The Fort Hays State University Alumni Office proudly announced its 2025 commencement award recipients during a press conference Tuesday morning in the Memorial Union. Family, friends, and the FHSU community gathered to celebrate the tremendous achievements of this year’s Torch, Lighthouse, and Pilot Award recipients, recognizing the outstanding efforts and achievements of FHSU students and faculty throughout the 2024-25 academic year.
Ella Burrows, a senior political science major, received the Torch Award, and Allyson Baloga earned this year’s Lighthouse Award as an exceptional graduate student earning an education specialist degree in school psychology.
Eric Deneault was honored with the Pilot Award for his work as a faculty member in the Department of Applied Technology.
Torch Award
Ella Burrows is a Fort Hays State University senior majoring in Political Science with a pre-law concentration from Satanta. As a fourth-generation Tiger, Ella takes great pride in her family’s long-standing connection to FHSU, with 17 degrees earned and counting. Interestingly, her mother, Karen (Meier) Burrows, was honored with the Torch Award in 1998.
Throughout Ella’s time at Fort Hays State, she has held significant leadership roles, including two consecutive terms as Student Government Association president. Serving in this position has allowed Ella to advocate for the university at local, state, and national levels, including representing FHSU at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities Day in Washington, D.C.
Ella is proud of her involvement in coordinating the Kansas Student Government Conference and creating the FHSU Period Project, supplying free period products to the university campus.
“Perhaps more important than earning exemplary grades, Ella enjoys learning new things and seeks out opportunities to expand her knowledge in diverse areas,” said Wendy Rohleder-Sook, chair of the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science.
Aside from participating in the Student Government Association, Ella has been an active Delta Zeta sorority member, serving in multiple leadership positions. She has also participated in on-campus organizations such as Pi Sigma Alpha (a political science honor society), Order of Omega, and Phi Kappa Phi. Ella has received the Newman Civic Fellowship and the Florence Hood Milner Award during her studies at FHSU. As Ella prepares to attend Washburn University to earn a law degree, she is committed to maintaining her leadership skills in the future.
Lighthouse Award
Allyson Baloga is a graduate student at Fort Hays State, earning her education specialist degree in school psychology. As a military spouse, Allyson has worked hard to follow her dream of becoming a school psychologist. Allyson’s thoughtful approach to academic endeavors, advocacy efforts, and service to others has shone through her work at FHSU and in her military community. Her contributions to the field of school psychology include coauthoring an article featured in “Communiqué,” the journal of the National Association of School Psychologists, and presenting at a national conference. Allyson has provided legislative testimony advocating for improved access to school psychology services, especially for military families, a cause close to her heart.
“Allyson demonstrates unmatched reliability, initiative, and organizational skills,” said Whitney Whitaker, Department of Psychology chair. “She handles her responsibilities with the poise and expertise of an experienced professor.”
Allyson serves as a student leader for NASP (National Association of School Psychologists), and a senate member of the FHSU Online Student Government Association, where she connects with fellow online FHSU students. Allyson is a graduate teaching assistant, regularly supporting faculty with grading, course monitoring, course refinement, and student support. Faculty members frequently comment on Allyson’s reliability, her ability to inspire and engage students, and her skill to create a supportive and inclusive learning environment. Allyson exemplifies the spirit of the Lighthouse Award and remains dedicated to making a difference in the field of school psychology as her career progresses.
Pilot Award
Eric Deneault believes teaching is more than books and lectures – it’s about making a lasting impact on a student’s life. Eric realized education was his calling as a freshman in high school when he stepped into his first drafting class and experienced learning in a way he hadn’t before. Everything clicked when he realized education could be engaging, rigorous, and rewarding. Each day in his applied technology classes, Eric strives to cultivate lifelong learners who will thrive in their careers, contribute meaningfully to society, and carry forward the spirit of mentorship and growth.
“He connects with students not just intellectually, but personally. He motivates, challenges, and supports them every step of the way,” said Kim Stewart, Department of Applied Technology chair. “He doesn’t just teach students; he believes in them, and in turn, they believe in themselves.”
Students often comment on Eric’s deep knowledge of engineering drawings, architectural and mechanical design, computer-aided drafting, and the building construction industry. However, his supportive and motivating teaching style keeps students engaged in learning. Despite having to work hard, Eric’s one-on-one approach helps students thoroughly enjoy his classes.
Beyond the classroom, Eric has had several scholarly pieces published locally, nationally, and internationally, and regularly presents his research at conferences. His service work in the community is notable, with participation in the “Grow Hays” initiative and his work with Kansas, regional, and national educators.
“To my students, past and present, you are the reason I chose this occupation.” Eric said, “Watching you grow into successful professionals and outstanding human beings is the most rewarding aspect of my career.”
Fort Hays State faculty and staff nominate Torch Award and Lighthouse Award candidates based on classroom excellence, leadership, participation in campus, community, or national organizations, and student, civic, or research activities. Awardees are selected by a committee of FHSU faculty and staff from a pool of nominated students.
The Torch Award recognizes an outstanding senior, which includes May 2025 graduating seniors or students who graduated in December 2024. The Lighthouse Award recognizes an outstanding graduate student who is graduating.
Pilot Award candidates are nominated by graduating seniors based on classroom excellence, ongoing research, and service activities. They are selected by a committee of graduating seniors, faculty, and Alumni Office representatives.
To learn more about the commencement awards or to view a list of past recipients, visit fhsualumni.com/commencement-awards or contact our office at alumni@fhsu.edu or 785-628-4430.