Source: Debbie Mercer, 785-532-5765, dmercer@k-state.edu

Thursday, Aug. 5, 2010

EDUCATIONAL LEADERSHIP EXPERT RECEIVES AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE FROM K-STATE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

MANHATTAN -- A longtime Kansas State University faculty member is the recipient of the 2010 Dan and Cheryl Yunk Excellence in Educational Administration Award from the K-State College of Education.

G. Kent Stewart, professor emeritus of educational leadership, Manhattan, is receiving the award created to honor individuals who have demonstrated exemplary leadership in providing or promoting administration of schools, from preschool to grade 12, in Kansas. It is named in honor of the Yunks, longtime Manhattan educators, for their exemplary careers as teachers and administrators.

Stewart began his career as a middle school and high school teacher in Illinois and Indiana. After receiving his doctorate from Indiana University, he served as director of school facility planning for the Delaware Department of Education, and later as director of school facilities for Montgomery County, Md.

Stewart joined K-State in 1973 as a professor of educational administration, serving later as the director of extended services and as chair of the department. He taught graduate course work in school facilities planning and school-community relations for 32 years, and successfully chaired the academic programs and research of nearly 70 doctoral awardees.

He is the author of more than 90 professional articles and books. He has chaired committees to select nearly 140 school superintendents in Kansas, and provided consulting services on facilities evaluation and planning for more than 150 school districts. Stewart also is a popular commencement speaker, addressing the graduating classes at more than 120 high schools throughout the state.

"Although Kent retired in 2005, he remains the face of K-State's College of Education to generations of school administrators across the entire state of Kansas," said Mike Holen, dean of the college of education.