TSU's Kai Hartman, left, accepts the Robert B. Stewart Award as the outstanding university student from Dr. David R. Finley, Vice President for Academic Affairs, during Honors Day ceremonies May 4 in Hershey Hall.

Tri-State University celebrated special graduates during its annual Honors Day in Hershey Hall May 4.

Awards were presented to students earning honors from the Allen School of Engineering & Technology, Franks School of Education, Jannen School of Arts & Sciences, and Ketner School of Business at the main Angola campus; TSU North in Angola and in Centreville, Mich.; TSU Fort Wayne; TSU Merrillville; and TSU South Bend.

One hundred twenty-six students deemed outstanding in their schools of study, members of scholastic honor societies, and those earning high grade point averages and other marks of distinction, were recognized by their school’s officials and presented with pins, plaques, or certificates.

Earning the Robert B. Stewart Award, which recognizes the outstanding university student, was Kai Hartman, who graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in mechanical engineering. Dr. David R. Finley, Vice President for Academic Affairs and associate professor in the McKetta Department of Chemical & Bioprocess Engineering, presented Hartman’s award.

Hartman was named to Alpha Chi honorary society for students ranking in the upper 10 percent of graduates in their school’s major; Phi Eta Sigma national freshman honor society; Pi Tau Sigma for students in the Wade Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering; and Tau Beta Pi for engineering students. He earned the Gold Key for bachelor degree students maintaining a high grade-point average for a designated number of consecutive semesters. He is also listed in “Who’s Who Among Students in America’s Universities and Colleges.”

Hartman is the son of Bonnie and Rich Hartman of Frankfort.