K-State Alumni Association honors Seventeen K-State students for excellence
Each year the K-State Alumni Association recognizes graduating students with awards. In 2023, seventeen graduating Kansas State University students have been recognized by the Alumni Association for outstanding achievements throughout their college careers.
Faculty and peers nominate students for the awards, and committees consisting of members of the Alumni Association board of directors and K-State students select the recipients.
“These students are role models for leadership, community service, inspiration and academics and exemplify the caliber of students at K-State,” said Tamie Redding, assistant director of student programs for the Alumni Association. “The Alumni Association is thrilled to celebrate these students by honoring them for their contributions to the Wildcat community.”
The Anderson Senior Award recognizes four graduating seniors for excellence in academics, leadership, inspiration and service.
The recipients are:
- For academics: Thomas Leihsing, Emporia, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in fisheries, wildlife, conservation and environmental biology
- For inspiration: Kaleo Vincent, Park City, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in athletic training and rehabilitation sciences
- For leadership: Parker Vulgamore, Scott City, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in agriculture economics
- For service: Jeff Ebeck, Paola, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in finance
The Graduate Student Award recognizes two outstanding graduate students for academics, service and leadership.
The recipients are:
- For academics: Hee Seong Kim, Seoul, South Korea, doctoral candidate in grain science and industry
- For leadership and service: Cheryl Zelle, Edwardsville, Kansas, doctoral candidate in adult learning and leadership
The International Leadership Award program recognizes four outstanding international graduating students for service and leadership within the international K-State and Manhattan communities.
The recipients are:
- Rohan Amare, Navi Mumbai, India, doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering
- Fei Xyza Asuncion, Sanchez Mira, Philippines, doctoral candidate in biological and agricultural engineering
- Emily Hug de Belmont, Asuncion, Paraguay, bachelor’s candidate in dance and the human experience
- Nelofar Khamisani, Hyderabad, Pakistan, doctoral candidate in curriculum and instruction
The K-State Alumni Association presents the LGBTQ+ Leadership Award celebrating two graduating students – one undergraduate and one graduate student who have shown outstanding leadership qualities and who actively promoted and advocated for engagement within and with the LGBTQ+ community on K-State's campus(es).
The recipients are:
- For undergraduate: Julia Coverdale, Shawnee, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in anthropology
- For graduate: Ash Denchfield, Markham, Canada, master’s candidate in communication studies
The Robinson Family Multicultural Leadership Awards recognize four outstanding graduating students who are leaving a legacy of enhancing multicultural engagement at Kansas State University through their leadership.
The recipients are:
- Rohan Amare, Navi Mumbai, India, doctoral candidate in mechanical engineering
- Christopher Burrell, Wichita, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in mechanical engineering
- Lonnie Hobbs Jr., Clarksville, Texas doctoral candidate in agricultural economics
- Camden Mayfield, Kansas City, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in mechanical engineering
The Tony Jurich Community Commitment and Leadership Award recognizes two students – one graduate and one undergraduate – who have demonstrated a commitment to community leadership and service through Jurich’s core leadership tenets.
The recipients are:
- For undergraduate: Alesha Bergner, Pratt, Kansas, bachelor’s candidate in agriculture technology management
- For graduate: Aliah Mestrovich Seay, Manhattan, Kansas, doctoral candidate in leadership and communication
To find out more information about the Alumni Association Awards please go to k-state.com/awards.