Excellence awarded: College of Education recognizes seven graduates for outstanding work
Monday, Dec. 15, 2014
MANHATTAN — Five new College of Education graduates of Kansas State University have earned special honors from the college.
Two students are recipients of the Outstanding Future Teacher Award, presented to graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding potential as future teachers. The college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award has been presented to five graduates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and scholarship.
The following students, all December 2014 bachelor's degree graduates, earned awards:
Matraca Hutton, Dodge City, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Hutton earned a degree in elementary education. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education. She worked as a paraeducator at Bergman Elementary School in Manhattan and was active in service to the community. Hutton received university scholastic honors four semesters and was awarded the Kansas Service Teacher Scholarship and Chapter GA P.E.O. Scholarship. She graduated from Dodge City High School in 2010 and is the daughter of Jenny and Jeff Hutton.
Christian Maude, Kingman, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Maude earned a degree in secondary education-social studies and served as student commencement speaker. An Eagle Scout, he also was a member of the Arnold Air Society, serving as vice president and director of training. In the U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, he served as flight commander, deputy operations group commander, mission support group commander and cadet wing advisor. In the Honor Guard, Maude served as deputy commander and detail commander. He was selected for the U.S. Air Force Field Training Superior Performer and Honor Graduate in 2012; the USAA Spirit Award; the Military Order of the Purple Heart, awarded for military excellence; and earned semester scholastic honors. Maude graduated from Kingman High School in 2010 and is the son of Liz and David Maude, Black Hawk, South Dakota. His wife, Paige Maude, also is from Kingman.
Adrienne Pauls, Oberlin, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Pauls graduated cum laude with a degree in elementary education. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Psi and a National Society of Collegiate Scholar, earned numerous scholarships, and played intramural volleyball, basketball and softball. In addition, she was active in community service and participated in many volunteer activities. She graduated from Decatur Community High School in 2010 and is the daughter of Dorian and Richard Pauls.
Michelle Vreeland, Overland Park, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Vreeland earned a degree in elementary education. She is a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, where she served as administrative vice president, homecoming chair and standards class representative. Vreeland was a National Society of Collegiate Scholar, a member of the Golden Key International Honorary Society and earned university semester honors. She graduated from Blue Valley West High School in 2010 and is the daughter of Connie and Dan Vreeland.
Leah Mahanay, Salina, Outstanding Future Teacher in Elementary Education Award. Mahanay earned a degree in elementary education. She served as vice president of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and was the Kansas State University Marching Band feature twirler in 2008-2009. She also was active in philanthropy by serving as fundraising coordinator for Autism Speaks. Mahanay graduated from Salina Central High School in 2008 and is the daughter of Cindy and Bill Mahanay.
Mattithyah Tillotson, Valley Center, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Tillotson earned a degree in secondary education-chemistry. She was a member of Sigma Phi Sigma, a physics honor society, and the Physics Club. She also was a Noyce Scholar, Kassebaum Scholar and four-time recipient of the Phi Lambda Upsilon's Undergraduate in Chemistry Classroom Award. Tillotson graduated from Remington High School in 2009 and is the daughter of Jan and Norman Tillotson.
Benjamin Raaf, Lake Ozark, Missouri, Outstanding Future Teacher in Secondary Education Award. Raff graduates with a degree in secondary education-music. He was a member of the university's chapter of the American Choral Directors Association and the concert choir. In 2012, he was selected as Resident Assistant of the Year. He also was named Moore Hall Eternal Optimist of the Year for 2010 and 2011. Raff graduated from Blue Springs South High School in 2009 and is the son of Marian and David Raff.
