Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Two Kansas State University students are among 50 honorable mentions selected nationally for the Morris K. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship. The students are Kaitlin Morgan, sophomore in animal sciences and industry and agricultural communications, Deerfield, and Barret Wellemeyer, sophomore in civil engineering, Derby.

"With only 50 winners and 50 honorable mentions selected nationally, we are proud to have two students recognized by the Udall Foundation," said Jim Hohenbary, the university's assistant dean for nationally competitive scholarships. "Being named as honorable mentions in such a prestigious competition conveys the passion and commitment that both Kaitlin and Barret possess regarding the importance of environmental stewardship. I am sure it will be a significant distinction among their collegiate accomplishments."

The national scholarship is for college students committed to careers related to the environment, tribal public policy or Native American health care. This year, there were 488 eligible nominees for the 2013 Udall scholarship.

Morgan is a member of Sigma Alpha professional agricultural sorority, Agricultural Communicators of Tomorrow and is a College of Agriculture ambassador. She received semester honors for both the fall 2011 and 2012 semesters. She works for the university's department of communications and agricultural education and its news and media services. Morgan would like to continue her education in communications to increase awareness of environmentally friendly practices that are beneficial and profitable to production agriculture. A 2011 graduate of Deerfield High School, she is the daughter of Monte and Leslie Morgan, Deerfield.

Wellemeyer is a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity and the university chapter of American Society of Civil Engineers. An Eagle Scout, Wellemeyer received the Putnam Scholarship and Greg Hardin Memorial Scholarship. He has served as outdoor events coordinator for Students for Environmental Action, scholarship director for Delta Sigma Phi, and recruitment chair and Ecuador water quality project manager for Engineers Without Borders. As a summer civil engineering undergraduate research assistant advised by Natalie Mladenov, assistant professor of civil engineering, Wellemeyer studied the effects of atmospheric deposition on alpine lakes and rivers in Colorado. He would like to get his master's in environmental engineering and find sustainable solutions for drinking water and sanitation in developing countries. A 2011 graduate of Derby High School, he is the son of Bob Wellemeyer, Derby.