Voelkers receive honors at Dakota Wesleyan University

KateLynn Slaamot
NLJ Correspondent
 
Wyatt Voelker and Lexus Voelker, son and daughter of Ryan and Donna Voelker, recently received recognition and honor at Dakota Wesleyan University. 
Wyatt, who just finished his senior year at DWU with a bachelor’s degree in wildlife management, received the university’s Scotchman Award, a highly competitive award given only to seniors of exemplary character and academic achievement, at the school’s awards ceremony on April 30. According to Donna, the students must have a grade point average of at least 3.25, and they must be known for serving the community and taking part in campus activities. 
“Those eligible submit a resume of activities and awards, and a student-senate-appointed panel chooses the top male and female candidates. The top candidates are interviewed by a committee of students, staff and faculty who choose the winners,” Donna said. 
Lexus, a sophomore at DWU, with junior credits, was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Lexus received a letter in the mail notifying her of her induction, and there was a small ceremony on April 28. She is majoring in elementary education at DWU. 
“I was honestly surprised when I got it,” Lexus said. 
Lexus said that only the top 7.5% of juniors and top 10% of seniors are inducted into the honor society. Inductions are awarded mainly based on academic excellence. 
The siblings are both involved in campus life. Some of Wyatt’s include DWU Resident Life, Ministry Council, Conservation Club, golf and McGovern Engagement Group. Lexus is involved in Leadership Team, a women’s ministry group called Delight, and Future Teacher Organization. 
Both Wyatt and Lexus expressed excitement and gratitude for the honors. 
“It just means a lot. (It) made me feel good that people actually appreciated the work that I did,” Wyatt said, noting that his goal is to always treat others with kindness and respect. 
Lexus said that academics have always been very important to her and being recognized for her hard work was meaningful. 
Their parents are also very proud of the accomplishments of their kids — not only in college but also their entire school careers. Lexus and Wyatt were both consistently on the A honor roll. Wyatt was prom king at Newcastle High School, and he also took part in FFA, going to nationals in his last year of high school where he took eighth place, according to Donna. Lexus was also an honor society member in high school and went to nationals with FBLA when she was a senior at NHS. Lexus also received valedictorian honors when she graduated from high school. 
“We are so very proud of them,” Donna said. “What more could a parent ask for?” 
In addition, Wyatt is only the third person in DWU history to be crowned homecoming king and receive the Scotchman Award. 
However, beyond all of Lexus’ and Wyatt’s outstanding accomplishments, Ryan and Donna said that they are most proud of the character of their children and the young adults they have become. 
“We are mostly proud of Wyatt and Lexus because of the young man and woman they have become. They work hard and strive to do their best. They put a lot of effort in to everything they do,” Donna said. 
Donna noted that both Lexus and Wyatt are kind and caring to those around them. 
Wyatt and Lexus credit both their hard work and the involvement of their parents for their success in life, they said. 
“They’ve always pushed me to do my best,” Lexus said. 
Ryan and Donna said they have always been intentional about being involved in the lives of their three children, Wyatt, Lexus and Mercedes, and encourage them in whatever they choose to do. 
Wyatt has been accepted into graduate school at Nichols State University, where he is going to pursue a master’s degree. After that, he hopes to come back to the Midwest and research predator conservation. 
Lexus is going to graduate a semester early, and she hopes to find substitute teaching jobs for the remainder of that school year. After that, she hopes to find a teaching job and eventually pursue a master’s degree.