Adams State University senior music education major Collin Wankelman was awarded The Presser Foundation’s 2025-26 Undergraduate Scholar Award. The award encourages and supports the education of a music student who has achieved a high level of musical and academic excellence, demonstrated leadership and service, and contributed to an inclusive community. The award comes with a $3,000 stipend.
The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the will of the late Theodore Presser. It is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy.
Wankelman is a percussionist currently student teaching in his hometown of Loveland, CO. His primary advisor, Melinda Leoce, D.M., said, “Through his time at Adams State, Collin has demonstrated his passion for music through his participation and leadership, both within the Music Department and in the community. We already miss his strong contributions to the percussion studio, but we are excited to see what the future holds for him! The Music Department faculty are so proud of Collin and his achievements.”
Wankleman has been an integral component of the music department, performing in multiple ensembles, including percussion, wind band, and jazz, and serving as vice president of the Adams State Music Education Society (ASMES.) In addition, Wankleman has been the drummer for the band Ol’ Scratch and has performed with the SLV Big Band, among others.
Wankleman said, “I was both surprised and truly grateful to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without the support of my professors. I would like to specifically recognize Dr. Melinda Leoce, Dr. Matthew Schildt, and Dr. Brooke Miller. Dr. Leoce, my percussion professor, has helped me become not only a better percussionist, but also a better person. Dr. Schildt, my theory and technology professor, has been a great mentor as I developed throughout the program. Dr. Miller, my music education professor, helped me develop my teaching strategies and refine my approach so that I can be a positive influence in the classroom.”
Adams State University’s Music Department at is student-focused, a place where community, diversity, and belonging connect with educational opportunity and academic rigor. Music students perform in a diverse offering of ensembles, working one-on-one with dedicated and professionally-active faculty on a daily basis. Students take part in a robust musical offering in state-of-the-art facilities, from numerous practice rooms to acoustically-balanced performance spaces. The department also features a three-room recording studio equipped with high quality microphones, preamps, software such as Cubase, Wavelab, and Dorico, and software instruments and plugins from Universal Audio and Native Instruments.
About The Presser Foundation:
The Presser Foundation was established in 1939 under the will of the late Theodore Presser. It is one of the few private foundations in the United States dedicated solely to music education and music philanthropy. Mr. Presser taught at many undergraduate and graduate music institutions. To honor his commitment to music education, undergraduate music programs at selected colleges, universities and independent institutions of higher education are given the opportunity to present the Presser Undergraduate Scholar Award, which recognizes the accomplishments and contribution of a music major in their final year of undergraduate study.
The Foundation is committed to equitable, transparent, and forward-thinking philanthropy. For more information: www.presserfoundation.org.
