Source: Mindy Weixelman, 785-532-7523, mindyw@found.ksu.edu
Hometown connection: Andover, Beloit, Brookville, De Soto, Great Bend, Iola, Kechi, Olathe, St. George, Salina and Wichita, Kan. Also for Greeley, Colo.
Note to editor: Nathan Balkenbusch is a graduate of Olathe East High School, and Ashley Franden and and Suhani Gandhi are graduates of Olathe South High School.
News release prepared by: Andrew Zender, 785-532-7648, andrewz@found.ksu.edu
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Ambassadors for philanthropy: Kansas State University Student Foundation selects new members
MANHATTAN -- A student-led foundation that cultivates philanthropy across Kansas State University has 15 new members.
Members of the Kansas State University Student Foundation are ambassadors of philanthropy for the university and focus on raising awareness among current students and alumni about the importance of giving back to K-State.
The 2012 new member class includes:
Cameron Banning, sophomore in mass communications, and Paul Lewis, sophomore in life sciences and pre-dentistry, both from Andover; Ellen Collingwood, sophomore in marketing and public relations, Beloit; Jordan Pieschl, freshman in animal sciences and pre-veterinary medicine, Brookville; Ariel Mendiola, sophomore in arts and sciences-open option and pre-law, De Soto; Allison Niederee, sophomore in biology and premedicine, Great Bend; Abby Works, junior in food science, nutrition and chemistry, Iola; Ellen Bergkamp, sophomore in agricultural economics, Kechi.
From Olathe: Nathan Balkenbusch, junior in mathematics; Ashley Franden, junior in prelaw and social work; and Suhani Gandhi, sophomore in business administration.
Elizabeth Harner, freshman in agribusiness, St. George; Joey Platt, freshman in political science and pre-law, Salina; and Hope Faflick, sophomore in political science, international studies and pre-law, Wichita.
From out of state: Sarah Swenson, sophomore in elementary education, Greeley, Colo.
"We are proud to welcome 15 unique and skilled K-State student leaders to this year's new member class," said Nick Moeder, senior in accounting and finance, La Crosse, and president of the Student Foundation. "These applicants rose to the top of an extremely competitive applicant pool and we are excited to see everything they accomplish as ambassadors of philanthropy at K-State."
New members are selected once a year through a competitive application and selection process. Candidates must demonstrate an interest and willingness to serve as leaders for the student body in promoting the importance of philanthropy.
"We are proud to welcome the newest members of Student Foundation and thank them for their willingness to step into this leadership role," said Fred Cholick, president and CEO of the Kansas State University Foundation. "The organization is built on the philosophy of students helping students and developing a culture of philanthropy at K-State."
Sponsored by the Kansas State University Foundation, the Student Foundation works with foundation staff and volunteers to fulfill the mission of uniting philanthropic desires with university priorities.
Student Foundation consists of 35 members who participate in a variety of activities, including alumni interaction, professional development, stewardship phone calls, campus hosts, and scholarship management and awarding. Members coordinate the K-State Proud student campaign, which has raised more than $550,000 for K-State Proud Student Opportunity Awards over the past six years. Members also plan and coordinate Senior Sidewalk, a program that offers graduates an opportunity to commemorate their legacy at K-State by purchasing a granite stone to be placed along the Memorial Stadium sidewalk from the Alumni Center to Ahearn Field House.
Philanthropic contributions to the university are coordinated by the Kansas State University Foundation. The foundation staff works with university partners to build lifelong relationships with alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students through involvement and investment in the university.
