Dixie Awards has been a traditional part of student life for decades. The ceremony recognizes the accomplishments of the students, faculty, staff, community members, and businesses who have been an integral part of DSU. Those who are recognized are extraordinary in their commitment to DSU in a particular program, organization, or club. At the close of every academic year, the awards ceremony takes place to highlight the most prestigious people on campus and in the community.
The Dixie Award nominations are submitted by anyone who may see excellency among the DSU campus community. This year, at the Dixie Awards Ceremony held on April 10, there were five top finalists for 13 different categories. The categories included:
- Teacher of the Year
- Teacher of the Year – Rising Star
- Staff of the Year
- Staff of the Year – Rising Star
- Female Student of the Year
- Male Student of the Year
- Club of the Year
- Stafford Student Involvement
- Entertainer of the Year
- Dixie Spirit
- Heart of Dixie
- Commitment to Diversity
- Business of the Year
Teacher of the Year
The coveted Teacher of the Year Award is presented to a full-time faculty member who has contributed to academic excellence at Dixie State. Because of their knowledge, expertise, exceptional teaching ability, and dedication to each student, they were nominated as the Teacher of the Year.
Finalists:
- Ami Comeford
- Jesse Hicks
- Hosok O
- Elizabeth Stich
- Samuel Tobler
Awardee: Samuel Tobler
Teacher of the Year — Rising Star
The Teacher of the Year Rising Star award recognizes a full-time faculty member who has been employed at DSU for three years or less, but who has demonstrated knowledge, exceptional teaching ability, and dedication to the educational pursuits of students at Dixie State in a very short amount of time.
Finalists:
- Kristy Grayson
- Md Sazib Hasan
- Andrew Schiller
- Jennifer Weber
Awardee: Kristy Grayson
Staff of the Year
The Staff of the Year award recognizes a full-time staff employee who distinguishes themselves through service to faculty, staff, and students while also demonstrating excellence in their position. This category recognizes hours of dedication and makes the Staff of the Year award one of the greatest honors presented at Dixie State.
Finalists:
- Shadman Bashir
- Megan Church
- Allison McMullin
- Mike Nelson
- Ali Threet
Awardee: Shadman Bashir
Staff of the Year — Rising Star
The Staff of the Year Rising Star award recognizes a full-time staff employee who has been employed at DSU for three years or less, but who has had a tremendous impact on our campus in a very short amount of time.
Finalists:
- Tyson Kauer
- Sarah Ramaker
- Hannah Thompson
- Henrie Walton
- Allie White
Awardee: Tyson Kauer
Female Student of the Year
The Female Student of the Year award recognizes an outstanding female student who has distinguished herself through service to both DSU and the community, involvement in numerous clubs and organizations, leadership roles, and has demonstrated success in the classroom through maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Finalists:
- Kylie Nielsen
- Morgan Olson
- Riley Randall
- Alena Walker
- Briley Wychkoff
Awardee: Riley Randall
Male Student of the Year
The Male Student of the Year award recognizes an outstanding male student who has distinguished himself through service to both DSU and the community, involvement in numerous clubs and organizations, leadership roles, and has demonstrated success in the classroom through maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Finalists:
- Travis Casey
- Leonardo Lupiano
- Guillem Para
- Colton Rosendahl
- Logan Schweitzer
Awardee: Leonardo Lupiano
Club of the Year
The Club of the Year contributes to the well-being of Dixie State and the community through its strength, campus activity, and commitment to serving others. The club has been enthusiastically involved in campus life, provides educational and social opportunities for its members, and must be chartered through Dixie’s Inter Club Council.
Finalists:
- Black Student Union
- Dixie Pre-Veterinary Medical Association
- Dixie Student Nurses Association
- Latter-Day Saints Student Association
- Turning Point USA
Awardee: Turning Point USA
Stafford Student Involvement
The Stafford Student Involvement award is named in honor of Donna Stafford, who served as Director of Student Activities at DSU for nearly two decades. This award is given to a student who has shown extraordinary commitment within one specific organization, club, or department at Dixie State. His/her contributions within the specific area were not only visible to those within their organization, but to the campus as a whole. The student has gone above and beyond their call of duty.
Finalists:
- Tyson Banner
- Elliott Hong
- Hunter Housel
- Deven Osborne
- Fernando Rodas
Awardee: Deven Osborne
Entertainer of the Year
The Entertainer of the Year award is presented to a student who has shown exemplary talent, skill, and dedication in their chosen discipline, and who has truly been in the public eye performing as a representative of DSU. This student has been nominated for outstanding performances and for their leadership within a particular, group, ensemble, or department.
Finalists:
- Jessica Carrozza
- Samuel Coombs
- James David
- Samantha Eagar
- Mercedes Murguia
Awardee: Jessica Carrozza
Dixie Spirit
The Dixie Spirit award is presented to a student whose unique character, enthusiasm, and positive attitude have made a lasting impression on Dixie State. This student has discovered their individuality and is not afraid to let it show. In so doing, they contributed to the morale of faculty, staff, and students on campus.
Finalists:
- Jessica Carrozza
- Isaac Esplin
- Chase Jenkins
- Tacy Larkin
- Penny Mills
Awardee: Penny Mills
Heart of Dixie
The Heart of Dixie award is presented to a student who has faced and overcome significant personal obstacles and yet found the strength and ability to succeed in their educational pursuits.
Finalists:
- Shaela Bodine
- Felicia Cunow
- Darrius Nash
- Felicity Tarr
- Jonah Tuttle
Awardee: Felicity Tarr
Commitment to Diversity
The Commitment to Diversity award is presented to a student, faculty, staff or community member who has demonstrated remarkable dedication to diversity at Dixie State. The awardee’s contributions to diversity and inclusion are visible to the campus community as a whole.
Finalists:
• Blair Barfuss
• Tyson Kauer
• Brione Lockett
• Erin O’Brien
• Cesaria Selwyn
Awardee: Blair Barfuss
Business of the Year
The Business of the Year award recognizes local businesses that have been extraordinary in the support of DSU students, faculty, and staff.
Awardees:
- Jersey Mike’s Subs
- SkyWest Airlines
- Tru by Hilton
- University Inn
- Utah Disaster Kleenup