Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Mortar Board, the national senior honor society that promotes scholarship, service and leadership at Kansas State University, has 29 new members for the 2013-2014 school year.

Along with their demonstrated excellence in service and leadership, Mortar Board members must have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Members provide service to the campus, community and the state of Kansas with activities like First Book, which fosters literacy by providing children access to books, and an annual reception to honor select faculty members for their achievements in teaching, advising or mentoring Kansas State University students.

The university's chapter of Mortar Board has been recognized as one of the best in the nation, winning the national organization's Golden Torch award for six years in a row. The honor is presented to the most outstanding chapters in the nation.

New members of Mortar Board include:

* Barret Wellemeyer, senior in civil engineering, Derby. Wellemeyer is a member of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity, serving as scholarship director and recruitment chair. He is a member of the university chapter of the American Society for Civil Engineers, has been outdoor events coordinator for Students for Environmental Action and Ecuador water quality project manager for Engineers Without Borders. He is an Eagle Scout and received the Putnam Scholarship and Greg Hardin Memorial Scholarship.

* Angelique Foye, senior in psychology and family studies and human services, Junction City, is director of community service for Mortar Board. Foye is a research assistant in the Personality and Social Psychology Laboratory of Don Saucier, associate professor of psychological sciences. Her activities include College of Human Ecology Ambassadors and volunteering for Sunflower CASA and Big Brothers Big Sisters. She is a member of Psi Chi, the psychology honor society, Multicultural Student Honor Society and the McNair Scholars Program. She also is a career specialist at the university's Academic Career and Information Center.

* Tricia Brensing, senior in communication sciences and disorders, Lenexa, is director of membership for Mortar Board. Brensing is a member of the Kansas State University cheer squad, Pi Beta Phi sorority and the College of Human Ecology Ambassadors. She also was a member of Silver Key, the sophomore honorary, and Chimes, the junior honorary.

* Derek Feist, senior in kinesiology and pre-physical therapy, Lenexa, is vice president of service for Mortar Board. Feist is a member of Theta Xi fraternity, where he has served as recruitment chair and vice president. He has been a peer mentor for the Pre-Physical Therapy CAT Community, was a member of the Cadaver Dissection Team, coached youth sports and taught religious education. He currently is an undergraduate researcher in the lab of Brett Wong, associate professor of kinesiology.

* Taylor Johnston, senior in kinesiology, nutrition, dietetics and gerontology, Lenexa. Johnston is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, Student Dietetic Association, Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Eta Sigma. She is a former Kansas State University cheerleader.

* Obdulia Covarrubias, senior in biochemistry, Liberal. Covarrubias is a first-generation college student. She is a member of the university's McNair Scholars and Developing Scholars programs, which promote undergraduate research. She works in the lab of John Tomich, professor of biochemistry and biophysical sciences. She has received a Cancer Research Award from the university's Johnson Cancer Research Center and is spending the summer as part of a research experience for undergraduates program at the University of Minnesota.

* Ryan Patterson, senior in general business management and human resource management, Lyndon, is director of scholarships for Mortar Board. Patterson is a member of Acacia fraternity and Student Governing Association. He served as a Wildcat Warm-Up counselor and student staff member and class leader for the School of Leadership Studies.

* Elizabeth Hughes, senior in public relations, Manhattan, is director of public relations for Mortar Board. Hughes has served on the All-University Homecoming Committee and with the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors. She's had executive positions with her sorority, Pi Beta Phi, and Up 'til Dawn. A staff writer for the Kansas State Collegian, she is a member of Public Relations Student Society of America.

* Amanda Oakley, senior in dietetics, Manhattan, is director of selections for Mortar Board. Oakley has been an executive officer for her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega; an intern for the Student Homecoming Committee; and was a university orientation leader.

* Cheyanne Alvarado, senior in biology and gerontology, McPherson, is director of alumni relations for Mortar Board. Alvarado is a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority and is president of Phi Eta Sigma honor society. She was a member of Silver Key, the sophomore honor society, and Chimes, the junior honor society. She also has been involved with International Buddies and served on the Royal Purple yearbook staff.

* Chelsea Willems, senior in elementary education, McPherson, is director of development for Mortar Board. Willems is a member of Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and Kappa Delta Pi, the education honorary. She has been an intern for K-State Wesley Missions, co-led an after-school program in Ogden, and has completed more than 300 hours of community service in the last three years. A semester honors list student, she has received the Putnam Scholarship, Tomorrow's Teacher Scholarship and is a member of Phi Eta Sigma honorary.

* Brock Burnick, senior in agricultural economics and pre-law, Mulberry, is vice president of Mortar Board. Burnick has been a resident assistant with the university's residence halls and served in several community service organizations. He is president of Alpha Zeta, the agricultural honorary, where he also served as coordinator of the honorary's SWIPE Out Hunger project.

