2018 Pitt grad picked for Good Apple Award

Tadd Lucian, a human resources professional in the construction and engineering industry, has been chosen as this year’s Good Apple Award winner and will be recognized Friday during the 27th Annual Pittsburg State University Leadership Awards ceremony. It is planned for 6 p.m. in the Overman Student Center and is by invitation only.

The ceremony recognizes the outstanding contributions that PSU student organizations have made to the university community through their programs and leadership.

Founded in 2018 as part of Apple Day, the Good Apple Award was created to recognize an outstanding recent graduate who has made an impact in his or her career field or community while showcasing Gorilla pride.

The recipient is chosen to serve as inspiration to current students to go forth and make a similar impact when they leave campus.

Lucian, a first generation graduate who earned his bachelor’s degree in Communication and Marketing in 2014 and his master’s degree in Human Resource Development in 2018, was active as a leader on campus in numerous organizations and in just five years has advanced in his career.

Lucian was chosen for the Golden Gorilla Award in 2014, was an Order of Omega Inductee in 2014, was the Lambda Chi Alpha Senior of the Year in 2015, and was inducted into the PSU Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in 2018.

“Tadd exemplifies a successful graduate and alum. While he was in the HRD program, he worked hard, studied hard, and stretched himself to become a true scholar-practitioner,” said Associate Professor Judy Smetana. “His analytical and evaluative skills were put to good use both in the program and in his work.”

Today, Lucian works as the talent acquisition manager for Black & Veatch in Overland Park, where he manages an award-winning early careers recruitment team focused on the new generation of diverse talent helping Black & Veatch address some of the world’s most pressing infrastructure challenges.

He joined the company in 2016 as an HR coordinator, then rose through the ranks to HR business partner in 2018 and to his current position in 2021.

“I believe he is able to do this because of his talent and his graduate degree,” Smetana said.

In addition to serving in leadership roles for organizations in the Kansas City area, Lucian has stayed connected to Pitt State, going the extra mile by serving on the HRD Advisory Council, supporting the HRD Four State Conference, and representing the HRD program as an ambassador.

Lucian is the son of Nick and Denise Lucian of Columbus, Kansas — both longtime supporters of Pitt State.