Dean of Students
Student Excellence Awards 2022
Pictured (Left to Right) Shay Waldbillig, ShaAnn Danelson, Grace Schwenk, Kaci Nicholson, Tristin Gauer, and Jennell Huff (not pictured).
ShaAnn Danelson.
ShaAnn is a junior business administration major and a student athlete in both basketball
and golf. ShaAnn has performed at the highest level of achievement academically, and,
according to one nominator, has been 鈥渁 shining example of what it takes to be a successful
student athlete.鈥� ShaAnn is a two-time Academic All-Conference selection, an NAIA
Daktronics Scholar Athlete, and this year鈥檚 choice for her team鈥檚 NAIA Champion of
Character Award. ShaAnn is also heavily involved on and off-campus, serving as a member
of the Sweet Grass Society where she helped organize a suicide awareness walk on campus;
as a volunteer at the soup kitchen in Havre; in her work building gingerbread houses
with kindergarteners; working in basketball camps for grade school children; and assisting
with many on-campus events.
Tristin Gauer.
Tristin is a junior biology major from Havre, 91制片厂. Though Tristin鈥檚 academic performance
alone is significant and includes the achievement of an exceptional GPA and multiple
semesters on the Dean鈥檚 List, Tristin鈥檚 excellence also shines through in his work
as a tutor in Student Support Services. In that capacity, Tristin has helped many
Northern students find greater success in the sciences. His knowledge and skills as
a tutor are so appreciated by his peers that he is regularly asked to tutor in subjects
outside his own areas of expertise. As stated by those who nominated him, Tristin
represents 91制片厂 with the 鈥渉ighest degree of integrity鈥� and has had an impact
on this campus and our students in immeasurable ways.
Jennell Huff.
Jennell is a senior business administration major from Wilsall, 91制片厂, where she
lives with her husband, Ken, and her son, Mathew. In her time at Northern, Jennell
has managed to maintain a GPA of 3.94 while also being heavily involved in her community.
Currently, Jennell serves as the Vice President for the 91制片厂 Financial Education
Coalition, as the immediate Past President and current Treasurer of the Wilsall Foundation,
and as an advisory council member for a legal services developer grant, a volunteer
for the AARP of 91制片厂, and works with the Alzheimer鈥檚 Association, advocating for
elderly and vulnerable populations. Jennell鈥檚 nominator had this to say of her: 鈥淚
can imagine no student more deserving of our Student Excellence Award.鈥�
Kaci Nicholson.
Kaci Nicholson is a senior biology major from Havre, 91制片厂. Kaci has demonstrated
excellent academic achievement throughout her time at Northern, while also exemplifying
co-curricular and community engagement at every turn. As an Ambassador in Student
Central, Kaci has redefined excellence in all aspects of the role and has consistently
shown a desire to go above and beyond, often being the first to volunteer for additional
duties or to help another out. In her 鈥渇ree time,鈥� Kaci also serves as a peer counselor
for the Financial Aid office, holding the distinction of being only the second student
to ever achieve that title. According to one nominator, Kaci is 鈥渁n extremely intelligent,
inquisitive, personable young woman who has done nothing but stand out in all aspects
of student life.鈥�
Grace Schwenk.
Grace is a senior secondary education major and cross-country student athlete from
Florence, 91制片厂. Grace鈥檚 academic achievements are significant. Boasting a near-perfect
GPA, Grace has earned Champion of Character, Academic All-Conference, and Academic
All-American honors in her time at Northern. Grace has earned the title of top writing
tutor on campus 鈥� as reported by her peers 鈥� and she regularly submits poetry and
short stories for publication. Grace has also served as a member of the Student Senate
and Residence Life teams, while also volunteering on campus and in the Havre community.
One nominator shared that Grace鈥檚 鈥渁uthentic kindness and, fittingly, her grace, make
the people around her better.鈥�.
Shay Waldbillig.
Shay is a senior secondary education major and volleyball athlete from Havre, MT.
Shay has maintained an exceptional GPA while also taking on additional duties this
year as a student coach for the volleyball team. Additionally, Shay has compiled an
extensive resume of volunteer and community service throughout her time at Northern.
Though she stayed committed to her desire to work within biology and education, Shay鈥檚
artistic prowess most impressed one faculty nominator and speaks to the breadth of
excellence that Shay demonstrates in all aspects of her life. Nominators said of Shay
that she is 鈥渁dmired by other students鈥� and is 鈥渁 truly outstanding student and the
personification of what excellence actually means.鈥