Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — The College of Education at Kansas State University is recognizing seven of its newest graduates for excellence.

Two students are recipients of the Outstanding Future Teacher Award, presented to graduating seniors who have demonstrated outstanding potential as future teachers. The college's Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award is being presented to five graduates who have demonstrated outstanding leadership and scholarship.

Students earning awards, all May 2014 bachelor's degree graduates, include:

Jennifer Barben, Leawood, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Barben graduated with a degree in secondary mathematics education. She was a member of Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society and had leadership positions in Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society and Golden Key International Honor Society. She also is a university semester honors list student. In 2011, she completed a study abroad program at the Istituti Filippin at Paderno del Grappa in Italy. Barben graduated from Blue Valley North High School in 2009 and is the daughter of Carl and Grace Barben, Leawood.

Cortney Nagel, Manhattan, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Nagel graduated magna cum laude with a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in special education. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society and a Project EXCELL volunteer. She had leadership positions with the College of Education's Ambassador program. Nagel is a university semester honors list student. She received the Bramlage Willcoxon Student Teaching Scholarship, the GCSAA Legacy Scholarship, the Bissey Education Scholarship, the Kansas State University Leadership Scholarship and the Retired Teachers Association Scholarship. She was a volunteer volleyball coach with the Manhattan Parks and Recreation Department, a tutor at the Douglass Center and member of St. Isidore's Church. Nagel graduated from Manhattan High School in 2010 and is the daughter of Cliff and Christy Dipman and John and Barbara Nagel.

Miriam Peregrino, Scott City, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Peregrino, who was also honored as a Teacher of Promise, graduated with a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in English as a second language. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society; the American Red Cross Club; the Bilingual Education Students Interacting to Obtain Success, or BESITOS; the Bilingual Education Student Organization, or BESO; and was a BESO Education Council representative. She received several scholarships from organizations, including Alpha Phi Omega and BESITOS. She is a university semester honors list student. Peregrino graduated from Scott Community High School in 2010 and is the daughter of Elisa Moreno and Sergio Peregrino.

Carolyn Gatewood, Shawnee, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Gatewood graduated with a degree in secondary English education. She was a member of Quest Freshman Honorary, Silver Key Sophomore Honorary and the College of Education Ambassadors. She had leadership positions with K-State Proud, Kenney Ford Hall, the university's Student Foundation and Blue Key Senior Honorary. She also received the Dean of Student Life Outstanding Graduating Senior Award, was named the rookie and team player of the year as a resident assistant at Ford Hall, was the Student Foundation's Outstanding Member of the Year and earned semester honors from the university. In addition, she was named the CASE ASAP District 6 Outstanding Student Leader of the Year and the Blue Key Senior Honorary National Exemplary Member of the Year. Gatewood graduated from Mill Valley High School in 2009 and is the daughter of Paul and Nancy Gatewood, Leawood.

Mitchell DeHoff, Tonganoxie, Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Secondary Education. DeHoff graduated with a degree in secondary math education. He was a member of Kansas National Education Association-Student Program, the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Sigma Alpha Lambda. He was a class leader for the Introduction to Leadership Concepts course and is a university semester honors list student. DeHoff graduated from Tonganoxie High School in 2010 and is the son Robert and Lana DeHoff, Tonganoxie.

Nicole Stuckey, Wichita, the Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Elementary Education. Stuckey graduated with a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in special education. She was a volunteer with Project EXCELL and was a member of the Council for Exceptional Children. Stuckey graduated from Maize High School in 2009 and is the daughter of Mark and Kim Stuckey, Wichita.

Sarah Swenson, Greeley, Colorado, Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Swenson graduated with a degree in elementary education with an emphasis in in general science. She was a member of Kappa Delta Pi International Honor Society, the Kansas National Education Association, the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, the Women of K-State Leadership Committee, Cat Crew and was a university tour guide. She had leadership positions with the university's Student Foundation and the College of Education Ambassador program. A member of the university's cross country and track team for two years, she was named to the 2011 Academic All-Big 12 Cross Country listand the Big 12 Commission's Honor Roll. She served as a Wildcat Warm-Up program assistant, director and counselor, and worked as an office assistant for the university's vice president for student life and dean of students. Swenson is a university semester honors list student. She is the recipient of several scholarships, including the Kansas State Heritage Scholarship, the Phi Kappa Phi Scholarship, the College of Education's Alumni Scholarship, the Decker and Lela Mosier Education Scholarship, the David R. Laurie Jr. Scholarship and a Skeen Education Scholarship. She graduated from Greeley West High School in 2010 and is the daughter of Steve and Dorothy Swenson, Greeley.