Jay Gragnani
Highlighting 2023-24 Student Award Recipients
July 31, 2024 - Features
by Kenna McNally | Student Marketing Intern
Amber Brown, Sophia Herrera, and Kenna McNally were honored as recipients of their respective awards at the 2024 Dole Lecture in April 2024.
This spring, several students were honored with awards and recognition for their dedication to the Dole Institute of Politics and the Student Advisory Board during the 2023-2024 school year. At the annual Dole Lecture, which was held on April 16, 2024, three students were honored as recipients of the Robert J. Dole Service to Country Award, the Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award, and the Noah Hookstra Memorial Award.
Later in April, several students were recognized for receiving a Dole Institute Director’s Award and/or a Dole Institute Special Achievement Award. In addition to all of these awards, the Dole Institute is financially assisting three students who have secured internships for the 2024 summer through the Lacy Internship Assistance Program.
Robert J. Dole Service to Country Award
Established by John D. Pinegar, Douglas E. Smith, and Pinegar, Smith & Associates, Inc., the Robert J. Dole Service to Country Award recognizes and rewards an active SAB with a demonstrated commitment to public service and leadership. Sophia Herrera, a sophomore studying political science and Spanish, was selected as this year’s awardee.
Sophia Herrera, a member of the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board, is the recipient of the 2024 Robert J. Dole Service to Country Award.
Herrera, a member of the University’s Honors Program, is heavily involved as a volunteer at the Dole Institute and previously interned with Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas. Her lifelong dedication to volunteering and community service through projects including, but not limited to, the Kansas City Pet Project, the Mattie Rhodes Center, and the KU Young Democrats Club made her an ideal candidate for this award.
“In my short time at KU, I have also done my best to make a positive impact among my fellow classmates and students through leadership and responsibility,” Herrera said as she reflected on how these experiences allowed her to have a positive impact on her community and shape herself as she has matured. “These experiences and future projects are aiding me in finding my voice and making a dutiful impact at KU and beyond for those I have the privilege to serve.”
Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award
Established by John D. Pinegar, Douglas E. Smith, and Kathleen M. Smith, the Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award recognizes and rewards an active SAB member with a proven commitment to civic engagement, education, and public service. Kenna McNally, a junior studying Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, public policy, and business, was selected as this year’s awardee.
Kenna McNally, a member of the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board, received the 2024 Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award.
McNally is also a part of the KU Honors Program and serves as the Dole Institute’s Marketing Intern, where she creates promotional materials, photographs all evening programs, and supports other student workers in various tasks. She has previously served as the Communications Director for Christina Haswood’s 2022 House campaign and as a Legislative Assistant for Rep. Haswood during the 2023 session.
“It was humbling to have been selected as this year’s recipient. I am so grateful for this recognition and all the opportunities the Dole Institute has provided me,” said McNally, reflecting on her selection. “Civic engagement and volunteerism have been important to me for many years and the Dole Institute supports me in keeping them an active part of my life.”
The Noah Hookstra Memorial Award
The Noah Hookstra Memorial Award was crafted by former Student Advisory Board Coordinators Allie Haggar and Catherine Magaña to honor the legacy of the late Noah Hookstra – a dedicated and passionate member of the SAB for several years before his passing in the spring of 2023.
Amber Brown received the inaugural Noah Hookstra Memorial Award after being nominated by her peers for her leadership, dedication to the Institute, and compassion. When Brown found out she had been nominated for this award she was in a bit of shock, “I was not expecting to be nominated, let alone receive the award,” she said. “Knowing the eligibility criteria, I am very honored to have been nominated.”
Amber Brown, a Ph.D. candidate and member of the Student Advisory Board, received the inaugural Noah Hookstra Memorial Award.
Brown is a doctoral student preparing to take the comprehensive exam and begin her dissertation program that will focus on the health disparities Black women face in the United States. Before joining KU’s PhD program, Brown received her undergraduate degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Gender, Literature, and Culture from the University of Alabama in 2014. In 2018, she earned her first Master’s in Anthropology and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Brandeis University. After receiving her first Master’s, Brown moved to Lawrence to become a doctorate student at the University of Kansas in 2019. Since 2019, she has obtained a second Master’s degree in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and a Master’s of Public Administration.
Director’s Awards and Special Achievement Awards
At the annual Student Advisory Board banquet, held on April 30, 2024, all active SAB members gathered – and weathered a tornado warning – to celebrate their accomplishments. Students were recognized for their dedication throughout the year with awards, including the Director’s Awards and special achievement awards.
