K-State Libraries Student Ambassadors connect campus to libraries, earn awards for support

Thursday, May 29, 2025

In a two-photo collage, a woman in a black dress and gold shawl smiles for a photo in front of a museum display, and a man in a purple polo shirt sits in a library holding a book and smiles for a photo.
From left, Kaleah McClure and Omotayo Onanuga have been recognized for supporting their peers and advocating for K-State Libraries.

 

K-State Libraries Student Ambassadors play a pivotal role by sharing student perspectives, guiding key decisions and serving as a bridge between the student body and the libraries. Two ambassadors have been recognized for their outstanding dedication to supporting fellow students and advocating for the Kansas State University Libraries.

Omotayo Onanuga, a doctoral student in kinesiology from Lagos, Nigeria, and Kaleah McClure, a freshman in English from Olathe, are the inaugural recipients of the Patricia Boze Libraries Memorial Scholarship.

"Omotayo and Kaleah are committed advocates and ambassadors," said Sara K. Kearns, advisor to the ambassadors. "We are delighted to be able to award them with these scholarships and ease their financial paths as students, allowing them to be students and engage with the K-State community."

The award was established in memory of Patricia Boze, a 1973 K-State graduate and lifelong librarian who believed deeply in the power of libraries to enrich the lives of their patrons. Through the generosity of her family and friends, the scholarship now provides meaningful financial support to students who serve as K-State Libraries Student Ambassadors.

"We are proud of the contributions of all of our ambassadors," said Kearns. "Selecting only two ambassadors for the scholarship was very difficult, especially when we read about the applicants' impacts across campus from their letters of support."

The Patricia Boze Libraries Memorial Scholarship not only honors the legacy of a passionate librarian but also inspires the next generation of student ambassadors. With each award, recipients are empowered to lead, connect and make a lasting impact on campus and beyond.

Submitted by Lexi Liby, lexiliby@k-state.edu