Source: Cara Richardson, 785-532-3360, cmr@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2009

K-STATE'S COLLEGE OF HUMAN ECOLOGY HONORING SIX OUTSTANDING SENIORS

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's College of Human Ecology will recognize six seniors with the Outstanding Senior Award at the college's fall graduation honors and student awards presentation at 3:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11, in Justin Hall's Hoffman Lounge.

The college recognizes outstanding seniors for their educational commitment, professional growth and development, and service to others. Honorees are chosen by faculty and are judged based on their academic achievements, leadership, participation in service on campus and in the community, and their professional potential.

Fall 2009 award recipients are:

* Crystal Labrum, bachelor's candidate in interior design, DeSoto. A first-generation college student who has largely paid her own way, Labrum has been an active member of several student organizations. While she was president of the student chapter of the American Society of Interior Design, she planned a study trip to Chicago and organized a student workshop featuring a rendering expert. She is a member of the International Interior Design Association, Students for Environmental Action and past member of Emerging Green Builders. In addition, she has been a mentor for the Sunflower House Child Abuse Prevention Center and for Harvesters Community Food Network. Labrum plans to pursue a master's degree in architecture from K-State with an emphasis in ecological and sustainable design. She is the daughter of Amy McGraw, DeSoto.

* Jessica Drummond, bachelor's candidate in apparel and textiles, Great Bend. Drummond is an active member of the Apparel Marketing and Design Alliance at K-State and has proven herself as a leader in the classroom and lab. She has made the K-State semester honors list and the College of Human Ecology's dean's list, and has received multiple scholarships for academic excellence. She currently works for Dillard's department store, where she hopes to be promoted into a management or buying position. Drummond is the daughter of Ron and Krisanne Seidel, Great Bend.

* Rico Jamel Wilcox, a bachelor's candidate in family studies and human services, Manhattan. Wilcox is a member of Invest-A-Cats and has served as vice president and president of K-State's chapter of Future Financial Planners. He has volunteered in a number of capacities to recruit students into K-State's personal financial planning program. He plans to go into military financial planning upon graduation. Wilcox is the son of Frederic M. Wilcox Jr., Locust Grove, Ga., and Claudette Smith, Junction City.

* Leah Thome, bachelor's candidate in nutrition and exercise science and dietetics, Netawaka. While at K-State, Thome has earned numerous scholarships for her academic performance. She was active in K-State's Student Dietetic Association and the Sensible Nutrition and Body Image Choices group, holding leadership positions in both organizations. She is a member of Kappa Omicron Nu honor society and served as a review board candidate for the accreditation review of K-State's dietetics program. She has been taking part in a clinical practicum at Centerpoint Medical Center in Independence, Mo., and plans to work in the field of dietetics after graduation. Thome is the daughter of Kenneth and Louise Tanking, Netawaka.

* Danielle Hoskins, bachelor's candidate in early childhood education, Olathe. Hoskins is a K-State honors list student and member of the Multicultural Student Honor Society. She received the Multicultural Students of Excellence Award and took part in the Developing Scholars Program for three years. She also was a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, where she was active in several philanthropic projects. She has been a nanny and a volunteer at Head Start and Northview Elementary School. After graduating she plans to pursue a teaching job in the Greater Kansas City area and is interested in graduate studies in special education and child development. Hoskins, a graduate of Blue Valley West High School, is the daughter of Richard and Christine Hernandez, Olathe.

* Lindsay Wiebe, bachelor's candidate in communication sciences and disorders, Peabody. Wiebe has been on K-State's semester honors list every semester she has been at the university. She also has earned numerous scholarships. In addition to her academic work, she has been a volunteer for Americorps, has worked with toddlers at the K-State Center for Child Development and with the elderly as a dietary aide at Showalter Villa in Hesston. She has been active in the Helping International Students program, the Student Speech Language Hearing Association and taught the spring 2009 anatomy and physiology of speech mechanism labs. She also is an accomplished musician. Wiebe plans to go to graduate school after graduating from K-State. She is the daughter of Randall and Raeanne Wiebe, Peabody.

The College of Human Ecology's fall commencement ceremony will be 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 12, in McCain Auditorium.