College of Education honors new graduates
Friday, May 18, 2018
MANHATTAN — Nine new graduates of Kansas State University's College of Education have received awards from the college for excellence, potential or promise.
Earning the college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award for outstanding leadership and scholarship are five students; two students are receiving the Outstanding Future Teacher Award for their potential as future teachers; and two students earned the Kansas State Department of Education Teacher of Promise Award.
The award winners are all May 2018 bachelor's graduates from the college:
Kialyn Anderson, elementary education, Abilene, College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award-Elementary Education. Anderson, the daughter of Brad Anderson and Kathy Haugh-Anderson, Abilene, is a graduate of Abilene High School.
Bridgett Kelly, elementary education, Effingham, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Kelly served as treasurer of Kappa Delta Pi, the education honorary; was on the leadership team of Navigators Campus Ministry; and was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She was a Pals Conference delegate to Dubai and taught English to children in North Africa. A member of the University Honors Program, she was a Tomorrow's Teacher scholar and received the Ellis Foundation Scholarship and a grant from the university's Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Inquiry. In addition, she interned with the Boys Scouts of America. Kelly is the daughter of Michael and Denise Kelly, Effingham, and a graduate of Atchison County Community Junior/Senior High School.
Katelyn Slavik, elementary education with an emphasis in English as a second language, Garden City, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Slavik was a member of the Student Mobilization Leadership Team and a participant and leader in Kaleo, the Student Mobilization summer project. She served as a university resident assistant and was a recipient of a TEACH Grant, the Kansas Teacher Scholarship and the Charles and Doris Setterquist Scholarship. She is the daughter of Andrew and Kristin Slavik and a graduate of Lafayette High School in Lexington, Kentucky.
Bethany Parker, secondary education-English, Hill City, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Parker, who graduated cum laude, was a semester honors list student and a member of the Kansas National Education Association-Student Program and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, as well as Sigma Tau Delta, Phi Eta Sigma and Golden Key honoraries. She performed in "WinterDance" and was a dancer in a K-State Opera presentation. She was the recipient of the K-State Leadership Scholarship, Rush Scholarship, Laura and Martin Turner Education Scholarship, and the Fern and Bernell Schneider Memorial Scholarship for Teacher Training. She also received the Expert Translator Award from the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan. Parker is the daughter of Scott and Diana Parker, Hill City, and a graduate of Hill City High School.
Emily Nine, Lansing, Kansas State Department of Education Teacher of Promise Award-Elementary Education. Nine was a member of the Bill Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows program and served on the Greek Scholarship Advancement Committee. A member of Chi Omega sorority, she served as its activities director. She also was a Panhellenic recruitment guide, a soccer coach with Manhattan Parks and Recreation and a camp counselor at Round Up River Ranch in Gypsum, Colorado. Nine is the daughter of Van and Cathy Nine, Lansing, and a graduate of Immaculata High School in Leavenworth.
Audrey Augustine, secondary education-mathematics, Salina, Kansas State Department of Education Teacher of Promise Award-Secondary Education. Augustine was a member of the Kansas National Education Association-Student Program and Educators Rising. She was the recipient of the Noyce Math Education Scholarship, Kansas State University Foundation Plus Scholarship, Sarah G. Sitz Mathematics Scholarship, Elvon G. and Lydia E. Skeen Education Scholarship and the Vada F. Hainline Scholarship. She also was a two-year member of the university's cheer team. Augustine is the daughter of Mark and Rebecca Augustine, Salina, and a graduate of Salina Central High School.
Megan Burtness, secondary education-English, Wichita, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. A four-year member of the Kansas State University Marching Band, Burtness also was named to Tau Beta Sigma, the honorary band service sorority. She served as an office assistant for the university's English Language Program and was a CAT community learning assistant. Burtness was a member of Alpha of Clovia, the 4-H leadership house, serving as secretary and new member trainer. She also was vice president of the Food Recovery Club. Burtness is the daughter of Timothy and Danette Burtness, Wichita, and a graduate of Maize South High School.
Marissa Butrum, secondary education-English, Blue Springs, Missouri, College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award-Secondary Education. Butrum served as captain of the women's rowing team and garnered many honors from the Big 12 Conference: the Dr. Gerald Lage Award, the Big 12's highest academic honor; Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll from 2013-2016; Big 12 Academic All-Rookie Team, 2013-2014; and All-Big 12 Academic First Team from 2014-2016. She also was named a Collegiate Rowing Coaches Association National Scholar Athlete for 2015-2016 and was on the Conference USA Commissioner's Honor Roll. She received an Honors Scholarship and, after walking on the rowing team, was awarded a full Athletics Scholarship in 2015. She was a member of Athletes in Action and the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, serving on its philanthropy and student athlete engagement committees. She is the daughter of Jeff and Brenda Butrum, Blue Springs, and a graduate of Blue Springs High School.
Megan Mellring, elementary education with an emphasis in special education, St. Louis, Missouri, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Mellring has been on the semester honors list since coming to the university in fall 2014. Active in the Kansas National Education Association-Student Program at the university, she served as its president, secretary and chair of its Polar Express/Read Across America project. She also attended the organization's Spring Representative Assembly and Outreach to Teach in 2016 and 2017. Mellring was a member of Educators Rising and received its Mentor of the Semester Award in spring 2017. Her many scholarships include the Heritage Award, K-State Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship, College of Education Scholarship, Erika Lynn Owen Scholarship, Elvon G. and Lydia E. Skeen Scholarship, Judith Cain Scholarship, Mable P. Severtson Scholarship, Jack Kinnaman Scholarship and the Bruce and Diana Goeden Scholarship. Mellring was a Project EXCELL ambassador, a residence hall floor president and a member of the Strong Community Council. She also was a member of the 2016 Kansas Teacher of the Year Selection Committee and on the administrative board of Konza UniServ. Mellring is the daughter of Paul and Tracy Mellring, St. Louis, and a graduate of Pattonville High School in Maryland Heights, Missouri.