Twelve students received Director’s Awards at this year’s banquet, including: Nathan Binshtok, Amber Brown, Madi Dunn, Robert Eppler, Jay Gragnani, Sophia Herrera, Olivia Lara, Kris Long, Jacob McCarty, Andy Propeck, Gabriel Reed, and Ella Rheums. The Director’s Award aims to recognize the most dedicated SAB students, exhibited through their strong leadership and active involvement as a volunteer.
Five students were also honored with Special Achievement awards from Dole Institute Director Audrey Coleman. This award is given to graduating SAB members who have a record of outstanding contributions to the Dole Institute spanning several years.
Jay Gragnani was the most frequent SAB volunteer for all six of his semesters at KU and also a three-time Director’s Award recipient.
Rachel Creighton served as a Discussion Group Coordinator during the 2023-2024 school year, where she worked with Dole Fellow Karen Willey to develop the Spring 2024 slate of Discussion Group programming. She also has an extensive record of involvement in the SAB, including acting as SAB Service Chair.
Olivia Lara is a two-time recipient of the Director’s Award and the 2023 recipient of the Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award. She was one of the most involved SAB volunteers and served as the SAB’s Social Chair this past academic year.
Raina Peter first worked at the Dole Institute as a Discussion Group Coordinator before becoming an Outreach assistant. No matter the task, Raina always stepped up to the challenge and showed drive and positivity, even in the face of obstacles.
Allie Haggar worked in various roles at the Dole Institute during her undergraduate studies. Most recently, she served as the Institute’s SAB Coordinator, where she was an incredibly dedicated leader who helped make the SAB and the Dole Institute a meaningful place for everyone.
Lacy Internship Assistance Program
The Lacy Internship Assistance Program was established in 2012 with the support of Chuck and Diane Frickey in honor of Director Emeritus Bill Lacy, who served as a Director of the Dole Institute from 2004 to 2022. This program is available to all KU students in pursuit of careers in public service, politics, museum/archival studies, or related fields. The summer 2024 recipients of this assistance are DaNae Estabine, Charlie Johnson, and Gabriel Reed.
DaNae Estabine is a senior studying psychology, philosophy, and business. During this past school year she served as the Student Body Vice President. This summer, Estabine is working in the office of the Kansas Attorney General, Kris Kobach, where she is a part of the Criminal Division, specifically economic crimes. Through her internship, she has the opportunity to attend court hearings, file cases, and write case summaries. “I’m excited for this internship as it will better equip me for my career path,” Estabine said as she reflected on her internship.
Charlie Johnson is a senior studying history, political science, and religious studies with a focus on Middle Eastern religious minority communities in the context of religious persecution and genocide. This summer, Johnson is serving as a Research and Events Intern with the Politics & Society Institute, a political think tank in Amman, Jordan. Johnson is a three-time recipient of the Lacy Internship Assistance Program and he is continually grateful for this support as it has allowed him many opportunities, “I cannot express how instrumental the program has been to both my academic and professional growth,” he said. “From Morocco to DC and now Jordan, the Lacy Internship Program has followed me around the world.”
Gabriel Reed is a senior studying economics and music with plans to pursue a graduate degree in economics. This summer, Reed is interning at the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City as an analyst intern where he will summarize and present data relating to internal operations. The Lacy Internship program was a vital piece of Reed’s success this summer, “I am extremely grateful to the Dole Institute for this assistance program…this program has made securing [this internship] feasible for me.”
Kenna McNally serves as the Marketing Intern for the Dole Institute of Politics. Through this role, Kenna works closely with all student workers and Institute guests to prepare and distribute marketing materials and event photographs. She is a junior studying Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, public policy, and business.
About the Dole Institute
The Robert J. Dole Institute of Politics, a vibrant forum for civil discourse, civic engagement, and idea exchange across the political spectrum, features historical archives, exhibits, and public programs for all ages. Inspired by the public service of native Kansan, veteran, legislator, and statesman Senator Bob Dole and his wife Senator Elizabeth Dole, visitor galleries feature changing exhibits, the Kansas Veterans Virtual Memory Wall, architectural-scale stained glass American flag, and September 11 memorial.
The Dole Institute is committed to universal accessibility in all programs and resources. We are in the process of making all of our web projects fully accessible. An accessible version of the material represented on this site will be made available upon request. Please contact us at doleinstitute@ku.edu to request the material be made available in an accessible format, or for general assistance.