Purple Praise
Celebrations of faculty, staff and students
From scholarly and organizational accolades to research discoveries and creative achievements, K-State's talented faculty, staff and students continue to advance the university's culture of excellence by providing and participating in hands-on, world-class experiences.
Purple Praise highlights notable accomplishments both on and off campus, including awards and honors, fellowships, performances, elections to regional and national boards or committees in professional organizations, conference presentations, and unique learning and engagement opportunities.
Upcoming Purple Praise
In addition to the standard monthly publication, two special edition Purple Praise dedicated to awards and scholarships will be published in May 2026.
- The college and unit awards and scholarships special edition of Purple Praise will be published on Friday, May 1. Submissions are due Tuesday, April 28.
- The universitywide awards and scholarships special edition of Purple Praise will be published on Friday, May 8. Submissions are due Tuesday, May 5.
- The standard May edition of Purple Praise will be published on Friday, May 15. Submissions are due Wednesday, May 13.
Student recognitions
APDesign student abstracts accepted into international conference
The Department of Interior Architecture and Industrial Design proudly announces that all student abstracts submitted to the Environmental Design Research Association's EDRA57 Conference have been accepted.
Students will present research developed through K-State's design research and capstone studio courses at the "Embracing Regional Sustainability: Network for People and Places" conference, held May 27 through May 30 at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, competing alongside more than 700 professionals, researchers and academics from around the world.
In addition to student presentations, APDesign faculty have contributed a scholarship to be awarded at the conference, further demonstrating the college's active role in advancing environmental design research at the international level.
Arinaitwe accepted into prestigious research workshop
Brian Arinaitwe, a doctoral student in economics, has been accepted to the 2026 Graduate Student Research Workshop on Poverty and Economic Mobility.
Arinaitwe, conducting research on health economics, was one of only 12 scholars selected to the program. The workshop, organized by Howard University and the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, provides intensive training and mentorship for students working on dissertation topics related to poverty and economic mobility.
Arinaitwe will receive mentoring from leading researchers in the field, network with other talented graduate students and engage in peer-to-peer mentoring with the goal of developing key doctoral defense skills and increasing research relevance.
Collegian Media Group takes home national awards
K-State Collegian copy editor Declan Phipps traveled to New York City to represent the three CollegianMedia Group, or CMG, publications at the College Media Association's Apple Awards.
CMG publications took multiple top honors at the Apple Awards, named after former Student Publications director and Collegian adviser Dave Adams: Best Yearbook Cover, Best Crisis Coverage, Best Newsletter and Best Multimedia Ad Campaign. The K-State Collegian also placed third in the Best Yearbook category.
Phipps received the 2026 Kelly Lash travel grant from the College Media Association to attend the association's annual conference and Apple Awards ceremony.
Department of Computer Science students attend international conference
Students recently attended the 2026 Association for Computing Machinery's Technical Symposium on Computer Science Education, or SIGCE, with the Advancing Learning and Teaching in Computer Science, or ALT+CS Lab. The trip to SIGCE — one of the premier international conferences dedicated to computing education research — was organized and supported through the ALT+CS Lab and the Department of Computer Science.
During the conference, students attended a variety of workshop formats discussing advancements in areas such as artificial intelligence, data science integration, inclusive computing practices and evidence-based curriculum design. They also observed how computing education research shapes curriculum, policy and workforce preparation across universities and K–12 systems worldwide.
In addition to academic sessions, the conference created meaningful opportunities for mentorship and connection. By participating in SIGCSE 2026, the students strengthened their research literacy, professional communication skills and understanding of national trends in computer science education. The experience reflects the computer science department's continued commitment to supporting student growth, research engagement and national visibility.
Division of Biology announces 2026-2027 student ambassadors
39 students have been selected to join K-State's Biology Ambassadors, promoting student success, awareness and pride in the division among students, parents, alumni and the public.
Ambassadors volunteer their time and talents during individual visits with prospective students and at special events and lead a mentorship program to help first-year students in the division's three undergraduate biology programs transition to K-State.
Horticulture team places sixth in national competition
27 students from across campus, under leadership from the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, took sixth place at the 50th annual National Collegiate Landscape Competition, or NCLC, at Michigan State University.
During the competition, students worked to provide solutions to real-world scenarios using horticulture and business-related skills.In the team portion, K-State placed sixth. In the individual events, 11 students placed in the top ten, and eight in the top five. K-State students participated in several community outreach projects between competitions as part of the NCLC Cats Give Back initiative.
