2023 SBS Advisory Board Award Honorees
About this year's honorees:
2023 Distinguished Alumna
AMBER PRANGE
More LessAmber Prange graduated from Minnesota State University, Mankato in May 2007. Her first teaching position was part time at United South Central in Well, MN. In 2015 she applied for a social studies position at Mankato East High School and has been there since. In 2017, she earned her master’s degree in Education Technology from Minnesota State University, Mankato, and she just completed her 5th year as the head varsity hockey coach at Mankato East. She has also coached middle school volleyball and golf.
Her students nominated her and she was chosen for the KEYC Golden Apple award in 2017. Amber’s learning continues for her this summer with AVID courses, and the challenge of learning how to teach AP Government.
2023 Student Leader Award
Namidu De SILVA
More LessNamidu De Silva is a graduate student pursuing his master’s degree in Geographic Information Science (GIS). He is researching on how to improve energy distribution infrastructure in the United States, using GIS, with a focus on oil and gas pipelines. He got is bachelor’s degree in Geology and Geography from Minnesota State University, Mankato. During his undergraduate studies, he worked as a building assistant for the centennial student union and as a geography department preceptor student.
He was also acted as a student liaison from the Sri Lankan community to the university and as the vice president of the geology club. Currently, whilst pursuing his masters, he is a teaching assistant for geography and GIS courses at the university. His career goal is to become a head GIS specialist in an established energy company and lead a team of analysts with company work.
2023 Distinguished Professor Award
STEVE Buechler, Department of Sociology and Corrections
More LessSteve Buechler is an Emeritus Professor, Distinguished Faculty Scholar, and former Graduate Coordinator in the Department of Sociology and Corrections. He had a 31 year career at Minnesota State, Mankato and retired in 2017 after successful treatment for acute myeloid leukemia.
Steve’s scholarship is evident in his seven books and two dozen articles on women’s movements, social movement theory, and critical sociology. His work on social movement theory in particular earned him an international reputation in the field of social movements. He is recognized for his path-breaking scholarship, tireless commitment to teaching, relentless support of graduate students, and dedicated service to his department, college, and the university as a whole.
