10 KU students named ExCEL Awards finalists
LAWRENCE — Ten students have been selected as finalists for the 32nd annual Excellence in Community, Education and Leadership Awards at the University of Kansas. This year’s ExCEL Awards are presented by Konica Minolta. Two winners will be announced at the conclusion of Homecoming week, which culminates in the KU football game against Iowa State at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, in David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
Nominees were selected based on their leadership, communication skills, involvement at KU and in the Lawrence community, academic scholarship, and ability to work with a variety of students and organizations. The selection committee included representatives from the Center for Orientation and Transition Programs, KU Endowment, Student Union Activities/Kansas Memorial Unions and the Homecoming Steering Committee.
The ExCEL Award was first given in 1991. To be eligible, applicants must be full-time undergraduate students with an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. Each finalist completed an application and participated in an interview. The finalists and their academic majors are listed below, along with highlights of their campus achievements.
Aylar Atadurdyyeva, a senior in global & international studies, microbiology, political science and Slavic studies with minors in German studies and psychology from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, is executive director of The Big Event and the Homecoming Steering Committee. She also directs finance and partnerships for Student Union Activities.
Ethan Christ, a senior in anthropology and biochemistry from Overland Park, is executive director of the Center for Community Outreach and president of the pre-med fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon.
Claire Dopp, a senior in chemistry with a minor in environmental studies from Olathe, is an undergraduate assistant at the Center for Undergraduate Research and previously served as coordinator of the Kansas Union Gallery.
Miracle Emenuga, a senior in chemical engineering with a minor in biomedical engineering from Lagos, Nigeria, is president of the KU chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers and was formerly vice president of LEAD UP.
Isobel Langham, a senior in psychology and dance from Topeka, is president of the Panhellenic Association and a member of the community and campus outreach board for the organization CARE Sisters.
Mikayla Leader, a senior in mathematics and STEMTeach from Wichita, is executive director of Student Union Activities and an adviser for The Big Event.
Reilly Moreland, a junior in strategic communications with a minor in business from Prairie Village, is a student ambassador for the KU Professional Selling Program and an account executive at the University Daily Kansan.
Thanh Tan Nguyen, a junior in business analytics and supply chain management from Phu Yen, Vietnam, directs marketing and engagement for Student Union Activities and is president of the KU Memorial Corp. board.
Marah Shulda, a senior in chemical engineering and global & international studies from Shawnee, is co-president of the KU Society of Women Engineers and rank leader and equipment manager for the Marching Jayhawks.
Ladazhia Taylor, a senior in strategic communications with a minor in leadership studies from Kansas City, Missouri, is president of the KU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America and an Adidas campus ambassador.
The theme for KU’s 110th Homecoming is “Home on the Hill.” KU’s Homecoming is sponsored by Best Western Plus-West Lawrence, Central Bank of the Midwest, Konica Minolta, the KU Bookstore and Pepsi Zero Sugar. Jayhawks can purchase the official 2022 “Home on the Hill” Homecoming T-shirt online from the KU Bookstore.
For more information and to view the full schedule of Homecoming activities, go to kualumni.org/homecoming.
About the KU Alumni Association
Through the support of members and donors, the KU Alumni Association advocates for the University of Kansas, communicates with Jayhawks in all media, recruits students and volunteers, serves the KU community and unites Jayhawks. For more information, visit kualumni.org.