The Union and its various organizations recognized students, staff and one former employee for their outstanding contributions at the 2019 Union Leadership Banquet Saturday, May 11.

Union Program Council

​Event of the Year: Fender-Faux Wedding

Graphic of the Year: K-Chella, designed by Emily Day

Union Governing Board

Outgoing Senior Award: Nathan Anderson, Kate King Hagen, Hallie Lucas, Jordan Martin, Matt Mindrup

Union Ambassadors

Advisor Choice Award: Riley Seuser

Union Ambassador of the Year: Lily Hurt

Stanley L. Winter Alpha Tau Omega Leadership Scholarship

Winners: Kate King Hagen, Jansen Penny

This scholarship perpetuates the memory of Stanley L. Winter on the campus of Kansas State University and provides educational opportunities and assistance for upper-level students who possess exemplary attributes in scholarship, fellowship and character.

Employee Achievement Award

Staff winner: Robert Howard, database administrator, IT Services

Student winner: Thomas Holscher, graphic designer, Union Marketing/Student Design Services

The Employee Achievement Award recognizes employees that exemplify and embody the mission and values of the Union.

Vision Award 

Bernard Pitts, former K-State Student Union Executive Director

The vision award identifies and extends our sincere appreciation to the individuals in the history of the K-State Student Union whose efforts, commitment, influence and dreams energized the growth and service of our student union.

As the Union Executive Director, Pitts provided the oversight for the 1998-2000 student referendum enhancement and renovation project. The project created a user-friendly new look, feel, and contemporary design to the Union. Program venues and conference/meeting spaces were refreshed, as well as major infrastructure upgrades, modernized restrooms and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) improvements.

The revised bookstore footprint and the new service areas added to the Union during the renovation provided many new services and programs for Union patrons. Improvements ranged from a food court featuring major national branded concepts; a computer store specializing in Apple products; coffee shop; convenience store; full service branch bank; campus radio studio; Multicultural Student Organizations and Fraternity and Sorority Life office spaces; embellished art gallery; to the revitalization of the recreation/bowling center.

The Union also extended outreach services and programs to other parts of campus and the community. Pitts’ vision also included establishing the Little Apple Jazz Festival, the Union Governing Board (UGB) part-time student scholarship, Union staff recognition award program, a robust Union Program Council (UPC) calendar of events, the Vision Award program, the Friends of the Union foundation and meeting rooms that featured ethnic themes that recognized Kansas and K-State artists.

As the Assistant Vice President of Student Life, Pitts provided support to Kansas State University's Center for Child Development and the Chester E. Peters Recreation Complex. Both entities have had or are currently going through new and renovation building construction.