Nine from FSU Receive Impact Leader Awards from National Society of Leadership and Success

Nine from FSU Receive Impact Leader Awards from National Society of Leadership and Success

Dec 9, 2025 8:00 AM

Several members of Frostburg State University received the Impact Leader Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS) during the fall induction ceremony held Dec. 7. FSU's chapter of the NSLS was founded in 2019 to provide members with the tools necessary for reflection, self-exploration and motivation to achieve their goals. The evening's keynote speaker was FSU's Chief Information Technology Officer, Tim Pelesky.

Among those nominated and selected for Impact Leader Awards were Desire Johnson M'23, head tennis coach; Dr. Thomas Serfass, biology professor; Dr. Richard Raesly, biology professor; Dr. Michael Flinn '94/M'02, chair and professor, Department of Computer Science and Information Technology; Dr. Curtis Baker, rugby coach; the National Residence Hall Honorary; April Pauza, lecturer, Department of Digital Media and Visual Arts; Dr. Katie Weir 14/D'23, associate director of Residence Life; and Dr. Darlene Brannigan Smith, PhD, interim president.

Impact Leader Awards recognize individuals or organizations for the valuable contributions they have made to NSLS and who exemplify a commitment to excellence in developing student leaders. The student members of FSU's chapter of NSLS nominated each award recipient for their service to the University and student leaders.

Twenty new students joined FSU's NSLS inducted member list, which currently stands at 1,769. "We are proud of our newly inducted class into the National Society of Leadership and Success," said chapter president Pyper Saeler. "We hope that they continue to be involved and assist NSLS in building more leadership on campus."

Other members of the Executive Board of FSU's chapter of NSLS include Clayton Elder, second vice president and social events chair; Anderson Aldridge, treasurer and fundraising chair; Ella Troxell, secretary; and Grace Watson, community service chair and IT coordinator. FSU's chapter is co-advised by Dr. Clarissa Lang '06, Director of Veterans Services, Abby Donaldson '24 and Jon Wickert '03/M'06.