College of Education honors eight undergraduate students for excellence
MANHATTAN — Eight May 2022 graduating seniors from Kansas State University's College of Education are receiving awards from the college for excellence, potential or promise.
The awards include the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards for excellence in leadership and scholarship. The Outstanding Future Teacher Award is presented to one new elementary education graduate and one new secondary education graduate for their potential as future teachers.
The award winners are all May 2022 bachelor's candidates from the college:
Lori Leiszler, secondary education-English and journalism, Clifton, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Leiszler was a member of several organizations, including EdCats, the College of Education Student Council; SPEDCats, a special education student organization; Cats for Life; and St. Isidore’s Catholic Student Center. She also was the assistant culture editor for the K-State Collegian. Leiszler completed the University Honors Program and primary texts certificate program. The daughter of John and Barb Leiszler, she is a 2018 graduate of Clifton-Clyde High School.
Jordan Dombrowski, secondary education-English, Junction City, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Dombrowski is a member of the University Honors Program and multiple recipient of K-State semester honors. She is receiving a dual degree in English literature. Dombrowski was a member of the College of Education Ambassadors, serving as Education Experience Day chair. She was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and served as chapter president and vice president of finance. She also was a member of the Kansas National Education Association Aspiring Educators, serving as literacy outreach chair and secondary education representative. Dombrowski was active with St. Isadore's Student Center, where she was a Confraternity of Christian Doctrine educator. The daughter of Mark and Pam Dombrowski, she is a 2018 graduate of Junction City High School.
Emma Golden, secondary education-English, Kansas City, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Golden earned K-State semester honors multiple times. She was a member of the College of Education Ambassadors and Kansas National Education Association Aspiring Educators, serving as secretary. She also was a member of Christian Challenge and served as chapter president of her sorority, Alpha Xi Delta. Golden received the Judith Cain Scholarship and the Wabash Cannonball Scholarship. The daughter of Michael and Jenny Golden, she is a 2018 graduate of Piper High School.
Jack Blumer, elementary education, Marysville, Outstanding Future Teacher Award-Elementary Education. Blumer is a member of the K-State football team and was selected to the 2020 Academic All-Big 12 Football Team. He is a member of Kansas National Educators Association. The son of Steve and Deb Blumer, he is a 2018 graduate of Marysville High School.
Ana Schulte, secondary education-English, Olathe, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. A K-State semester honors list student, Schulte received the K-State Transfer Achievement Award. Schulte, who is receiving a dual degree in English, was featured in the Best of Elementia literary magazine in November 2018. The daughter of Douglas and Molly Schulte, she is a 2018 graduate of Olathe North High School.
Damon Schmidt, elementary education, Olpe, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Schmidt is a supporter of the Honor Flight program and served as a program guardian in high school. He is continuing a family tradition of teaching as his parents and brother are also teachers. The son of Chris and Jenny Schmidt, he is a 2018 graduate of Olpe High School.
Brock Robbins, secondary education-social studies, Overland Park, Outstanding Future Teacher Award-Secondary Education. Robbins was a member of the College of Education Ambassadors, serving as secretary, and a member of both Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education, and the Kansas National Educators Association. A K-State honors list student, he also received the Foundation Scholarship for four years. The son of Jill and Brad Robbins, he is a 2018 graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School.
Kacie Weidmaier, elementary education, Holt, Missouri, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Weidmaier was a K-State cheerleader. She received the Denison Scholarship and Kansas State Cheerleading Scholarship. She was a College of Education honors student and a member of the Chi Omega sorority. She is the daughter of David and Kathy Weidmaier and a 2018 graduate of Kearney High School.
