2023 Benny Award Winners Announced

The Division of Student Affairs is pleased to announce the 2023 Benny Awards winners. 

The Benny Awards acknowledge excellence and dedication demonstrated by our students, staff, faculty, and organizations in a broad range of categories. Award winners were nominated by their peers, then selected by an independent panel of judges. 

Award winners will receive a crystal memento at a dinner held in their honor, and their names will be added to the wall of Benny Award recipients near the Ballroom in the Pond Student Union. 

Outstanding Event of the Year: Silent Disco, Student Activities Board

The idea behind a silent disco is to create more inclusive experiences for students that may have auditory issues that prevent them from being comfortable at events that are supposed to be enjoyable. The sponsors of the event point out that it can be overwhelming for such students to be surrounded by large numbers of people and not be able to hear when they speak. A silent disco delivers music via headphones to the audience while keeping the room itself nearly silent. This ensures that anybody feeling overwhelmed by the noise can remove the headphones and take a break without having to leave the event. Every individual can control their volume setting and even select from one of three channels of music, which means that every participant can use their headphones to enhance their enjoyment of the music while still hanging out with their friends and peers.

Graduate Student Leader of the Year - Madison Kalke

Madison Kalke’s nomination for the Graduate Student Leader of the Year award featured a wide range of activities demonstrating “exceptional leadership qualities, dedication to her field of study, and an unwavering commitment to the values of the Graduate School.”  Her nominator cited Kalke's involvement in the Sustainable Education and Training Model Under Pharmacists as Providers (SETMuPP) program, which helped to expand the reach and scope of pharmacy practice through education seminars. As the P3 Senate President for the College of Pharmacy Pocatello campus, she has revitalized a sense of comradery that was lost during the COVID pandemic. Kalke has spent countless hours outside of class tutoring her fellow pharmacy students and provided valuable guidance on effective leadership. She has made substantial contributions to the community by serving as the representative for Operation Diabetes, an outreach program within Idaho State University that promotes diabetes awareness and helps connect patients in need with providers. Kalke's commitment to promoting women in STEM is evident through her work as an ISU Ambassador at the 2021 and 2022 SheTech Women's Conference. She has used her exceptional communication skills to inspire and excite female high school students about the health care field, specifically pharmacy. Kalke has also become an Idaho State University College of Pharmacy Student Ambassador to educate students at multiple outreach events about the pharmacy program and attract more students to ISU.

Undergraduate Student Leader - Emma Watts

One of Emma Watts’ nominators says that she “represents the best of ISU,” calling her “the embodiment of leadership and service here at Idaho State University.” A first-generation student, Watts not only pursues opportunities, but actively seeks them. She has served as the vice president of ASISU (2022 - present), an ASISU senator at large, and a member of University Honors Program, McNair Scholars (2023 - 2024), the Economics Club, the Political Science Club, Phi Kappa Phi Honors Society, and the Sustainability Club. Watts both participates in and actively envisions new initiatives. Over a multi-year process, she launched two petitions urging the university to join the Presidents' Climate Leadership Commitment and hire a position overseeing the advancement of sustainability that garnered 736 student and 311 faculty and staff signatures. She currently is a member of the Presidential Projector Charter and Sustainability Program Manager Search Committee. Outside of ISU, Watts has been a campaign coordinator for local elections, an operations intern at ICCU, and collaborated to create the Mind Matters mental health guidebook. Watts continually raises the bar and has the rare ability to both imagine and carry out an initiative. Academically, she has a near perfect GPA while pursuing a triple degree: an Honors Bachelor of Science in Economics, a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, and a Bachelors of Business Administration. 

Exemplary Service Award -  Cameron Dey

Cameron Dey was nominated for the Exemplary Service Award by a professor and student club advisor who finds his commitment and leadership truly exceptional.

