Trailblazer Awards 2023

The Trailblazer Awards has been a traditional part of student life at Utah Tech University for decades, and recognizes the accomplishments of UT students, faculty, staff, community members and businesses who have been extraordinary in their commitment to Utah Tech students. As a formal event patterned after the Academy Awards, this annual ceremony recognizes the best and brightest at Utah Tech University and these awards are considered some of the most prestigious offered on our campus. At the conclusion of each academic year, Utah Tech University is pleased to host this annual award ceremony honoring students and members of the campus community for their many accomplishments.

 

The Trailblazer Award nominations are submitted by anyone who may see excellency among the Utah Tech campus community. This year, at the Trailblazer Awards Ceremony held on April 28, there were five top finalists for 10 different categories. The categories included:

• Student of the Year
• Stafford Student Involvement Award
• Entertainer of the Year
• Personality of the Year Award
• The GRIT Award
• Club of the Year
• Teachers of the Year
• Staff Members of the Year
• Commitment to Inclusion and Diversity Award
• Community Partner of the Year

This award recognizes an outstanding student who has distinguished themselves through service to UT and the community, involvement in numerous clubs and organizations, leadership that has contributed to the success of the institution as a whole, demonstrated success in the classroom through maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5, and maintained full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters.

Finalists:

1. Alijah Caskinette
2. Corey Gardner
3. Halle Linford
4. Cesar Ruiz
5. Raegan Wood

Awardee:

1. Corey Gardner

The Stafford Student Involvement Award is named in honor of Donna Stafford, who served as Director of Student Activities at UT for nearly two decades. This award is given to a student who has shown extraordinary commitment within one specific organization, club, or department at Utah Tech, contributed within the specific area were not only visible to those within their organization, but to the campus as a whole. This student has also gone above and beyond their call of duty, and maintained a full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters.

Finalists:

1. Janalyn Christensen
2. Gregory DeWitt
3. Sydney Johnson
4. Sarah Ostler
5. Benji Welch

Awardee:

1. Benji Welch

This award is presented to a student who has shown exemplary talent, skill, and dedication in their chosen discipline, truly been in the public eye performing as a representative of UT, had outstanding performances before many types of audiences, involvement within a particular, group, ensemble, or department, and maintained a full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters.

Finalists:

1. Austin Burns
2. Brandon Hadlock
3. Aly Johnston
4. Courtnee Ramos
5. George Wells

Awardee:

1. Courtnee Ramos

This award is presented to a student, whose unique character, enthusiasm, and positive attitude have made a lasting impression on Utah Tech, has discovered their individuality and is not afraid to let it show, has contributed to the morale of faculty, staff, and students on campus, and maintained a full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters.

Finalists:

1. Chantie Belnap
2. Dallas Clifford
3. Corey Gardner
4. Sadie Reid
5. Bryson Searle

Awardee:

1. Dallas Clifford

This award is presented to a student who has faced and overcome significant personal obstacles, found the strength and ability to succeed in their educational pursuits, and maintained a full-time enrollment for 2 consecutive semesters.

Finalists:

1. Alijah Caskinette
2. William Holsworth
3. Maile Maletta
4. Allison Matthews
5. Lilliana Rogers

Awardee:

1. Lilliana Rogers

The Club of the Year contributes to the well-being of Utah Tech and the community through its strength, campus activity, and commitment to serving others, enthusiastically being involved as a club in campus life, educational and social opportunities for its members, and must be chartered through Utah Tech’s ICC (Inter Club Council).

Finalists: 

1. Black Student Union
2. Birds Aren’t Real
3. Healthy Trailblazer Coalition
4. LGBTQ+ Student Organization
5. UT Exercise Science Club

Awardee:

1. Birds Aren’t Real

The coveted Teacher of the Year Award category is presented to a two full-time faculty members, and one part-time faculty/instructor who have contributed to academic excellence at Utah Tech through knowledge in their area of expertise, shown exceptional teaching ability, extraordinary dedication to the educational pursuits of students, and provided service and inspiration outside of the classroom.

Finalists:

1. Derrick Esplin
2. Costel Ionita
3. Jennifer Meyer
4. Hosok O
5. John Wolfe

Awardee:

1. Derrick Esplin

The coveted Teacher of the Year – Rising Star Award category is presented to a full-time faculty member, who has contributed to academic excellence at Utah Tech through knowledge in their area of expertise, shown exceptional teaching ability, extraordinary dedication to the educational pursuits of students, and provided service and inspiration outside of the classroom in 3 years or less.

Finalists:

1. Bailey Allen
2. Chris Brown
3. Lacy Hope
4. Robert Kagabo
5. Hung Yu Shih

Awardee:

1. Robert Kagabo

The Part-Time Faculty of the Year Award category is presented to a  part-time faculty/instructor who have contributed to academic excellence at Utah Tech through knowledge in their area of expertise, shown exceptional teaching ability, extraordinary dedication to the educational pursuits of students, and provided service and inspiration outside of the classroom.

Finalists:

1. Beckie Basso
2. Aaron Edgley
3. Caroline Hood
4. Yukie Saito
5. David Syndergaard

Awardee:

1. Aaron Edgley

This award category recognizes Full-time and part-time staff employees who have distinguished themselves through remarkable service to faculty, staff, and students. A mirror award to Teacher of the Year, this category recognizes demonstrated excellence in their position, and extraordinary dedication to their position that contributes to the campus overall and especially students.

Finalists:

1. Jamy Dahle
2. Jared Madsen
3. Sarah Ramaker
4. Corey Reeves
5. Baako Wahabu

Awardee:

1. Jared Madsen

This award category recognizes Full-time and part-time staff employees who have distinguished themselves through remarkable service to faculty, staff, and students. A mirror award to Teacher of the Year, this category recognizes demonstrated excellence in their position, and extraordinary dedication to their position that contributes to the campus overall and especially students in 3 years or less.

Finalists:

1. Cassie Cruz
2. Alicia Frank
3. Brenda Medrano
4. Hazel Sainsbury
5. Xin Wang

Awardee:

1. Alicia Frank

This award is presented to a student, faculty, staff or community member who has demonstrated extraordinary commitment to and involvement with inclusivity and diversity at Utah Tech, and made contributions to inclusion and diversity that has been visible to the campus community as a whole.

Finalists:

1. Kari Gali
2. Heather Gifford
3. Roxanne Krietzman
4. Mike Nelson
5. Sarah Ostler

Awardee:

1. Mike Nelson

This award recognizes local community partners (organizations/businesses/individuals) that have been extraordinary in their support of UT students, faculty, and staff. The Community Partners of the Year are nominated by the general campus community and the nomination materials are reviewed and narrowed to a field of up to five finalists by a committee.

Finalists:

1. Lin’s Grocery
2. VCBO Architect Designers
3. Star Sign

To learn more about Utah Tech University visit http://utahtech.edu.