The Department of Nursing at Fort Hays State University recognized an outstanding fall 2025 graduate during a ceremony held Friday, December 12, 2025. Riley Lehnert was awarded the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Leora B. Stroup Award, honoring exceptional clinical performance, community involvement, and academic achievement.

Lehnert graduated summa cum laude and was recognized as a Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing awardee. During their time at FHSU, Lehnert served as Vice President of the Fort Hays Association of Nursing Students (FHANS), a Nightingale Peer Academic Leader, and a class representative. Lehnert also volunteered with Night to Shine and was actively involved in Encounter College Ministry.

In addition to academic and leadership accomplishments, Lehnert was awarded the Rural Simulation Grant, supporting a commitment to return to southwest Kansas to work in the Emergency Room at Southwest Medical Center. Clinical experiences included internships at Meade District Hospital and Southwest Medical Center.

The Leora B. Stroup Award was established in 1993 in honor of Leora B. Stroup, founder of the Fort Hays State University nursing program.