Columbia Southern University recently awarded its second annual Outstanding Safety Professional of the Year Award to student and Air Force Staff Sgt. Brett Kiser.
“I’m truly humbled and proud to represent CSU, which has enabled myself and others to foster a safe work environment, even while deployed in austere and hostile conditions,” said Kiser, who is currently serving in Iraq.
CSU established this award in 2016 in conjunction with National Safety Month to recognize its occupational safety and health students and graduates for their commitment to safety, professionalism and their accomplishments within the industry.
Runners-up for the contest were students Jason Eaves of Manhattan, Kansas and Tricia Sweat of Costa Mesa, California. All three students work as safety managers or specialists. Kiser is pursuing a bachelor’s degree while Sweat and Eaves are working on their master’s degrees in occupational safety and health at CSU.
Both runners-up were thrilled about the recognition.
“It’s an honor to be recognized and respected for what I do every day,” said Sweat, who works for a manufacturer of packaging for commercial products.
“I am glad CSU did something like this for its students. I am very honored,” added Eaves, who is employed by the city of Manhattan.
More than 230 impassioned nominations were sent in as students and recent alumni vied for the honor of Outstanding Safety Professional. The winner and runners-up were judged by CSU occupational safety and health faculty members based on their dedication, professionalism and accomplishments in the field.
Overall, 25 finalists in the competition will be recognized as honorable mention winners. They included:
Francisco Correa Hernandez
Anthony Blodgett
Nathan Benson
Jeff Munford
Kevin McCann
Charles Branch
David Combs
Bobby Sclater
Aaron Vincent
Wardell Wright
Jason Sedivy
Eric St.Pierre
Jessica Schaefer
Ahmed Afifi
Raghuvaran Chakkravarthy
James Ramer
Glenn Speight
Michael Berry
Jennifer Staub Morin
Robert Jones
Scott Gable
Brian Hartlep