Ighalo receives award from U.S. Department of Energy
Joshua Ighalo, doctoral student in K-State's Tim Taylor Department of Chemical Engineering, is one of 69 nationwide scholars accepted into the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Science Graduate Student Research Program.
The program will provide Ighalo with world-class training and access to state-of-the-art facilities at Argonne National Laboratory in Lemont, Illinois, to support his doctoral research. Ighalo's work focuses on heterogeneous catalysis, nanomaterials design, clean energy and environmental sustainability — he is also working alongside Placidus B. Amama, professor of chemical engineering, on the design of a nickel-based heterogeneous catalyst for dry reforming and methane pyrolysis.
Industrial engineering honors society welcomes new inductees
The K-State chapter of Alpha Pi Mu, the national industrial engineering honor society, inducted seven industrial and manufacturing systems engineering students for their academic achievements during its spring 2026 initiation ceremony on March 29. Initiates are: Callan Dwyer, treasurer; John Hofer, mentor coordinator; Ashlee Kelley, secretary; Tommy Parker, Sarjoun Fardoun assembly coordinator; Dylan Potter, vice president; and Tyler Tarman, president.
Jacob Mason becomes first K-Stater accepted into national program
Jacob Mason, a graduate student in the Herbel Family School of Accountancy, has been selected for the highly competitive Postgraduate Technical Assistant, or PTA, program with the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB.
FASB, which sets rules for how U.S. companies report financial information, also sponsors the PTA program, one of the most prestigious early-career opportunities in accounting. Top accounting graduates are placed in a one-year position working with FASB staff on financial reporting and standard-setting projects — Mason is the first K-State student to be selected, reflecting the accounting department's growing national. recognition and workforce preparation offerings.
"I'm honored to be representing K-State at the FASB office in Connecticut," said Mason. "The school of accountancy's programming and faculty mentorship has done an unparalleled job in preparing me for this opportunity. I hope that by being a participant in the PTA program, I will demonstrate to students who come after me that K-State belongs at the table."
Palmer selected for KPMG Global Internship Program
Master of Accountancy student Alexa Palmer has been selected for the KPMG Global Internship Program, one of the firm's most competitive opportunities for emerging talent. Palmer, who holds an International Business certificate, has also built strong relationships with KPMG through College of Business networking opportunities, which have positioned her for success in a highly selective applicant pool, being one of 46 selected from 300 applications.
The internship program places students directly on client engagement teams, offering a rare chance to build a global perspective early in their careers. Palmer will spend eight weeks gaining hands-on experience with KPMG, dividing her summer between four weeks in Kansas City and four weeks in Zurich, Switzerland, her top-choice international placement.
"The Global Internship Program at KPMG is something that I have wanted to participate in since I first
heard about it four years ago," Palmer said. "I have always had a passion for international travel
as well as accounting, so being able to combine the two is an incredible opportunity."
Research Day spotlights students' scientific accomplishments
K-State's annual Phi Zeta Research Day, hosted on March 3, showcased the College of Veterinary Medicine students' investigative research efforts. More than 50 oral and poster presentations were delivered, revealing insights into subjects ranging from canine hyperthermia to Rift Valley fever. Afterward, a ceremony welcomed networking opportunities and celebrated student efforts through awards and scholarships.
Students perform with world-renowned dance company
K-State dance students from the School of Music, Theatre and Dance performed alongside the T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company during a McCain Series concert on March 28. The class and performance were made possible through funding from the QuVee Mock Masterclass Series and a unique partnership with McCain Auditorium, offering students an immersive learning and performance experience.
Dance program director Kate Digby, who apprenticed and performed with the Bill T. Jones /
Arnie Zane Company during the late '90s, says it's been a dream of hers to bring the company to work with students since she began her role at K-State.
"Their ground-breaking work has stretched the boundaries of contemporary dance for decades and continues to teach us what it means to be human," said Digby.
Faculty and staff recognitions
Alumni Association welcomes organization's first data analyst
Amrutha Mallela, '25, will turn complex data into actionable insights that guide engagement strategies, event planning and membership growth for the K-State Alumni Association. Mallela joined the Association staff in February as its first-ever data analyst.
