Winter 2012
TODAY
SAB
K-State Student Alumni Board alumni newsletter
Students select K-State’s 2013 Ambassadors Johnson, Parsons, Kan., is a junior majoring in human resource management and marketing. He said there isn’t a thing in this world that excites him more than connecting with future K-State students and alumni of the university. He credits the incredible work that Student Ambassadors have done in the past and is excited to add to that legacy and to give back to K-State in a capacity that ties to his passion for all that is purple. Johnson said he enjoys singing and playing guitar, cheering on the ’Cats at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, and completing his K-State bucket list, which includes going in every room of every building on campus before graduation.
Priddle, Manhattan, Kan., is a junior majoring in family studies and human services. She said she is very excited about her new position as Student Ambassador and looks forward to working with the Alumni Association to meet with both alumni and prospective students. She said K-State is important to her because of how it became the family, the experience and the next step in her life, bringing about the biggest changes, all for the better. She said she enjoys singing, writing, water sports and, most importantly, the wonderful people at K-State. Congratulations to Johnson and Priddle. They will do awesome things for Kansas State University this year. David Mayes ‘96, K-State Alumni Association
By Annika Schneider, SAB secretary This was a fantastic year for Student Alumni Board and the selection of the 2013 K-State Student Ambassadors. Half of the six finalists were members of the SAB ranks: Heidi Hurtig, Brett Seidl and Tyler Johnson represented SAB as Student Ambassador finalists. Other finalists were Jessica Conwell, Jordan Priddle and Ross Jensby. As excellent as each finalist would have been for K-State, Johnson and Priddle were announced as the 2013 Student Ambassadors in front of a full Homecoming crowd Oct. 27. Johnson already was a member of SAB, but members were excited to welcome Priddle wholeheartedly to the organization.
The 2013 Student Ambassadors, Jordan Priddle (center) and Tyler Johnson (second to right), are congratulated by (from left) Kent Bradley, chairman of the K-State Alumni Association board of directors; Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the Alumni Association; and K-State President Kirk Schulz.
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President’s CORNER [ FROM THE PRESIDENT ] By Rachel King, President
Student Alumni Board is an ever-changing and evolving organization on campus. This year has been no different. We continued to build on our history of successful programs, including our Just for Juniors recruitment events in Manhattan and Topeka this semester. Our Wildcats Forever members enjoyed a bus trip to the Iowa State game in October; tickets for the event sold out in two hours. A huge thank you is owed to Kansas State University President Kirk Schulz for sponsoring this year’s trip. We kicked off our school year with an Olympic-themed retreat. Members dressed up as their favorite athletes from the games, including a special appearance by the executive board as the Fab Five gymnastics squad. Our very own Tyler Johnson opened the retreat
with a few moves, including a backflip routine that more than surprised our advisers. No worries, though, as he landed unscathed. To celebrate the holidays, we participated in a Secret Santa gift exchange and cozied up in the Tadtman Board Room to watch a holiday movie. We also were entertained by our new members performing their final project: a “Big Bang Theory”-themed look at K-State throughout the years. We had our December meeting at the home of Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. Members filled her K-State memorabilia basement and decorated gingerbread houses. Amy judged the creations and crowned the winners, who fashioned a cute rendition of Bill Snyder Family Stadium made out of the delicious treats. As we look toward next semester, we are proud to announce our newest program, the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. The Distinguished Young Alumni program recognizes two K-State
graduates under the age of 30 who are excelling in their professions and contributing to their communities. We solicited the colleges as well as campus organizations for nominations. Upon review of the applications by members of the executive board and the Alumni Association board of directors, we selected the 2012-13 Distinguished Young Alumni. We are proud to announce Nick Piper and Justine Sterling will be returning to campus in February to receive their awards. The two will address students and meet with their respective colleges and student organizations Feb. 26. As always, it is an honor to serve as SAB president. I am constantly impressed and amazed by the hard work of my fellow members. We are moving forward in a positive direction and continuing to support the Alumni Association’s mission of connecting with future, current and graduated K-Staters. I cannot wait to see what the second semester holds for us.
