Highlighting 2024-25 Student Award Recipients

August 6, 2025 - Features

by Kenna McNally | Student Marketing Intern

Ella Rhuems, Jacob McCarty, and Kenna McNally were honored as recipients of their respective awards at the 2025 Dole Lecture in April 2025.

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 2024-2025 academic year.

At the annual Dole Lecture, held on April 16, 2025, 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.

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. This year’s awardee is Kenna McNally, a junior studying digital marketing communications, United States public policy, and business.

Kenna McNally, a member of the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board, received the 2025 Robert J. Dole Service to Country Award.

McNally is a member of the University’s Honors Program and currently serves as the Dole Institute’s Marketing Intern. She also served as the Student Advisory Board Coordinator for the spring 2025 semester, curating programs on media literacy and public education in Kansas. McNally is the Chair of the Student Senate Community Affairs Council and has served as the Communications & Policy Intern at Kansas Action for Children, and the Communications Director for Kansas Young Democrats and former state Rep. Christina Haswood.

“I was honored to be selected as this year’s recipient. The Dole Institute has meant so much to me throughout my time at the University of Kansas,” said McNally, reflecting on her selection. “I strive each day to be a better public servant and leader and I am grateful to the Dole Institute to giving me a space to grow.”

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. Ella Rhuems, a junior studying political science and psychology, was selected as this year’s awardee.

Ella Rhuems, a member of the Dole Institute Student Advisory Board, received the 2025 Elizabeth Dole Public Service Award.

Rhuems is a lifelong Kansan, growing up in Pittsburg. She has served as a Discussion Group Coordinator and Events Assistant at the Dole Institute. She has also completed internships with former Congressman Jake LaTurner and Kansas Action for Children. Rhuems is also a member of Delta Delta Delta women’s fraternity. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and work at the intersection between law and politics.

“I have always been inspired by the work Elizabeth Dole pursued during her political career,” said Rhuems as she reflected on why she chose to apply for this award. “Being involved with the Dole Institute has truly been a highlight of my undergraduate career at KU, and I am incredibly grateful for the many opportunities the Institute has given me.”

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.

Jacob McCarty was the recipient of the Noah Hookstra Memorial Award after being nominated by his peers for his leadership, dedication to the Institute, and compassion. McCarty felt honored to be nominated by his peers for this award: “When I first found out I was nominated, I was very grateful to be recognized by another member of the Student Advisory Board.”

Jacob McCarty, a member of the Student Advisory Board, received the second annual Noah Hookstra Memorial Award.

McCarty is a sophomore studying political science, public administration, and leadership studies. He is originally from Goddard, Kansas and hopes to work in advocacy after graduation. Throughout his undergraduate education, McCarty has served as a Discussion Group Coordinator at the Institute and competed in–and won–the University of Chicago’s Policy Challenge Super Bowl for his team’s policy proposal on substance abuse treatment in Kansas.

Director’s Awards and Special Achievement Awards

At the annual student banquet, held on May 6, 2025, all active students at the Dole Institute gather to celebrate their accomplishments. Several students were recognized for their involvement and dedication to the Institute throughout the year through awards, including the Director’s Awards and special achievement awards.

Seven students were recognized as Director’s Award recipients at this year’s banquet, including: Ava Levin, Amber Brown, Emma Hardesty, Sophia Herrera, Mia Keene, Christopher Winn, and Maddie Zeller. The Director’s Award aims to recognize the most dedicated SAB students, exhibited through their strong leadership and active involvement as a volunteer.

The 2025 Director’s Award recipients – Christopher Winn, Sophia Herrera, Ava Levin, Maddie Zeller, Mia Keene, and Amber Brown (from left).

Four students were also honored with Special Achievement awards from Dole Institute Director Audrey Coleman. This award is given to graduating students who have a record of outstanding contributions to the Dole Institute over several years.

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Braiden Bangalan

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Greta Hayden

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Gabriel Reed

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Matvey Tabakh

Braiden Bangalan served as a Discussion Group Coordinator during the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years, working with several Dole Fellows to develop their respective programming slates. He was also instrumental in curating an off-the-record, student-only discussion group about some of the more contentious political issues of today.

Greta Hayden was a part of the archives department at the Dole Institute for two and a half years, doing an exceptional job of inventorying accruals to the Elizabeth Dole career collections. She consistently went above and beyond, bringing a positive energy to the archives department with her amazing attitude and passion for history.

Gabriel Reed was consistently one of the most dedicated attendees and volunteers at Dole Institute events, even having previously earned a Director’s Award. He not only showed up physically but also always brought a positive spirit to meetings and events, ensuring all felt welcome.

Matvey Tabakh was a part of the Student Advisory Board since his first week at KU, earning him a Director’s Award in 2023 and 2024. His dedication, thoughtfulness, and curiosity always shone through in his informed, well-crafted questions.

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 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 2025 recipients of this assistance are Rita Pham and Ella Rhuems.

Rita Pham, a recipient of the Lacy Internship Assistance Program for her summer internship with the City of Kansas City, Missouri.

Rita Pham recently graduated from the University of Kansas with degrees in political science and East Asian language and cultures. For her honors thesis, Pham conducted an original piece of research studying the discrimination of ethnic minorities in Vietnam. She will be starting law school this fall at George Mason University, pursuing a Juris Doctorate with a concentration in civil rights, immigration, and international law. This summer, Pham is serving as a contract compliance intern for the Kansas City office of Civil Rights and Equal Opportunities. As part of her position, she will be familiarizing herself with ordinances and conducting audits to identify any inconsistencies in wage payments. “I am very excited to contribute to the local Kansas City community and learn more about what a compliance job looks like,” said Pham as she reflected on what she is excited about going into her internship. “This internship enables me to be one step closer to my legal aspirations.”

Ella Rhuems, a recipient of the Lacy Internship Assistance Program for her summer internship with Capitol Hill Consulting Group in Washington, D.C.

Ella Rhuems is a junior studying political science and psychology. After graduation, she plans to attend law school with a focus on criminal and family law. This summer, Rhuems is serving as a policy intern at Capitol Hill Consulting Group in Washington, D.C. As part of her internship, she will attend congressional hearings, track legislation, conduct policy research, and contribute to briefing memos for clients. “I had the opportunity to observe policymaking at the federal level up close and gain valuable experience in the world of lobbying and political strategy,” said Rhuems on her internship. “The [Lacy Internship Assistance Program] allowed me to fully engage with my internship without having to worry about how I’d cover housing, transportation, or day-to-day expenses, truly opening the door to a life-changing professional opportunity.”

Kenna McNally serves as the Marketing & Communications 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 rising senior studying Digital Marketing Communication, Advertising and Public Relations, United States 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.