The Student Employee of the Year award was developed by the National Association of Student Employment Administrators as a way for employers to acknowledge outstanding student employees for the valuable contributions they make to their office or department.
Quackenbush, who is from Stewartville, Minn., was first selected as the Student Employee of the Year for the UMD campus and now, after winning the state, his nomination has been forwarded for the National Student Employee of the Year competition.
“This is a huge recognition for a student employee, and we are very proud of Sam’s accomplishments. His impact on the KUMD Marketing Team and the station overall has been extremely important this past year, as the station celebrates its 60th anniversary,” says Ira Salmela, KUMD director of Development and Marketing.
“On top of his work with marketing and membership, Sam also holds down a Monday night time-slot as a volunteer student DJ on KUMD’s student-run radio "The Basement." Sam is a true KUMD and community ambassador as he inspires us with his excitement and love for music, the great outdoors, and Duluth.”
This is the second time KUMD student employee has been named the Student Employee of the Year for the State of Minnesota. In 2012, KUMD Marketing Assistant Sam Ginsberg won the title.
ABOUT SAM QUACKENBUSH
A communication major with an arts and media minor, Sam began volunteering at KUMD in 2014 as a DJ for "The Basement." In 2015, he worked as KUMD's student community promotion director and in 2016, moved up to student assistant marketing director, all the while continuing to DJ.
He's enjoyed working in a creative environment. "I love the community we live in. Getting to know business owners in the area and people working on various music events has been great. These are people who are trying to make our community stronger."
Sam says the best part of his job has been being able to tap into so many things that he's passionate about. "I'm a huge fan of the UMD campus and liberal arts. KUMD is a bridge between the campus and the community. It’s the best of both worlds. That’s why I love to work there,” he says
A senior, Sam will graduate in May. He's interested in working with creative startups. "I'd like to get involved with creative entrepreneurs," he says. India is at the top of his list for places to live.
ABOUT KUMD:
KUMD was founded in 1957, and has since then become one of the Northland’s beloved media. The station broadcasts with 95,000-watts of stereo sound all across the Northland, reaching listeners up to 100-mile radius from Duluth. KUMD’s programming is available live online at www.kumd.org which attracts listeners from over 40 countries.