Taben Azad is a senior studying mechanical engineering with a minor in political science. A native of Wichita, Azad doesn’t consider himself anyone special. 

“It is really surreal…I honestly consider it a privilege,” Azad said about being chosen as a Man of the Year finalist. 

Four men and four women have moved into the final rounds of the annual competition, which awards a $650 scholarship to the two winners and $300 to remaining finalists. There were 45 applicants this year.

Azad said his favorite thing about WSU is all the memories he has made as a student., including watching the Shockers compete in the Final Four in 2013. He said he loved seeing students filled with Shocker pride. 

Azad’s mom is someone who has always been there for him. More than just a parent, he considers her a mentor, helping him along the way and raising him to be the man he is today. 

“I told my parents that night, and they were really happy and really proud of me,” Azad said. 

He described his greatest strength as being a visionary. He said he always tries to keep the end in mind, always keeping a sense of futurism in addition to focusing on the present. 

“It’s not a competition,” Azad said. “It’s whoever deserves it the most.”

Kiah Duggins is a finalist for Woman of the Year.

Duggins is a junior studying international business and economics. She is also working toward a certificate in Spanish for the professions. 

“I thought it would be a great opportunity … meeting President Bardo and getting to compete against other qualified finalists,” she said. 

Duggins said her favorite thing about the university is its ability to allow students to find what they’re passionate about and then apply those passions inside and outside of the classroom. 

Duggins’ parents are what she calls great mentors to her because of all they have sacrificed for her to go to WSU. 

“They have given me a lot of support and guidance throughout my life, and I am very fortunate to have them,” Duggins said.

“Grateful” is the word she would use to describe herself the most. She is grateful for her parents, for her school and for everything she has. As a person, Duggins described her greatest strength as her ability to network and connect with people. 

“I’m very grateful to be a finalist,” Duggins said. “It’s a huge honor because I love Wichita State.”

The two winners will be announced at a banquet at 6 p.m. Friday.

Man of the Year finalists:

Taben Azad 

• Senior
• Mechanical engineering and political science
• • Vice president of Muslim Student Association
• • Engineering senator for Student Government Association.
• • Recipient of the Gold Star Leader Award, and the first winner of the Convocation Shocker Spirit Photo Competition

Jerad Rogers

• Junior
• Biomedical engineering and physics
• President of Biomedical Engineering Society
• Undergraduate research assistant in the Biomedical Engineering Department
• Recipient of the Cessna Engineering and the College of Engineering Undergraduate Research Scholarships

Joseph Shepard

• Senior
• Criminal justice
• President of Student Government Association
• President of Alpha Phi Alpha
• Recipient of the Dream Chasers Award, Alpha Phi Alpha Brother of the Year, Greek Unity Award and the Advocate Award

Reid Williams

• Junior
• Nursing
• Vice president of programming for Sigma Phi Epsilon
• Finalist for the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational
• Volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Boy Scouts of America

Women

Kiah Duggins

• Senior
• Economics and international business
• Chief of staff for Student Government Association 
• Winner of Wichita State University’s Miss Black and Gold competition
• Founder of the Princess Project

Amanda Johnson

• Junior
• Finance and economics
• Vice president of communications for Delta Gamma Fraternity
• Dean’s List and Harry Gore Memorial Scholar
• Volunteered with the Miss Kansas Pageant, Inc.

Gracie Palmer

• Senior
• General studies of chemistry
• Member of Delta Gamma Fraternity, Shockerthon, Pre-Medicine Student Association, Mortar Board, Golden Key Honor Society and the American Red Cross Club
• Former WSU cheerleader 
• Dean’s List

Emry Woelk

• Senior
• Management and human resource management
• President of the Panhellenic Council
• Summer Leadership Institute mentor, freshman and transfer peer mentor and marketing intern with the Wichita State Athletics Department
• Finalist for the Distinguished Scholarship Invitational