The Student Leadership Quest Awards were given out during a ceremony on Friday. Winners included:
Margie Van Vooren Leadership Development
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| Back row L to R: Mark Getecha, Lacey Vander Boegh, front row: Dong Du, Taylor Newbold |
Scholarship went to Michelle Sundquist. The scholarship was created to honor Margie Van Vooren, who passed away while waiting for a heart transplant. As the former Boise State Dean of Students, Van Vooren was passionate about helping students reach their full potential, and she touched hundreds of lives through her involvement and leadership on programs such as the Women's Center, Children's Center, Cultural Center, Minority Student Services, Disability Services, Tutorial Services and the Student Leadership Program. The annual award is $600.
Sundquist is a mom and full-time student working towards a bachelors of Applied Sciences with a minor in Addiction Studies. Sundquist has learned that leadership starts with helping one person, a belief held by Van Vooren. As a peer adviser for Academic Support, she is active as a mentor and role model for students attempting to decide on an academic major. She also served a mentor for the Bridge Program and a peer wellness coordinator.
The Larry Selland Emerging Student Leader Scholarship went to Mark Getecha. The Larry Selland Emerging Student Leader Scholarship to recognize students that have the potential to lead. Selland was the former Executive Vice President for Boise State but grew up in humble conditions in North Dakota. A devoted husband, educator, public leader and a servant to his community and of his God, Selland worked his career to help others reach their education and career goals. This annual award is $600. Getecha served on the Martin Luther King Jr. Human Rights Celebration Committee, Cultural Center Advisory Board, BSU Parking and Transportation committee and as a senator of ASBSU. Soft spoken, Getecha is emerging as a leader with strong work ethic and the ability to finish what he says.
The Founders Leadership Society Emerging Student Leader Award went to Lacey Vander Boegh. The Founders Leadership Society Emerging Student Leader Award was developed by the Founders Leadership Society to acknowledge an outstanding student who exemplifies leadership, service, academic achievement, and an appreciation of diversity and who is likely to assume leadership roles at Boise State University and in our community. Vander Boegh has been well versed in academic achievement and awards as an Idaho Top Scholar, a member of the National Honor Society and a previous Boise State student of the month. She has also served as a page for the Idaho State House of Representatives and has won several Congressional Awards, a bronze, silver and gold. She is also heavily involved in campus and community service. Vander Boegh, a communications major, sits on the KBCI Channel 2 Eye on Idaho Advisory Board, is a Boys and Girls Club volunteer, a vacation Bible school teacher and a one-on-one mentor for the Back to School COSSA program. She also has been a member of the Civic Leadership Residential College the past two years, takes notes for the disabled on , campus, is a high school cheer coach and teaches ballet, hip-hop, tap and fitness classes. She is a drum major for the Blue Thunder Marching Band and an Arbiter Account Executive currently running for ASBSU Senate.
The Director’s Award is presented annually to a student who has demonstrated outstanding leadership commitment and service toward the betterment of student organizations and campus life. This year’s recipient is Taylor Newbold. He has shown his dedication to student life even after losing the election for ASBSU President. He is a member of Sigma Tau Delta (English Honorary), an ASBSU Election Board Chairperson & Public Relations Officer, former director of the Volunteer Services Board, coordinator the 2004 AIDS awareness program, Arbiter copy editor, peer educator for Health, Wellness and Counseling, and co-founder of a community non-profit organization a.l.p.h.a.
The President's Award is presented annually to a student who has contributed to Boise State through outstanding leadership and service without regard for recognition. This year’s winner was Dang Du.
The President's Award is given annually in honor of a student for their outstanding service to the university. Du has demonstrated leadership in research, campus involvement and served an internship with a state agency. Working directly with the Boise State Center for Economic and Business Research, he assisted Don Holley in a research project that earned our recipient an award of recognition from the Economics Department. His internship was with the Idaho State department of Commerce and Labor. Du has also been involved in producing two Lunar New Year’s events and served as president of the Boise State Vietnamese Student Association. A first-generation student emigrating from Vietnam, Du currently has a 3.7 GPA and will graduate from Boise State this May. His plan after graduation is to attend graduate school studying public policy with an emphasis in international relations. He has already been accepted at George Washington University, Georgetown and American University.