Four DWU seniors selected for Honors of Distinction Awards

May 1, 2026

MITCHELL, S.D. — Four Dakota Wesleyan seniors were awarded the fifth annual Honors of Distinction awards, the university’s highest honors, during the annual Honors Banquet Friday night.

Established in 2022, the Wesleyan Honors of Distinction are awarded annually to four Dakota Wesleyan University seniors who have most notably embodied and exemplified the university’s values of learning, leadership, faith and service. One senior receives Wesleyan Honors of Distinction in each category.

To qualify for candidacy, students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher (3.7 for the learning distinction), as required by each award’s guidelines, and be ranked as senior status. Those eligible submit an application, and the finalists are selected by a Student Senate-appointed panel. The finalists are then interviewed by a committee of students, staff and faculty who choose the recipients.

In the category of Honors of Distinction for Learning is Brodey Ballinger of Jefferson. He is the son of Rodney and Joni Ballinger and is a Biochemistry major. Ballinger played football for the Tigers and was named an NAIA Daktronics Scholar Athlete in 2023, 2024 and 2025. On campus, he is a member of the Chemistry, Health and Other Sciences Club (CHAOS), the math club and serves as a tutor. Ballinger received the Homer Carhart Prize in Science in 2025, the Hilton Ira Jones medal in Chemistry in 2026 and is a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Sigma Zeta International Science and Mathematics honor societies. He also participated for two years in the South Dakota Biomedical Research Infrastructure Network (BRIN) doing laboratory research at DWU and at the University of Sioux Falls. Ballinger was selected for an Avera Abdominal Transplant Undergraduate Internship at Avera McKennan during the 2024-25 school year. Ballinger played as a linebacker for DWU football, earning several academic honors including Academic All-District 2025 and is a Fall 2025 NAIA Scholar-Athlete. He works as a Certified Medical Assistant at Edgewood Memory Care. Ballinger has been accepted at the University of South Dakota Sanford School of Medicine where he will begin his studies in July.

In the category of Honors of Distinction for Leadership is KayLee Door of Kennewick, Wash. Door is the daughter of Katherine Bence and Jonathan Door. She majors in Psychology and has a minor in Theatre. Door is an active presence on campus serving as the Student Senate Representative for the Fine Arts and as Psychology Club president for three years; is a member of the Performing Arts Leadership Council; and helped lead community cleanups and a recycling initiative on campus as a member of the Conservation Club. She has also appeared in numerous theatrical productions, even serving as musical director to DWU’s production of “The Trail to Oregon” in 2025, and she sings and plays handbells in several music ensembles. She has received honors in scholarship; is a recipient of the Sinfonia Service award in the Music Department, and with the Bonnie J. Messer medal in Psychology. After a year of working in adolescent psychology, Door plans to study drama therapy at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.

In the category of Honors of Distinction for Faith, the recipient is Elizabeth “Lizzie” Tyler of Mitchell. Tyler is majoring in Elementary and Special Education. Her parents are John and Amy Tyler. Tyler is active in the faith community, both on campus and in Mitchell. She serves as Resident Life/Student Chaplain Lead; is a small group leader for Campus Ministry; is a member of the Semper College Ministry Core Team and teaches as a Faith Formation Catechist for the Mitchell Catholic Parishes. Tyler serves as an Elisha intern with the Dakotas Annual Conference and was a member of the AsOne mission team who traveled to Uganda in 2025. In addition to her busy ministry responsibilities, she has been a defensive specialist with the DWU Women’s Volleyball team for three seasons, earning multiple accolades including NAIA Women’s Volleyball Third-Team All-American for 2025 and is a Fall 2025 NAIA Scholar-Athlete. She holds honors in scholarship and is a recipient of the Marjorie Linton O’Byrne and Laura Linton Education Scholarship and the Jerry M. Trimble Leadership award. Tyler is currently student teaching with the Mitchell School District and has accepted a full-time teaching position in Mitchell starting in January 2027.

In the category of Honors of Distinction for Service, the student selected is Isaac Foust of Arlington, Neb., son of Brad and Shannon Foust. The Entrepreneurial Leadership major played three seasons for the DWU football team after redshirting his freshman year. He has been active with the team helping with fundraisers and service projects that members of the team perform out in the community. Foust is a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes leadership team, helping to plan and host events for students on campus. In addition, he has volunteered with several community organizations including the Abbott House, Mitchell Area Community Theater, Special Olympics and served as a helper at a power lifting event in Salem. He believes strongly in “little acts of kindness,” helping his classmates, teammates and people he encounters as best he can. After graduation Foust is hoping to find employment in the sports industry.

The following students were also candidates for Honors of Distinction:

Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Learning
Madison Dowling, Pierre
Grayson Hanson, Platte

Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Leadership
Autumn Namminga, Beresford
Olivia Smith, Casper, Wyo.

Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Faith
Anna Mutzenberger, West Fargo, N.D.
Ashton Summerville, Platte

Wesleyan Honor of Distinction for Service
Gracie Geppert, Mitchell
Hanna Wingert, Sioux Falls