Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- More than 100 Kansas State University students and one professor are new members of one of the best chapters of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation's oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all disciplines.

The university's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi has received Chapter of Merit status. The honor recognizes chapters that have exhibited outstanding commitment to honor and excellence. Only 69 of Phi Kappa Phi's 325 chapters earned the recognition status in 2013.

Kansas State University's chapter of Phi Kappa Phi recently initiated new members. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. Kimberly Kramer, associate professor of architectural engineering and construction science, was this fall's faculty initiate. Kramer was recognized for her academic record in her graduate work.

Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Baton Rouge, La., Phi Kappa Phi inducts annually approximately 32,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni. The society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in North America and the Philippines.

New members of Kansas State University's Phi Kappa Phi chapter include:

Matthew Aksamit, master's student in biochemistry, Bennington; Crystal Edwards, senior in social work, Chapman; Robert Schroeder, senior in marketing, Colby.

From Dodge City: Eduardo Acosta, senior in biology; Jenny Barriga, senior in biochemistry; and Danielle Jones, junior in applied music.

Kim Shoffner, master's student in adult, occupational and continuing education, Fort Leavenworth; Sara Whalen, master's student in communication studies, Fort Riley; Lauren Harness, senior in architecture, Garden City; Kim Kerschen, master's student in agronomy, Garden Plain; Ashley Kidwell, senior in fisheries, wildlife and conservation biology, Goddard.

From Greater Kansas City: Jarah Hauger, master's student in agribusiness, Gardner; Christa McKittrick, junior in accounting, Mission Hills; Thomas Grady, master's student in adult, occupational and continuing education, Olathe; and Ann Hartman, senior in bakery science and management, Prairie Village.

Jordan Reisinger, junior in biological systems engineering, Havensville; Joseph Rodgers, master's student in mass communication, Hesston; Julie Bitter, junior in food science and industry, Hoisington; Nolan Gaede, junior in chemical engineering, Holcomb; Chelle Leininger, doctoral student in educational leadership, Hugoton; Shaun Rosell, master's student in curriculum and instruction, and Hanna Sul, junior in architecture, both from Junction City.

From Manhattan: Kyle Bachamp, junior in microbiology; Chelsea Barten, master's student in curriculum and instruction; Jaimee Beugelsdijk, master's student in curriculum and instruction; Ashley Blake, master's student in academic advising; Ashley Bowden, master's student in curriculum and instruction; Miriam Climenhaga, master's student in curriculum and instruction; Kacee Coddington, master's student in geology; Steven Cowles, senior in secondary education-earth science; John Elson, doctoral student in mechanical engineering; Hannah Franzen, junior in marketing; Jacelyn Hejtmanek, senior in fine arts-graphic design; Melissa Klein, master's student in psychology; Laurel Koch, master's student in academic advising; Gilbert Lamont, senior in economics; Nicole Lenz, second-year student in veterinary medicine; Carmen O'Neal, junior in bakery science and management; Edward Pennell, junior in geography; Briana Rockler, master's student in public health; Brady Rundel, senior in agricultural economics; Kathleen Sellens, doctoral student in chemistry; Lindsay Suderman, senior in political science and economics; Sarah Webb, master's student in family studies and human services; Xueqing Yan, doctoral student in economics; and Yichao Zhang, junior in chemical engineering.

Scotti Claeys, junior in music, Marysville; Eric Nimbach, senior in history, Paxico; Dustin Aherin, senior in animal sciences and industry, Phillipsburg; Bronson Blasi, master's student in architectural engineering, Pratt; Alexandra Huff, junior in accounting, and Dayna Pachta, senior in dietetics, both from Riley; Michael Mays, junior in political science, Rose Hill; Elizabeth Harner, junior in agribusiness, St. George; Bryan Brooks, senior in aeronautical technology, Salina; Mark Pike, junior in engineering technology, Stafford; Joshua Carrion, junior in technology management, Sublette; Vickie Smith, master's student in public health, Tonganoxie.

