Black Hills State University recognized several exemplary students during the annual Student Volunteer Awards that took place in Meier Recital Hall April 16.

Organized by the BHSU Student Engagement and Leadership Center, this celebration gives out several individual and organization awards and one scholarship each year. Several students were also recognized for completing the Leadership Certificate Program.

"This year has been one filled with a variety of events," said Jessie Gramm, student engagement coordinator at BHSU. "While we are still working on compiling the data from the spring events that were held, I am proud to report that there were only 24 days out of the entire fall semester there was not an event taking place on campus for our students to attend. That is a huge accomplishment, and I am so proud of all the student organizations on our campus!"

The awards and recipients include:

Outstanding New Student: Payton Redden
Residence Life Involvement: Aiden Whitly
Outstanding Leadership in Residence Life: Sienna Williams, Kaylyn Hunter
Outstanding Volunteer: Cristian Fierro
Outstanding Community Service: Honors Club work at Western Hills Humane Society
Most Improved Student Organization: Student Senate
Dean of Students Rising Star: Hadly Marquardt
Spirit of BH Award: Abigail Renner
Outstanding Student Leader: Megan Brozik
Outstanding Student Organization: Jacket Catholic
Excellence in Leadership: Elyssa Cummings, Gabriel Clark, Teddi Dwyer, Sienna Williams
Outstanding Educational Program: Global Jackets Food Festival
Outstanding Social Program: Jacket Catholic Country Dance Night, RHA Bingo

Several BHSU Student Organizations also recognized their own "Outstanding Organization Members." Recipients of this honor included Brayden Rehder, Molly Mullen, Eden Schlinger, Caleb Simons, Megan Brozik, Brooklyn Anderson, Chance Robinson, Paetyn Van Bibber, Bailey Froelich, Lexie Bendigo, Alyssa Diaz, Saphire Tiger, Katelyn Vocu, Paige Deyo, and Morgan Moomey.

Dr. Pam Carriveau, associate vice president for academic programming at the South Dakota Board of Regents (SDBOR), also announced three BHSU student organizations that will be recognized this fall by the SDBOR for this work during the 2023-24 academic year. The Board of Regents Award for Academic Excellence was given to Lakota Omniciye for the many educational programs they hosted throughout the year. The Board of Regents Community Service Award was given to Future Teachers Association for their work with Rainbow Preschool, and the Board of Regents Organization Leadership Award recognized the members of Kicking Assets for their efforts in providing programs to students to facilitate a better understanding of the accounting profession.

Throughout the program, votes were cast for the Student Leadership Scholarship winner, and Brooklyn Andersen was announced as the recipient.