Recent Recipients
2025 Award Winners
W. Jared Balady ‘15
W. Jared Balady plays a lead role in managing all financial, accounting, and information technology aspects of both Stockmens Bank in Colorado Springs, Colo., and its parent company, First Bancshares, Inc. (FBSI) in Mountain Grove, Mo.
Balady was a four-year cross country and indoor/outdoor track and field athlete and graduated from Wayne State in 2015 with a bachelor’s degree in public accounting. Shortly after the birth of his first child, in the interest of career advancement, he pursued and obtained his CPA license in the State of Colorado.
Balady and his wife, Taylor (also a Wayne State graduate), have two daughters, Nora and Ella. He enjoys spending his free time competing professionally in triathlons and exploring the mountains of Colorado.
Brianna (Annie) Buesing ‘15
Brianna (Annie) Buesing is a passionate mental health practitioner with six years of experience serving children, adolescents, and families. In April 2025, she founded Holding Space LLC, her private practice, which was named to emphasize the importance she places on allowing people to come as they are and feel supported as they pursue healing and mental wellness. She lives in Fremont with her husband, their two girls, and their dog.
Dr. Bryant Carlson ‘18
A native of Fremont, Dr. Bryant Carlson is currently a family medicine and obstetrics physician at Boone County Health Center in Albion. Carlson earned his bachelor’s degree in Chemistry Health Science from Wayne State in 2018 while participating in the Rural Health Opportunities Program (RHOP). He later earned his M.D. from the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) in 2022. After medical school, he completed his family medicine residency with the UNMC Rural Training Track in Scottsbluff at Regional West Health Services.
After his residency, Carlson chose to return to his roots in rural Nebraska and provide full-spectrum family medicine care in Albion, St. Edward, and the surrounding communities served by Boone County Health Center. His special interests in obstetrics, inpatient medicine, and geriatrics align perfectly with the diverse needs of the rural community, and his education at Wayne State is the foundation for his incredibly rewarding career and passion for community service.
Carlson is also passionate about teaching future healthcare providers, including resident physicians, medical students, physician assistant and nurse practitioner students, something instilled in him by many of the faculty at Wayne State. He finds it especially rewarding to be able to teach and learn from fellow Wayne State alumni in the healthcare field.
Catherine (Wilmes) Clark ‘17
Since earning her bachelor’s degree in Human Service Counseling from Wayne State, Catherine (Wilmes) Clark has emerged as a leader in the fields of special education and applied behavior analysis. A board-certified behavior analyst (BCBA) with a master’s degree in Special Education, Clark has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with autism, intellectual disabilities, and emotional-behavioral disorders, particularly those with severe behavioral challenges.
As the lead BCBA at a nonpublic school in California, Clark oversees the design and implementation of individualized, evidence-based programs that promote meaningful progress for students with complex needs. She leads and mentors a team of more than 60 professionals, including behavior technicians, paraprofessionals, teachers, and related service providers.
Clark is deeply committed to giving back to the field by fostering the growth of future educators and clinicians. Through her mentorship, many of her colleagues have gone on to become special education teachers, BCBAs, and other service providers. Her passion for inclusive education, commitment to professional development, and dedication to high-needs populations continue to drive real change in schools and communities alike.
Taryn Dredge ’22, M.S. ‘24
Taryn Dredge earned his bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science and his master’s degree in Organizational Management from Wayne State, and he is currently pursuing a doctorate in Kinesiology through the University of Concordia-St. Paul. With seven years of collegiate coaching experience, Dredge has established a strong record of success in developing athletes and building championship programs.
Under his leadership, teams have achieved remarkable milestones, including guiding a football program to the 2022 NSIC conference championship and its first playoff appearance in a decade. His impact extends across multiple sports, contributing to the 2022 and 2023 regular season volleyball conference championships, a 2023 Elite Eight appearance, and the development of 72 All-Conference athletes and 31 All-Americans at Wayne State, South Dakota School of Mines, and Missouri Southern State University. Dredge’s commitment to excellence and athlete development continues to leave a lasting mark on collegiate athletics.
Kyleigh Jo Kumm ‘13, MSE ‘15 , MBA ‘17, MSE ‘21
Kyleigh Jo Kumm is a dynamic leader in education, currently serving the Harlan Community School District as the director of innovative learning and career pathways. In this multifaceted role, she also acts as a technology coach and high school STEM/computer science teacher but also plays a crucial role in identifying and securing grant opportunities to fund cutting-edge educational initiatives.
