Outstanding Seniors have big plans

It is not surprising that the two people selected as Outstanding Seniors for 2007 at Pittsburg State University have big dreams. Soon after graduation, Ginger Niemann, a political science major, will leave for London where she will begin working on a master’s degree in international policy. After that, she wants to work on a political campaign. Scot Schiefelbein, an accounting and economics major, will soon begin work for one of the nation’s top accounting firms, Deloitte & Touche, LLP in Kansas City, Mo. He thinks he might eventually get a master’s degree and maybe even a Ph.D., which could lead to teaching at a university or working in international finance.

Wherever life takes them, Niemann and Schiefelbein both say their days at Pittsburg State have changed them and prepared them for exciting experiences that they know lie ahead.

Schiefelbein, a Pittsburg native, said Pittsburg State exposed him to a wider world.

“It was important for me to be exposed to diverse cultures and different viewpoints,” Schiefelbein said. “It has been enlightening. You find yourself in situations and involved with a wide variety of people. It teaches you how to treat others.”

(My Pittsburg State experience) “helped develop and perfect my leadership skills,” said Niemann, who has served two terms as student body president and this year was the chairperson for the Student Advisory Committee to the Kansas Board of Regents. Niemann’s campus activities are almost too long to list. In addition to her work in student government, she has also held leadership positions in her sorority, Sigma, Sigma, Sigma. She is a member of the Crimson Club, Omicron Delta Kappa, Safe-Ride, University Student Ambassadors, University Choir and Chorale and the Pride of the Plains Marching Band.

Niemann’s many awards and honors include the PSU Honors College Presidential Scholarship, Dean’s Scholastic Honors, National Dean’s List, Golden Gorilla Award, Homecoming Queen Second Attendant, Outstanding Greek Woman Nominee, Outstanding Campus Leader Nominee and the National Sigma, Sigma, Sigma Mabel Lee Walton Leadership Award, which is the highest award given to a collegiate member. Niemann is also a recipient of the Robert Kirchner Rotary Study-Abroad Scholarship for 2007. This scholarship, given by Rotary District #6110, will allow Niemann to continue her post-graduate education abroad following her graduation from PSU.

Schiefelbein has also provided leadership in student government. He has served as vice president, treasurer and legislative affairs director in the Student Government Association. He is a member of the Crimson Club, the Student Foundation Board and the IIASC. Schiefelbein has served as vice president and president of Students Today Alumni Tomorrow and as convocation and outreach chairman of the Homecoming Steering Committee. He is also an active member of the Newman Club.

Schiefelbein’s many awards and honors include the Clyde E. Starkey Scholarship, the O.Gene Bicknell Scholarship, the BKD-LLP Scholarship, the Golden Gorilla Award, Homecoming King semi-finalist, the Academic Achievement Award, and the O’Connell Foundation Scholarship. He has received both Dean’s and All-A academic honors.

Niemann and Schiefelbein agree that the people they have met at Pittsburg State have made all the difference. Niemann noted that Dr. Becky Brannock and the Honors College were important factors in her choice of Pittsburg State.

“The administrators at Pitt State have been very caring,” Niemann said. “They have challenged me and expected things of me. I’ve had a lot of encouragement from them.”

Schiefelbein said that caring attitude and personal attention is available to all students and he advised those following him to take advantage of it.

“Students shouldn’t be afraid to go in and have a conversation with their professors,” Schiefelbein said. “Some of the best advice I got came from instructors.”

The Outstanding Seniors will be honored during commencement exercises May 18-19 and will address the students. They will also have their names added to the Outstanding Senior walk in front of Russ Hall.

Ginger Niemann is the daughter of Eric and Lois Niemann, of Nortonville, Kan. Scot Schiefelbein is the son of Paul and Claudia Schiefelbein, of Pittsburg.

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