Magallon Named Threlkeld Recipient as Top Senior

Colorado State University-Pueblo has named Thais Magallon as the 2018 recipient of the Threlkeld Prize for Excellence. The seven finalists were selected from a pool of candidates compiled from nominations by CSU-Pueblo faculty and staff from various University departments. Magallon was announced as the winner of the Threlkeld Prize for Excellence at the Student Involvement and Leadership Awards ceremony on Wednesday, April 25 in Hoag Recital Hall.

Named for the late Budge Threlkeld, a former administrator and professor, the award is presented to a graduating senior who demonstrates excellence in academic and co-curricular activities as well as in service to the University and to the community. The Threlkeld winner will receive a stipend as well as the first diploma during Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday, May 5 at the Colorado State Fair Events Center.

Pueblo native Thais Magallon will pursue a Master of Social Work degree after she graduates summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) in May with dual degrees in social work and Spanish. Thais works as a bilingual victim advocate for Pueblo Child Advocacy Center providing for Pueblo’s most innocent victims. She has received academic honors and acknowledgements from the Spanish department and College of Humanities and Social Sciences, been inducted into the Alpha Lambda Delta National Academic Honor Society as well as the Sigma Delta Pi Hispanic National Honor Society, where she serves as co-president. Magallon also was a Kane Family Foundation Scholar during her career at CSU-Pueblo.

The six other finalists for the Threlkeld Prize for Excellence included:

Teagan Boda, Pueblo West, will graduate magna cum laude (3.8 GPA) with degrees in political science and art history with minors in homeland security and psychology. Teagan is a member of the Phi Alpha Theta History Club, National Society of Leadership and Success, Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society, and volunteers with Girl Scouts of America and tutors children grades 1-10 at Pueblo Christian Academy. Teagan has participated in national student conferences presenting original works in history and political science, and studied abroad in several European countries, and was awarded the prestigious Smithsonian Internship in 2017.

James Edwards, Fountain, will graduate summa cum laude (4.0 grade point average) with dual degrees in psychology and sociology. Edwards is a veteran of the U.S. Army, active from 2010-2016 as an airborne infantryman. He was born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico and is a first-generation student, a member of the Student Veterans of America and Military Veteran Affairs Team both with the goal of providing scholarships and services to better assist veteran students at CSU-Pueblo.

Joshua Greer, Pueblo, will graduate summa cum laude (3.9 GPA) with a degree in computer information systems with an emphasis in cybersecurity and data analytics. Greer is a member of the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society and the Upsilon Pi Epsilon computing and information systems international honor society. Joshua played on both the CSU-Pueblo football team and the soccer team making the 2013 Athletic Director’s Honor Roll. Additionally, Joshua participated in the National Cyber League competition with the CSU-Pueblo team placing 6th in the nation among other participating colleges, giving the school national recognition for excellence in cybersecurity.

Shaylyn Grega, Phoenix, AZ, will graduate summa cum laude (3.99 grade point average) with degrees in political science, sociology, and Spanish and a minor in homeland security studies. Grega played for the women’s CSU-Pueblo lacrosse team which regularly worked with youth hosting lacrosse clinics, engaging youth from the Boys & Girls Clubs, and serving military veterans meals. Shaylyn works in the campus Sheriff’s office maintaining campus security and serves as a Spanish tutor with the General Education Tutoring Center and Writing Room.

Mikala Morris, Tempe, AZ, will graduate summa cum laude (4.0 GPA) as one of 25 honor program graduates with three degrees in mass communications, political science, and Spanish. Mikala played Pack volleyball and served as team captain her senior year, was awarded the corporate scholar athlete of the year and CSU-Pueblo Pack team player of the year in both 2014 and 2015. As a tutor for students needing help in Spanish and political science, Mikala logged 200 hours of training and over 500 hours of tutoring helping more than 40 students with their studies and is an intern for the Pueblo County Economic Development and Geographic Information Systems department, where she organizes and markets the Buy in Pueblo campaign, and for CSU-Pueblo’s External Affairs office translating university documents from English to Spanish.

David Mould, Upminster, Essex, London, UK, will graduate summa cum laude (3.95 grade point average) with both an undergraduate and graduate degree in business administration. He is the first student to complete the 3+2 program in just 3 years. David played on the tennis team and served as team captain his senior year, interned at Pueblo Bank & Trust, and received the Beta Gamma Sigma student of the year award (2017). David has been involved in several child-focused community events and works in the CSU-Pueblo Center for International Programs actively recruiting students from the UK.

Colorado State University - Pueblo is committed to excellence, setting the standard for regional comprehensive universities in teaching, research, and service by providing leadership and access for its region, while maintaining its commitment to diversity.