Christopher Fein named finalist for International Kitchen of the Year
Christopher Fein, assistant professor of architecture in the College of Architecture, Planning & Design, has been named a finalist for International Kitchen of the Year in the Trends International Design Awards.
The recognition highlights Fein’s work through his creative inquiry with Forward Design | Architecture, Fein's firm based in Kansas City. The project is part of a historic renovation and addition to a mid-century modern residence that had undergone a series of poorly conceived modifications over the years.
The renovation restores the clarity of the original architectural design while introducing a contemporary kitchen that reconnects the home's living spaces with the surrounding landscape. Positioned on the west side of the lower level, the new kitchen is conceived as a sculptural element within the larger living space. Rather than functioning as a conventional built-in room, the kitchen is treated architecturally as mid-century furniture — a refined composition that maintains the spirit and design language of the home's 1950s origins.
DASSA and Enrollment Management present at national conference
During the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, or NASPA, annual conference in Kansas City, K-State's Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs and the Office of Enrollment Management teams presented twice on their collaborative partnerships.
Kevin Cook, Holly Gerke and Patrick Winter presented "Prospects to Partners: Integrating Families in the Recruitment and Retention Journey," and Morgan Greene and Emily McMillan presented "It's Giving Campus Collaboration: Maximizing Partnerships for Cohesive Student-focused Digital Marketing and Communications". Both presentations focused on the units' efforts to create impactful messaging that spans across the student lifecycle from inquiry to graduation.
Department of Computer Science hosts second annual K-8 Coding Contest
On Saturday, March 7, more than 100 K-8 students from across Kansas gathered at K-State's Carl R. Ice College of Engineering for a full day of coding contests, educational activities and celebrations of STEM learning. Young participants developed code for artificial intelligence solutions, animations, games and apps using Scratch programming language — prizes were awarded to the highest-scoring students, including a grand prize of a Sony PlayStation 5.
"This event is proof that the College of Engineering is committed to advancing science and technology throughout Kansas and among young participants," said Safia Malallah, teaching assistant professor of computer science and organizer of the event.
During the event, parents of participants were offered the opportunity to hear from Jorge Valenzuela, teaching assistant professor of computer science, in a workshop titled "Parenting with AI." Aimed at answering parents' questions about artificial intelligence and how young students should use it, the three-session workshop offered parents the chance to discuss this issue with experts and with each other.
Division of Information Technology receives national award
K-State's Division of Information Technology, or IT, has been awarded Laserfiche's Run Smarter
Award for Program of the Year. The award honors the university's exemplary implementation of Laserfiche, a cloud-based enterprise content management and business process automation
software.
Since implementing Laserfiche, K-State IT has driven positive change by modernizing high-volume, long-standing campus processes through automation. During first-phase implementation with the Office of the Registrar, IT used Laserfiche to automate the academic program change process, resulting in a 91% efficiency gain.
Members of the implementation team will accept the award in person during the Run Smarter Award Ceremony, taking place from April 27-30 in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Fees receives Innovative Digital Education Alliance award
Bronwyn Fees, professor and associate dean at Kansas State University, received the 2026 Friend of IDEA Award in recognition of her dedication and leadership within the academic alliance. She was honored at the Innovative Digital Education Alliance, or IDEA, annual conference in Kansas City.
Recognized for her contributions to the alliance, Fees was described as generous, success-focused and an intentional listener who champions others' ideas while supporting IDEA's long-term continuity and sustainability.
In addition to her role at K-State, Fees serves on IDEA's Human Sciences board and the alliance's overall cabinet.
Johnson honored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Sandy Johnson, K-State Extension beef specialist and program leader, received the 2026 Undergraduate of Distinction award from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln's Department of Animal Science.
Recognizing an alumnus who has made significant contributions to the field, the award honors Johnson's work supporting beef producers across Kansas and beyond. Throughout her career in applied research and Extension, she has contributed to more than 30 peer-reviewed publications, led outreach efforts and helped advance reproductive management strategies through her work with the Beef Reproductive Task Force.
Johnson's work reflects the strength of Extension and land-grant universities, connecting research to real-world application to improve herd performance and producer decision-making.
K-State Salina faculty attend national conference
Professors Andrew Smith and Lashonda Clarke recently attended the Aviation Technician Education Council Conference, where national leaders in aviation education, industry and regulation focused on one central challenge: preparing the next generation of aviation maintenance professionals.
