The Union and its various organizations celebrated the exemplary contributions of various students, staff and community partners throughout the past year at its annual Union Leadership Celebration held Tuesday, April 22, 2025 in the Union Courtyard. The following awards were presented: 

Union Program Council

Co-chair of the Year: Margaret Benson

Event of the Year: The Driver Era 

Graphic of the Year: Apply to UPC, designed by Megan Murphy

Union Governing Board

Committee Member of the Year: Brian Blood

Stanley L. Winter Alpha Tau Omega Leadership Scholarship

Winners: Brian Blood, Maria Bures and Delaney Michel 

This scholarship perpetuates the memory of Stanley L. Winter on the campus of Kansas State University and provides educational opportunities and assistance for upper-level students who possess exemplary attributes in scholarship, fellowship and character.

Employee Achievement Award

Staff winner: Shauna Blankenship, Union Business Office

Student winner: Jordan Fairchild, Union Program Council 

The achievement award recognizes employees who exemplify and embody the mission and values of the Union.

Years of Service Recognition 

Clayton Nelson- 5, Cindy Diederich- 10 and Audrey Taggart-Kagdis- 15

Partner of the Year Award

Winner: Union Station by JP's

The award recognizes departments, corporate associates, vendors, and other individuals who have demonstrated outstanding support and collaboration to advance the mission of the K-State Student Union.

Vision Award

The award identifies and extends our sincere appreciation to the individuals in the history of the K-State Student Union whose efforts, commitment, influence and dreams energized the growth and service of our student union.

Bill Wisdom, former Union assistant director of retail services 

Bill Wisdom began working at the K-State Student Union in July 1977 as the vending manager. He was promoted to assistant director of retail operations in 2000. During his 38 years of service to Kansas State, Wisdom oversaw several areas of the Union including the K-State Office Supply Store, Union Computer Store, Cats' Den, hair salon, Subway and served as the university liaison with Pepsi.

He mentored countless student employees and has always been a huge supporter of K-State. Wisdom graduated in 1972 with a degree in business.

Snow skiing, hiking and biking are just few of the activities he continued upon his retirement in 2018.

Jack Thoman, former Union assistant director of business services 

Jack Thoman began working at the K-State Student Union as a student in 1972 and completed his degree in accounting the same year. He served as the Union's full-time accountant for more than 20 years before his promotion to assistant director.
During his 44 years of service to Kansas State University, Thoman was responsible for managing the business services office, contract negotiations, annual report and budget process, student privilege fee administration, as well as the daily financial operations of the Union.

Thoman joined the K-State Credit Union Board of Directors in 1993 serving as secretary for 20 years during his tenure. Countless student employees and Union staff members have benefitted from Thoman's leadership and mentoring over the years.

The Union’s mission is to serve all, especially students, with facilities that provide services, programs, leadership experiences and educational opportunities which foster a sense of well-being and belonging.