CEDAR FALLS, Iowa - The University of Northern Iowa has named three graduating seniors as recipients of the prestigious 2025 Lux Service Award. The announcement was made during the university’s annual Student Leadership Awards ceremony last night, April 15.

Presented by the Dean of Students office, the Lux Service Award is the highest honor recognizing exceptional service among graduating seniors. Recipients of the award have demonstrated outstanding leadership and a commitment to leaving a lasting legacy on campus. To be eligible, students must have held leadership roles in at least two student organizations.

• Lizbeth Montalvo, a political communication and Spanish major from Des Moines, is a first-generation college student whose service has empowered fellow Panthers throughout her time at UNI. She has mentored incoming students through programs such as summer orientation, Jump Start Scholars and as a Panther Ambassador. Montalvo also served as president of Northern Iowa Student Government, where she advocated for students at the Iowa Statehouse.
  
  “I have tried to open up doors for other students that were opened to me,” said Montalvo. “I want them all to succeed even more than I have during my time at UNI. My biggest gain is seeing students who did not believe in themselves be in roles that light them up because I pushed and encouraged them to.”
   
• Delaney Nagel, a triple major in accounting, management information systems and business analytics from Waukon, has stayed busy with her studies while at UNI. That hasn’t stopped her from being active in student groups such as Women in Business and the Accounting Club. Holding leadership positions in these groups has allowed her to grow immensely in confidence. In every role, she has encouraged underclassmen to pursue leadership positions to ensure these student organizations continue to thrive.
  
  “One of my core beliefs is the importance of recognizing and uplifting others,” said Nagel. “Throughout my time at UNI, I have made it a priority to celebrate the big and small successes of those around me. By simply giving words of encouragement and affirmation, this has helped develop a supportive environment in the student organizations that I have been a part of. I hope to have created a space where executive team members and general members alike feel valued and inspired to take on leadership roles.”
   
• Samantha Robinson, a communication sciences and disorders major from Cedar Rapids, has left her mark on UNI campus in numerous ways, but especially through her involvement with UNI Dance Marathon. She believes her leadership experiences have helped shape her into a compassionate leader, strong advocate and confident individual. Within her major, Robinson’s clinical and research experiences have prepared her for a future of providing patient-centered care.
  
  “The programs and communities I’ve been a part of will continue to thrive because they are built on passion, teamwork and a shared commitment to be part of something bigger than ourselves,” she said. “My goal has always been to leave things better than I found them, and I hope that my time at UNI has helped pave the way for future students to do the same.”

The Lux Service Award was one of several honors presented at the Student Leadership Awards ceremony. More information about all award recipients is available at studentleadershipawards.uni.edu.