March 05, 2018

Kat Horwedel is Recreational Sports and Services' newest Student Employee of the Month at SIU

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. — Kat Horwedel is the newest winner of the Student Employee of the Month award from Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Recreational Sports and Services (RSS).

Horwedel is a senior communication design major and earned the recognition for the month of January. The daughter of Cindi and Eric Horwedel of Rock Falls, Kat has used her expertise to assist Recreational Sports and Services as a graphic designer for two years. Her work and work ethic have earned praises from supervisors and co-workers.

“Go-to” graphic designer for challenging projects

“Kat is the lead graphic designer in marketing and works directly with her peers to assist the Student Health Center; Mary Stoffel, marketing assisting director for RSS; and the Student Health Center,” Horwedel’s supervisor said. “She has never been late to a shift in the entire two years that she has worked for me.

“In addition, she works at the tutoring center on campus and heads the AIGA (design) registered student organization without having any time management issues or negative impact on her ability to work here.

“She is my go-to designer when it comes to challenging, intense and deadline-driven projects.”

Created the RSS History Wall

Stoffel noted that Horwedel has designed projects for numerous campus departments and units including the Wellness and Health Promotion Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, the student dental office and intramural sports and fitness.

“But the highlight of her student career is the completion of the RSS History Wall, a legacy that she will leave here at SIU as proof of her amazing skills set,” Stoffel said. “She has the ability to sit with any professional staff, see their vision and make it come to fruition quickly with the upmost professionalism.”

Plans to continue her education and become an art director

After graduating in May, Horwedel plans to attend graduate school and complete her master’s degree, perhaps a master’s in fine arts, and she’s currently considering her school options.

Her goal is to eventually become an art director for an advertising agency or start her own freelance company and she said the experience she’s gained at SIU has been invaluable.

“Working at the SHC/RSS has helped me grow as a designer and has given me the experience that I will need when I get my first job after graduation,” Horwedel said.