Kansas State University’s Black Student Union has been named the best in the Big 12 Conference for the 11th time in 14 years.
The Black Student Union, or BSU, received the Clarence Wine Award for Outstanding Big 12 Council of the Year at the Big XII Council on Black Student Government’s annual conference Feb. 21-24 at the University of Missouri. The award is presented annually to an outstanding undergraduate African-American student government or council in the Big 12 Conference for a serious commitment to unity, academic achievement, scholarship, campus programming and community service.
“Our success has everything to do with our members,” said Del’Sha Roberts, BSU president and senior in biology, from Kansas City, Kansas. “Without the attendance and participation, we would have no one to help us live out our mission statement.”
The Black Student Union’s mission is to focus on the development of the Kansas State University community by advancing academic stability, political action and the leadership of black students while promoting black culture across all aspects of life. The award comes as the Black Student Union is celebrating 50 years of work toward that mission at Kansas State University.
Roberts, who attended Schlagle High School, said it is a great honor to be the president of the Black Student Union and will continue her leadership beyond the university to serve as chair for the Big 12 Council on Black Student Government.
“Our BSU is the epitome of what we want all of our K-State students to be: dedicated, hardworking and servant leaders,” said Brandon Clark, BSU advisor and student programs coordinator in the department of diversity and multicultural student affairs. “To be awarded this great honor year after year by their peer institutions is something all K-Staters should celebrate. I am so grateful to have the opportunity to advise these incredible students.”
In addition to the Wine award, the Legion of Black Collegians and Gaines-Oldham Black Culture Center at the University of Missouri recognized Clark for his 15 years of service and dedication to the Big 12 Council on Black Student Government. Before serving in his current position, Clark worked at the K-State Alumni Association from 2003 to 2009 and the K-State Upward Bound Program from 2009 to 2012.