Kody Rawson is nominated for Student of the Year. He is a marketing major in his third year who engages deeply with course material and participates actively in class discussions. Kody is also highly involved on campus through various leadership roles, including serving as a residential assistant and the vice president of the National Residence Hall Honorary. Multiple professors and peers provide quotes praising Kody for his positivity, work ethic, communication skills, sense of humor, and ability to develop those around him. Kody is described as passionate, ambitious, and someone who consistently helps others.

1. KODY RAWSON
STUDENT OF THE YEAR
2016 NOMINATION

2. ACADEMICS
• Kody is a Marketing major with an emphasis in Human
Resources and Organizational Behavior
• He is currently in his third year at Northwest
• “Kody is engaged at a level beyond just trying find the right
answer: he wants to understand the content. A lot of
students just want their faculty to give them the answers;
but Kody engages with me during class, participates in class
discussions, and asks inquisitive questions that enhance
both his and other student's understanding of complex
concepts. I've also observed him working with others in a
group setting. He's able to stay focused and works well with
others to accomplish group goals as they relate to learning
course material.” –Mr. Jeff Nickerson, Professor of Business

3. ACADEMICS
• “Kody is an intelligent and engaged student. Not only do
students, like Kody, make a professor’s job easier, but also more
enjoyable.” –Dr. James Walker, Professor of Marketing
• “Kody is one of the hardest working and most conscientious
students I have ever met. He is the kind of student every
teacher admires—he is interested in learning for learning’s
sake. And, yet, Kody is driven and goal-oriented as well. He
loves the repartee of discussion and debate and is always
good-natured and respectful of others. He truly understands
the role that each individual must play in order to forge a true
sense of community whether that is in the classroom or more
generally speaking.” –Mr. Daniel Biegelson, Professor of English

4. ACADEMICS
• “Some courses are more fun to teach than others and
sometimes some CLASSES are more fun to teach than
others. In the Spring of 2014 I had one of ‘those’ classes (the
kind where it seems most of the class is wanting to be
somewhere else and the class period just drags on and on and
on). The only saving grace for me during those dark afternoons
was Kody. He was engaged and energetic and a real bright spot
to what could have easily turned out to be a dreary day. Kody’s
joy of learning is obvious. But what sticks out about Kody is
that he enjoys being challenged and is engaged enough to ask
challenging questions. I haven’t had Kody in class for a long
time, but when I do happen to see him wandering the halls of
Valk, it puts a smile on my face as he is a genuinely good
person.” –Mr. Matthew Johnson, Professor of History

5. INVOLVEMENT & LEADERSHIP
• Kody is very involved on campus and within his residence hall
• He is a second year Residential Assistant in Hudson & Perrin
• He recently accepted an upperclassmen RA position in Franken for 2016-17
• He is the current Vice President of the National Residence Hall Honorary
• He was recently elected as the President-Elect for 2016-17
• He is the NRHH representative for the Residence Hall Association
• He is a member of the Delta Mu Delta business honor society
• He is a third year Residential Life desk assistant
• He is the Marketing & Registration Conference Chair for MACURH 2016

6. QUOTES FROM FELLOW STAFF
• “Kody is the type of staff member who is always seeking for betterment. I have
seen Kody go through an incredible amount of change in these 2 years that I
have known him and I cannot think of another RA on staff who has developed
as much as Kody has. I think that speaks in large amounts to the type of
attitude Kody carries.” –Dylan Anstine, Hudson-Perrin ACD
• “Kody is probably one of the hardest working people I have ever met. He does
his best to achieve in not only his academics but also in Res Life. I am extremely
proud to say that Kody is my floor partner.” –Robert Bivens, Perrin RA
• “Kody is an excellent staff member who strives for success in all that he does. I
have never known him to settle for less than his best in a project that he
chooses to take on.” –Steven Steinman, Hudson-Perrin Complex Director

