NC State Wellness and Recreation hosted its annual Wolfies Celebration this week, a high-energy celebration dedicated to the more than 650 student employees who serve as the heartbeat of the department. The evening recognized outstanding achievements of the year award winners, graduating seniors and the veteran 4-year club staff.

The night’s highest honors were awarded to students who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to the mission of a thriving Wolfpack.

Award Winners

The John F. Miller Award

This prestigious award was presented to Michael McDermott, recognized for his transformative leadership, professionalism, and four years of dedicated service to the department. What started as a first-year position in member services became a cornerstone of his collegiate experience, culminating in his role as a vital mentor and a highly valued leader who significantly shaped the staff culture.

The Campbell and Dodson Family Award

Johnny Pimentel-Garcia, a member services supervisor whose disciplined leadership and infectious energy have turned campus jobs into a community hub, embodies the enduring legacies of Tyler and Susie Campbell.

Friends and Family Scholarship Winners

Gabby Queen and Audrey Henderson were officially celebrated as the 2025-26 scholarship recipients. Gabby was honored for her bravery in overcoming a fear of heights to lead others at the Challenge Course, while Audrey was recognized for her creative excellence and resilience within the marketing team.

Wolfies of the Year Awards

While every single student employee deserves our heartfelt gratitude, we want to extend a special congratulations to the remarkable individuals who received the prestigious Wolfies of the Year awards.

• Mitchell Bradford – Aquatics Health and Safety Instructor
• Kaitlyn Ryder – Aquatics Lifeguard
• Zachary Patterson – Aquatics Supervisor
• Omar Ismail – Facility Operations Assistant
• Ashdon Grigsby – Facility Operations Supervisor
• Madison Henderson – Group Fitness Instructor
• Samantha Veasey ‘26 – Fitness Coach
• Ryan Hunter – Fitness Personal Trainer
• Andy Beemanpally ‘26 – Marketing Assistant
• Farrah Porterfield ‘26 – Member Services Entrance Assistant
• Alex Geodakyan – Member Services Supervisor
• Ellie Sieburg – Outdoor Adventures Rental Assistant
• Kyle Hollars – Outdoor Adventures Climbing Wall Specialist
• Lainey Vespa ‘26 – Outdoor Adventures Climbing Wall Supervisor
• Nate Benjamin ‘26 – Outdoor Adventures Trip Leader
• Marjaneh Mollaahmad ‘26 – Outdoor Adventures Challenge Course Facilitator
• Xiaoping Yu ‘26 – Sports Programs Official
• Ginna Bailey – Sports Programs Event Supervisor
• John Alphin – Sports Programs Supervisor
• Naomi Troiano – Wellness Specialist
• Allison Martinko ‘26 – Wellness Coach

Your dedication, leadership and commitment to excellence have truly shone this year, and you are all shining examples of the incredible talent within our student staff.

4-Year Club

A special highlight of the ceremony was the induction of the 4-Year Club—an elite group of student employees who have remained with Wellness and Recreation throughout their entire undergraduate careers. These students have seen the department evolve and have mentored hundreds of their peers. This year’s inductees include:

• Nathan Benjamin ‘26 – Outdoor Adventures (5 years)
• Kylie Karabinos – Fitness (5 years)
• Kevin Essig – Outdoor Adventures
• Ian Giffel – Aquatics
• Alex Posener ‘26 – Sports Programs
• John Skordoulis ‘26 – Aquatics
• Braden Farlow ‘26 – Sports Programs
• Morgan Miller ‘26 – Facility Operations
• Uria Wesley ‘26 – Sports Programs
• Korneel Delies ‘26 – Outdoor Adventures
• Anneke Lam ‘26 – Fitness
• Jimmy Kinsella ‘26 – Aquatics
• Michael McDermott ‘26 – Member Services
• Amanda Boger ‘26 – Outdoor Adventures

Honoring our Graduating Seniors

The ceremony concluded with a tribute to the 136 graduating seniors who will be walking across the stage this May. These seniors represent a diverse array of majors—from Forest Management to Design Studies—carrying with them the transferable skills of communication, problem-solving, conflict resolution and leadership gained through their employment.

As these leaders prepare to join the alumni ranks, Wellness and Recreation thanks them for their thousands of hours of service in making NC State a healthier, more active place to live and learn.

Go Pack!