Academic Success mentor coordinator, 308.865.8988
Megan Friesen, a University of Nebraska at Kearney senior from Hastings majoring in vocational business education, has been selected for an Outstanding Student Award from UNK Office of Academic Success.
Friesen was presented the award at the Academic Success Fall 2006 Awards and Recognition Social held last week on the campus.
The Outstanding Student Award is presented to students who “exemplify scholarship, leadership, and service to UNK and to the community.” Those selected for the award are expected to “epitomize a successful blend of ability, work ethic, and spirit of the pursuit of excellence.”
Friesen, who will be student teaching in Gibbon during the spring semester and plans to graduate in May, has been active in Student Support Services’ programs since her freshmen year. She served as an academic mentor and received the Pacesetter Award, an honor given to freshmen in Student Support Services (SSS) who demonstrate they have learned the necessary study skills and habits to become a successful student.
In addition to the Pacesetter Award, Friesen has been named to the Deans’ List, and is a member of Phi Eta Sigma, freshmen honor society; Sigma Beta Delta, business honor society; and Kappa Delta Pi, education honor society.
After graduating, Friesen plans to teach in South Central Nebraska, and do graduate work in school counseling.
Friesen said she is grateful to SSS for the help she received during her time at UNK.
“SSS gave me the opportunity to give back to others by mentoring, which helped me discover what I want to do for my career. SSS has also helped me learn new things, meet new people and expand my life experience. If it wasn’t for SSS, I would probably still be terrified to speak in front of a group of people, question my abilities as a student, mentor and professional, and still be shy and reserved,” Friesen said.
Friesen also praised SSS for the relationships she was able to build.
“I have met so many great people through SSS, who have helped me seek and gain the right opportunities to assist me in obtaining my life goals,” Friesen said.
According to Friesen, freshmen should not be afraid to try new things or venture out of their comfort zone. She said UNK has wonderful opportunities and it’s important that students get involved.
“You never know what doors will open from the opportunity,” Friesen said. “As Mark Twain once said, ‘Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did.’”
