Six graduates honored for superior achievement and leadership

Six Baker University graduates—Jordan Barth, Beth Baum, Mason Mecke, Taylor Nicholson, Celbi Richardson, and Jackson Stoppel—were named Outstanding Seniors at the May 19 Commencement Ceremony at Liston Stadium. This award recognizes graduates who exhibit superior achievement in academics and leadership.

The Outstanding Seniors received a cash award made possible by the Outstanding Senior Endowed Fund, established through a gift from the Class of 2021.

JORDAN BARTH

Jordan Barth, of Baldwin City, Kansas, majored in human biology. He served as president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity; president of Baker Serves, a community service organization; an Orientation Leader; and a University Admissions Ambassador, and he was a member of the soccer team.

“My goal as the leader of Baker Serves was to take an organization that appeared to die off after the COVID-19 pandemic ended and revitalize it into something that could continue to grow with time,” Barth said.

A nominator said, “In addition to his dedication to the university and in the classroom, he is genuinely kind, understanding, and open minded toward all of his peers. He is appreciated by staff, classmates, and faculty alike.”

Of his time on campus, Barth says his goal was to lay the groundwork so that future students could have an even greater experience than he did. “I truly understand how crucial it is to make this world better and it all starts in our communities. As a Baker University student and a future alumnus, this aspect of Baker’s values is what I believe I have invested the most in and will continue to do so after,” he said.

Barth completed an internship working as an optometric technician at a family vision clinic and plans to attend optometry school.

“As someone who works in the medical world, volunteers, and is pursuing a future in the service industry, I truly understand how crucial it is to make this world better, and it all starts in our communities,” Barth said.

BETH BAUM

Beth Baum of Spring Hill, Kansas, majored in biochemistry and Spanish and minored in math. She graduated summa cum laude. On campus, she served as vice president for intellectual development for the Alpha Chi Omega sorority and as a teaching assistant and tutor in the Department of Chemistry. She also served as a first-generation student body leader for Mungano, Baker’s diversity and inclusion club.

Baum says she was shy when she arrived on campus, but Baker opened her up to the idea of taking chances and learning through experiences. “I got the privilege to study abroad for a semester in Spain, and it was the scariest decision I had made at the time. I went completely alone and knew no one over there. It turned into the greatest adventure I could’ve asked for,” she said.

Baum also values the leadership opportunities and mentoring she experienced. “I was a chemistry tutor and a laboratory teacher’s assistant, and I was able to conduct my research.  These opportunities made me more confident and proud of my science,” she said. “I became more confident and assured of my intelligence, which was very important to me as a first-generation student wanting to go into scientific research.”

Baum served an internship at the University of Kansas Medical Center, which led her to pursue a Ph.D. program for biological engineering in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences at KUMC, where she earned a scholarship. She intends to focus her studies on regenerative medicine.

Of Baum’s accomplishments, a nominator said, “She is the pinnacle of academic achievement, a deep connection maker, and the author of an impactful legacy.”

MASON MECKE

Mason Mecke, of Tulsa, Oklahoma, majored in biology and minored in chemistry. He graduated summa cum laude. Mecke served as chapter president and vice president of programming of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity and served Student Senate as class president all four years. He was a member of the basketball team, conducted independent research, and served as an intern for a research project funded by the National Science Foundation.

Outside of Baker he was a Child Life Services volunteer at The Children’s Hospital at Saint Francis in Tulsa and volunteered at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County.

“He is one of those people that cares more about others than himself and is always willing to help out in any way possible,” said one of his nominators.

Mecke says that when he joins a new organization or community, he enters it with the goal of leaving things better than he found them, and he strove to do that at Baker. “In the process, Baker has also left me better than it found me,” he said. “I have grown immensely in both my vocal leadership and confidence. Today, I am a much better man than the day I first stepped foot on campus. I will forever be thankful for my amazing peers and incredible staff at Baker University for believing in me and giving me endless opportunities to succeed.”

Mecke will attend the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine to pursue an M.D. degree and hopes to one day practice medicine as a pediatrician.

TAYLOR NICHOLSON

Taylor Nicholson, from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, majored in mass media and minored in business. She graduated magna cum laude. Her impact on fellow students was felt through her roles of resident assistant and an assistant hall director and as a member of the Student Senate Executive Board. She was a videographer and anchor for Baker Orange Video and completed an internship as a news reporter at KSNT in Topeka.

Nicholson values the transformative experience she had on campus. “Professors in my department expanded my thinking to a global perspective, challenged my ideas, and encouraged me in both my strengths and weaknesses. I couldn’t have asked for a better learning environment than I had at Baker University,” she said. “I have aimed to leave behind as positive a mark as Baker has impressed on me. The people whom I have met throughout my Baker experience have inspired me to leave a lasting legacy of kindness, acceptance, and leadership.”

“She embodies what it means to be fully present both in the classroom and around campus as a Baker University student,” said one nominator.

Using what she learned as a mass media student, Nicholson has built a photography and videography business for the past three years. Following graduation she will continue filming weddings through her business. She has also been hired as an associate videographer for two videography companies in Kansas City. “I am excited to use what I have learned at Baker to tell others’ stories,” she said.

CELBI RICHARDSON

Celbi Richardson, from Hesston, Kansas, majored in international business, economics, and business finance. She graduated summa cum laude. On campus she was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority, served as the president of Panhellenic, and was a University Admissions Assistant and an Orientation Leader. Off campus she served as an inventory specialist intern at Turkey Creek Golf Course. Last fall, she presented a research paper at the Missouri Valley Economics Conference. She considers that presentation and the research that went into it as one of her most impactful educational experiences.

In addition to her leadership roles, Richardson fostered connections on campus by attending athletic events and participating in Mungano events and community service activities. “I am proud to have embraced the university’s mission and am confident that I have contributed to creating a campus environment where students can thrive across all areas,” she said. “I am committed to living the values of academic excellence and lifelong learning. By actively engaging in my coursework, participating in extracurricular activities, and seeking out opportunities for personal and professional development, I strive to create a quality learning environment for myself and my peers.”

One of her nominators said, “She stands out for her ability to create and maintain the most genuine relationships with those around her.”

Richardson has accepted a position with the Office of the Comptroller of Currency as an assistant national bank examiner in Overland Park, Kansas, and she will pursue a master’s degree in business administration at Lake Erie College in Ohio.

JACKSON STOPPEL

Jackson Stoppel, from Holcombe, Kansas, majored in physics, mathematics, and chemistry and graduated summa cum laude. He was a member of the Student Senate Executive Board and the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He served as an Orientation Leader and a parMentor. Stoppel conducted a four-semester independent research project developing an avionics system for a rocket and served as an intern for a Tardigrade research project funded by the National Science Foundation. Last summer he completed a Missouri University Chemistry Fellowship.

“One of the great qualities of Baker is the relationships with faculty that you build. This tight-knit style of learning is very beneficial, as you have unprecedented access to very knowledgeable people at your fingertips,” Stoppel said. “As I am pursuing a career in academia, I hope to carry this trait with me. I have seen the difference it can make in an individual’s academic career.”

One of Stoppel’s nominators said, “He goes well beyond what is expected of him as a student.” This is evident in his work helping to develop lecture notes and solution sets for students in upper-level math and physics courses.

“I’ve tried my best to make a contribution to the university, though it will never match what Baker has done for me,” Stoppel said.

Stoppel will attend the University of Oklahoma to pursue a Ph.D. in physics. “My long-term goal is to work as a physicist at a university. I’ve found a career path that I am very happy with through a long trial and error process at Baker,” he said.