AN
HONOR
WITH
OPPORTUNITY
Sibberson Award helps recent alumna
with internship in South Africa
By Sarah Towle
[email protected]Emily Juhnke received the Sibberson Award when she graduated with a bachelor of arts degree during fall 2014
commencement. The stipend included with the honor helped Juhnke pay back some student loans and travel
to South Africa for an internship. Photo by Peggy Clark
eing one of the highest academic achievers in a college class is not an easy
task, especially if a student is involved in many extracurricular activities.
The Sibberson Award, established by two generous
sisters, T. Erna and Gretchen Sibberson, shows students
hard work throughout your college career is worth it.
Each sister received a bachelor of arts degree in 1937
from Washburn.
Established in 2002, the Sibberson Award provides a
stipend to the top Washburn students at commencement.
The stipend assists the students in pursuing plans for
the future, such as tuition for graduate studies, travel
expenses or start-up capital for a business.
During spring commencement, the highest-ranking
members of the senior class from the College of Arts
and Sciences, School of Applied Studies, School of
Business and School of Nursing each receive the award.
During fall commencement, the highest-ranking
member of the senior class from all undergraduate
programs receives the honor.
21 Sibberson Award
I know the decision on who receives the award is not
made lightly, so it was a huge honor, said Emily Juhnke,
the fall 2014 award recipient. The award shows hard
work is valued, and it also comes with great opportunity
and responsibility to continue representing Washburn.
She is doing just that on an international level.
After graduation in December, Juhnke left for
Cape Town, South Africa, where she serves as a
public relations and communications intern for the
Hillsong Africa Foundation. The organization works
to serve and restore vulnerable people and situations
in their communities through projects in areas such as
family strengthening, childhood development, skills
development, and relief and response.
She became familiar with the Hillsong Africa
Foundation during a study abroad experience called
Semester at Sea through which she visited 16 cities in 12
countries while living and taking courses on a ship.
I am grateful for the Sibberson Award because I will
be able to use it to pay back student loans and use some
of it to help me with expenses while interning in Africa,
said Juhnke, ba 14.
In addition to making exceptionally high grades
at Washburn, Juhnke was involved in Student Media,
Nonoso and the Washburn Choir.
As a freshman in 2012, she was one of two students
asked to be part of the Washburn University HighImpact Team, which created the Washburn Engage
Initiative giving the campus opportunities for service
and engagement with community partners. She has
also volunteered through her church and at vacation
Bible school.
I always try to put my best effort into whatever I
do, she said. I think having a fulfilling and successful
experience in college requires both being committed to
your academics and being active in other activities and
experiences. Its important to be involved inside and
outside of the classroom.
Juhnke also worked as a student caller at the
Washburn University Foundation and social media
intern in the University Relations office at Washburn.
Awards like the Sibberson are important for
universities to reward student achievement.
Washburn focuses every day on student success,
said Randy Pembrook, vice president for academic
affairs, Washburn. It is important and gratifying to
recognize students when they work hard to reach the
highest levels of academic achievement and service to
the institution. The Sibberson Award is an opportunity
for us to honor these exceptional students who stood
out in their college career and support them in their
future endeavors.
Juhnke said she is appreciative of the scholarships and
assistance she received while in school and is thankful
Washburn is committed to helping its students succeed
during their experience in college and beyond.
My education and experiences at Washburn have
given me the desire not only to pursue a career in the
mass media field, but also to intentionally search for a job
that will allow me to make a positive and lasting impact
on others, Juhnke wrote in her Sibberson essay.
Emily Juhnke, second from left, is a public relations and communications intern for the
Hillsong Africa Foundation in Cape Town, South Africa. She was one of the highest-ranking
members of her class and participated in Student Media, Nonoso and the Washburn Choir.
Sibberson Awards 22
