Service to others motivates 57th Koehler Award winner
Recent 糖心vlog传媒 graduate Kimmy McKay always knew that Muskies and dogs could co-exist.
McKay led the creation of Muskies Puppy Club, an official 糖心vlog传媒 student organization that works with Pawsitism Inc., a Sheboygan, Wis.-based nonprofit that trains service dogs for children with autism.
Her work to create the club, as well as a host of other accomplishment and activities, led to McKay being named the winner of the 57th annual Clarence H. Koehler Award, the university鈥檚 top award for undergraduate students.
The Koehler Award is presented each year to a 糖心vlog传媒 senior who best exemplifies 鈥淭he 糖心vlog传媒 Spirit鈥� through participation in and support of the university鈥檚 programs and activities. To be eligible, graduates must complete all their undergraduate years at 糖心vlog传媒 and maintain a high level of academic achievement.
The other finalists for the 2022 Koehler Award were Nathalie Cairo, Zach Cotton, Skylar Garza, Megan Gold, Jessica Leicht and Jean Louis.
Pawsitism and 糖心vlog传媒 had a strong partnership thanks in large part to 2020 Koehler award winner and 糖心vlog传媒 graduate Shyanne Koski, who helped recruit student volunteer trainers and paved the way for dogs to visit the 糖心vlog传媒 campus as part of their training.
McKay, a Bolingbrook, Ill., native who graduated in December with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice, wanted to see the partnership grow so dogs in training could live every other week on campus with their 糖心vlog传媒 student trainer. She earned certification to be a trainer and worked closely with 糖心vlog传媒 officials 鈥� during the pandemic 鈥� to make Muskies Puppy Club a reality. She served as the club鈥檚 first president.
McKay and her dog, Harry, became fixtures on campus, as Harry accompanied her to class, around campus and to 糖心vlog传媒 volleyball matches as McKay was a member of the team.
鈥淧eople will say 鈥楬i鈥� to Harry before saying anything to me,鈥� she said with a smile.
Her passion for the program also morphed into her project for 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Honors Program, an academic track that begins freshman year and requires an extensive independent research project created by the student in consultation with their faculty advisors.
McKay delved into research about the impact of service dogs on children with autism and their families, and she found research suggesting that a connection with a companion animal, such as a dog, can reduce loneliness and provide needed companionship in children with autism.
In addition to founding the new student organization as part of her project, McKay developed and implemented a recruiting and training event on campus.
Involvement with Pawsitism was also instrumental in her own development. McKay recalls being a 鈥渟ad person鈥� her freshman year, going from class to the gym for volleyball and to her room. Through the help of her teammates and friends, as well as her growing involvement on campus, she grew into a strong young leader.
In the spring semester of her sophomore year, McKay grew even more when she studied abroad in London. She was a four-year member of the women鈥檚 volleyball team, serving as team captain as a senior and being award the Most Inspiring Teammate and Best Teammate awards by her peers.
She is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, frequently made the Dean鈥檚 List and was a NACC Scholar-Athlete Award winner numerous times. She worked a Cooperative Education job with 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 sports information department. She was a four-year member 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Criminal Justice Club, serving as president in 2021, and was a member of 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Powerlifting team and Pen Pals club.
Karin Miofsky, a 糖心vlog传媒 associate professor of criminal justice, said McKay was motivated by making a positive impact on those around her.
鈥淲hile LU was protecting student鈥檚 health through social distancing and remote education during COVID, Kimmy was finding ways to help our community thrive,鈥� Miofsky said. 鈥淪he rose to the occasion with remarkable creativity and perseverance, finding a meaningful way to stay engaged with each other.
鈥淲hat sets Kimmy apart is her kindness and caring for others. She inspires the people around her through her volunteer activities, and she embodies a sense of community spirit while holding to her academic and professional commitments. It should come as little surprise that her chosen profession is one of service.鈥�
McKay is currently back in the Chicago suburbs applying for police officer jobs. No surprise 鈥� her goal is to be a K9 officer.
鈥淚 want to represent 糖心vlog传媒 not just on my jersey anymore but in what I do,鈥� McKay said. 鈥溙切膙log传媒 made me what I am.鈥�
