The K-State Student Union returned from the Associated College Unions International (ACUI) Region 11 Conference at Emporia State University's Memorial Union in Emporia, Kan. with several honors and awards. The conference was the last Region 11 conference before all member institutions are redistricted by ACUI.

Several Union staff members, student leaders and student employees were recognized at the conference. The Outstanding Student Achievement Award was given to Nate Spriggs, Union Program Council (UPC) vice president of operations and Union Governing Board (UGB) president. This award recognizes an outstanding student of a Region 11 member institution who has shown exemplary performance in college union or student activities work. The former two-term student body president was nominated because of his involvement in several projects that have benefited the Union, including the passing of the Union renovation referendum, establishment of the Student Design Center, use of city-university funds to update maintenance needs in the building, creation of the Campus Entertainment Fund, review and increase of the Union privilege fee, increased budget to Powercat financial counseling and launch of the VIPcats campus entertainment program.

The Outstanding Staff Achievement Award was given to Audrey Taggart-Kagdis, assistant director, marketing, public relations and development. This award recognizes an outstanding staff person of a Region 11 member institution who has shown exemplary performance in college union or student activities work and commendable service to the organization within the past year. One nominator said, "It is exciting to see Audrey become so involved and energized by ACUI. She has met many colleagues and has brought back ideas to share. When she talks about ACUI programs and events, she genuinely beams because she is so enthusiastic. Audrey is a caring person who has reached out to me to give support on a number of occasions."

The William H. Smith Distinguished Service Award was given to Beth Bailey, assistant director, program manager. This award honors and recognizes longtime student union or student activities professionals from Region 11 who have mane exceptional contributions and demonstrated a long-term commitment to the student union/student activities profession on their campuses and within the region. One of her nominations, Union Director Bill Smriga said, "Beth is a true superstar in the college union field, an incredible advisor and a tremendous asset to the K-State Student Union. She is selfless in the time she devotes to ACUI projects and to her responsibilities as assistant director of the Union. Her accomplishments go far beyond what is expected of her."

Student Design Center student employees, Katie Azeltine, Sarah Feldkamp and Abbie Smith entered and placed in the conference graphics competition. Azeltine was awarded third place for a 3 or more color poster, Feldkamp was awarded second and third place for a 1 or 2 color poster and Smith was awarded second for a 3 or more color poster. Jeff White, Union graphics coordinator, and Steven Martinez, Union lead designer, also place in the professional category of the competition. White was awarded first place for a 3 or more color poster and Martinez was awarded first place for a promotional campaign.

ACUI is a nonprofit educational organization consisting of nearly 1,000 member institutions worldwide. ACUI's goal is to help college unions improve their programs and services and to be effective contributors to individual growth and development. Region 11 member institutions are from Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Oklahoma. to learn more about ACUI, visit acui.org.

The Union offers comprehensive professional reservation, conference and catering services, as well as state-of-the-art conference technology. The Union sees approximately 8,000-10,000 in foot traffic daily and the reservations staff processes over 11,000 meeting reservations annually. This versatile facility employs more than 500 people and provides accommodations for countless programs featuring cultural, social and recreational entertainment.