Toby Ackerman, 2004 graduate of the Professional School Counseling Program within the
Department of Counseling and Student Personnel, was awarded the 2004 Future School
Counselor Award by the Minnesota School Counselor Association at its annual conference
held at Madden's Resort. The organization, after reviewing nominees from around the
state, gives the award to only one graduate student based on the strength of
recommendations from faculty and colleagues. A $500 stipend toward graduate expenses
accompanied the award.
"Toby is an excellent example of the caliber of graduates which come from the MSU program," noted Walter Roberts, Jr., professor of counselor education within the Counseling and Student Personnel Department. "He not only represents our program well, he is a role model for all counselors throughout the Midwest."
Toby, a 2001 graduate of South Dakota State University in Brookings with a B.S. in Psychology, completed a full-year 800-hour internship at two sites during his tenure at MSU in order to fulfill licensure and degree requirements for his M.S. degree. He interned at West High School in Mankato to fulfill his secondary site requirements, and the Maple River School District for the elementary and middle school portions of his internship.
"Teens know a genuine and honest adult when they meet one," site supervisor and licensed school counselor Marcia Nagel of West High School commented, "and Toby consistently display realness and concern for them."
"He added a real freshness to our school," added licensed school counselor Sandy Swatzky, Toby's site supervisor at Maple River. "The students and staff enjoyed Toby and the people he works with can easily tell that he enjoyed being around children."
Toby impressed everyone within the Counseling and Student Personnel Department. Rick Auger, associate professor of counselor education, commented that Toby's graduation was both a happy and sad occasion. "We miss Toby greatly," he said. "Not only did he set the bar high for all those who come after him in our program, he also made us a better faculty by reminding us just how good we all can be. His work ethic was impeccable. We are extremely fortunate to be able to claim Toby as one of our many shining stars."
Toby was quickly hired once he applied for a position. He is now employed as a licensed school counselor in a high school with the Bedford County, Virginia, Public Schools.
For second straight year, MSU counseling student wins top state award (20KB PDF)
