Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's College of Education is recognizing seven of its new graduates for outstanding undergraduate work or their potential as future teachers.

Five of the students received the college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, while Outstanding Future Teacher Awards were presented to an elementary education graduate and a secondary education graduate.

Students, all May 2013 bachelor's graduates, recognized by the college include:

* Taylor McLemore, elementary education, Colby, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. McLemore was a member of Christian Challenge and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She was the 2010 K-State Student Volunteer of the Year, a Borck Scholar, Tomorrow' s Teacher scholar and Student of the Month for West Hall. Also, she received semester honors throughout her academic career at Kansas State University. McLemore was a Hand-To-Hand program mentor and Bible student leader through her local church. She is the daughter of Larry and Sandy McLemore, Colby, and is a 2009 graduate of Goodland High School.

* Ann Clawson, secondary education, Englewood, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Clawson was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority and served on its new member, public relations and scholarship committees. She also was a College of Education student ambassador. In 2009-2010, Clawson was a member of the university's Skydive Club, and she co-chaired the Discovery Days Action Team evaluation and service project committees. In 2011, Clawson went on a medical and educational mission trip to Zimbabwe, studied in Florence, Italy, at the International Italian Institute, Lorenzo ' de Medici, and was on the university's semester honors list. Clawson is the daughter of David and Jeanne Clawson, Englewood, and is a 2009 graduate of Ashland High School.

* Coral Boyd, secondary education and chemistry, Lindsborg, received the College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher Award in Secondary Education. She is a member of Kappa Delta Pi, the international honor society in education; the Kansas National Education Association; and the Noyce Scholars Program. She was on the university's semester honors list for five semesters and received the Lambert, Nelson, Smith, Noyce and College of Education Alumni scholarships. She is the daughter of Nadine Boyd, Salina, and William Boyd Jr., Smolan, and is a 2008 graduate of Smoky Valley High School.

* Lindsay Francis, elementary education, Manhattan, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Francis was a member of Gamma Phi Beta sorority, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization, Phi Eta Sigma national honor society and Kappa Delta Pi international education honor society. She was the College of Education Telefund co-chair and homecoming chair. Francis received numerous scholarships, including the Gamma Phi Beta Scholarship Award, the Skeen Education Scholarship, the College of Education Alumni Scholarship, the Bramlage Willcoxon Student Teacher Scholarship and the K-State Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship. She was on the university's semester honors list, graduated magna cum laude and participated in intramurals. Francis is the daughter of Terry and Heidi Francis, Manhattan, and is a 2009 graduate from Manhattan High School.

* Trell Peterson, elementary education, Salina, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Peterson was a College of Education student ambassador, historian, homecoming children' s carnival chair and open house co-chair. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi, a Big Brothers-Big Sisters volunteer, and served as vice president and homecoming chair for Goodnow Hall. Peterson was on the university's semester honors list and received a leadership scholarship. She is the daughter of Jim and Tandis Peterson, Salina, and is a 2009 graduate of Southeast of Saline High School.

* Allison Bertels, secondary education, Topeka, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Bertels served as president and vice president of the College of Education Student Ambassadors. She was in the university's Honors Program, served as communication chair for Kappa Delta Pi international education honor society, and was a leadership team member and United Methodist Foundation member for the Wesley United Methodist Campus Ministry. In addition, she was on the university's ultimate Frisbee team, was the College of Education's February 2013 Student of the Month and was a cultural anthropology teaching assistant. She was on the university semester honors list for seven semesters and received several scholarships, including the Chester E. Peters Blue Key Scholarship and the College of Education Alumni Scholarship. Bertels is the daughter of Terry and Alice Bertels, Topeka, and is a 2009 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.

* Ben Esau, elementary education, Wakarusa, received the College of Education Outstanding Future Teacher in Elementary Education Award. He was on the university's semester honors list for three semesters. He is the son of Mike Esau, Topeka, and Janice Esau, Wakarusa, and is a 2007 graduate of Washburn Rural High School.