Osen Earns Governor’s NextGen Under 30 Award
Avery Osen, a former Winfield resident, has been named a
recipient of the inaugural Governor's NextGen Under30 Kansas Award. He was
recognized at the NextGen Dinner and Award Ceremony on Dec. 2 at the Hotel
Topeka at City Center in Topeka.
The NextGen Under30 Kansas Award was implemented with the
mission to identify and honor talented young adults; to encourage them to
follow their lifetime family and career goals in Kansas.
Osen, a 2013 graduate of Winfield High School, was nominated
and selected in the media category. He currently serves as co-host of “Good
Day, Kansas” which airs from 12:30 to 1 p.m. on Wichita’s KSN-TV. Osen also
writes for the Associated Press covering University of Kansas and Kansas State
sports among others, as well as writing for the Kansas City Royals and other
Major League Baseball teams. He is a member of the video production crew for
the Kansas City Chiefs and is the emcee for the Wichita Thunder Hockey team.
Osen started his journalism/media career as an intern at the
Winfield Daily Courier when he was still a student at Winfield High School. He
graduated from Cowley College before earning his bachelor's and master's
degrees in journalism/mass communications from Kansas State University. After
completing his master’s degree, Osen taught for the A. Q Miller School of Media
and Communications at Kansas State as an adjunct professor. He currently
resides in Derby.
Kansas Senator Tom Hawk said two years ago he visited a
neighboring state and became aware of and was inspired by their award program.
“(Their) banquet was about recognizing young people who are
already doing great things in their businesses, organizations and careers,”
Hawk said.
According to Paul Hughes, Deputy Director of the Kansas
Department of Commerce, legislative leaders felt that a similar program was
warranted in Kansas.
“The state of Kansas wanted to have a recognition program
encouraging leaders, difference makers, someone who embodies your vision of the
best and brightest in our state,” said Kansas Lt. Gov. and Secretary of
Commerce David Toland.
Kansans were invited to submit nominations during the
nomination launch from March 15 until August 31. Nominees were to be
innovative, creative-thinking, and inspiring young individuals who push the
boundaries beyond their years, who were worthy of winning. Nominees had to be
30 years old any time in 2022 or younger.
Nominations were accepted in 27 various categories including
Adult and Higher Education, Aviation, The Arts, BioTech and Ag Tech, Education
K-12, Media, Public Relations, Marketing, and Advertising, and Healthcare among
many others. Nominees were notified of their nomination and were then asked to
submit a resume and other information.
Award winners were selected based upon their participation
in and contribution to their communities. A panel of business and civic leaders
served as judges.
Title sponsors for the NextGen Under30 Award are the more
than 180 Masonic Lodges statewide.
“We are proud to help highlight Kansas' top young
professionals who are making an impact in their workplace, their communities,
and the State of Kansas,” said Robert F. Nelson, Kansas Masonic Foundation
President.
