Rebecca Bush
Pratt
Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2007
Majoring in history with minors in music and leadership studies
Expects to graduate in May 2009
Plans to obtain a masters degree in public history and work towards becoming a museum curator or archivist.
"During my time at Kansas State University, I have had wonderful experiences that will help me succeed in my future career, and my classes have opened the door for summer internships that will help me as well.
One of the summer internships Rebecca completed was at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History In New York City, a highly competitive program. In her essay, Rebecca wrote "I am the first student from K-State, and to my knowledge, the first student from Kansas, to be selected for this program, and I will be mingling with many students from private colleges on both coasts, but I am confident that my education from this particular land-grant institution will serve me well throughout the week. It is this kind of education -- one that enables me to research small Kansas towns firsthand with my peers and study the American Revolution in New York with students from across the country . that I cherish most about Kansas State University."
Paul Folger
Derby
Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in Spring 2008
4th year student in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design
with an emphasis on environmental and sustainable design
Graduates in 2010
Career goals: Becoming a licensed architect and a partner in a firm. Traveling to enrich his understanding of other cultures. Using the skills and education he acquires to play a small part in making the world a better place.
"I realize that my education here at Kansas State is just the beginning. There is so much more I can learn. But, I believe that the classes, projects, and design build opportunities I have been a part of have given me a new outlook on what I can accomplish with my life. It has also given me the confidence to push on with the goals I have for my career, and I am looking forward to my last two years here at Kansas State."
Leah Kuhlmann
Kensington
Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in 2007
Biology/Pre-medicine with a minor in Spanish
Graduate in May 2009
Career goal is to become a physician serving rural Kansas and provide medical attention to underprivileged countries.
"My desire to become a rural physician has been influenced by my experiences at K-State. In support of this goal, I have learned how to balance my abilities and interests in college. I have participated in numerous scholastic activities, extracurricular activities, and volunteered in the community and at church. I have learned how to adapt to new settings, network with fellow students and teachers, and balance my life with my education, leadership, and service."
James Swanson
Arkansas City
Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in
Spring 2008
Chemical Engineering and Pre-medicine
Expects to graduate in December 2009/May 2010
Career goals: James plans to attend medical school at either Vanderbilt University or Johns Hopkins and study to be a pediatrician or pursue a combined M.D./Ph.D degree to work on cancer research
"I had always been the type of person who looked out for myself and my own interests, because I didn't feel like I could trust anyone else to put forth the effort I thought necessary to accomplish a goal. The family like atmosphere of my Chemical Engineering class has given me a different outlook on this part of my life. I now can confidently ask someone else to take care of something and completely believe that they will do everything humanly possibly to achieve the goal that I have set before them. I believe that this may be the best lesson I have learned at Kansas State University, because there is no way that any one person can accomplish as much as a group of people dedicated to a common purpose."
Nicole Wayant
Topeka
Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi in Spring 2008
Geography and Mathematics
Expected graduation date is May 2009
Nicole's dream occupation is to work in the intelligence field and specialize in spatial analysis. She was selected to intern for the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency in the summer of 2007 and asked to return as an intern this past summer.
In her essay, she wrote "The intelligence community seeks individuals who are able to look at a problem spatially, analyze the situation, and be able to determine a solution. These individuals are known as spatial analysts. Kansas State has given me a wonderful set of tools to use in my career, which enable me to help my country at the same time.