Awards Day 2019

Awards Day Honors Announced at Iowa Wesleyan University

Mount Pleasant, Iowa: April 25, 2019 – Iowa Wesleyan University held its annual Awards Day to recognize outstanding students.  The university recognized students for exemplary achievement in their majors, their leadership on campus and their involvement in the community. The awards ceremony also included the announcement of the most prestigious student award given annually, the President’s Award.

“Awards Day provides an opportunity to honor and celebrate our students and the significant contributions they make in the classroom and throughout the community,” said Steven E. Titus, President of Iowa Wesleyan. “These awards are yet another example of the many ways our students exemplify our core values.”

The President’s Award, presented to a graduating senior, epitomizes a person who consistently demonstrates responsible and selfless use of talent and leadership throughout his or her undergraduate experience. Nominees must be high academic achievers who have modeled exemplary academic effort and engagement. The 2018-2019 President’s Award was presented to Allegra Collette ’19, of Thorton, Colorado. During Allegra’s time at IW, she has been a servant leader. Her nominator had this to say about Allegra. “She has a powerful mind that is creative, critical, and socially conscious. Her energy is contagious; her professionalism and maturity far exceed most of her peers. She is primed to have a major impact on college sports leadership. She goes above and beyond to get things done.”

Trevor Haasis, Williamsburg, IA, is the recipient of the Tiger Spirit Award. This award signifies what it means to be an Iowa Wesleyan Tiger by displaying a positive attitude, sportsmanship, spirit, and pride.  Trevor attends many events on campus and supports his fellow peers. His personality shines through in all that he does. Trevor is a four-year player and goalie for Iowa Wesleyan Soccer.

Iowa Wesleyan’s Unsung Hero Award is given to Nena Matthews of Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis. Nena is a leader in the Digital Media and Design program and on campus. She is a resident assistant and very involved on campus. She uses her experience in the world of design to create outstanding works of art. She took the lead on the new video for The Wesleys.  She has been a designer in the marketing department during her internship – illustrating a coloring book to keep brand awareness alive in the minds of our young people, and so much more. One nominator said, “I can’t say enough about Nena’s quiet leadership and exceptional talents. Nena is a professional through and through, and it shows in her outstanding work and attitude.”

Student Leader of the Year award recipient is Austin Willis of Essex, IL. This award is designed to recognize a student who has excelled and exemplified outstanding leadership, service, and dedication to positively impact growth, culture, and change at IW. A graduating senior, Austin has dedicated a significant amount of time to the co-curricular experience through athletics, residential life, student government (SGA), Greek life and choir. He has held presidential roles in SGA and Zeta Psi Mu. Austin goes the extra mile to devote complete care and attention to any project at hand.

Recognized for their unwavering support of Iowa Wesleyan’s internship program is Christamore House. Christamore House was recognized for their unwavering support of our internship program. Christamore House is a dedicated internship placement facility for a large number of Iowa Wesleyan students in a multitude of disciplines as criminal justice, human services, and educational foundations, just to name a few. Without their dedication to IW, students would not have the exceptional mentoring and professional opportunities afforded them.

This year two new awards were created for part-time Instructor of the Year and Academic Advisor of the Year. This year’s part-time Instructor of the Year goes to Eileen Heck. The Academic Advisor of the Year is Richard Buffington.

Congratulations to all of our award recipients.