Commerce Bank Presidential Awards for Belonging

The Commerce Bank Presidential Faculty/Staff Award for Distinguished Services to Belonging was established in 1978 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to the development of quality education for students at Kansas State University.

The Commerce Bank Presidential Student Award for Distinguished Services in Belonging was established in the spring of 1997 to recognize outstanding individual contributions to enhancement within the student sector.

Commerce Bank Presidential Awards Selections committee members for 2025-2026 include:

  • Mirta Chavez, Commitee Chair, Assistant Vice President, Student Belonging
  • Tamara Bauer, Assistant Professor and Director, Staley School of Leadership.
  • Rebeca Paz, Assistant Director, First-Generation Student Center.
  • Mariya Vaughn, Assistant Director, K-State First.
  • Mitzi Farmer, Director of Academic Services, College of Architecture, Planning & Design.
  • Shana Bender, Director of Retention and Persistence, Academic and Career Engagement.

Award Applications:

Nominations are now open. All nominations must be submitted by Friday, October 31, 2025 at 5:00 p.m.

Download faculty/staff nomination form (pdf).
Download student nomination form (pdf).

Questions may be send to Mirta Chavez.

 

2024-2025 Award Winners:

Faculty & Staff: Dr. Olivia Law-DelRosso, assistant dean, College of Business

Student: Miguel Perez, fifth-year student, College of APDesign