The Student Affairs in Higher Education program honored graduating students and recognized a graduate and an alumna for exceptional accomplishments and contributions as part of the department’s annual banquet on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, coordinated by Associates for Student Development.
Award recipients recognized at this year’s banquet included Mattie Updyke as the Outstanding Scholar for academic achievement and ability to enhance the learning environment for their colleagues, as well as the S. Trevor Hadley Outstanding Student Scholarship Award recipient for academic accomplishments and significant service to campus and professional communities. The Hadley Award recognizes the overall best-graduating student in the SAHE program.
Also recognized at the banquet was Katie Motycki (SAHE Class of 2004), who is the 2025 recipient of the Ronald Lunardini Distinguished Alumni Award. Motycki announced that she had decided to support students attending professional conferences during the upcoming year with her award from the Ron and Peggy Lunardini Fund.
At the banquet, Jorge L. Tapia Becerril delivered the student address on behalf of the Class of 2025. Since 2001, a student has been selected to speak on behalf of the graduating students. This speech originally took place at the departmental graduation ceremony and in recent years has been made at the banquet.
The Department of Student Affairs in Higher Education students, faculty, and alumni are proud of and congratulate our honorees and the entire SAHE Class of 2025!