The finalists for Wichita State’s 2012 Shocktoberfest Man and Woman of the Year have been named. Winners will be announced at 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at a banquet in Marcus Welcome Center.
The 2012 Man and Woman of the Year will each receive a $650 scholarship; remaining finalists will receive $300 scholarships.
The Man of the Year finalists are:
Darren Beckham, a senior double majoring in political science and international studies. He has held leadership positions in Phi Delta Theta, Student Government Association and College Republicans. He also is a member of the Student Ambassador Society, Emory Lindquist Honors Program, Model United Nations and Order of Omega. Beckham has also been an orientation leader, WSU peer leader and has spent time volunteering for his church. He also spent a semester in Washington, D.C., as an intern for Sen. Jerry Moran.
Luis Carbajal, a senior political science, economics and strategic communication major. He is the president of the Student Government Association. He has held leadership positions in Phi Delta Theta, Order of Omega and the Student Advisory Committee to the Kansas Board of Regents. He also is a member of the Student Ambassador Society, Model United Nations, Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Political Science Club and Student Alumni Association. Carbajal has volunteered for various community service organizations such as Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity and the Kansas Humane Society.
Ryan Schrader, a senior accounting major. He is the president of the Barton School Dean’s Ambassadors and has also been involved with Dean’s Scholars, Student Ambassador Society, International Student Union, Beta Alpha Psi and the Student Activities Council. Schrader has also been an orientation leader and WSU peer leader. He has interned at Koch Industries, as well as been a scholars and leaders exchange participant in their youth entrepreneurs program.
Michael Staab, a senior aerospace engineering major. He has held leadership positions in the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Engineering Council, Wallace Scholars, WSU Rocket Club and Students for the Exploration and Development of Space. Staab has also been involved with Tau Beta Pi Engineering Honor Society, Sigma Gamma Tau Aerospace Engineering Honor Society and Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. He also held several cooperative education positions at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, Calif.
The Woman of the Year finalists are:
Diana Carbajal, a senior completing her Bachelor of Arts with an emphasis in drawing and illustration. She has held leadership positions in Contemporary Arts Society, Student Government Association, Delta Gamma Fraternity and Women’s Panhellenic Association. Carbajal is also a member of Order of Omega and the Student Alumni Association. She is currently a mentor at Kansas Kids @ GEAR UP and volunteers at Big Brothers Big Sisters, Envision Child Development and Inter-Faith Ministries.
Amber Hopkins, a junior double majoring in psychology and criminal justice. She is the activities chair for Delta Delta Delta and the president of Women’s Panhellenic Association. Hopkins works for Communities in Schools, facilitating groups for middle school students. She has participated in various community service projects including WuCREW Student Edition’s trip to the Wichita Children’s Home and Service in the City’s spring break initiative.
Laura Schlapp, a senior integrated marketing communications major. She is the president of Delta Gamma Fraternity and has held leadership positions in the Barton International Group and Public Relations Student Society of America. Schlapp has also been a member of the Student Government Association, Order of Omega, Women’s Panhellenic Association and the WSU Newman Center. She spent the summer as a legislative intern for the U.S. Senate and works in the WSU Office of the Vice President for Administration and Finance. Schlapp volunteers at Envision Rehabilitation Center Kids Club and Heather’s Camp.
Sarah Thompson, a junior social work major. She has held leadership positions in the Student Ambassador Society, Cross Campus and Delta Gamma Fraternity. Thompson is also a member of the Emory Lindquist Honors Program, Women’s Panhellenic Association and Pi Gamma Mu Social Science Honors Society. She has been a student research assistant at the WSU Center for Community Support and Research and a student assistant for WSU Housing and Residence Life. Thompson volunteers at Wichita Children’s Home, Larksfield Retirement Community, ICT S.O.S. and Envision Inc.