AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn equestrian’s Becki Banks and Dr. Hannah Loseke were named National Collegiate Equestrian Association (NCEA) Distinguished Alumni honorees, the organization announced Thursday.
Banks was recognized for her contributions in community engagement, while Loseke was recognized in health sciences/services.
“I’m very excited for Becki and Hannah to be recognized by the NCEA,” head coach Jessica Braswell said. “They were both excellent student-athletes that have gone on to be very successful and accomplished professionals.
Banks (formerly Brellenthin) was a member of the Auburn equestrian team from 1998-2001 when the team was still in its infancy, graduating in 2001. She was one of the women that worked hard to make sure the sport would continue to develop Auburn student-athletes years down the road.
Among many of her community efforts, she is currently the President of Shelter Friends of Hickman County in Tennessee as well as Director of Centerville Jr. Pro Basketball Association. She was also elected Alderman of the town of Centerville in 2023.
In addition, Banks received the AMEC Environmental Letter of Acknowledgement for FEMA work after Hurricane Katrina in 2005, was the Director of Leadership Hickman that worked on developing emerging community leaders.
“I’m really excited for Becki to earn this award,” head coach emeritus Greg Williams said. “Becki was an important athlete in helping Auburn become a varsity sport. More importantly, she was a member of those pioneer athletes that advanced the sport of equestrian across the country.”
Loseke was a member of the Auburn program from 2012-2016, including a part of the squad that won both the Southeastern Conference title and the national crown in 2016. She earned NCEA All-America honorable mention honors in Horsemanship as a senior and was successful academically, collecting two NCEA Scholastic First Team All-America awards (2015, 2016).
In the medical field, Loseke is a pediatric dentist at Starting Point Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. She is a part of Kansas City Women Dentists, Kansas Dental Association, American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association.
Loseke has also dedicated her services to the committee throughout her time. She has spent time with Clinic With A Heart, People’s City Mission, UNMC Children’s Dental Day and Nebraska Mission of Mercy.
She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in biomedical sciences in 2016. She graduated with High Distinction (Top 3) from University of Nebraska in 2020 with a Doctor of Dental Surgery.
“Dr. Loseke was such a leader when she was a student-athlete and I am so proud of her professional accomplishments,” Braswell said. “She knew from the first day she arrived on campus she wanted to be a dentist and worked tirelessly to accomplish her goals. She is very deserving of this recognition.”
Distinguished Alumni are recognized in nine categories including Business, Community Engagement, Education, Equine Industry (Rider/Trainer/Coach), Equine Industry (Medical), Equine Industry (Professional Rider), Health Sciences/Services, Media & Communication, and Young Alumni. Distinguished Alumni are separated from their institution for at least six years prior to nomination and are recognized as distinguished in the following areas: academic success, athletic success, outstanding service contributions, and post-graduate success.
Each NCEA team had the opportunity to nominate one alumnus in each category. The nominations were reviewed by a selection committee and the recommendations were approved by the NCEA Board of Directors.