Source: Cara Richardson, 785-532-3360, cmr@humec.ksu.edu
News release prepared by: Andy Badeker, 785-532-6415, abadeker@k-state.edu
Friday, May 16, 2008
K-STATE'S COLLEGE OF HUMAN ECOLOGY RECOGNIZES 21 OUTSTANDING GRADUATING SENIORS
MANHATTAN -- The College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University has honored 21 of its graduating seniors with Outstanding Senior Awards. The award recipients are selected from each academic area the college offers. The selections are made by faculty and are based on the students' academic achievements, leadership, participation in service on campus and in the community, and their professional potential.
Outstanding seniors from the College of Human Ecology, all May 2008 K-State graduates, include:
Tiffany Hands, communication sciences and disorders, Garden City, was active with the Phi Upsilon Omicron, Phi Kappa Phi and Silver Key honoraries as well as with Powercat Pride, Big Cats and Campus Crusade for Christ. She has volunteered with the Senior Citizen Social, Manhattan Emergency Shelter, and H.I.S. Friendship program. After graduation, Hands plans to pursue a master's degree in communication sciences and disorders at K-State. She is the daughter of Peggy and Gregory Hands.
Jessica Ponnath, apparel design, Kansas City, Kan., was a K-State honors list student. She was active with Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Eta Sigma honoraries and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Her honors project included the design of a Web site about making environmentally responsible choices. Her membership in campus organizations includes Fair Trade Advocates and the Apparel Marketing and Design Alliance. Ponnath's entry won second place in the national Alpaca Owners and Breeders Association Fiber2Fashion competition. She plans to work as a designer in the apparel industry. Ponnath is the daughter of Mary and Stephen Ponnath.
Sarah Bishop, general family studies and human services, Leawood, was house manager of her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, where she also was environmental chair. Her membership in honoraries includes Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Omicron Nu, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Scholars Honors Society. She also participated in the Campus Christian Ministries. After graduation, Bishop plans to pursue a master's degree in marriage and family therapy. She is the daughter of Kim Bishop and Cam Bishop.
Claire Hemmendinger, hotel and restaurant management, Manhattan, served as student liaison for the Friends of International Programs Board and coordinated the International Buddies program. In summer 2007 she studied at the University of Salamanca, Spain. She chaired the 2008 Travel and Dining Auction, which raises scholarship money for the Hospitality Management Society. She worked as a photographer, an event coordinator and a class assistant. Hemmendinger also interned as a reservation coordinator for the K-State Alumni Center. She is the daughter of Sue Maes and Dennis Hemmendinger.
Brian Ransom, nutritional sciences, Manhattan, also majored in biochemistry and plans to become a research assistant in K-State's biochemistry department after graduation. He belonged to the honoraries of Phi Kappa Phi, Kappa Omicron Nu, Phi Eta Sigma and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. His scholarships included the Holly and Beth Fryer Scholarship and the Mary Louise Gephart Donnell Scholarship. He also won a Cancer Research Award. Ransom acted as secretary for the men's rowing club. He is the son of Nora and Mickey Ransom.
Natasha Wright, dietetics, Medicine Lodge, volunteered as a nutrition presenter at Frank Bergman Elementary School, a medical staff aid for the Children's Mercy Diabetes Camp, a diabetes presenter at Meadowlark Hills and with Flint Hills Breadbasket and Big Brothers-Big Sisters. Her scholarships included the K-State Center on Aging Gerontology Assistantship, the Betty Hinshaw-Gutru Scholarship, the Olive Reed Schafer and Robert T. Schafer Scholarship, the Lois Mae and Charles Beasley Scholarship and the Alice Beardsley Taylor Scholarship. She plans to pursue a career in dietetics. She is the daughter of Janet and Danny Wright.
Kara Schmidt, interior design, North Newton, assisted with the creation of iDesign, which helps streamline networking and outreach for all interior design students. She also was a charter member of the university's Emerging Green Builders group and belonged to Students for Environmental Action. Schmidt promoted sustainability as a student representative to the Campus Planning Development Advisory Committee and its Stewardship Subcommittee, helping develop a campus survey of sustainable initiatives. After graduation, she will work for Callison Architects in Seattle. She is the daughter of Jane and Mike Schmidt.
Katherine Dillon, nutrition and exercise sciences, Overland Park, a member of K-State's rowing team, was a Big 12 Scholar from 2006-08. She also earned the Nina Browning Scholarship. Her volunteer work included teaching CPR and first aid to students through the Flint Hills Red Cross, and planning activities for the Stepping Stones center for adults with brain injuries. After graduating Dillon plans to attend medical school. She is the daughter of Carol and Jeff Dillon.
Lauren Luhrs, human ecology and mass communications, Overland Park, won a Putnam Scholarship and a Kassebaum Opportunity Scholarship. She was active in her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi, and was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi, Mortar Board and Kappa Omicron Nu honoraries. In November 2007, Luhrs took first place in an International Leadership Association student case study competition. She studied at Florence University of the Arts in Italy during summer 2006. After graduation she will join Payless Shoe Source in Topeka as a merchandise distribution analyst. She plans to pursue a master's in business administration starting in 2009. She is the daughter of Barbara Luhrs of Overland Park and Robert Luhrs of Carmel, Ind.
Miyuki Shimizu, public health nutrition, Overland Park, also majored in dietetics. Her scholarships included a Multicultural Scholarship, an International Coordinating Council Scholarship and the Grace Phinney Scholarship. She belonged to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Shimizu volunteered at the School for the Blind in Spartanburg, S.C., at Lawrence Memorial Hospital and in the college's clinical nutrition practicum. She plans to attend graduate school. She is the daughter of Reiko and Takashi Shimizu, Nasu City, Japan.
