Quest Freshman Honorary

Quest is a student organization that works to develop freshmen into leaders by exposing them to leaders, mentors, and opportunities across campus and the community.

Upon selection, members of Quest are paired with mentors from Blue Key Senior Honorary. Under the leadership of Blue Key, Quest takes a behind the scenes look at everything that K-State has to offer, attending special events and meeting several times a month to build community and get tailored leadership development from Blue Key. From touring the athletic facilities to enjoying lunch at the University President's home, connecting with student leaders across campus to giving back through service opportunities in Manhattan, Quest provides ambitious freshmen leaders with the tools necessary to give back to the K-State family.

If you’re interested in making a positive impact and becoming a leader on campus, this is the opportunity you’re looking for! Quest is an amazing experience that can help build relationships and enhance connections during your freshman year. It will help you build relationships with peers and mentors that will make your freshman year memorable and fun!

• Apply for the 2023-2024 Quest Freshman Honorary class HERE. Applications are due Thursday, September 7th at 11:59pm.

Congratulations to the 2022-2023 Quest class! To read the press release regarding this previous class please click here.

If you have any questions at all feel free to reach out to our Directors of Quest Freshman Honorary, Jaye Hrencher, jhrencher@ksu.edu, and Kylie Litavniks, litavnik@ksu.edu.

2022-2023 Quest Class

The 2022-2023 members of Quest Freshman Honorary at Kansas State University, from left, front row — Emily Oppold, Zoey Pudenz, Karlyn Gustin, Graysen Denning, Kiersten Schmalz, Kylie Baldwin, Rebecca Tonkin and Austin Mills; second row — Abi Nelson, Reece Geer, Mary Kate Melcher, Natalie Ostmeyer, Kimathi "Isaiah" Choma, Emily Jones, Grace Johnson, Joy Clemence and Ashlyn Hartman; third row — Annie Petersen, Shayna Vlock, Jerome Schaefer, Preston Dunn, Carter Seth, Braden Adams, Ben Rogers, Cami Fulton, Daniel Funk and Alex Podtburg; and back row — Anthony Quintero, Jack O’Malley, Jameson Rauth, Camille Verhoeven, Hannah Whetstone and Eva Naab.

Braden Adams, computer science, Joy Clemence, business administration, Abilene; Karlyn Gustin, human development and family science and gerontology, Carbondale; Reece Geer, milling science and management, ClayCenter; Natalie Ostmeyer, architecture, Derby; Ben Rogers, electrical engineering and finance, Gardner; Hannah Whetstone, agricultural economics and agricultural communications and journalism, Howard; Carter Seth, management information systems, Lyndon; Kimathi Choma, biomedical engineering, Manhattan; Grace Johnson, biology and pre-med, Neodesha; Emily Oppold, open major, Eva Naab, psychology, Jerome Schaefer, mechanical engineering, and Rebecca Tonkin, news and sports media, all from Overland Park;Zoey Pudenz, business administration, Piper; Austin Mills, mechanical engineering, Shawnee; Preston Dunn, animal sciences and industry and agricultural economics, St. John; Daniel Funk, kinesiology, Topeka; Emily Jones, integrative human sciences, Washington; Abi Nelson, integrative human sciences and pre-nursing, and Jack O’Malley, history and political science, both from Wichita.

From out of state: Annie Petersen, agricultural economics, Geyserville, California; Kate Melcher, food science and industry, West Des Moines, Iowa; Kiersten Schmalz, educational studies, and Jameson Rauth, public health and pre-nursing, both from Kansas City, Missouri; Camille Verhoeven, pre-law, Parkville, Missouri; Alex Podtburg, mechanical engineering, Adams, Nebraska; Cami Fulton, secondary education, Loup City, Nebraska; Shayna Vlock, marketing, Omaha, Nebraska; Ashlynn Hartman, agronomy, Pawnee City, Nebraska; Kylie Baldwin, agricultural education, Redmond, Oregon; Mary Graysen Denning, dietetics, Grapevine, Texas; and Anthony Quintero, pre-dentistry and biology, San Antonio, Texas.

2020-2021 Quest member testimonials

What have you gained from Quest this year?

Joining Quest was one of the most random decisions I made when I first came to K-State as a freshman, but looking back, it ended up being one of the best decisions I could have made! I love walking around campus and seeing my fellow Questies going about their days and doing things that inspire me to become the best leader and student that I can be. I am so thankful for the connections I have made during my time in Quest because I know that the people I have met will be the ones changing our campus and our world someday, and what an honor it is to know them all! By Audrey Birkenbaugh

After being really involved in high school, I wanted to continue feeling connected to my community in college. Quest has been the perfect Avenue to foster that! Quest has pushed me and kept me accountable to be involved and put myself out there to try new things and put my yes on the table. I’ve made friends through Quest and together we have had such a unique backstage experience of K-State. Touring the athletic complex, planning and executing a service project, and having lunch with President Myers are experiences unique to Quest members. I am so thankful for Quest and the connections it has provided me. It has set me up for success in having an influence during my time at K-State and beyond. By Caroline Turk

As a freshman during the COVID-era, it has been incredibly hard to meet new people and engage with groups on campus. I am so grateful for Quest as it has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and meet other amazing freshmen. It is so nice getting to know a smaller group of students as campus doesn't feel as huge anymore. My favorite part has been connecting with my mentor, Maggie, who has helped me navigate my freshman year. She is always there to answer questions about student organizations, to give advice about the transition to college, and to motivate me to get involved. Quest has helped me find my place and has been the most impactful part of my first year at K-State. By Duru Dogan

When I first came to K-State, I knew no one. I didn’t know what to become involved in or how to make an impact on campus. However, I heard about this thing called Quest from one of the women in my sorority, and I thought it might be worth a shot to apply. Looking back now, it was one of the best decisions I’ve made while being in college. Quest Freshman Honorary has provided me with an amazing mentor, high achieving friends who push me to be my best self, and fun experiences that I will cherish forever. I feel extremely grateful to be a part of such an incredible program and would recommend it to anyone wishing to enhance their college experience. By Colleen Fulton

What has been your favorite Quest memory?

My favorite Quest Memory so far was for sure the Retreat. Things were super fun (but a little awkward since we were all strangers)....everyone bonded instantly over that experience and the rest of the night’s adventure were definitely my favorite memory from first semester!

My favorite Quest memories come when I have spent time with the members of Quest. I have never been a part of a group more driven, passionate, and welcoming. I loved getting to grow with and learn from some of the highest-performing members of the freshman class at K-State as well as build friendships that will last a lifetime.

My favorite memory is the Quest retreat. It worked as a catalyst (no pun intended) for us all to naturally grow closer to one another.