Source: Pam Monroe, 785-532-5525, pmonroe@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Friday, May 28, 2010

SIX K-STATE STUDENTS RECEIVE AWARDS FROM COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

MANHATTAN -- Six new graduates of Kansas State University's College of Education have been recognized by the college for their achievements and their future potential in the field of education.

Five of the students were recognized as recipients of the college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, and two students received the college's Outstanding Future Teacher Award. One of students was a dual recipient of both awards.

Students, all May 2010 bachelor's graduates, receiving awards at the May 15 commencement ceremony for the College of Education include:

* Benjamin Cook, secondary education, Abilene, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. With an emphasis of study in chemistry, Cook was involved with many scientific endeavors during his time at K-State, including being a presenter at the Kansas Association of Teachers of Science Camp and serving as the superintendent of aerospace and robotics at the Central Kansas Free Fair. In addition to being a K-State semester honors list student, Cook was the recipient of the Kansas Science Teacher Scholarship, the Kansas Service Teacher Scholarship, the Kenneth and Maxine Burkhard Science Teacher Scholarship and a K-State Leadership Scholarship. He is the son of David and Charlene Cook, Abilene, and a 2005 graduate of Abilene High School.

* Cody Jack Hill, elementary education, Bennington, College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Elementary Education. Hill is the son of Joe and DeDe Hill, Bennington, and a 2005 graduate of Bennington High School.

* Lauren Bauman, elementary education, Neodesha, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Bauman was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority and was selected as her sorority's 2006 Sophomore Member of the Year. She also was a member of the K-State Singers; was involved with the Leadership Studies Building dedication planning team; and was a member of Mortar Board, K-State's senior honor society. She was selected the 2009 Royal Purple Yearbook Queen. Bauman is the daughter of Chris and Mary Bauman, Neodesha, and a 2005 graduate of Neodesha High School.

* Molly Hamm, secondary education, Shawnee, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. An active member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, Hamm served as the director of community and internal relations on K-State's Panhellenic Council. She also served as president of the K-State Student Foundation; was a member of the Student Governing Association; and was a Mortar Board senior honorary member. Hamm also received the K-State Proud Hero Award, the 2009-2010 Campus Compact Frank Newman Leadership Award and the 2010 Dean of Student Life Outstanding Graduating Senior Award. She is the daughter of Tim and Lori Hamm, Shawnee, and a 2005 graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

* Pedro Miller, elementary education, Shawnee, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. While at K-State, Miller served on the College of Education's Teacher Education Advisory Council and was as an ambassador to the college. He also was a member of the Bilingual Education Student Organization, where he served as fundraising chair, and served both as vice president and president of K-State's Smith Scholarship House. Miller is the son of Tom and Celia Miller, Shawnee, and a 2005 graduate of Shawnee Mission Northwest High School.

* Allison Morton, secondary education, Wamego, College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award and Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Secondary Education. Active in several College of Education organizations, Morton served as the college's co-chair for the K-State Telefund, was selected as one the college's students of the month and served as an ambassador to the college for three years. She also was actively involved with K-State's education honorary, Kappa Delta Pi, where she served one year on its membership committee. In addition to her K-State activities, Morton volunteered as a tutor at the Douglass Community Center and was a substitute teacher for the Manhattan-Ogden School District and the Mill Creek Valley School District. Her list of honors includes the Kansas Teacher Scholarship and Manhattan Christian College's Woman's World Scholarship. She is the daughter of Mike and Cleion Morton, Wamego, and is a 2005 graduate of Wamego High School. She also recently received her bachelor's degree in the study of the Bible from Manhattan Christian College.