The Missouri University of Science and Technology Alumna and Woman Student of the Year Committee announced its 2016 award winners during a ceremony held on campus Oct. 17. This year the committee honored three women students and two alumnae who are dedicated to advancing the lives of women and committed to diversity.
Tara Stone of Rolla, Missouri, a user interface designer specialist in marketing and communications, received the 2016 Alumna of the Year Gold Award. Stone holds bachelor of science and master of science degrees in technical communication from Missouri S&T. Before joining the marketing and communications department, she was an assistant director in student success programs office. A Missouri S&T staff member since 2012, she has completed the Leadership Phelps County Program and the Innovative Thought Leadership: Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program. She is a recipient of the Achievement Medal for Civilian Service from the United States Army.
Melanie Wulff of Rolla, Missouri, student services coordinator in student diversity, outreach and women’s programs, received the 2016 Alumna of the Year Silver Award. Wulff holds a bachelor of arts degree in history with an emphasis in education and an MBA from Missouri S&T. A staff member since 2009, Wulff is active in Coterie at Missouri S&T, serves on the Sustainable Campus Committee, is a member of the Rolla Junior Club and is a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer.
Alyssa Soehlke, a senior in mechanical engineering from O’Fallon, Illinois, received the 2016 Woman Student of the Year Gold Award. Soehlke plans to graduate in December 2016. She is a PRO Leader and a success coach in the Burns & McDonnell Student Success Center, and she is a member and past president of Delta Omicron Lambda service sorority at S&T. She has participated in the Miner Challenge spring break trips and has had several co-ops and internships during her time at S&T.
Kelci Davis, a senior in psychology and biology from St. Charles, Missouri, received the 2016 Woman Student of the Year Silver Award. Davis is expected to graduate in spring 2017 and plans to pursue graduate school and enroll in a clinical forensic Ph.D. program. She is involved on campus in several organizations, including serving as president of PsyCo, Missouri S&T’s psychology organization, and president of PsiChi, the National Honors Fraternity of Psychology. She is a teaching assistant in abnormal psychology and is the co-founder of Miners 4 Recovery-Support for Addiction.
Kira Buckowing, a senior in chemical engineering with a biochemical emphasis from Shelbyville, Michigan, received the 2016 Woman Student of the Year Bronze Award. She expects to graduate in spring 2017. Her activities include serving as the lab manager and fundraiser for the Missouri S&T International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) team and working as a student employee in enrollment management since 2014. Her assistance was key in helping to implement the new SLATE software system for enrollment management.
The Alumna and Woman Student of the Year Award endowment was created by the first three named female professors at Missouri S&T: Dr. Mariesa Crow, F. Finley Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering; Dr. Dee Haemmerlie Montgomery, Chancellor’s Professor of psychological science; and the late Dr. Ann Miller, former Cynthia Tang Missouri Distinguished Professor of Computer Science.
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