

Masterbuilders for 2011-2012 include: Caitlin McCurdy, Overland Park; Jacey Cullop, Sterling (missing from photo); Molly Komlofske, Holcomb; Zach Castor, Clearwater; Taylor Kinnamon, Copeland; and Lucas McConnell, Newton.

The outstanding student-athlete award is given in memory of Tracy Young by Bill and Georgianna Young.  Tracy was in the class of 1982.  The award is presented to the top senior female and male student-athletes who demonstrate exceptional performance in athletics, academics, leadership, and college and community service.

Rethorst is a computer science major.  He earned the Champion of Character Award three times.  He was also a three-year captain on the soccer team.  Rethorst has been involved in Leadership Southwestern for four years, Student Government for one year, and a Southwestern College choir member.

Kinnamon is a business administration major and an accounting minor.  She has been the captain for the volleyball squad in the fall and for women’s track and field team in the spring. Her honors include being an NAIA All-American-Scholar Athlete and earning honorable mention all-conference in volleyball.  She has qualified three times for outdoor nationals and once for indoor nationals. She is a student government senator at Southwestern along with being a student ambassador.  Kinnamon is also involved with Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Nominees also included:
 Courtney Huppert, Fort Worth, Texas, women’s golf
 Chelsea Fort, Stillwater, Okla., softball
 Morgan Constantine, Euless, Texas., soccer
 Jennifer Hendrixson, Sedgwick, women’s cross country
 Catherine Haikin, Crescent, Okla., women’s basketball
 Jared Irvin, Ulysses, men’s basketball
 Tim Jasper, Foristell, Mo., men’s golf
 Colton Siler, Cleveland, Okla., men’s track &field
 Zak Tazkargy, Wellington, football

This was the 14th annual presentation of the student-athlete award.