Student Awards

Outstanding Graduating Senior

  • In conjunction with social work faculty and graduates, each cohort selects an outstanding graduating senior based on academic achievement and social work skills.
  • Current Recipients: Kayleigh Magahan & Emily Verge
  • Prior Recipients: Annelle Lemoine, April Zimmermann, Taya Josenberger, Kieora Nichols, Lexie Whaley, Christina Tran-Nguyen, Taylor Stull, Maddie Rues, Kayla Stone, Claire Williams, Christina DiMattia, Evelyn Brady, Tricia Wilcox

Jacque Gibbons Social Work Field Placement Scholarship

  • The Jacque Gibbons Social Work Field Placement Scholarship was established by the late Professor Emeritus Jacque Gibbons. The award is given to a student in the social work practice sequence who has demonstrated need and earned academic merit.
  • Current Recipients: Baylea Perez & Daphne Medina-Lorta
  • Prior Recipients: Abigail Bohrer, Xena Rentas, Macy Pilgrim, Alicia Hernandez

Elizabeth Bliss Garzio Endowment Scholarship in Social Science

  • The Elizabeth Bliss Garzio Endowment Scholarship in Social Science was established by the late Professor Emeritus, Ang Garzio, to honor his former wife, Elizabeth (Betty) Bliss Garzio. Betty, a retired social worker, devoted much of her life to the care of their developmentally disabled son, Eric, who lives and works at Big Lakes Developmental Center here in Manhattan. The award is given to a senior who has earned academic merit and who has the potential and likelihood to pursue graduate education in social work.
  • Current Recipients: Darren Witmer
  • Prior Recipients: Emily Verge, Arely Yanez, Samantha Gibson, Mazie Kolterman, Ashleigh Minks, Zanetta Thomas

Dodie Abbott Scholarship

  • The Dorla Jane (Dodie) Abbott Social Work Scholarship was endowed by Dodie Abbott in 2011 to be awarded each year to an eligible student in good standing in the Social Work Program. Dodie Abbott is a native Kansan, born in Great Bend, who devoted much of her adult life to serving the citizens of Kansas. She received her undergraduate degree at K-State in Sociology because, at the time, there was not a social work program. She worked for Wyandotte Co. SRS and then earned her MSW at KU in 1957. She worked in child welfare and later became the Assistant Director of the Social Work Department at the KU Medical Center, until her retirement. She made many valuable contributions to social work education by being a field practicum instructor for many students throughout her years at the Med Center.
  • Current Recipients: Danette Lenk, MaKyla Rivers, and Ashley Tummons
  • Prior Recipients: Mariah Uden, Miranda Urban, Kia Martin, Nikki Brown, Samantha Gibson, April Zimmerman, Kieora Nichols, MyKayla Burgess, Christina Tran-Nguyen, Consuelo Martinez, Bekah Schumm

Community Awards

Field Instructor Award

  • This award honors a field instructor who demonstrates commitment to the KSU Social Work program and our students through multiple years of field instruction and delivers an exceptional field experience for our students.
  • Prior Recipients: Heather Heigert and Debra Germann-Taylor

Distinguished Alumni Award

  • This award honors a non-social work community member who supports and advocates for the social work profession and social justice.
  • Prior Recipients: Linda Arthington and Michelle Houston

Community Social Work Advocate Award

  • This award honors a non-social work community member who supports and advocates for the social work profession and social justice.
  • Prior Recipients: Richard Pitts and Sydney Carlin