Dey has hosted tables in the student union, where he helped over 50 students register to vote. He took the time to sit with table visitors and walk through the ballot, helping them research their preferred candidates and feel confident in their participation in local politics. Cameron’s nominator described the impact of this kind of dedication: “Cameron has a vision of an engaged student body, leading not only on campus, but in the region. He has made me feel inspired to do more to help others engage their passions. In a time of polarization and in the aftermath of COVID, Cameron could have retreated and focused on his studies. Instead, he has encouraged students at ISU to use their voice and engage in the political process, and he has sought to make our university a thoughtful and inclusive campus. Cameron is making ISU a better university in real-time, and he is undoubtedly deserving of this award.”

Roar Bengal Roar Spirit Award - Maclane Westbrook

Maclane Westbrook’s award nominator wasn’t shy about his nominee: “No one at ISU embodies school spirit as much as Maclane Westbrook, and that is something I stand by wholeheartedly.”  He describes Westbrook as one of the most tenacious and driven students at ISU when it comes to promoting school spirit and getting other students and the greater Pocatello community involved on campus. “Almost every day, Maclane wears some sort of Bengal gear with pride and  compliments other people when he sees them geared up as well. He promotes every event on campus, athletic and non-athletic, and constantly encourages other senators and students to attend ISU events and games. And Maclane doesn’t stop at encouraging ISU student involvement. From the University of Idaho to Weber State and UC Davis, Maclane has worked to involve individual students, athletics departments, and even the communities outside of the Universities in witty, jovial rivalry at inter-university events. He does everything in his power to promote Bengal spirit with a smile on his face and a great attitude.”

Inspirational Bengal of the Year - Baylee Biorn

Baylee Biorn’s nominators describe her as an inspirational powerhouse. “Baylee doesn't just have school spirit, Baylee is school spirit! She has faced health challenges and injuries, she has faced financial constraints that have forced her to work multiple jobs both on and off campus, and she has faced all of the other obstacles that come with the territory of being a college student and a student athlete. Despite anything that has come into her path, Baylee has always persevered,” persistence that one of her fans attributes to her positivity, passion, and pride in her role as a representative of this University. “I can think of countless examples of Baylee's unwavering spirit including getting crowds pumped at our athletic events (no matter how small the crowd is) and giving impassioned tours to our prospective students and their families on a weekly basis (even if she is in pain from a cheer injury). One specific example that comes to mind is Baylee's involvement in our largest recruitment event of the year, Bengal Visit Day. She participated throughout the entire day, volunteering her time on a Saturday, to welcome over 1,000 prospective students and their families to campus. She performed in the opening session and spent the majority of the day at a table in the club & org fair to represent the Cheer team. Our prospective student visitors were challenged to sing the fight song on social media to win some amazing prizes and many of them were absolutely terrified to do so. Baylee and some of her fellow cheerleaders helped one shy student, teaching her their entire cheer routine for the fight song and recorded a video with her to post. That student won FIRST PLACE because of her performance and spirit, spirit that was directly impacted by Baylee! As you decide who should win the Roar, Bengals Roar(Spirit award) it should be very clear that there is no student with a more fierce ROAR than Baylee Biorn!”

Student Organization of the Year - GeoClub

The GeoClub had an extremely busy year. Among a host of other activities, they volunteered in geology flex classes at Alameda Middle School in the Fall 2022 semester, bringing in hands-on activities and samples to support the course curriculum and allowing every student to pick out their own special rock, mineral, or fossil at the end of the term. At the University, the GeoClub recognized that, while students in Geology, Geotechnology, and Earth and Environmental Sciences generally love participating in overnight field trips and the biannual field seminar class, many also lack access to the appropriate gear, so GeoClub created a gear library in the Department of Geosciences. Realizing that they didn't have enough gear donations in a few essential categories, the GeoClub wrote a successful proposal to the American Association of Petroleum Geologists for funds to purchase additional supplies and arranged a partnership with Barrie's Ski and Sport in Pocatello to purchase key items at-cost for equipment Barrie's can get directly from their vendors. As a result, GeoClub will now be able to offer multiple cold-weather sleeping bags, thick foam pads, and a multi-person tent as part of the gear library. GeoClub has also been active in the larger community, participating in the City of Pocatello's Fall 2022 Portneuf River cleanup event. The GeoClub’s advisor highlights the impact of this group’s dedication to service and excellence:  “I cannot begin to explain how motivated, conscientious, creative, and supportive this particular cohort is. They are a gold-standard example of what student organizations at ISU can do, connecting with and serving students, faculty, alumni, and community. They absolutely deserve the Benny Award for Student Organization of the Year.”

