Accolades
Faculty and Staff
Hannah Eckstein, a Biology (Pre-Med) and Spanish major from Frontenac, and Erin Hammeke, a Chemistry major from Ellinwood, were chosen as the 2025 Outstanding Seniors.
Seven other seniors were honored as finalists for their academic and extracurricular achievement, community service, leadership, and campus involvement.
Candidates for the award are nominated by faculty, staff, and student organization presidents and then narrowed by a committee.
Eckstein has been active as a leader in numerous organizations including Student Government Association, Honors College Association, HOSA – Future Health Professionals, PSU Biology Club, PSU Pre-Med Club, and several honor societies. She was awarded Golden Gorilla, Aspiring Leader Award, Biology Pre-Health Freshman of the Year, and Campus Impact Award, among many. She has participated in a medical mission trip to Belize, served as a Advancement Ambassador and a PEER (Pitt Encouragement and Educational Resource Specialist), and a Presidential Fellow, and volunteered at events like the MLK Day of Service, The Big Event, and the Pitt Project.
“My time at Pittsburg State has been short but filled with so many impossibly great things. From late nights talking at the Sigma house to dinners with friends at Guadalajara, I will treasure those memories for the rest of my life. Both of my parents are PSU alumni — they met and fell in love on this campus and were members of a sorority and fraternity. They spoke highly of the Greek community on campus and how it developed their leadership skills and gave them lifelong connections. Knowing this, it only seemed right that I also join a sorority. My time in Tri Sigma has been filled with some of the best and most challenging moments in my life. I have found my Sigma sisters to be empathetic, kind, supportive, and overall the best people to have around...”
Hammeke has balanced academic research with being active in Honors College Association, honor societies, the Newman Club, and a member of the Cross Country and Track and Field teams. She was awarded Golden Gorilla, was picked for the Homecoming Royalty Top 12, was on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll, and earned first place in the Undergraduate Poster Presentation in the 2024 Chemistry Colloquium. She was active in service, volunteering in the community in several ways including as a member of the Newman Club, with the Salvation Army, as a member of Honors College, and in the coordination of 5K fundraisers.
“Being selected as Outstanding Senior is such an incredible honor. I am so thankful for my time at Pittsburg State and for all the ways it shaped me to be the person I am. Every step of my journey here has been influenced by this campus and community that has truly become my home. I feel so blessed that God led me here and brought me to this moment. After graduation, I will be staying at Pittsburg State to complete my master’s degree in chemistry and continue my involvement with St. Pius X Catholic Student Center. After completing my studies here, I plan to pursue a PhD in medicinal chemistry.”
Trevor Bohnenblust
Eudora • Finance and Business Economics
Bohnenblust has been selected as a Golden Gorilla, Homecoming 2nd attendant, and a Kelce Scholar. He was involved in multiple organizations on campus including Sigma Chi, Homecoming Committee, honor societies, Honors College, Wind Ensemble, Marching Band, and Newman Club. He held several leadership positions and volunteered at The Big Event.
“Perhaps the most important impact Pittsburg State University has had is giving me a sense of belonging. The opportunity to be a part of so many great organizations and experiences has really made Pittsburg my home and a place I’ll always want to come back to. The community aspect of Pittsburg has been a big part of my success and I’ll forever be thankful to the university and the people here for giving me such a great college experience.”
Jenna Clark
Overland Park • Nursing
Clark has received accolades such as Golden Gorilla, Emerging Sorority Leader, Greater Kansas City Alumnae Panhellenic Scholar, and being Homecoming Court 2nd Attendant. She has spent her time in many organizations on campus and many leadership positions, as well as spending many hours in nursing clinicals and community service hours.
“My leadership journey hasn’t been without challenges, but each mistake has taught me the importance of listening, adapting, and leading with perseverance. Through these experiences, I have not only grown as a leader but have also had the privilege of contributing to a variety of organizations, leaving a lasting impact on the campus community.”
Brett Gibson
Talala, Oklahoma • Biology (Pre-Medical)
Gibson has received multiple accolades from his time at Pitt State, such as Golden Gorilla, Aspiring Leader, and Fraternity Man of the Year. He was involved in multiple campus organizations and logged 390+ community service hours.
“My passion for the responsibilities of this position (external vice president of Lambda Chi Alpha) came about my freshman year when I signed up for Lord’s Diner community service. I instantly fell in love with the positivity and support The Lord’s Diner shows to the disadvantaged population of the Pittsburg community. Since my freshman year, I have logged well over 150 hours with The Lord’s Diner and volunteered there every Friday until graduation.”
Jordan Haworth
Spring Hill • Biology (Aquatic Sciences)
Haworth has spent her time at Pitt State being passionate about sustainability and holding leadership positions for that purpose. She was involved in several organizations on campus as well as one of two twirlers in Pride of the Plains Marching Band. She also received accolades such as Golden Gorilla and being a top 12 Homecoming Royalty candidate.
“My love for the organizations that I am affiliated with at Pitt State grows more every day. Each organization provides a way for people to come together to help better the community. I am a representative on the campus sustainability committee where I speak on behalf of the students with environmental needs on campus. Holding the Service & Sustainability Chair in SGA provides me the freedom to create interactive educational events for the student body about community service. I have been creating a native garden on campus that will be run by S4S.”
Addison Hinterweger
Overbrook • Graphic Communications, Communication
Hinterweger has received many accolades while at Pitt State such as Golden Gorilla, MIAA Academic Excellence, and being Homecoming Royalty top 12. She was involved in many organizations on campus while also competing as a member of the Track and Field team and working for Creative & Strategic Communications as a photographer. She held many leadership positions while completing 90 community service hours.
“Before I got to Pittsburg State, I wasn’t sure exactly who I was or who I wanted to be. Each organization I have been a part of, as well as the women’s track and field team and by being a student employee, have made me who I am. One of the most important things I’ve learned is that it is not just about what one person can achieve, but what is capable of a strong and inevitably great team. The executive boards I have worked with to plan events for students on campus, the incredible number of women who have worked so hard to break records on the track, and the marketing team I have learned so much from would not be great if everyone was in it for themselves.”
Hope Rainey
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma • Graduate Communication
Rainey has been involved in numerous activities including Homecoming Committee, Residence Hall Assembly, and several honor societies. She has held leadership positions with Pitt CARES and Advancement Ambassadors, completed community service for Big Brothers/Big Sisters and The Big Event, and earned honors including Golden Gorilla.
“I got to build some amazing connections around campus and the community. As vice president of RHA, I got to travel, public speak, lead committees and interviews, plan and run events, and so much more. CARES was also an incredible opportunity. I have loved making an impact on new incoming students and their families. I would not be who I am today without Pittsburg State University, the incredible faculty, staff, and administration, and the genuine connection that Gorilla Nation fosters among its students.”
Matthew Schmidt
Easton • Finance, Accounting
Schmidt has been active in Future Business Leaders of America, Honors College Association, Advancement Ambassadors, and campus honor societies. He is a recipient of the Golden Gorilla and the Congressional Award Gold Medal, and was Homecoming Royalty 1st attendant. He has given back to the community through service projects like The Big Event, The Lord’s Diner, and the Pitt Project.
“My time at Pittsburg State University has changed me as a student, as a leader, and most importantly as a person. One of my biggest leadership opportunities came when I got the chance to serve as president of our Future Business Leaders of America Collegiate chapter. I have held meetings, hosted guest speakers, educated students about internships, and led students to qualify for our national conference. It has taught me skills that will translate into the workplace.”
