by Kerry McFadden, university news and communications intern

(excerpt)

“Megan Beaver – public health major from Brecksville. Beaver has been a leader on campus for student health and wellness, serving as a HAWK peer health educator for three years and serving as co-president alongside award winner Kathie Wollney. She expanded the StepUP! Bystander Intervention program and served as a chair of the Miami values committee. She also competed in the MAC championships multiple times as a middle distance runner. Beaver was nominated by Mike Curme and Leslie Haxby McNeill.

Margaret “Maggie” Botts – social work major from Middletown. Botts represented Miami in the Southwestern Ohio Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and participated in the “Walk to Stop Executions” while completing her capstone in the Over-the-Rhine community of Cincinnati. Her nominator, Terri Spahr, described her as a “dedicated and engaging student with a strong sense of ethics and our (Miami’s) professional values.”

Casey Kaldahl – social justice studies and professional writing double major from Chicago, Ill. Kahdahl dedicated her time at Miami to serving others. She coordinated Habitat for Humanity weekend projects, interned at a social services organization in Chicago and volunteered with an organization dedicated to helping people overcome homelessness and unemployment. While studying in London, she volunteered as an advocate supporting deafblind people. Kaldahl was nominated by Michael Evans.

Tanner McClellan – kinesiology and health major from Columbus. McClellan has been a leader with the Best Buddies organization through music on campus. She formed a close relationship with her “buddy,” Tommy, and she founded the Best Buddies Friends Choir, giving members an opportunity to sing regardless of ability. She is a member of the a capella group, Just Duet, and organized the A Cappella Awareness concert this year. She spoke at TEDx Miami and taught classes at the Best Buddies International Leadership Conference. Her work was instrumental in achieving the Best Buddies Overall Most Outstanding College Chapter of the Year Award. McClellan was nominated by JS Bragg and Ritter Hoy.

Deana Williams – health promotion and music double major from Park Forest, Ill. Williams’ musicality, dedication to gender issues and faith have led her to get involved with different groups on campus. A voice major, she has performed concert solos, including Handel’s Messiah. She interned with the women’s center where she raised awareness about sexual assault through the Clothesline Project and dialogues across campus. She organized initiatives about health and gender equality in the workplace and served the Christian sorority Kappa Phi as president, raising awareness about different issues including human trafficking and homelessness in Ohio. Williams was nominated by Alison Acord.

Kathie Wollney – kinesiology major from Cary, Ill. Wollney contributed to the Miami community’s health and wellness initiatives through her involvement on campus. She was a HAWK peer health educator for three years and served as co-president alongside award winner Megan Beaver. Together they implemented the sexual and interpersonal violence program that is presented to student athletic teams. She has written and presented about her bystander intervention initiatives and earned recognition for Miami through this work. Wollney competed in the MAC championships multiple times as a sprinter, hurdler and relay team member. Wollney was nominated by Leslie Haxby McNeill and Jennie Gilbert.”