Major themes of the conference included discussions of emerging technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, extended reality and digital twin technology; workforce development and pre-college pathway creation; and alignment with Federal Aviation Administration certification standards. The conference also offered opportunities to connect with peer institutions implementing innovative training models and explore collaboration surrounding immersive learning technologies.
Insights that Smith and Clarke gathered from the conference will be used to directly support ongoing efforts at K-State Salina to modernize aviation maintenance education, strengthen industry alignment and expand pathways into high-demand aviation careers.
Muturi empowers healthcare communication efforts in Indonesia
Nancy Muturi, professor of advertising and public relations in the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication, completed a Fulbright Specialist Program visit to Indonesia, focusing on communication skills training and capacity-building for healthcare workers. Muturi, a scholar of health communication, was invited by the School of Nursing, Ministry of Health, in Manokwari, West Papua, Indonesia, to share her expertise.
Minton recognized for College of Agriculture service, leadership
Ernie Minton, special assistant to the president and former Eldon Gideon dean of the College of Agriculture, received the Meritorious Service Award from the Kansas Soybean Commission for his leadership of K-State's Agriculture Innovation Initiative.
During his tenure as dean, Minton prioritized modernizing facilities and strengthening collaboration across disciplines, particularly through the Agriculture Innovation Initiative. The $210 million initiative includes the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center, the Agronomy Research and Innovation Center and renovations to Call and Weber halls — all designed to connect research, teaching and industry.
Through his leadership, K-State is better positioned to support advancements in areas such as crop production, plant science and value-added food systems, while improving producer profitability and preparing the next generation of agricultural professionals.
Modern Languages' literary journal turns 50, surpasses one million downloads
The Studies in Twentieth and Twenty-First Century Literature journal, founded and managed by the Department of Modern Languages, is celebrating 50 years of publishing and more than one million downloads.
Launched in 1976 by K-State faculty who invested their own time and resources, the journal has grown over the decades through contributions from departmental scholars and international collaborators. It has published more than 1,000 articles, along with numerous book reviews and two academic books.
In 2014, the journal transitioned from print to an open-access model. Since then, its full archive — spanning from 1976 to today — has surpassed one million downloads, reflecting K-State's ongoing commitment to maintaining scholarly open access.
Roberts receives professional organization's highest honor
Camilla J. Roberts, director of the honor and integrity system, received the Tricia Bertram Gallant Award for Outstanding Lifetime Service at the International Center for Academic Integrity, or ICAI's, annual conference. Roberts has been active on the ICAI board since 2008, serving as a transition board member from 2016-2018, Vice President from 2020-2024 and President emeritus 2024-present.
The award, the organization's highest honor, recognizes academic and practitioner members who have provided outstanding service to their institution and community in the area of academic integrity. A non-annual award, this honor is granted by nomination only, with recipients representing some of the most influential individuals in academic integrity.
"It is truly an honor to receive this award," Roberts said. "I am deeply grateful to be part of a
community so committed to advancing academic integrity, and thankful that ICAI has been my
professional home for nearly two decades. I share this recognition with the many colleagues and
mentors who have inspired and supported this work."
Collaborative water research empowered during CoSearch event
During the 2026 CoSearch event — an interdisciplinary research accelerator — the Kansas Water Institute brought together five teams, composed of 30 participants from 21 different departments, to present forward-looking water research proposals addressing some of Kansas' most pressing water challenges.
First place, which included $200,000 in project development funding, was awarded to team HydroCATS — whose proposal focused on innovative approaches to emerging water contaminants and remediation technologies. Team members included: Suprem Das, assistant professor of industrial and manufacturing systems engineering; Matthew Kirk, associate professor of geology; Prathap Parameswaran, associate professor of civil engineering; Katie Silas, director of uncrewed aircraft systems research, K-State Salina; Elizabeth Sorensen Montoya, assistant professor of agricultural economics; and Umut Yucel, associate professor and School of Health Sciences food and nutrition program chair.
Second place, which included $100,000 in project development funding, was awarded to team AquaLOOP for their proposed closed-loop approach to improving water efficiency and reuse in agricultural and food production systems. Team members included: Christos Athanassiou, research professor of entomology; Patricia Calvo, assistant professor of chemistry; Yanhong He, assistant professor of grain and food science; Xin Yang, professor of grain and food science; Tareque Nassar, associate professor of finance; and Sunha Yeo, assistant professor of advertising and public relations.