Quint Geis helps present at the Student Leadership Awards.
On Sunday, May 4, Perry Dining Hall held the 2025 Student Leadership Awards, celebrating the dedication, creativity, and service of Doane’s student body. President Roger Hughes opened the evening with a welcome that set the tone for an event “designed to recognize the countless ways our students lead, serve, and inspire,” President Hughes said.
After dinner, Academic specialist of the Academic Success Center Rachel Jank took the stage to present a slate of academic and mentorship honors, among them the Tiger Mentorship Endurance and Glenn Mitchell Leadership awards, highlighting students who “demonstrate persistence in the face of adversity and embody our university’s highest ideals,” as she explained.
Quint Geis, director of Career, Leadership, and Service, followed with acknowledgements for Emerging Leaders before delivering the Career, Leadership, and Service (CLS) awards with Mandi Laib, Assistant Director of Leadership & Service.
Gamma Phi Iota sorority reacts to winning Greek Life GPA awards.
“Leadership isn’t a title; it’s a promise to serve others,” Geis said.
Brian Stutz, head of Residence Life, then recognized student staff who keep campus residential life running smoothly, and Vice President for Community & Government Relations, Luis Sotelo along with the Community & Government Relations team also recognized students who had made an impact in the community by giving the Community Excellence award to several students.
Spencer Munson, head of the Student Programming Board (SPB), and Eden Diehl, assistant director of Campus Engagement & Fraternity & Sorority Life, handed out honors for Campus Engagement and Greek Life, celebrating the different events, outstanding GPAs, remarkable students in Greek Life, and awareness campaigns raised by Greek Life.
Nadia Lanik and junior McKenna Rathbun share a hug after Rathbun wins an award.
Then, Campus Visits and Operations Manager, Natasha Kusek and her Admissions & Ambassadors team took over, acknowledging student ambassadors who welcome prospective students and give tours, before senior and former STUCO president, Blake Skoumal and junior Grace Southern, member of Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), closed the awards portion with their selections for leadership and service across the broader student government and honor-society landscape.
Finally, Munson concluded the evening returning to the podium for closing remarks, thanking the awards committee, co-chairs, and mentors who’s behind-the-scenes efforts make these recognitions possible.
Senior Quincey Johnson poses with one of her awards won at the event.