From Topeka: Heather Calvert, doctoral student in educational leadership; Janet Clearwater, master's student in gerontology; Mercedes Garcia Reyes, senior in apparel and textiles; and Pilar Mejia, doctoral student in educational leadership.

Thomas Einck, senior in finance, and Elizabeth Zabel, senior in political science and elementary education, both from Wamego; and Charles Reagan Kays, senior in agribusiness, Weir.

From out of state:

Annemarie Jones, master's student in family studies and human services, Siloam Springs, Ark.; Amy Dreweatt, master's student in academic advising, Tucson, Ariz.; Brian Smith, second-year student in veterinary medicine, Carmichael, Calif.; Gwenaelle Vezin, junior in dietetics, Los Altos, Calif.; Mary Gill, master's student in academic advising, Loveland, Colo.; Andrew Bonder, master's student in psychology, Thornton, Colo.

From Florida: Christina Edenfield, senior in dietetics, St. Petersburg; Elizabeth Nelms, master's student in gerontology, Tallahassee; and Ryan Rhodes, master's student in adult, occupational and continuing education, Winter Springs.

Amy Bradford, master's student in academic advising, Buford, Ga.

From Iowa: Paul Duffy, master's student in music, Ankeny; Katherine Mossie, senior in family studies and human services, Clear Lake; and Kari Taylor, master's student in academic advising, Villisca.

Angela Helton, master's student in academic advising, North Manchester, Ind.; Elizabeth Thompson, master's student in English, Danville, Ky.; Abigail Bettini, master's student in family studies and human services, Baltimore, Md.

From Missouri: Justine Carnagey, senior in German, Lexington; Derrek Wilson, doctoral student in physics, Liberal; and Jennifer Head, master's student in academic advising, Monett.

Kimberly Marinovich, master's student in academic advising, Biloxi, Miss.; Angel Padgett, master's student in academic advising, Starkville, Miss.; Gordon Yowell Jr., master's student in adult, occupational and continuing education, Atlantic Beach, N.C.; Amy Kleissler, master's student in academic advising, Chapel Hill, N.C.; Sean Findley, junior in agribusiness, Giltner, Neb.; Sara Maltais, master's student in academic advising, Sanborton, N.H.; Sarah McNutt, master's student in fine arts, Lockport, N.Y.

From Ohio: Kathryn Grubbe, master's student in gerontology, Hilliard; Stephanie Bockmuller, master's student in academic advising, North Royalton; and Erica Bradford, master's student in academic advising, Pickerington.

Kiah Gourley, junior in animal sciences and industry, Philomath, Ore.; Lisa Platt, master's student in psychology, Nashville, Tenn.

From Texas: Rebecca Griffin, master's student in family studies and human services, Katy; Jeremy Morgan, senior in business administration, Plano; and Jan Partin, master's student in academic advising, The Colony.

Brianna Larson, master's student in academic advising, Sandy, Utah; Michael Howard, master's student in academic advising, Fredericksburg, Va.; and George Hackler, master's student in operations research, Springfield, Va.

From out of country:

Hui Zhi, senior in civil engineering, and Chen Qiu, doctoral student in statistics, both from China; Audrey Opoku-Acheampong, master's student in human nutrition, Ghana; Rulianda Wibowo, doctoral student in economics, Indonesia; Hibiki Himiya, senior in aeronautical technology, Japan; Nibal Albashabsheh, doctoral student in industrial engineering, Jordan; Norah Alrayes, doctoral student in mathematics, Saudi Arabia.

From Sri Lanka: Pavithra Pitumpe Arachchige, doctoral student in agronomy; Ananda Bandara, doctoral student in plant pathology; Pabodha Galgamuwa Galgamuwe Arachchige, master's student in horticulture; Dilooshi Weerasooriya, doctoral student in agronomy; and Kurulugama Lekamalage Dimuthu Maheshika Weerawardene, doctoral student in chemistry.