HELENA - Carroll College is pleased to present the prestigious Raymond G. Hunthausen Outstanding Service Award to three deserving students who have made outstanding contributions to Carroll and their communities, plus two honorable mentions. The selection committee chooses students who work to improve the lives of others through their own unselfish commitment of time, energy and compassion. This year’s recipients are Courteney Boyle, Taylor Leistiko, and Francie Tupper.
Courteney Boyle from Yakima, Wash., graduated summa cum laude from the nursing program. She spent over two years at Carroll with the Hunthausen Center for Peace and Justice coordinating Service Saturdays and other student service opportunities with the local community, while participating in many herself. When asked about her involvement in service, Boyle said, “Service has always filled up my cup. It has helped me understand how much I love to serve others and how important it is to give back to the community. Additionally, service (to me) isn't just a list of activities I have done, but rather a mindset that I have adopted to be caring and compassionate toward others.”
Taylor Leistiko from Missoula, Mont., graduated cum laude with a major in biology. She has served as president of the Pre Med Club, was a CAMP leader, and a mentor to new Carroll students. She has never hesitated to help those in need in the Helena community and on Carroll College's campus, and has volunteered with multiple organizations including Helena Girls Youth Softball, Habitat for Humanity, and the Mayfly Project which teaches fly fishing to foster children. Leistiko’s nomination letter stated, “Taylor Leistiko puts others’ needs above her own. Her heart is as big as they get and she shares her love to those willingly, just by giving a helping hand. Her commitment to others and the organizations she is a part of show how dedicated she is to helping people and to showing kindness and love along the way. Her service may not be recognized by many, but her impact has left a mark on those that she encounters.”
Francie Tupper of Helena, Mont., graduated summa cum laude with a double major in psychology and Spanish. Francie has always been an impassioned advocate for and supporter of those in need. She was a lead officer both for the Carroll College Gay-Straight Alliance, and Psychology and Wellness Club, and has worked tirelessly to create a positive campus environment for all members of Carroll’s community. Examples of her work include organizing campus events, coordinating mental health outreach efforts for students and faculty, advocating for the marginalized, and collaborating with various campus services in order to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment for all. In addition, Tupper was a Montessori teacher's aide, a neuro-psychological assessment tech, and a member of several Honor Societies.
In addition, two students were recognized as Honorable Mentions. Riley Dowdy from Fort Collins, Colo., graduated magna cum laude from the nursing program and was a two-year Peer Minister. Mariama Manneh from Joliet, Mont., a graduate of the Accelerated Nursing program was recognized for her work running a foundation that sponsors young girls to attend vocational school as well as provide water sources to disadvantaged communities in South Africa.
This prestigious award for community service, presented to deserving students who make outstanding contributions to the college or a community, has been a Carroll tradition since 1986. The award was named for Archbishop Raymond G. Hunthausen because of his exemplary commitment to peace and justice in his personal and professional life and his strong pastoral care for all people.
Carroll College is a private, Catholic, liberal arts and pre-professional college in Montana's capital city of Helena. Carroll College has earned top national and regional awards for its academic programs, professors and extraordinary tuition value. For eleven years in a row, Carroll has been ranked as the number one regional college in the West by U.S. News & World Report.