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K-State Today

February 22, 2012

Making their mark: 12 distinguished alumni participate in Alumni Fellows Week

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

Twelve distinguished Kansas State University alumni will address students and faculty in 68 classes and receptions Feb. 22-24 during the 2012 Alumni Fellows Week.

Alumni fellows return to discuss current business and industry trends and to meet informally with students and faculty. The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association, the president's office and the Deans Council.

The fellows were chosen based on their high levels of professional accomplishment and distinguished service in their respective careers, said Andrea Bryant Gladin, director of alumni programs for the K-State Alumni Association and organizer of Alumni Fellows Week.

The 2012 Alumni Fellows include:

* Janice A. Marks, chief executive officer, Varney and Associates CPAs LLC, Manhattan, for the College of Business Administration. Marks is a 1982 K-State alum.

* Lee J. Gatton, research engineer, GRD Robotics, Overland Park, for Kansas State University Salina. Gatton is a 1971 K-State alum.

* Diane M. DeBacker, commissioner of education, Kansas State Department of Education, Topeka, for the College of Education. DeBacker is a 2002 K-State graduate.

* Jim Riemann, assistant secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture, Topeka, for the College of Agriculture. Riemann earned degrees from K-State in 1966, 1973 and 1974.

* Kristine M. Smith, a registered dietitian and director of nutrition services, Neighborhood House Association, San Diego, for the Division of Continuing Education. Smith is a 2004 graduate of K-State.

* Sara L. Mark, doctor of veterinary medicine and president, Southwest Veterinary Hospital PC, Littleton, Colo., for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Mark earned degrees from K-State in 1977 and 1983.

* Ray Dempsey Jr., vice president, government and public affairs, BP America, Washington, D.C., for the College of Engineering. Dempsey is a 1990 K-State graduate.

* Richard L. Cate, visiting scholar, Boston University, Boston, and INSERM, Paris, France, for the College of Arts and Sciences. Cate is a 1979 K-State alum.

* Rayford B. Vaughn Jr., associate vice president for research, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Miss., for the Graduate School. Vaughn earned degrees from K-State in 1982 and 1988.

* Marvin Manlove, member of the American Institute of Architects and senior principal, 360 Architecture, Kansas City, Mo., for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. Manlove is a 1968 K-State alum.

* Becky Pirkl Hurd, senior material researcher, NIKE Inc., Beaverton, Ore., for the College of Human Ecology. Hurd is a 1986 K-State alum.

* Mark A. Chapman, investor, Broughton Petroleum Inc., Sealy, Texas, for the College of Arts and Sciences. Chapman is a 1965 K-State alum.