Source: Reed Pankratz, rpank@k-state.edu
Note to editor: Nathan Balkenbusch is a graduate of Olathe East High School.
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Friday, Oct. 22, 2010

K-STATE'S FRESHMAN HONORARY QUEST SELECTS NEW MEMBERS FOR 2010-2011

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University's freshman honorary society Quest has new members for the 2010-2011 academic year.

Quest is dedicated to the promotion and development of leadership and service skills among freshmen students. Each Quest member is paired with a member of Blue Key, K-State's senior leadership honorary society, to ensure mentorship, success and exposure to leadership experiences throughout their first year at K-State.

Members receive a behind-the-scenes look at K-State's various programs, including athletics, campus government and the arts. Through these experiences they also receive the opportunity to network with many of K-State's top student and university leaders.

Students are selected for membership in the fall semester of their freshman year based on an application and interview process. Demonstration of leadership and service in high school are important selection factors for Quest membership.

The 2010-2011 Quest members, all first-year students at K-State, include:

Jena Sauber, pre-journalism and mass communications, Assaria; John Eplee, biology, Atchison; Luke Werhan, sociology, Augusta; Christopher Kellenbarger, business administration, Derby; Kristine Larson, mechanical engineering, Galva; Sara Schifferdecker, horticulture, Girard.

From Greater Kansas City: Lydia Clark-Hargreaves, pre-psychology, Gardner; Samantha Kellerman, biology, Leawood; Alex Beemer, mechanical engineering, Alexander Burnett, chemical engineering, and Alexander Severance, history, all from Lenexa; Nathan Balkenbusch, mathematics, Olathe; Ryan Olander, business administration, and Madeline Sanders, food science and industry, both from Prairie Village; Claire Carlson, agricultural communications and journalism, Shawnee; and Zach Boal, biology, Stilwell.

Shelby Staab, English, Hays; Annika Schneider, music education, Lindsborg; Jacob Unruh, general engineering, and Jared Rogers, architectural engineering, both from Manhattan; Cody Howard, pre-journalism and mass communications, Milton; Abby Guenther, food science and industry, Ottawa; Cassandra Pryor, industrial engineering, Overbrook; Tyler Johnson, business administration, Parsons; Garrett Kennedy, agronomy, Phillipsburg; Alexis Wingerson, horticulture, Smith Center; Brett Seidl, secondary education, Valley Center; Charles Kays, agribusiness, Weir; and Lydia Schwertfeger, communication sciences and disorders, Wichita.

From out of state: Aaron Bisch, environmental design, Kirkwood, Mo.; Ross Jensby, political science, Beatrice, Neb.; Mary Livingston, pre-journalism and mass communications, Midland, Texas; and Catalina Perdomo, animal sciences and industry and modern languages, San Antonio, Texas.