Purple Praise: College and unit awards and scholarships

This special edition of Purple Praise highlights faculty, staff and students honored by their colleges and units, showcasing the talent and dedication across K-State's campus communities. A universitywide edition recognizing recipients of All-University Awards and major scholarships will be published Friday, May 8.

Unit awards and scholarships

K-State Alumni Association honors outstanding graduates

Each year, the K-State Alumni Association recognizes graduating students with commemorative awards. In 2026, 17 graduating undergraduate and graduate students were recognized by the Alumni Association for their outstanding achievements. To learn more about the awards and their recipients, read here.

 

K-State Career Center honors Sorenson as student employee of the year

Jenna Sorenson, lead guest services attendant at the Union Bowling Center, has been awarded the 2026 Kyle Pelton Student Employee of the Year award. Sorenson was chosen among four other finalists and a total of 35 nominees. Read more about Sorenson and the award here.

 

K-State Libraries awards Patricia Boze Memorial Scholarship

K-State Libraries student ambassadors play a pivotal role by sharing student perspectives, guiding key decisions and serving as a bridge between the student body and the Kansas State University Libraries.

In recognition of their efforts, the Libraries is proud to award the Patricia Boze Libraries Memorial Scholarship to two outstanding ambassadors. The scholarship, established in memory of Patricia Boze and her belief in the importance of libraries, recognized two ambassadors in 2026.

Mary Adeyemo

Mary Adeyemo, a master’s student in English, has been an active member of the student ambassadors program since 2024 and currently serves as vice president. She also serves as a graduate teaching assistant, encouraging students to explore and use library resources and sharing insights with fellow graduate students.

Abhinash Boddepalli

Abhinash Boddepalli, a master’s student in entomology, has also been an active member of the ambassadors program since 2024. This year, Boddepalli served as the program's media and outreach coordinator. Beyond his work with the ambassadors, Boddepalli is involved in K-State's Popenoe Entomology Club, where he supports fundraising efforts for the C.V. Riley Restoration project.

 

International Student and Scholar Services names scholarship winners in partnership with K-State Alumni Association

International Student and Scholar Services, or ISSS, and the K-State Alumni Association have selected the 2026 recipients for the annual ISSS student scholarships, open to K-State’s international student community.

The scholarship committee, composed of representatives from multiple areas across campus, selected 53 students for eight scholarships awarded for the fall 2026 semester. Student recipients were recognized during the International Coordinating Council’s international fashion show and received a commemorative certificate along with their scholarship.

 

K-State Cats' Cupboard honors individuals, groups at annual ceremony

Each year, countless individuals, departments, businesses and organizations partner with Cats' Cupboard to elevate food security for the K-State community.

In gratitude to those who went above and beyond to improve the pantry's success and productivity during the 2025-2026 school year, four awards were presented during their annual ceremony: the Friends of Cats' Cupboard Group Award, the Friends of Cats' Cupboard Individual Award, the Campus Ice-Barrett Champion Award and the Campus Ice-Barrett Community Award.

Friends of Cats' Cupboard Group Award

The Friends of Cats' Cupboard Group Award was presented to the K-State Student Governing Association, or SGA. SGA has been a champion of Cats' Cupboard since the pantry's inception and increased its financial support in FY2018. Since then, the organization has ensured funding to provide access to basic needs for their peers.

Cats' Cupboards' operations are largely supported by this funding, helping cover costs for food, hygiene products, and staff and student salaries. SGA has also deeply impacted the pantry through the creation of the Donations for Citations program, allowing students, faculty and staff to have one parking citation forgiven per academic year by donating 10 or more food or hygiene items to Cats' Cupboard.

Friends of Cats' Cupboard Individual Award

The Friends of Cats' Cupboard Individual Award was awarded to Abigail McCown, who served as president for the Cats' Cupboard Ambassadors this last school year. McCown was honored for her inclusive leadership, empowering group participation and ensuring task completion, often taking on extra responsibilities. The Cats' Cupboard Ambassadors were fortunate to have her compassion, committed leadership and passion for food insecurity education.

Campus Ice-Barrett Champion Award

The Campus Ice-Barrett Champion Award was presented to Del'Sha Roberts and HandsOn Kansas State, or HandsOn. HandsOn gathers excess food not distributed at their mobile food distributions, often substantial amounts, and donates it to Cats' Cupboard. In addition, their volunteers help Cats’ Cupboard each year during MLK Day of Service. Roberts, who helps coordinate the HandsOn program, accepted the award on behalf of the organization.

Community Ice-Barrett Champion Award

The Community Ice-Barrett Champion Award was presented to Carol Shanklin. Shanklin is a regular volunteer at Cats’ Cupboard and does everything she can to support the needs of the pantry, from sorting and stocking food and hygiene items to transporting donations, giving tours and organizing fundraisers. She gives her time willingly and lovingly each week and has provided critical support that has been essential to Cats’ Cupboard's continued success.

 

College awards and scholarships

College of Arts and Sciences presents annual staff awards

The College of Arts and Sciences honored faculty and staff who are excelling in teaching, research, advising and administrative support during its annual awards ceremony.

A total of seven awards were given to 15 faculty members across the college. Honorees were awarded for their investments and leadership during the 2025 calendar year.

 

 

 

College of Business honors outstanding graduating seniors

The College of Business Administration has recognized three graduating seniors for their academic achievement and impact on the K-State community. The honorees: Bibiana Perez Torres, Resilient Senior; Noah Biswell, Commencement Speaker and Student Leader; and Katie Albertson, Outstanding Graduating Senior, have demonstrated excellence both in and out of the classroom, embodying the spirit of the college. Read more about the awards and honorees here.

 

College of Engineering announces Steel Ring graduate honorees

The Steel Ring Engineering Honor Society in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering has announced its 2026 Saints of Engineering. Honoring up to five outstanding seniors, it is the college’s most prestigious undergraduate honor.

Nominees must possess a strong academic record and a history of leadership in their communities. Awardees are selected by their peers via an online voting process. This year's Saints of Engineering are Rory Jenkins, environmental engineering; Nicholas Karr, electrical engineering; and Alex Ko, civil engineering.

 

College of Health and Human Sciences honors outstanding seniors

The College of Health and Human Sciences is proud to recognize the spring 2026 Outstanding Senior Award winners. This year's outstanding senior award winners were nominated by faculty and staff within each of their respective programs. Read more about the awards and their recipients here.