Distinguished Young Alumni Awards make debut By Sam Kellerman, VP of campus programming In February, the Student Alumni Board will honor two K-State graduates with the Distinguished Young Alumni Award. The award program, which is in its inaugural year, is designed to recognize alumni under the age of 30 who not only made positive advancements for the university during their time as a student but also have excelled within their professional fields and have contributed to their communities since graduating. Discussions for instituting a new program began last spring and quickly became one of the primary focuses of SAB this fall. The objective for the new program was to simultaneously engage young alumni and allow for greater interaction between SAB and the campus community. Over the past few months, SAB students have reached out to deans, department heads and representatives from a variety of on-campus organizations to encourage them to nominate young graduates who embody this award. After reviewing a highly competi[2]
tive applicant pool, representatives from SAB and the K-State Alumni Association’s board of directors selected Nick Piper and Justine Sterling as the program’s first recipients. Piper, a 2008 K-State graduate and native of Shawnee, Kan., is the founder and CEO of Phoria Energy Solutions, a China-based company that promotes clean and efficient energy use in developing economies. While at K-State, Piper was involved in the Student Governing Association and Blue Key Honor Society, among other groups. Since graduating, Piper has traveled back to K-State to speak with business classes and is working with K-State’s College of Business Administration to create international degree programs that would link K-State to several Chinese universities. He also is involved in several philanthropic organizations, specifically those that help children with special needs and organizations that promote clean energy. Sterling is a 2007 K-State graduate and native of Hardtner, Kan. Since grad-
uating, she has served in various roles for President George W. Bush, both while he was in the White House and during his post-presidency in Dallas. While at K-State, Sterling was involved in several organizations, including the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, Blue Key Honor Society and the Kansas FFA Association. Among her many responsibilities as a member of President Bush’s staff, Sterling has organized two large-scale inaugural events for service members wounded in combat. She also has traveled to Africa twice to support President Bush and Laura Bush’s trips there as part of their global health program. The Alumni Association and Student Alumni Board will honor Piper and Sterling when they return to campus Feb. 26 to give keynote presentations and visit with student groups and university classes. Look for our follow-up article in the summer edition of the SAB newsletter. For more information about the Distinguished Young Alumni program, visit www.k-state.com/DYA.
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By Jordan Pieschl, SAB member The Student Alumni Board joined in a “Race Toward Excellence” in August as four members and one adviser attended the CASE ASAP Network Convention in Indianapolis, Ind. The annual event, hosted by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in partnership with Butler University and the University of Idaho, allowed student advancement groups to share their best practices while learning from others. Megan Sherlock, associate director of student programs for the K-State Alumni Association and adviser for Student Alumni Board, was joined by SAB members Andrew Waldman, Andrew Strasburg, Mollie Stephens and Jordan Pieschl at the 2012 event. During the convention, the members presented to their peers about Wildcats Forever, providing an overview of the history, statistics, benefits, successes and the challenges of the program. The presentation attracted a large audience and offered a great opportunity to answer questions. The SAB members also learned about programs implemented by organizations from other universities in the same manner. Great insight was gained and ideas gathered through sessions covering benefit marathons and other philanthropic programs (including the Student Foundation’s K-State Proud presentation) to professionalism and school spirit. Other opportunities the convention provided included an etiquette luncheon, networking meals, keynote speakers and the chance to contribute to the CASE ASAP community service project. This project involved donating school supplies to benefit
Megan Sherlock, K-State Alumni Association
SAB members network at CASE ASAP convention
Megan Sherlock (center), associate director of student programs for the K-State Alumni Association and adviser for Student Alumni Board, was joined by SAB members (from left) Mollie Stephens, Andrew Strasburg, Andrew Waldman and Jordan Pieschl at the 2012 CASE ASAP Network Convention in Indianapolis, Ind.