* Justin Theleman, senior in biology and premedicine, Natoma. Theleman is a member of the College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors, Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, Sigma Alpha Lambda leadership honorary and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. He also is the president and founder of the American Red Cross Club at the university. An undergraduate researcher, his focus is on the effects of ischemia and reperfusion on the human body.

* Kate Murphy, senior in life sciences and pre-optometry, Olathe, is director of internal development for Mortar Board. Murphy is a member of the Kansas State University Marching Band, K-State Wesley campus ministry, Student Governing Association, Tuition Strategies Committee, Student Foundation, Zeta Tau Alpha sorority and the Pre-Optometry Club. She works in the office of the vice president for student life.

* Brianne Pierce, senior in economics and natural resources and environmental science, Olathe. Pierce is vice chair of Student Senate's Allocations Committee and a member of Alpha Xi Delta sorority, serving in leadership positions. She has been a PILOTS peer assistant and University Experience peer instructor. She also has volunteered for food drives and Autism Speaks.

* Abby Guenther, senior in food science and industry and premedicine, Ottawa. Guenther is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and has participated in its philanthropic activities for the Ronald McDonald House and the Softball Classic. She has served as Student Opportunity Award chair for K-State Proud and membership chair for Chimes, the junior honorary. She also volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters and Medical Ministry International.

* Jessica Conwell, senior in public relations, Overland Park, is vice president of leadership for Mortar Board. Conwell has been active in recruiting for the university, serving as a Johnson County ambassador.

* Angela Glean, senior in kinesiology, Overland Park, is director of communications for Mortar Board. Glean is a transfer student ambassador, vice president of the Kinesiology Student Association and a member of National Society of Collegiate Scholars, Golden Key International Honor Society and the university's Philippine Student Association. She works in the anatomy and physiology and human exercise laboratories. She also volunteers at a local retirement center and is active in community service fundraising events.

* Megan Murray, senior in dietetics, Overland Park. Murray is a member of the women's rowing team, Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, Student Athletic Advisory Committee, Athletes in Action, Kappa Omicron Nu and Phi Eta Sigma.

* Julie Perrini, senior inathletic training and pre-physical therapy, Overland Park, is president of Mortar Board. Perrini works with university athletes in the training rooms at Bramlage Coliseum and Ahearn Field House. She also is involved with Relay For Life.

* Garrett Kennedy, senior in agronomy, Phillipsburg, is director of faculty recognition for Mortar Board. Kennedy is a member of Acacia fraternity, Wheat State Agronomy Club, College of Agriculture Ambassadors and the local United Methodist churches.

* Jena Sauber, senior in journalism and mass communications, Salina, is director of digital communications for Mortar Board. Sauber is an editor with the Kansas State Collegian and a member of the Journalism and Mass Communications Ambassadors.

* Theo Stavropoulos, senior in human resource management, political science and pre-law, Salina, is director of initiation and tapping for Mortar Board. Stavropoulos has been a member the School of Leadership Studies Ambassadors, Student Foundation, Blue Key senior honorary, 212 Class Leaders for the School of Leadership Studies, Wildcat Warm-Up and the Student Governing Association. He also has performed with Cadence, an a cappella group.

* Claire Carlson, senior in agricultural journalism, Shawnee. Carlson is president of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She also is involved with K-State Proud and the Student Foundation. She has served with the College of Agriculture Ambassadors, worked with Camp War Eagle and was an American Royal scholar.

* Mason Grittman, senior in mechanical engineering and accounting, Topeka. Grittman is president of Acacia fraternity, treasurer of Engineering Student Council and a member of the Chem-E-Car Design Team, Student Governing Association and the university's Sesquicentennial Steering Committee. He also is a ConocoPhillips SPIRIT Scholar.

* Paige Strecker, senior in elementary education, Topeka, is director of Academic Decathlon for Mortar Board. Strecker is the arts co-chair on the Union Program Council, public relations co-chair for the College of Education Ambassadors and vice president of the university's chapter of the Kappa Delta Pi education honor society. She is a member of the Housing and Dining Ambassadors, community assistant at Goodnow Hall and teaches religious education.

* Jake Pritchard, senior in finance, Valley Center, is vice president of finance for Mortar Board. Pritchard is a member and has been president of Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He is a member of the K-State Sales Team, Student Foundation and the K-State Proud campaign. He also is vice president of finance for Pi Sigma Epsilon and a campus tour guide. A semester honors list student, Pritchard is a finance scholar and received Mortar Board's Outstanding Junior Scholarship.

* Adrienne Besler, senior in elementary education, Evergreen, Colo., is director of national service initiatives for Mortar Board. Besler is a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and is an All-University Open House coordinator.

* Aaron Bisch, senior in interior architecture and product design, St. Louis, Mo., is director of internal development for Mortar Board. Bisch has served in leadership positions with the Student Foundation, Student Alumni Board, Student Senate and Delta Sigma Phi fraternity. He has volunteered for several years for Amigos for Christ in Nicaragua, K-State Proud, the American Red Cross and Four Paws Animal Shelter. He founded his fraternity's philanthropy, Delta Sig Dogs.