Student Organization Advisor of the Year - Jenifer Reader, Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society, Beta Rho Chapter and the Nutrition and Wellness Club

Jenifer Reader’s nominator says she is a perfect example of an advisor whose mission is to support, educate, and encourage students. Jenifer is the advisor for the two student organizations—Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society, Beta Rho Chapter, and the Nutrition and Wellness Club—as well as the National President of Phi Upsilon Omicron Honor Society, but her nominator describes an advisor who “takes involvement to a whole new level by consistently helping students to gain valuable experiences through these organizations, meet needs in our community, and further their professional goals with opportunities for learning, service and other fun club activities to enrich their experience at ISU.”  Jenifer’s commitment to student support is a feature of the nomination submission: “Jen’s concern for, interest, and investment in the students and her passion for the mission of the organizations and the University is astounding. She is always willing to meet with each student, and her passion for the clubs she is involved with is contagious. She has mementos from the club's history that she will bring out to show new members and is knowledgeable about milestones and past achievements for each and loves to share those with students. Moreover, everything she does is intended to teach, inspire, and advance the students she advises. She demonstrates remarkable dedication to, and support of each of the organizations she is involved with and the students in them.”

Faculty Member of the Year - Dr. Thomas Kloss, Department of Music

The reason why Dr. Thomas Kloss is the recipient of the 2023 Faculty Member of the Year Benny Award is best conveyed by one of his former students.  

“When I started school at ISU in the fall of 2018, I wasn't sure what college would bring. As a freshman, I came early to band camp and, upon arrival, Dr. Kloss put my mind at ease. He showed me how much fun it was to be in the college marching band, and he even joked around with all of us students.  He taught us that music is important, but also taught us how to be kind and compassionate. When I progressed in college toward my academic goals, Dr.Kloss helped me with advice and was always a cheerleader. He went above and beyond, working extremely hard to make sure that I would get my degree…always encouraging me and guiding me. 

I have seen Dr.Kloss fight for all of his student's success. I watched him work tirelessly through the Covid pandemic to provide students with music performance opportunities and great learning environments while keeping his students safe, creating opportunities for students to perform solos and to conduct concerts. He has also encouraged students to demonstrate their leadership by presenting their ideas to members of Congress in Washington, D.C. The students reminded Congress that music education has impacted everyone and showed them why we should keep music in our schools.  

Dr.Kloss has always been a benefit to the university and has shown what it truly means to be a Bengal. Not only does he follow the mission of ISU—"We engage students through learning and research opportunities that improve the intellectual vigor, cultural vitality, and health of our communities”—but he has executed the vision of ISU by inspiring his students' passion for knowledge and discovery!” 

Staff Member of the Year - Lowell Richards

Lowell Richards was nominated for Staff Member of the Year by a team member who sees the impact of what he does every day and who wanted to be sure that Lowell was “recognized for the work he does that deeply and meaningfully contributes to the university as a whole.” This team member describes Lowell as a “human-centered architect, who continually assesses our physical spaces to see what can be done to improve them, how best to manage traffic, invite guests in, and make them feel welcome. Lowell can often be found in the union building late into the evening. He may be assessing the lines at Chick-fil-A or working on a budget model for a new initiative, but one thing is for sure: he is a body in a motion. He is continually pursuing new ways of doing things, whether that is reconceptualizing the use of space or the transition of a new Campus ID Card system to the financial transactions that take place at retail locations. He is continually learning, evolving, and inviting ISU along for the ride. Lowell works broadly across the division of Student Affairs and, as an Associate Vice President that is widely expected, but what sets Lowell apart is the manner of his engagement. He isn’t just on the periphery, but actively involved with departments in the unit. Many of the questions directed to our offices are outside the scope of what would be considered Lowell’s job, but because he has such intricate and detailed knowledge of university operations, he is able to assist them or make sure they are connected with the person that can. If you want to know the square footage of Holt Arena, what architectural firm assessed Red Hill, where to procure the best espresso machine, how frequently ASISU needs to conduct reapportionment, the rates of childcare centers in southeast Idaho, what is happening on our outreach campuses, how many students utilize Campus Recreation, or what the account code is for office supplies you need look no further than Lowell Richards. His breadth of knowledge from the monumental details to the minutia is unparalleled and it’s this knowledge that has made him such a valuable employee to the university and why I think he should be recognized as Staff Member of the Year.”  

Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Non-classified) - Nicole Joseph, Admissions

As the Director of ISU Admissions, Nicole Joseph has provided stable, innovative, and inspiring leadership to her team, while implementing a number of student-centered initiatives, and is responsible for many of the changes that have directly impacted the increased enrollment that ISU has experienced for the last few semesters. During the pandemic, when in-person events were shut down, Nicole and her team pivoted to host major recruiting events in an online platform. Not only did this allow ISU to continue to host recruiting events, but Bengal Visit Day 2021 was awarded Best Virtual Event in a field of over 200 entrants for this award. Joseph's concentrated efforts to build a broader base of support for recruiting events at ISU was  affirmed by the impressive success of Bengal Visit Day in 2022, which was the largest recruitment event in ISU's history and which drew upon the volunteer support of nearly 500 students, staff, and faculty. Joseph has also overhauled recruiting processes to ensure that our Admissions team is communicating at the right time, with the right message, to the right audience, ensuring 24/7 responsiveness to our prospective students and families through the implementation of chat bots, and the percentage of students who matriculate to ISU after attending one of their signature recruitment events has increased significantly under her leadership. In fact, the ISU Ambassadors and Campus Visit program have been recognized as the best in the state by a staff member at the State Board of Education. Joseph has amply demonstrated her ability to envision possibilities, adapt, lead in difficult times, and produce quality work that impacts enrollment at Idaho State University. 

Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Classified) - Vianca Morales, Career Center

Vianca Morales received multiple nominations for the Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Classified). Her colleagues and supervisor described as a “vital part,” the “the heart,” and the “face” of the Career Center. Speaking of Vianca’s presence in the department, one nominator said, “I can think of no better person for students, faculty, staff, and community members to engage with the moment they step into our office than Vianca. She has a genuine ability to make others feel seen and validated through thoughtful compliments, her attentiveness in celebrating the smallest accomplishments of others, and in the effortless way she engages in conversation even with those she has just met. We all know how such simple acts like this play a bigger part in the co-construction of our Begal community and a sense of belonging for not just students but those who work here as well. This type of demeanor and personality cannot be trained; it is intrinsic to who Vianca is, and I believe it must be called out and celebrated.”  According to her colleagues, Vianca’s smile, positive attitude, demeanor, and overall personality set the tone for a welcoming and warm working and learning environment. As one nominator shared, “I have seen students come into the office confused, frustrated, or discouraged and leave the office with a more positive attitude after interacting with Vianca.” Her colleagues also highlight Vianca’s dedication to creating a welcoming atmosphere on campus. “She has proven herself to be dedicated to inclusion and diversity on campus through her work, and most significantly, on the Career Center's social media pages, in which medium she ensures that everyone is equally represented.” Most recently, Vianca partnered with other staff to create a Dress for Success video designed to assist students with professional dress education. Vianca was a driving force behind the inclusion of students representing different ethnicities, genders, ages, and sizes in the video. Her dedication to creating a welcoming atmosphere stands out to her colleagues as vital to Idaho State University's core value of Inclusivity and is also the reason they believe that Vianca Morales is more than deserving of the Student Affairs Award of Distinction (Classified Staff).”