The Distinguished Young Alumni program recognizes two Kansas State University graduates who are excelling in their professions and contributing to their communities.

The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association’s board of directors and Student Alumni Board. We encourage you to honor your outstanding graduates by nominating them for this award.

2025 Recipients 

The K-State Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of our 2025 Distinguished Young Alumni Awards: Hayes Kelman '15 and Ryan Urban '21. Our 2025 award recipients will be recognized at the Alumni Awards Evening on Friday, Oct. 24.

Stream the live keynote speeches on Thursday, Oct. 23:
• Hayes Kelman at 3:30 p.m.
• Ryan Urban at 4:30 p.m.

Livestream link coming soon!

Hayes Kelman '15

Kelman is the founder and CEO of Boot Hill Distillery in Dodge City, Kansas. He earned his bachelor's degree from K-State in agribusiness. 

Ryan Urban '21

Urban is the current marketing manager for Naturion. He earned his bachelor's degree from K-State in mass communication.

Questions?

Brandon Moreno
Associate director of engagement and belonging
785-532-5060

Email Brandon 

PAST RECIPIENTS

2024
Jill Applegate '16

Skadden Fellow
Neighborhood Defender Service
Watch Keynote Presentation

2024
Tera Rooney Barnhardt '12, '14, '15

Veterinarian
Animal welfare research and consulting
Watch Keynote Presentation

2023
John Grice '12

Annual Giving Manager
Barack Obama Foundation
Watch Keynote Presentation

2023
Kelsie Ball Salazar '11

Registered nurse care coordinator - education
University of Kansas Medical Center
Watch Keynote Presentation

2022
Sruthi Narayanan '11, '15

Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology
Clemson University
Watch Keynote Presentation

2022
James E. Millsap Jr. '11

Manager of Inclusion and Diversity Strategy
DICK’s Sporting Goods Inc.
Watch Keynote Presentation

2021
Dr. Jamie Ball '10

Pediatrician
Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare
Watch Keynote Presentation

2021
Kristine Davis '15

xEMU Space Suit Engineer
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Watch Keynote Presentation

2020
Sarah Sexton-Bowser '08

Managing Director
K-State's Center for Sorghum Improvement
Watch Keynote Presentation

2020
Mindy McBee '12

Strategic Accounts Sales Leader
Cargill
Watch Keynote Presentation

2019
Dr. Charley Cull '12, '14, '16

Veterinarian, Clinical Research Associate, Director of Stocker and Grazing Cattle
Midwest Veterinary Services, Central States Research Centre Inc., Veterinary Biomedical Research Center Inc.
Watch Keynote Presentation

2019
Kale Monk PhD '10, '13

Assistant Professor, State Extension Specialist 
Center for Policy and Family Research Fellow at the University of Missouri
Watch Keynote Presentation

2018
Megan McCall '08, '11

Remote on-call Bridge Coordinator 
Rose Brooks Center’s Bridge Program
Watch Keynote Presentation

2018
Bryce Huschka '07

Area Manager
ExxonMobil
Watch Keynote Presentation

2017
Dalton Henry '07

Director of Policy
U.S. Wheat Associates
Watch Keynote Presentation

2017
Jorge Mendoza '10

STEM exploration program manager 
The Ohio State University
Watch Keynote Presentation

2016
Dr. Kourtney Bettinger '06

Physician and pediatric resident 
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Watch Keynote Presentation

2016
Clemente Jaquez '08

Design director
Hoefer Wysocki Architecture
Watch Keynote Presentation

2015
Corey Fortin '06

United States Foreign Service
United States Agency for International Development in Uganda
Watch Keynote Presentation

2015
Matt King '07

Fund analyst
World Bank Group
Watch Keynote Presentation

2014
Molly Hamm '10

Planning and research coordinator
The DREAM Project

2014
Matt Wolters '03

Co-founder and co-owner
SureFire Ag Systems Inc.

2013
Nick Piper '08

Founder and CEO
Phoria Energy Solutions

2013
Justine Sterling '07

Director of alumni relations
George W. Bush Presidential Center