Department Awards
Annual Department Awards
James C. McChesney Scholarship Award - The student shall be an upper division or graduate student majoring in recreation and park administration with a GPA of 2.5 or above in the major area. Other criteria are leadership potential, work ethic, perceived success as a professional, and financial need.
2020 Winner: Lauren Kincaid
2019 Winner: Nick Jackson
2018 Winners: Brittney Viars & Julia Grundy
2017 Winner: Whitney Rice
2016 Winner: Kimberly Rhodus
2015 Winner: Geena Neustat
2014 Winner: Lindsay Dame
2013 Winners: Travis Rawe & Sarah Bellamy
2012 Winner: Jamie Cook
2011 Winner: Brittany Toombs
Outstanding Senior Leadership & Academic Excellence Award - For the outstanding senior demonstrating superior performance in class work and showing enthusiasm for and ability in directing and participating in activities of the University, the Department, and the community. This student recipient typically has the highest GPA in the Department.
2020 Winner: Natalie Rice
2019 Winner: Kaite Mason
2018 Winner: Mary Gray
2017 Winner: Alexandra Sallberg
2016 Winner: Alyssa Podskalan
2015 Winner: Chelsey Lienhart
2014 Winner: Polly Whalen
2013 Winner: Justin Kurtz
2012 Winner: Jennifer Brown
2011 Winner: Hannah Bicknell Eaton
Outstanding Senior Leadership & Professional Involvement Award - For the outstanding recreation senior who has demonstrated leadership, qualities of initiative, sound judgment, persistence, self-confidence, and a sustained enthusiasm for democratically working with groups and individuals in planning, organizing, and coordinating service and professionally oriented activities.
2020 Winner: Nick Jackson
2019 Winner: Kenna Smith
2018 Winner: Brittney Viars
2017 Winner: Aaron Lipe
2016 Winner: Chelsea Lane
2015 Winner: Danielle Kamuf
2014 Winner: Jayme Summers
2013 Winner: Willis Weatheford
2012 Winner: Bryan Klapheke
2011 Winner: Katie Posey
Outstanding Graduate Student Award - A minimum 3.3 GPA in graduate studies at EKU. Recipient must graduate in the occurring Spring Semester, or upcoming summer or fall semester. Demonstrate successful work experience in the field of recreation, parks or leisure services. Recipient must display enthusiasm for the field and show promise as a full-time practitioner.
2020 Winner: Tasha Hacker
2019 Winner: Callie McMullin
2018 Winner: Erin Jones
2017 Winner: Zach Creech
2016 Winner: Dylan Bogard
2015 Winner: Justin Kurtz
2014 Winner: Eden Fisher
2013 Winner: Brittany Toombs
2012 Winner: Emerson St. John
2011 Winner: Geoff Roberts
Recreation Spirit Award - This award is presented periodically to a student who demonstrates an exceptional level of positive energy and enthusiasm for the major in the Department of Recreation and Park Administration. This student serves as a role model and leader for other students in the Department and the park and recreation profession.
2020 Winner: Sydney Randall
2019 Winner: Sarah Armistead
2018 Winner: Taylor Held
2017 Winner: Trent Hurt
2016 Winner: Kimberly Rhodus
2015 Winner: Danielle Kamuf
2014 Winner: Lindsay Dame
2013 Winner: Sarah Bellamy
2012 Winner: Carrie Richardson
2011 Winner: Josh Hobbs
Civic Award - For the student that demonstrates superior civic engagement by volunteering their time to enhance the lives of others, create positive community impacts, and is a model of selflessness for others.
2020 Winner: Patrick Rood
2019 Winner: Jennifer Meunier
2018 Winner: Matt Sabin
2017 Winner: Whitney Rice
2016 Winner: Kaleb Steele
2015 Winner: Jamison Hunt
2014 Winner: Brandon Mandigo
Student Advisory Committee Award for Excellence - For the the student that demonstrates superior leadership, committment, and initiative in SAC and Department activities.
2020 Winner: Lauren Kilburn
2019 Winner: Sarah Armistead
2018 Winner: Aaron Lipe
2017 Winner: Brittney Viars
2016 Winner: Geena Neustat
2015 Winner: Edward Zielinski
Blue Ribbon Award - This recommendation is very special and will only be given to students that demonstrate excellence in all Department classes. In order to receive the Blue Ribbon Recommendation, each faculty member will have to agree that your efforts in all of their classes including service learning experiences as well as REC 163 and 263 performance was excellent. Your attitude during class and “in the field” must be consistently professional, courteous, and characterized by enthusiasm for the profession.
Spring 2020 Winners: Bobby Brown & Lauren Kilburn
Fall 2019 Winner: Nick Jackson
Spring 2018 Winners: Jennifer Meunier, Holly Stone, Lauren Stahl
Fall 2018 Winner: Kenna Smith
Spring 2017 Winners: Whitney Rice & Laura Staley
Spring 2016 Winners: Haley Andes & Carlie Thomas
Spring 2015 Winners: Chelsey Lienhart & Justin Hamilton
Fall 2015 Winners: Danielle Wade, Edward Zielinski & Zara Dunbar
Spring 2014 Winners: Brandon Mandigo & Tara Carver
Fall 2014 Winner: Stephanie Cole
Spring 2013 Winners: Travis Rawe & Justin Kurtz
Fall 2013 Winners: Polly Whalen & Sarah Bellamy
Spring 2012 Winners: Jennifer Brown & Willis Weatherford
Fall 2011 Winners: Morgan Thacker & Brittany Toombs
Fall 2010 Winner: Mallory Wolfe
College of Health Sciences Outstanding Student Award
2019-2020 Winner: Nick Jackson
2018-2019 Winner: Kenna Smith
2017-2018 Winner: Whitney Rice
Graduate Assistant Award for Excellence
2020 Winners: Anna Brown & Blaine Brooks
RPA Supporter of the Year - For outstanding involvement, contributions, and support to the Department of Recreation and Park Administration.
2020 Winner: Terri Wilkerson
