CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE AWARDEES!
Welti earns state’s most prestigious research achievement award
Ruth Welti, university distinguished professor of biology, was selected for a 2026 Higuchi-KU Endowment Research Achievement Award, Kansas’s most prestigious recognition for scholarly excellence in higher education. The Olin Petefish Award in Basic Sciences honors her distinguished career in plant biology research.
Welti’s research focuses on plant lipid biochemistry and illuminates how plants respond to changing environmental conditions and stress , providing valuable insights into economically significant crops and other plants. She is the co-founding director of the Kansas Lipidomics Research Center and director of K-State’s core facilities. Read more.
Rozhkovskaya recognized for strengthening belonging at K-State
Mathematics professor Natasha Rozhkovskaya has received the 2025-2026 Commerce Bank Presidential Award for Belonging. The award honors individuals whose work strengthens the development, access and quality of education for all students, including those from low-income and first-generation backgrounds.
Modern Languages GTA wins regional teaching award
Modern Languages Graduate Teaching Assistant María Camila Ramírez Quimbayo won a Midwestern Association of Graduate Schools Excellence in Teaching Award in the master’s student category! The award recognizes graduate students who exemplify excellence in the teaching and learning mission of their universities.
Quimbayo will be honored at the association’s annual conference in Kansas City and receive a $750 honorarium.
College teaching, advising and support staff awards
Congratulations to the winners of our college’s 2025-2026 teaching, advising and administrative support staff awards! We look forward to celebrating these outstanding employees at the March 5 awards celebration!
- Wendy Matlock, English – Ronald Gaches Lifetime Teaching Award
- Tom Platt, Biology – Ronald Gaches Undergraduate Teaching Award
- Andie Faber, Modern Languages – Ronald Gaches Undergraduate Teaching Award
- Camille Meritan, Modern Languages – William Stamey Award for Undergraduate Teaching
- Helene Avocat, Geography – William Stamey Award for Undergraduate Teaching
- Jesse Osnes, Mathematics – William Stamey Award for Graduate Teaching Assistant
- Kaela Urquhart, Interdisciplinary Programs – William Stamey Award for Advising
- Jessica Buckman, Art – Annette Maggio Administrative and Support Staff Award
- Angel George, Dean’s Office – Annette Maggio Administrative and Support Staff Award
- Laura Hohenbary, Dean’s Office – Annette Maggio Administrative and Support Staff Award
- Dedra Schweir, Dean’s Office – Annette Maggio Administrative and Support Staff Award
- Kristin Michel, Biology – Karen Ann Griffith Research Award
- Wendy Reeves, Biology – Keller Award for Innovation in Teaching
- Ethan Bernick, Political Science – Professional Development Awards
- Melissa Poll, Social Transformation Studies – Professional Development Awards