With 11 years of experience, Kumm is deeply passionate about sparking curiosity and igniting a love for STEM and CTE careers in young minds. Her extensive academic background includes a BMIT endorsement from Wayne State, as well as a master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction, an MBA, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Her exceptional dedication to education, rooted in her degrees from Wayne State, has created a significant impact on students in both Iowa and Nebraska. She is further enhancing her expertise with a computer science endorsement from the University of Northern Iowa in December 2025.
Beyond her district role, Kumm is a recognized advocate in the educational technology community. She currently serves as president of the Nebraska Educational Technology Association (NETA), ISTE, ITEC, CSTA, and NBEA. Her commitment to technology integration is evident in her implementation of elementary after-school STEM and coding clubs and a high school FIRST robotics team. As the Code.org facilitator for computer science discoveries in Nebraska, and a recipient of the 2018 NETA Excellence in Teaching with Technology Award, Kumm’s impact is widely recognized. She holds credentials as a Google certified trainer, Apple teacher, Canvassador, and Apple learning coach, solidifying her expertise in leveraging technology to transform learning experiences.
Jacob R. Leaver ‘18
Jacob Leaver graduated from Wayne State in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree, majoring in Finance and Economics. He was born and raised on his family’s farm near Stanton. Leaver currently serves as the State of Nebraska’s deputy state budget administrator. In this capacity, he works with the Governor’s executive team, state senators, and state agencies to develop and implement the state’s $23 billion budget. He has been with the state budget team for about 5 years. Before his career with the state, Leaver worked in the accounting division with Kiewit Corporation in Omaha.
Some of his favorite memories in Wayne include playing on recreational teams through college, spending time with friends across the Wildcat campus, and working at the local lumber yard. He met some of his closest friends at Wayne State and has always appreciated the quality education and great community.
Taylor J. Reedy ‘18, MBA ‘23
Taylor Reedy graduated from Wayne State College in 2018 with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance. While attending Wayne State, he was also a member of the Wildcat football team. Reedy later earned a master’s degree in Business Administration (MBA) from Wayne State and is currently a financial officer for Farm Credit Services of America in Sioux Falls, S.D. He helps provide financing for agriculture operations in Southeast South Dakota. Reedy has been with Farm Credit Services of America for more than six years in numerous roles in both Omaha and Sioux Falls, S.D.
His wife, Sydney, and their 2-year-old daughter, Sutton, reside in Tea, S.D. Sydney is a first-grade teacher, and Reedy is a member of the Tea Chamber of Commerce.
Adam P. Smith, Esq. ‘21
Adam Smith is a native of Columbus and a 2021 graduate of Wayne State. He is currently an attorney with the litigation practice group at McGrath North Mullin & Kratz PC LLO in Omaha. After graduating from Wayne State, Smith was accepted to, and ultimately graduated cum laude from, the Creighton University School of Law in 2024 with a concentration in litigation and trial practice. He was also a member of the University’s traveling arbitration and trial teams.
Smith attributes his success in law school and beyond to the exceptional education and experiences he had at Wayne State. Wayne’s small class sizes and world-class educators encouraged constant critical thinking skills and fostered an environment where community was always the focus, which has served Smith well both in law school and in his legal practice.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Smith serves as a mentor for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Midlands organization, which matches youth with mentors to change lives and create meaningful, life-long connections. Smith currently resides in Gretna with his husband, Chase. Smith hopes that, through practicing law, he can make a positive impact on his community and make the world a better place.
Dr. Meghan S. Taylor ‘15
Dr. Meghan S. Taylor is a musician-researcher, educator, and wellness advocate who is passionate about integrating health literacy and wellness practices into music education settings. During her doctoral studies, Taylor served as the project manager for a National Institutes of Health-funded initiative aimed at helping Texas music educators incorporate health education into their secondary music classrooms. Most recently, Taylor served as the program manager for the First Global Summit on Occupational Health in Music, an international event focused on advancing research, policy, and education around occupational health risks in tertiary music.
A sought-after clinician, Taylor frequently presents workshops on topics such as music performance anxiety, yoga for musicians, and hearing conservation. Taylor has also been an invited presenter at the World Health Organization, the Performing Arts Medicine Association’s International Symposium, and the International Clarinet Association’s ClarinetFest. She is also a certified yoga instructor, teaching movement practices that support sustainable performance and long-term wellness.
Taylor is currently the grants and special funds coordinator with the Office of Engagement and Extension at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colo., supporting faculty and staff in securing funding for outreach and research initiatives. In her free time, Meghan is also a clarinetist and performs with the Fort Collins Wind Symphony.