7. LEADERSHIP
• What leadership characteristics does Kody display?
• Positive Attitude: He has a very optimistic outlook on life and everything he puts his heart in to. He is very good
at staying positive even through tough situations, and this positive attitude that he possesses is very infectious!
• Responsibility: He takes tasks that others are unable to do/do not want to do. He knows his limits very well and
doesn’t take on more than he can handle. He is very timely with projects and never disappoints!
• Communication: He is a very effective communicator and very easy to talk to. He can strike up conversation
with anyone and easily relate to others. He is also good at listening to others and getting others to
communicate with each other.
• Sense of Humor: He has a very unique sense of humor that can get a smile from just about anyone. He is very
witty and sometimes sarcastic which can often lighten the mood in tense situations.
• Confidence: He is very confident in his own abilities and knows what he is capable of. He prepares very well for
everything and always knows what is going on.
• Development: He is able to help develop and better those around him. Even if not on purpose, he is very good
at inspiring others to do better, and he is always willing to help others in any way that he can.

8. LEADERSHIP
• How does Kody show leadership…
• …as an RA: He is a role model to all of his residents and displays leadership during every confrontation by
handling all situations with care.
• …as a student: He displays leadership by taking charge in group situations and by helping his classmates when
they need help. He has even helped his residents with their academics by offering his skills as a tutor.
• …as an employee: He displays leadership in his abilities to self-motivate and complete tasks efficiently and on
time. He learns rules and procedures quickly and carries them out through every task, whether this be
enforcing policy as an RA or loaning equipment to someone as a DA.
• …as a vice president: He displays leadership by staying on top of his tasks and communicating effectively with
the entire executive board. He has taken charge in many different situations when no one else has wanted to,
and he does everything with passion and creativity.
• …as a friend: He displays leadership by being someone who truly cares. He listens and offers any advice he can
to help others and shows compassion for people.

9. QUOTES
• “Kody always knows how to put a smile on anyone’s
face. He has so much care and compassion for
everyone around him. He truly makes everyone feel like
they matter.” –KelLeigh Bryant
• “Kody is the most encouraging person ever. If you ever
go to him with a problem or concerns he makes sure
you know that you are capable of fixing the problem
and doing anything you put your mind to. He is also the
best to talk to about everything. He is the best at
calming people down and helping them find a good
place.” –Katlin Gardner

10. QUOTES
• “In all honesty I love Kody dearly. He'll always have a
place in my heart as a true friend. You know, he just
has this fire...he's so passionate about everything he
does. I really relate to that. The idea that you would
do anything and won't back down until you're
successful. He's ambitious, charismatic, charming,
funny. Overall just a really beautiful soul. And I'm
happy to call him my friend.” –TyQuan Baskin

11. QUOTES
• "Kody's drive and ambition equally
match his desire to truly learn about the
people he serves on a daily basis in his
role as a resident assistant and student
leader on campus. I count myself lucky
to watch Kody grow as a leader each
and every day.“ –Billy Steinman

12. QUOTES
• “Kody has an uncanny ability to make
everyone he comes in contact with feel
welcome. His ever present cheery
personality invites everyone to share in his
joy. Kody is a caring friend, understanding
leader, and ever helpful classmate. When it
comes to helping and serving others, Kody is
always there.” –Karla Everman

13. QUOTES
• “I haven't known Kody for very long and
have only gotten the chance to hang out
with him once. But, just in that short
amount of time, I have learned that Kody is
an amazing friend. He is funny and has a
kind heart. He is just an all around amazing
person.” –Ryan Kogut

14. QUOTES
• “Kody consistently exemplifies a level of enthusiasm
that is rarely surpassed. Regardless of the agenda
ahead, and whether it be filled with obstacles,
expected tasks, or mellow team time, I have always
found Kody to be ready to take on any challenge
with contagious amount of happiness and
excitement. He also serves as a phenomenal voice
of curiosity, oftentimes asking questions for the
good of the group and to ensure all things are
understood and on track.” –Beth Little

15. QUOTES
• “Kody is a great person to talk to no matter what you
need to get off your chest. I’ve had a very rough year as
a sophomore, but Kody has helped me get through so
much of it. He is a great listener and always provides
any advice or help that he can. He asks all the right
questions to make sure your decisions are what you
really want and make you happy. Kody is also an
amazing role model and has helped me through a lot of
adult-decisions this past semester. He has a lot of
experience and empathy and is always willing to help
anyone who comes to him with any sort of problem. In
short, Kody is an amazingly intelligent person with a
huge heart.” –Carrie Egnatowski