Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — The College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University will honor 10 graduating seniors at ceremonies Friday, Dec. 12, on the Manhattan campus.

Every semester, each academic program may name an outstanding senior based on academic achievements and contributions to the program, the university and the community.

Dean John Buckwalter will present the awards at 4 p.m. in the Flint Hills Room at the K-State Student Union.

The following students are the College of Human Ecology's outstanding seniors for fall 2015:

Andrea Sweetwood, bachelor's candidate in kinesiology, Arkansas City. Sweetwood has worked in the Functional Intensity Training and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Physiology research labs and received the Transfer Achievement Award after attending Cowley County Community College. She spent two summers in Alaska at Kodiak Baptist Mission summer camp.

Shelby Strickland, bachelor's candidate in family studies and human services, Bennington. Strickland completed an internship through Eaglecrest Retirement Community and works in childcare provider at Heartland Programs, Salina.

Kathleen Adams, bachelor's candidate in personal financial planning, Junction City. Adams also is earning a minor in theater lighting design. She competed nationally with the financial planning team and was active in the Financial Planning Association student group. She has been an environmental education instructor at Rock Springs 4-H Center. She plans to work for a financial planning firm.

Tristen Snelling, bachelor's candidate in early childhood education, Marion. Snelling has been active in several honor societies and education of young children conferences. She worked as a lead teacher in a community child care program and hopes to establish her own early learning center in south central Kansas.

Katie Benson, bachelor's candidate in communication sciences and disorders, McPherson. Benson has minors in leadership studies and women's studies. She has mentored students as a lab leader in anatomy of speech mechanism and been a research assistant in the language and literacy lab. She completed an independent study experience working with children with autism. Benson served as a College of Human Ecology ambassador. She will pursue graduate study in speech-language pathology.

Haley Kenig, bachelor's candidate in hospitality management, Shawnee. Kenig completed internships with Pinstripes in Overland Park and Applebee's in Shawnee. She was active in local chapters of Club Managers Association of American and Hospitality Management Society. She hopes to work in the private club industry.

Scott Calovich, bachelor's candidate in family studies and human services, Topeka. Calovich has been a leader in residence hall life at Kansas State University — from working as a residence assistant to recipient of the National Residence Hall Honorary Diamond Powercat Award. He interned with Housing and Dining Services and was accepted into the national STARS College program. He hopes to be a university student affairs professional.

Rachel Ladenburger, bachelor's candidate in family studies and human services, Topeka. Ladenburger is graduating with minors in conflict analysis and trauma studies and in leadership studies. She completed internships with Safe Families Plus and with the K-State Alumni Association. She was on the Women's Ministry staff at Christian Challenge at the university and hopes to continue working with the organization after graduation.

Jennifer Morris, bachelor's candidate in the dietetics coordinated program, Rockledge, Florida. Morris completed her dietetics internship with Dwight D. Eisenhower Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Leavenworth and at the Riley County Women, Infants and Children Program. She was a food service specialist with the U.S. Army for seven years. A certified personal trainer, she was selected as the College of Human Ecology's 2014 student commencement speaker.

Cindy Dexter, bachelor's candidate in the dietetics didactic program, Nashotah, Wisconsin. A distance student, Dexter served as a student volunteer at Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center. An award-winning graphic designer who operated her own business, she served in communications and marketing for the Wisconsin Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. Dexter plans to work in preventative care, healthy aging and nutrition therapy for chronic disease.

Commencement ceremonies for the College of Human Ecology will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13, in Bramlage Coliseum.