Sioux City, IA – Omicron Delta Kappa (ODK), the leadership honor society at Morningside University, proudly recognizes the achievements of its students, faculty, and staff through the 2026 awards ceremony. Spanning academia, athletics, service, communications, and arts, the awards reflect Morningside’s commitment to fostering excellence and leadership within its community.

ODK serves as a leadership honor society that supports students in their pursuit of academic, professional, and personal growth. Through its five main pillars—academics, athletics, service, communications, and the arts—ODK provides guidance and celebrates those who demonstrate exemplary qualities, preparing them to influence their communities positively as they enter the workforce.

This year’s awards showcased the remarkable accomplishments of Morningside students, faculty, and staff across various disciplines:

Applied Ag and Food Studies Presented by Annie Kinwa-Muzinga

  • AAFS Outstanding Senior – Taylor Van Ommeren
  • Outstanding Senior in Agribusiness – RC – Robert Hicks
  • Outstanding Senior in Agriculture Education – Sammy Hosek
  • Outstanding Senior in Agronomy – Aleisha Thayer

Art Presented by Shelby Prindaville

  • Outstanding Freshman – Madi Struble
  • Outstanding Sophomore – Sudem Ayar
  • Outstanding Junior – Janessa Huisman
  • Marion Shapiro (Junior) – Emily Andrade

School of Business Awarded by Darrel Sandall (Presented by Jay Moran)

  • Outstanding Accounting Senior – Grace Gerdes and Mattie Pearson 
  • Outstanding Business Senior – Audi Espinoza and Ella Wragge
  • Outstanding Marketing Senior – Casey Kruger
  • Outstanding Finance Senior – Connor Woods
  • Outstanding Management Senior – Joao Pedro Pierry Izoldi Costa

English Awarded  by Leslie Werden (Presented by David Elder)

  • Bill & Lorraine Knepper Award – Katie Rouse
  • Ralph and Margaret Crary and Bruce Crary & Quicksilver Scholarship Fund in Literary Arts – Jenna Dykstra and Alivia Leonard

Mathematical Sciences Awarded By Randy Campbell (Presented by Dean Stevens)

  • Elise C. Muller Scholarship in Mathematical Sciences – Piper Ross
  • Terra Industries Scholarship for Computer Sciences – Dylan Wolff
  • Robert Wood Green Pre-Engineering Scholarship – Abraham Fisher

Natural Sciences Presented by Anni Moore

  • Faculty Award in Biology – Mya Moss
  • Faculty Award in Chemistry – Samantha Michaelsen 
  • Stephen J. Gould Award – Andrew Tuohino and Aleisha Thayer 
  • Outstanding Service to the Department Award – Kyleigh Weiland and Andrew Tuohino

Performing Arts Presented by Heath Weber

  • Dorothy Paulson McLarnon Scholarship for Voice – Jack Haffey
  • Mildred Harrington Piano Scholarship – Ryan Kost
  • Tom Shilhanek Technical Theatre Award – Wyatt Randeris

Religious Studies Presented by Elizabeth Coody

  • Theta Alpha Kappa Undergraduate Achievement Award – Colton Weiland
  • Robert Jewett Senior Book Award – Stephanie Meza and Ryn Smith

Spanish Presented by Stacey Alex

  • The Modern Languages Book Award – Itzel González and Kyla Syverson
  • The Dr. Gail Ament Award – Yeni Condon and Evelina Moran 

Teacher Education Presented by Stacey Brown

  • Sharon Ocker Endowed Scholarship Award for Secondary Education – Sophia Beenken
  • Maxine Nelson Scholarship Award for Elementary Education – Aisiia Howells, Hannah Mogensen, and Ella Welsh

Undergraduate Nursing Presented by Amanda Haverhals

  • Professional Development and Achievement Award from the Nylen School of Nursing and Health Sciences:
    • Nursing Senior – Danielle Peterson
    • Nursing Junior – Katherine Gray
    • Nursing Sophomore – Jade Chauza
    • Rad Tech – Payton Lode
    • Respiratory – Reneque Brown
    • Nutrition – Gabriela Del Razo
    • Public Health – Andrew Tuohino

OTHER AWARDS

Event of the Year Presented by Miyah Whitehead

  • 20,000 Meal Packing Event by Ag Club

John and Robin Reynders Awards for Community Engagement Presented by Andy Nelson 

  • Morningside Grill Masters for their work with the Food Bank of Siouxland
  • Women’s Volleyball for their work with Sleep in Heavenly Peace

The Robert “Bob” Miller Academic Student-Athlete Award Presented by Jim Sykes

  • Emma Barwick – Women’s Softball
  • Mason Walker – Men’s Track/Cross Country Team

ODK Freshman of the Year

  • Anastyn Harms

ODK Sophomore Cup

  • Laisha Rascon

ODK Tommeraasen Award

  • Pre-Professional Health Club

ODK Dr. Bruce Forbes Faculty Person of the Year Award

  • Dr. Twyla Rosenbaum

ODK Staff Member of the Year

  • Karen Weise