KEARNEY – The UNK Division of Student Affairs presented the annual Applauding Excellence awards Wednesday during a ceremony in the Nebraskan Student Union Ponderosa Room.
Established in 2012, these awards celebrate the exceptional work of student leaders, organizations and advisers on campus. Applauding Excellence awards are presented to honorees nominated by UNK students, staff or faculty. This year, there were 67 nominations across 13 categories.
Community Service Program of the Year
The Big Event – UNK Student Government
The Big Event exemplifies UNK’s commitment to service by bringing together hundreds of students to give back to the Kearney community through volunteer projects. This program not only creates a meaningful impact in a single day but also inspires continued civic engagement and a spirit of service among participants. By fostering collaboration, leadership and community connection, the event reflects the broader mission of UNK by empowering students to become active, service-minded members of their community.
Collaborative Program of the Year
PRISM, Women Are Problematic, Hispanic Student Association, United in Dance, UNK Young Democrats, Association of Gamers, UNK Crochet Circle and Lopers D&D Guild
The Halloween Bash provides UNK students with a safe and welcoming space to celebrate. The event was fun and engaging while helping reduce the risks associated with students going out on Halloween night. With strong attendance, it was well-organized and successfully promoted student safety and community.
Community Empowerment Award
Women Are Problematic
This organization is committed to addressing gender-based violence and uplifting women’s voices on campus and in the community. They have supported awareness events focused on sexual assault and gender violence and participated in local advocacy efforts to further promote change. The group has also created empowering spaces through initiatives such as panels featuring women in higher education. Additionally, they host events that celebrate the impact of female changemakers and highlight women’s roles in transforming broken systems.
Student Organization Philanthropy of the Year
Gamma Phi Beta – Girls on the Run
This sorority has continually showcased strong dedication to the Kearney community through exceptional service and philanthropy. Their events raised over $10,000 to support a nonprofit focused on empowering young girls with crucial life skills and values. The chapter’s active involvement in hosting local events highlights their genuine commitment to the organization’s mission. Their ongoing dedication is further demonstrated by multiple members volunteering extensive hours as coaches for a local youth program, making a lasting difference in participants’ lives. Additional initiatives, like the pancake feed and Moon Ball tournament, have supported both local and regional chapters of this nonprofit, amplifying their overall community impact through consistent philanthropic service.
New Student Organization of the Year
UNK Crochet Circle
Crochet Circle has created a welcoming and creative space for students of all skill levels to explore and develop hands-on artistic skills while fostering learning, collaboration and the sharing of experiences. It has built a supportive community centered on creativity, encouraging both personal growth and skill development as members gain new abilities and connect with others who share similar interests. Despite being relatively new, the group has quickly grown into an engaging community where students can discover and share a creative hobby, demonstrated through regular meetings where members teach and learn from one another as well as collaborative events with other student groups.
Student Organization of the Year
Elementary Education Club
This organization has a meaningful impact on students preparing to enter a professional field centered on education and mentorship. It provides valuable opportunities for members to explore different career pathways while building essential professional skills through development experiences, networking and connections with community members. Supporting a large and growing membership, the group has established a strong reputation as both a helpful and engaging organization that fosters camaraderie and growth beyond the classroom. Through regular meetings and events, members gain insight from experienced professionals, participate in discussions on best practices and engage in panels that offer real-world perspectives on their future careers. The organization also creates space for social connection and personal development, helping students step outside their comfort zones and grow both personally and professionally. It has also helped build confidence and excitement about pursuing a future career in education by offering meaningful, real-world experiences and practical ideas that can be applied in future classrooms. By bringing together individuals who share a common goal of working with and positively impacting young people, it creates a strong sense of community. Its welcoming environment and dedicated leadership leave a lasting impression on members, equipping them with knowledge, confidence and experiences they will carry into their future careers.
Student Organization Advisers of the Year
Sara Wells and Dena Harshbarger – Elementary Education Club
These two individuals do an amazing job advising this incredible program for elementary education students. Through this club, students learn many valuable skills and gain experiences that will help them tremendously in their future careers as educators. They create a supportive, welcoming environment where members feel encouraged to grow, collaborate and become the best teachers they can be. Their dedication, organization and passion for education are a big part of what makes this club so successful.
Student Organization Leader of the Year
Kiya Garrelts – Alpha Xi Delta
Kiya exemplifies outstanding leadership within her organization and the broader campus community, demonstrating unwavering dedication, vision and service while consistently fostering engagement and growth among peers. Throughout her time at the UNK, she has held numerous leadership positions, approaching each role with intentionality, resilience and a commitment to strengthening both her chapter and the broader Greek community.
Beyond formal roles, she actively promotes collaboration, mentorship and service through involvement in a wide range of campus and community initiatives. Her engagement spans leadership councils, academic and honors programs, student organizations and service efforts, all while maintaining strong academic performance. Through integrity, compassion and tireless dedication, she has made a lasting impact on Alpha Xi Delta, the Fraternity and Sorority Life community and UNK.
Emerging Leader Award
Karleigh North
Karleigh currently serves in a leadership role within her campus organization, where she has been working diligently to prepare for incoming students who will be participating sorority recruitment this August. In this position, she has taken initiative to strengthen recruitment strategies by attending professional development conferences, sharing ideas with chapter leaders through regular meetings and helping coordinate efforts across multiple organizations. She has also led the creation of new marketing approaches, including digital content, social media campaigns and innovative communication tools designed to better connect with potential new members and show them what sets UNK apart from the “stereotypical” sorority experience. Beyond this role, she is highly involved across campus in multiple organizations and leadership positions, consistently demonstrating creativity, organization and a strong work ethic. She does not know how to do anything at a level that isn’t the best she can give.
Transcending Leader Award
Derek Pfeifer
Derek has served as vice president on the Interfraternity Council for nearly two years and consistently goes beyond his assigned responsibilities. During a period of leadership instability, he stepped up by taking on additional work and ensuring continuity. With the new council, he continues to lead by example, demonstrating accountability, reliability and a willingness to address challenges for the good of the organization.
Leadership Legacy Award
Walker Gullicksen
This student leader is involved in the Loper Programming and Activities Council. He has demonstrated strong dedication to student engagement and campus life through multiple leadership roles. He has played a key role in organizing high-quality, well-executed programming while also working behind the scenes to ensure operations run smoothly and standards remain high. His leadership style fosters collaboration and active participation among members. As co-chair of LPAC, he is thoughtful in decision-making, particularly when managing student fees, ensuring resources are used effectively to enhance the student experience. With a strong work ethic, attention to detail and commitment to continuous improvement, Walker has made a meaningful and lasting impact on both LPAC and the broader campus community.
Student Employee of the Year
Julianna Zubrod
Julianna has served as a highly committed tutor in the Loper Success Hub since her first semester, supporting students across multiple subject areas. As a Master-Certified Tutor, she demonstrated strong adaptability, effectively assisting students both in person and online and consistently receiving positive feedback for her helpful and engaging approach. Her initiative to extend support into classroom settings further reflects her dedication to student success.