Kendall Zimmerman, family studies and human services, Overland Park, volunteered for Blue Jacket Elementary School, Habitat for Humanity and Head Start. She participated in many events at her residence hall, Moore Hall, and was a member of the K-State rowing team. For Manhattan Parks and Recreation, Zimmerman taught swimming to children ages 3-12 in addition to her duties as head lifeguard. Zimmerman plans to attend nursing school and become a midwife. She is the daughter of Diane and John Zimmerman.
Morgan Wenger, early childhood education, Sabetha, was active in her sorority, Chi Omega, and in the Early Childhood Interest Group. She was a student member of the Child Life Council. Her volunteer work included the American Red Cross, the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan, the Make A Wish Foundation and Mercy Regional Health Center. She will spend this summer at the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp for chronically and terminally ill children. She then plans to complete a child life internship and to become certified as a child life specialist. Wenger is the daughter of Julie and Marc Wenger.
Elise Egger, apparel marketing, Shawnee, was president of her sorority, Chi Omega, for which she organized a scholarship fundraiser. She was active in the Apparel Marketing and Design Alliance and was backstage coordinator for the K-State Student Designers and Fort Riley B.O.S.S. Program fashion show. Eggers had internships with Donna Karan New York and the Talent Unlimited agency in Kansas City, Mo. She plans to work in the apparel and textiles industry. Egger is the daughter of Molly and Jim Egger.
Jill Fritzemeier, dietetics, Stafford, was active in the Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Omicron Nu honoraries as well as her sorority, Kappa Kappa Gamma. She also was an ambassador for the college. Her scholarships included the Edith L. Stunkel Endowed Assistantship, the Anna L. Steckelberg Memorial Scholarship in Dietetics/Nutrition, the Carol Ann Holcomb Scholarship in Gerontology, the Letha V. Reser and Sharon Y. Nickols Scholarship, the Patricia Ann Coffin Fowler Scholarship, a K-State Leadership Scholarship and the Lois Mae and Charles H. Beasley Scholarship. She plans to complete a dietetics internship before taking the registered dietitian exam. She would like to become a certified diabetics educator. Fritzemeier is the daughter of Kim and Randy Fritzemeier.
Valerie Hill, family life and community services, Topeka, volunteered for Girl Scouts of Manhattan, where she co-led a Brownie troop, Ichthus and Youth for Christ, where she also served during an internship that helped teenage mothers. Her volunteer work for Red Carpet Event helped provide prom dresses and accessories for high school girls in the Manhattan area. After graduation she will resume her work with Youth for Christ. Hill is the daughter of Donna and Michael Hill, Littleton, Colo.
Renae Wenger, life span human development, Topeka, was active with the Family Studies and Human Services Interest Group. She belonged to the governing board of Goodnow Hall. Her community involvement included the Manhattan Emergency Shelter, Adopt-A-Family and Special Olympics. Other volunteer work included the Martin Luther King Day of Service. She will be a case manager in Greensburg in the summer before pursuing a certificate in biblical counseling in Lafayette, Ind. Wenger is the daughter of Rosalie and Rick Wenger.
Julie Fisher, athletic training, Wichita, earned a K-State Academic Scholarship and the Greg Miller Scholarship. She belongs to the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and the National Scholars Honor Society. In addition to holding numerous training positions with K-State cheerleading, tennis, football and the rowing crew, Fisher has observed many orthopedic and cardiac operations. Fisher plans to complete the national board exam for athletic training before entering medical school. A graduate of Goddard High School, Fisher is the daughter of Jacque and Gery Fisher.
Amber Heerey, athletic training, Wichita, won a Putnam Scholarship and belonged to the Phi Kappa Phi honorary. Her work as a trainer for K-State athletic teams and recreation complex users complemented her many observations of physical therapists in regional hospitals; she also worked in the college's physical therapy clinic. Heerey has taken the national board exam for athletic training and has been accepted into the doctoral program for physical therapy at Wichita State University. She is the daughter of Rhonda and Brad Heerey.
Kayla Ralstin, family studies and consumer sciences education, Yates Center, was an ambassador for the college and a coach of the college's annual Telefund. She also was active in the Family and Consumer Sciences Interest Group, co-chairing the group's open house committee for two years. She served as membership co-chair and new member trainer for Alpha of Clovia, the 4-H scholarship house. Her scholarships included the Carole Oberle Memorial FCCLA Scholarship, the Hazel Buck Scholarship and the R.E. French Family Educational Foundation Scholarship. After graduation and a June wedding, Ralstin will teach at Crest High School in Colony. She is the daughter of Cindy Raaf and Cliff Ralstin.
Jessi Chadd, personal financial planning, Parker, Colo., served as president and open house chair for Future Financial Planners. As president of Invest-A-Cats she helped raise money for student scholarships. Chadd has represented K-State at two national financial planning competitions. She will work for KHC Wealth Management in Kansas City, Mo. Chadd, a graduate of Derby High School, is the daughter of Michele M. Thornton of Parker and Michael Chadd, Wichita.
Haley Van Wagenen, interior design, Orange Park, Fla., was co-chair of the annual student design symposium for three years, bringing nationally known speakers to the event. She was president of the K-State chapter of Emerging Green Builders, which includes students from multiple disciplines. Van Wagenen promoted sustainability as a student representative to the Campus Planning Development Advisory Committee and its Stewardship Subcommittee. She will work for the Washington, D.C., design firm of Skidmore Owings and Merrill. Van Wagenen is the daughter of Helen and Walter Van Wagenen.