College of Education recognizes six new graduates for excellence, potential
Friday, May 22, 2015
MANHATTAN — The College of Education at Kansas State University is recognizing six of its new graduates for excellence and for promise in the education profession.
The students were honored at the college's commencement ceremony May 16. Four students received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award, which is given for outstanding leadership and scholarship. Two students received the Outstanding Future Teacher Award, which recognizes their potential as future teachers.
The following students, all May 2015 bachelor's degree recipients, were honored by the College of Education:
• Maria Eck, secondary education graduate, Colwich, received the Outstanding Future Teacher Award in Secondary Education. Eck, who was the college's Student of the Month in September 2014, served as special events chair of the college's Education Council in fall 2014 and as Chalkboard editor from 2012-2014. She was a member of the university's chapter of the National Art Education Association, serving as fundraising president in 2014-2015, vice president in 2013-2014, secretary in 2012-2013 and fundraising chair in 2011-2012. She also was president of Cats for Life in 2013; was active in St. Isidore's Catholic Student Center's Liturgical Ministry; was a member of the National Residence Hall Honorary and a Resident Assistant of the Month; and earned university semester honors multiple semesters. The daughter of Larry and Margaret Eck, she is a graduate of Bishop Carroll High School in Wichita.
• Clarissa Corkins, elementary education graduate, Hutchinson, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Corkins is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Kappa Delta Pi, where she served as secretary and president. She also was a member of Smurthwaite Scholarship and Leadership House, serving as scholarship chair, secretary and vice president. A summa cum laude graduate, Corkins earned semester honors each semester for her academic work at the university, and was the recipient of the Kappa Delta Pi, Nancy Larson Foundation, Office of International Programs Faculty-Led Study Abroad, Robert Hays Memorial and Tomorrow's Teacher scholarships. She also was named Phi Kappa Phi Sophomore Honor Scholar. The College of Education's Student of the Month for March 2015, she was a member of the university's Wind Ensemble, Clarinet Ensemble and Women's Choir. Corkins, who studied in Italy for the class Family and Children in a Cultural Context, worked with the nonprofit Schools of Hope; directed the Junior Summer Academy Theatre Camp for two summers; and volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of Manhattan. The daughter of Jim and Cynthia Corkins, she is a graduate of Buhler High School.
• Anna Nusser, secondary education graduate, Lyons, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Nusser was a member and student coach on the university's women's rowing team and served as a K-State Athletics strength and conditioning intern coach. She was named to both the Conference USA and Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and received the Conference USA Commissioner's Academic Medal. She is a magna cum laude graduate of Kansas State University and a recipient of the Kansas Masonic Legacy Scholarship. The daughter of Kelly and Beth Nusser, she is a graduate of Lyons High School.
• Emily Schadler, elementary education graduate, North Newton, received the Outstanding Future Teacher Award in Elementary Education. Her activities include serving as secretary of the College of Education Ambassadors and as the student representative to the college's Executive Committee. She was a member of Phi Eta Sigma, a national honor society; Sigma Alpha Lambda, a national leadership and honors organization; and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. She also was a member of the university's International Buddies. The daughter of Melvin and Donna Schadler, she is a graduate of Hesston High School. Schadler will teach English and language arts to sixth-graders at Halstead Middle School.
• Will Clark, secondary education graduate, Oakley, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Clark's leadership activities include serving on the university's Honors Council; College of Education Student Council, where he was treasurer from 2013-2014; and on the college's open house committee. He also was a senator in the university's Student Senate. The College of Education's Student of the Month for May 2014, Clark received university semester honors and earned the ETS Recognition Excellence in Social Studies: Content Knowledge. The son of Ruth Clark and the late state Sen. Stan Clark, Clark earned an associate degree from Colby Community College and attended Discovery Home School.
• Lauren Meis, elementary education graduate, Salina, received the Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. The feature twirler for the Kansas State University Marching Band, Meis also served on the band's leadership team and won numerous awards in state, regional and national baton twirler competitions. A magna cum laude graduate of Kansas State University, she was the recipient of the university's Leadership Scholarship and the Loan Initiative for Future Teachers Scholarship. She also received university semester honors multiple semesters and was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Meis is the daughter of Kris and Shannon Meis and a graduate of Salina High School South.
