2025 Student Organization Award Recipients

Student Programs and Involvement is excited to recognize and celebrate the recipients of the 2025 Student Organization Awards!

Student organizations help shape the culture and experience of our shared community at K-State. Thank you to everyone who took the time to recognize and nominate your peers for the outstanding work they have done.

On February 24th, 2026 Student Programs and Involvement announced the following 2025 Student Organization Awards recipients during our award ceremony in the K-State Student Union Courtyard.

The 2025 Student Organization Awards recipients are:

Student Organization Event of the Year

Mudge Week, hosted by the Popenoe Entomology Club

The nomination for this event emphasized:

• This event was designed to increase attendance and build engagement at organization events, which was successfully done through the over 225 attendees of this event.
• Through various fundraising initiatives, this event was able to raise over $1,000 for the C.V. Artwork restoration project, while also building community within the club and campus community.

Commitment to Community Building Award

Rotaract Club, nominated by Ecem Yuksel

The nomination for this group showcased that:

• Through engaging in hands-on service projects and demonstrating respect, learning, excellence, and community; this organization strongly embodies K-State's core values through service-centered leadership.
• Through collaboration with various local community partners, this organization successfully built relationships and strengthened community partnerships through intentional engagement.
• By focusing on environmental stewardship projects and humanitarian efforts, this organization fostered empathy, civic engagement, and showcased a collective commitment to service that highlights the K-State core values.

Advisor of the Year

Rachael Stadel, nominated by Laken Dyn

The student who nominated this advisor shared that:

• This advisor has played a pivotal role in shaping their organization into a professional and goal-driven organization through challenging members to think toward long-term impact and their legacy at K-State.
• This advisor provided consistent, hands-on support for the student leaders in their organization. The advisor empowered student leaders through individualized feedback that built confidence, professionalism, and leadership.
• This advisor currently advises three organizations on campus and consistently goes above and beyond by connecting students to industry professionals and national opportunities. While serving as a mentor, advocate, and role model who showcases genuine care for the students, this advisor has left a lasting mark on the members and organizations they serve.

Student Leader of the Year

Himal Gautam, nominated by Jeeban Panthi

The nomination for this student leader shared:

• This leader serves as a transformative leader and has overseen organizational growth through programming and collaboration with other groups on campus, which has increased participation and visibility of the organization.
• This leader goes above and beyond by supporting international students in need by ensuring safe arrivals, settling into Manhattan, and creating a sense of safety, belonging, and trust for students who are far from home.
• This leader actively contributes to local and campus initiatives while balancing academic excellence, which exemplifies K-State's values of service, global engagement, and student-centered leadership.

Student Organization of the Year

Kappa Kappa Psi, nominated by Braxton Robertson

The nomination for this student organization emphasized:

• This organization excelled at fulfilling their mission and purpose by maintaining performance spaces, organizing registration for over 400 members, and hosting events to showcase their dedication to service, leadership, and community building.
• This organization had 12 new members this year and actively participated in service projects, ensemble attendance, and committee work. Leadership development was emphasized through meetings, Founders Circle education, and collaboration with other music groups to ensure hands-on engagement, teamwork, and leadership throughout the year.
• This organization earned multiple awards from their national chapter, held significant regional and national leadership positions, completed dozens of service projects supporting the band program, and celebrated individual member accomplishments, which demonstrates the organization's commitment to national recognition, local impact, and organizational growth.

Congratulations to all of this year's nominees, and especially to the award recipients. Student Programs and Involvement thanks you for your hard work in making your organizations, and therefore K-State, a welcoming, active, and vibrant community through your leadership and support.