Women's History Month Reception and Awards Ceremony
Emporia, KS (03/27/2025) — Join the Emporia community in celebration of the 2025 Women's History Month Reception and Awards Ceremony on Friday, March 28. The recipients of this year's Ruth Schillinger Award, Dr. Mary F. Headrick Award, and Susan B. Anthony Scholarship also will be honored. The event will be from 2 to 3:30 p.m. in the Intercultural Center Lounge on the first floor of ESU's Memorial Union.
The first reception took place in March 1996 when the first Schillinger Award was presented to Ruth Schillinger herself. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Schillinger Award.
The Ruth Schillinger Award is named after a former Dean of Women and ESU's first Affirmative Action officer. To earn this award an individual must make extraordinary contributions to the women of Emporia State over a sustained period.
This year's recipient of the Ruth Schillinger Award is Dr. Katherine Iselin, assistant professor and program director of art. In addition to serving as interior director of art, Iselin teaches art history courses in the ESU art program. Iselin's research explores themes of gender and sexuality in visual and material culture, primarily through the reception and collecting of ancient art in later periods. She has published and presented on a wide range of topics, from the ancient periods of Europe and the Americas to early modern collectors, particularly women. She also curates exhibitions in the ESU Eppink and Gilson art galleries, most recently "Art for a Modern Age," which presented works from the ESU art program collection alongside objects from ESU science collections and the Lyon County History Center. As an archaeologist, she is affiliated with the Athienou Archaeological Project, which excavates at the site of Athienou-Malloura in Cyprus.
The Mary Headrick Award is named after a former counselor in the Emporia State University Counseling Center, who was known for helping women reach their full potential. This award is designed for those who make a long-term commitment to promoting the growth of women at ESU and in the community.
This year's recipient of the Mary Headrick award is Kenna Reeves, who is known professionally for service to Emporia community leadership and civic organizations, frequently presenting workshops on a variety of communication topics and working with high school communication, forensics, debate and theatre programs throughout the state. Reeves has served twice as the president of a nationally affiliated Kansas Speech Communication Association organization. Her areas of interest and expertise are public speaking apprehension, the cultivation theory, teaching pedagogy, public speaking, strategic planning and nonverbal communication. She has published articles about basic interpersonal communication skills and academic advising with intercultural students. She has also been involved with the Kansas Leadership Center.
Finally, the Susan B. Anthony Scholarship is awarded to an ESU student who has contributed significantly to the growth and education of women on the ESU campus, while achieving academic excellence.
Receiving the scholarship for this year is Kaylee Foote, an incoming student for fall 2025.
The reception will also honor the legacy of Ginny Higgins, who was an associate professor in the Communication Program and the director of the ethnic and gender studies program from 1999-2008.
Friends and family of award recipients, students and community members are welcome to join ESU as we honor dedicated and amazing women.
About Emporia State University
Emporia State University offers a range of academic programs through its institute and seven schools: Applied Health Sciences, Business & Technology, Humanities & Social Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, Library and Information Management & Library and Archives, Science & Mathematics and Visual and Performing Arts, along with The Teachers College.
As the sole public university in Kansas to be recognized as a College of Distinction for eight consecutive years, ESU stands out for its innovative education practices. It ensures accessible education by offering in-state tuition rates to full-time undergraduate students from all lower-48 United States. Additionally, full-time undergraduates benefit from flat-rate tuition - students enrolled in 12 or more credit hours with at least one credit hour on campus pay a flat rate.
For more information on how to build your future at Emporia State University, please visit www.emporia.edu.
Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
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