K-Staters win Phi Kappa Phi grants for study abroad

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Source: James Hohenbary, 785-532-6900, jimlth@ksu.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu

Thursday, April 26, 2007

K-STATERS WIN PHI KAPPA PHI GRANTS FOR STUDY ABROAD

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University students have claimed three of the 50 Phi Kappa Phi Study/Internship Abroad Grants awarded nationally this year. The $1,000 awards recognize and assist undergraduates seeking knowledge abroad.

The recipients are Cierra Elder, Bennington; Megan Dirks, Hutchinson; and Rebecca Tokach, St. Anthony, N.D.

Elder, a junior in biology and premedicine, will participate in a service learning project this summer with other K-State students in Jacunda, Brazil. "We will be working closely with the Project Rescue of Amazon Youth organization, based in Wamego." The students will spend eight weeks working at a clinic and orphanage. At K-State Elders has been involved in Red Cross volunteering, the Alpha Epsilon Delta premed honorary, Relay for Life and the community service tutoring program, which she coordinates. She is the daughter of Gina and Lynn Elder, Bennington, and an 2004 graduate of Bennington High School.

Dirks, a freshman in international business marketing and French, plans to study in either Marseille, Caen or Lille through the International Student Exchange Program in 2008. "They will place me where they believe I fit best," Dirks said. At K-State she has been an officer of her sorority, Delta Delta Delta, and the selections chair of Silver Key, the sophomore honorary. She has volunteered as an Adopt-A-School tutor and a Wildcat Warm-Up counselor. She is the daughter of Michael and Cristi Dirks, Hutchinson, and a 2006 graduate of Hutchinson Senior High School.

Tokach, a sophomore in animal sciences and industry and agricultural economics, will spend two weeks this summer in Costa Rica, where she will visit cattle ranches, swine and dairy operations, and a banana plantation. She has been a College of Agriculture ambassador and a member of Block and Bridle. She also has been active with Quest, the freshman honorary; is a member of Phi Kappa Phi; and serves on the National Junior Angus board of directors. She is the daughter of Richard and Kathy Tokach, St. Anthony, and a 2005 graduate of Mandan (N.D.) High School.

Phi Kappa Phi is a national honor society recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education.