Schools on Wheels Inc. The final event of the convention was the CASE ASAP Network Awards Banquet and Presentation. K-State had much to be proud of as SAB accepted a national award for its new member training program in the Outstanding Internal Program category. Student Foundation also won an award for K-State Proud. The conference, attended by more than 500 students from around the nation, provided a great chance to learn and share. The 2013 event will take place in New Orleans, La.
Have you changed your email? Moved? Landed a new job? We want to keep you updated on everything happening with the Student Alumni Board and K-State. Visit www.K-State.com/updateyourinfo to provide us with your most up-to-date information.
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A year in review: Andrew Waldman
Throughout the year, one question has been asked of me more than any other: “What has been your greatest experience as the K-State Student Ambassador?” Truthfully, I don’t believe I can pick just one. I have been humbled by the opportunity, inspired by the experiences I’ve had, and honored to serve on behalf of Kansas State University. When I first heard my name announced at the 2011 Homecoming football game, I remember feeling overwhelmed by surprise, excitement and nervousness all at the same time. The moment was so surreal, and as much as I had been anticipating it, I had no idea what the upcoming year had in store. From the beginning, Phillicia Thomas and I hit it off. We seemed to complement each other in every way, and it wasn’t long before we were finishing each other’s sentences. Her charismatic personality helped me break out of my shell, and her enthusiasm for K-State was truly inspirational. She always seemed to make a connection with everyone we met. The time on the road allowed us to get to know each other; we talked about our families, our passions, our pet peeves, how we got to K-State and the fact that we share the same favorite color (orange). I can’t imagine experiencing my year as ambassador with anyone other than Phillicia. I have learned so much from her, and I’m grateful to have been paired with such an amazing person. One of the reasons I chose to run for Student Ambassador was because I remember being heavily influenced by K-Staters when I was a high school senior. Those were experiences that I valued and that led me to K-State, and I wanted to be able to have a chance to influence prospective students in the same way. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share my passion for K-State with these students, as well as hundreds of alumni and friends of the university. I have always heard of the incredible alumni base, but being able
David Mayes ‘96, K-State Alumni Association
Year as Student Ambassador ‘helped me grow’
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Phillicia Thomas and Andrew Waldman served as the 2012 Student Ambassadors. “When I first heard my name announced at the 2011 Homecoming football game, I remember feeling overwhelmed by surprise, excitement and nervousness all at the same time,” says Waldman, who will pass the torch to 2013 Student Ambassadors Jordan Priddle and Tyler Johnson.
I am grateful to have had the opportunity to share my passion for K-State. — Andrew Waldman, 2012 Student Ambassador
to witness it firsthand was incredible. From St. Joe to Great Bend and everywhere in between, one of the highlights of my year was being able to see how K-State has influenced our alumni and helped them achieve what they have today. It is this lasting impression that sets our alumni apart from those of other schools, and this genuine connection is what helps propel our university to an even higher level. This past year has helped me grow tremendously, both personally and professionally. There are no words to adequately express my thanks to my peers, the K-State Alumni Association
and the countless number of people who have helped me get to where I am today. My experiences as one of the 2012 K-State Student Ambassadors will forever remain near and dear to my heart, and the memories will never be forgotten. It truly has been an honor to serve the greatest university in the country. As the new ambassadors begin to transition into this role, I am certain they are already feeling the butterflies that Phillicia and I were experiencing just one year ago. However, I can honestly say that the nervousness, apprehension and genuine fear are not uncommon. In fact, as I was once told by someone much wiser than I, these feelings represent the passion that is inherently exuded by all K-State Student Ambassadors. Good luck to Tyler and Jordan as they continue a legacy and tradition at K-State. To all those I was fortunate enough to meet along the way, thanks for the memories. You have truly inspired me. K-State PROUD, Andrew Waldman