Winter 2019
TODAY
SAB
K-State SAB alumni newsletter
Last look with the 2019 Student Ambassadors It is surreal to think that our time as ambassadors has come to an end. We are beyond filled with gratitude and pride for this exceptional university and all it has given us during our term. It’s our hope that we were able to reciprocate even a small fraction of the impact that this program has made on us, onto the students and alumni we interacted with. It was just a little over a year ago, that we stood, brimming with emotion, as our names were called in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. But it was a little over two and a half years ago that Tel and I first met while we both served as K-State Orientation Leaders in the summer of 2018 and New Student Services Ambassadors throughout the academic school year. It was in these roles that we began to develop such a passion for connecting with students and sharing our love for our university. That next fall, we both gave some pretty entertaining presentations for our final round of interviews. Tel gave his own rendition of the renowned online lecture series, TED Talks, ‘as a ‘TEL Talk,’ and I wrote and performed a K-State song modeled after university favorites like ‘Proud of the House We Built’. It was after this that Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86, President and CEO of the Alumni Association, knew that we’d be a dynamic duo. Each and every event presented us with memorable lessons and gave us opportunities to grow in many ways. Our presentation at these events focused on how, although ever-changing and progressing, K-State still adheres to its land-grant mission of providing opportunity and access for all. Some of the most engaging and fulfilling moments were shared at the Wabash CannonBall galas in both Kansas City and Denver, where we were able to connect with alumni from all
2019 Student Ambassadors Tel Wittmer and Madelyn Mash receive their K-State class rings.
walks of life. It was truly amazing to see a group of passionate and generous K-Staters come together to support future students at the spot we all love full well. Of course, this is not surprising in the slightest, it is just another testament to the K-State family, where no matter who you are or where you come from, you will be supported and uplifted. From speaking at Wildcat Warm-Up to watching the first football game of the season in the University Lounge, Tel and I had the opportunity to interact with truly the best people this world has to give. Each conversation was special and unique, and the stories heard were absolutely unforgettable. Reflecting on this past year, it is hard for me to accurately express just how grateful I am to this program, both Alan Fankhauser ’82, our adviser, Amy Button Renz, and most importantly, the entire K-State family for this incredible opportunity. To the new ambassadors, Sam Bond and Chaz Corredor, you are in for a year
2020 Student Ambassadors Chaz Corredor and Sam Bond were chosen by the student body through voting held during Homecoming Week.
of life-long memories, relationships and connections. Take advantage of each and every opportunity that presents itself and know that this role gives to you a whole new world of personal development and growth. Like Tel and myself, Sam and Chaz represented the K-State family long before their election, as both Orientation Leaders and New Student Services Ambassadors. Tel and I can’t imagine passing the torch to more energetic and passionate K-Staters than you two. Wherever you go, carry the banner high and cherish every second. And finally, to our beloved K-State family, we will forever be indebted for your constant support and guidance, wherever we encountered you. This experience was truly transformative for Tel and I, and each friendly smile or kind word meant the absolute world to us. I can’t believe that in a few short months I will be joining the K-State alumni network, myself, but I do know one thing for sure: there is not a better one out there. - Maddy Mash ’20 [1]
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PRESIDENT’S CORNER [ FROM THE PRESIDENT ] Keaton Petite
Recently, people keep asking me, “what’s next?”, “what comes after this semester?”. Personally, I still have yet to come to the realization that this will be my last semester as part of Student Alumni Board and an undergraduate here at K-State. It’s been a great ride thus far, and this past semester was no different. The Fall 2019 semester began with two SAB members and our adviser Jessica Elmore ’06, ’15 attending the annual CASE ASAP conference in Baltimore,
Maryland. Both Ella Bahr and Mary Claire Halpin – our two SAB member attendees – came back with loads of fun new ideas and motivation for the coming semesters. Soon after, we were welcomed by a new SAB adviser by the name of Collin Just ’18, a recent grad of K-State with the motivation to help create change within SAB. And change there has been! While some of our old programs remain, some new ones are included: SABuddies – a mentor/ mentee program between senior SAB members and new members, and Senior Sidewalk – a senior dedication sidewalk in front of the Alumni Center
and the Berney Family Welcome Center. As we roll into the Spring semester we are looking forward to the usual events: Distinguished Young Alumni, in which we will be honoring Mindy McBee ’12 and Sarah Sexton-Bowser ’08, For Sophomores Only, and Wabash CannonBall which will be taking place this month (February)! It’s going to be a busy semester, but it’s nothing we aren’t prepared for and certainly nothing we aren’t used to. I’m excited to see how the semester rounds out and how our group continues to impact the university.
Two SAB members travel to CASE ASAP conference This August, sophomores Mary Clare Halpin and Ella Bahr traveled to Baltimore, Maryland for the annual CASE ASAP conference. “Coming to CASE ASAP with only a semester of Student Alumni Board experience under my belt, I was not sure what to expect or what I would get out of the experience. CASE ASAP provided an incredible opportunity for me to be inspired by other campus leaders, learn about new ideas to make K-State and our Student Alumni Board better, and ignite a personal passion for Student Alumni Board that I did not have before. I realized just how important our job is in encouraging our current students to think about what it means to be a good alumnus while they are still in undergrad, as well as create pride for our university every day they spend at K-State. I was so inspired to learn more about just how much of an impact we can have on our amazing university.” - Mary Claire Halpin, Sophomore
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Sophomores Ella Bahr (left) and Mary Clare Halpin (right) enjoying their time in Baltimore for the CASE ASAP conference.
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S(ABROAD) This fall we missed one of our new members as she studied abroad. Kayla Craigmile studied in Athens, Greece, which she chose due to the language learning aspect. She says that greek is very unique in that it’s the only language on its branch of the Indo-European family tree, which interested her. Learning Greek was her favorite part of the experience. While she was there, she got the opportunity to travel all across Europe and even into Africa. We missed her here in Manhattan but know that she was out doing incredible things!
Sophomore Kayla Craigmile taking in the scenery in Germany.
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SAB welcomes new adviser This fall, Student Alumni Board welcomed a new adviser to the SAB family. Collin Just ’18 graduated with a degree in journalism and mass communications. He is originally from El Dorado, Kansas, just 1 hour and 50 minutes from Manhattan. Collin says that the job of assistant director of student programs appealed to him because he was enthralled by the opportunity to work with college students again, and it seemed like a great fit for him to be able to contribute to the university that he loves. What excites him most about advising SAB is getting a chance to build and develop relationships with students, assist them in making valuable networking connections and, hopefully, be able to offer them some encouragement and perspective after having just gone through the college experience himself.
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Getting to know Chaz and Sam
Name: Samantha Bond Major: Human development and family sciences Hometown: Olathe, Kansas Year: Junior “My motivation for running for Student Ambassador this past year was to challenge myself in a leadership role where I can present and work with others that I wouldn’t have been able to work with in other involvement.”
Name: Chaz Corredor Major: Finance Hometown: Lenexa, Kansas Year: Junior “I decided to run for ambassador because I wanted some way to give back to K-State. I figured that Student Ambassador would be the best opportunity to meet alumni and prospective students while representing our university!”