The deal with Diehl

By Lizzie Kipp Online Editor

Once a year, the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) selects one person from a two-year institution and one from a fouryear institution to receive the Ron Brandolini Award for Excellence. The purpose of this is to recognize educators for their contribution to honors education. Being presented with this award is a great honor in the teaching community as it requires many recommendations and winning previous awards.

This year, Hutchinson Community College’s own Ryan Diehl was the recipient.

“Honestly, I had hoped that maybe in 10 years or so I would be the recipient of the award,” Diehl said. “But I never would have guessed I would have received the honor at this point in my career.”

Diehl has been involved with the honors program at HutchCC since 2008 and became the Honors Program Coordinator in 2011. Additionally, he teaches English and political science courses at HutchCC, and has mentored many students along the way.

“There have been many great memories that have been made; however, easily the best times have come from my playing a small role in the lives of honors students at HutchCC,” Diehl said. “There have been so many fantastic students I have met over the years who have both inspired me and changed my life for the better.”

Many of his students have won national scholarships and been accepted into selective programs around the country.

In addition to his work at HutchCC, Diehl works with honors programs on state, regional, and national levels. He’s a member of many different committees that work to improve honors programs around the country, including the Kansas Honors Council, which he co-founded.

This isn’t the first time Diehl has been recognized for his work, as he was named Dragon Educator of the Year in both 2011 and 2012.

“Working in education is easily one of the most rewarding careers one can have,” Diehl said. “Every day is an adventure, and my students always find a way to put a smile on my face.”