Kansas State University

Teaching potential: Future teachers earn awards for excellence

Submitted by Communications & Marketing

Seven new graduates of Kansas State University's College of Education are being recognized for excellence as America's next educators. 

At the college's recent commencement ceremony, five graduates were presented with the Outstanding Student Award and two graduates were given the Outstanding Future Teacher Award. The honorees are:

* Megan Gibson, a Bachelor of Science graduate in elementary education, Copeland, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Gibson graduated summa cum laude. While at the university, she was the president, vice president and publicity coordinator for the College of Education Council and a member of Kansas National Educational Association. She received the College of Education's Student of the Month award in September 2012, Mabel Severtson Scholarship in Education, and the Donna M. and Lawrence H. Erpelding Scholarship in Education. A 2008 graduate of South Gray High School, she is the daughter of Ronnie and Jackie Gibson, Copeland.

* Whitney Davis, a Bachelor of Science graduate in secondary education, Lenexa, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Davis served as president and education chair for the School of Leadership Studies Ambassadors, a member of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, secretary of Sigma Tau Delta honorary and president of the Order of Omega, the Greek honorary. She also received a Leadership Scholarship in 2008 and was a recipient of the Pat J. Bosco Outstanding Leadership Studies Student Award in 2012. A 2008 graduate of Shawnee Mission West High School, Davis is the daughter of Jim and Janell Davis, Lenexa.

* Katherine Kramer, a Bachelor of Science graduate in elementary education, Manhattan, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Kramer, a magna cum laude graduate of the university, was vice president of Kappa Delta Pi education honor society and a member of the Phi Kappa Phi international honor society and Alpha Mu Gamma national foreign language honor society. A graduate of Manhattan High School, Kramer is the daughter of Mary Kramer, Manhattan.

* Martin "Chris" Huggard, a Bachelor of Science graduate in secondary education, Overland Park, received the Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Secondary Education. Huggard was treasurer of the College of Education Council and member of the College Allocations Committee. A 2008 graduate of Blue Valley Northwest High School, Huggard is the son of Tammie and Marty Huggard, Overland Park.

* Anne McClain, a Bachelor of Science graduate in secondary education, Overland Park, received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. McClain, who graduated summa cum laude from the university, was the corresponding secretary for Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority, public relations co-chair for the College of Education Ambassadors and fundraising co-chair for Mortar Board, the senior honorary. She also was a member of Chimes, the junior honorary; Silver Key, the sophomore honorary; Quest, the freshman honorary; the honors advisory committee of Phi Kappa Phi, an academic honor society; and Kappa Delta Pi, the education honor society. She received the Putnam Scholarship, Tomorrow's Teacher Scholarship, Robert C. Byrd Scholarship, Krystal D. Aarstad Memorial Scholarship, Kansas Teacher Service Scholarship and Manpower Scholarship. A 2008 graduate of Blue Valley High School, McClain is the daughter of Gary and Diana McClain, Overland Park.

* Courtney Tracy, a Bachelor of Science graduate in elementary education, Franktown, Colo., received the College of Education Outstanding Undergraduate Student Award. Tracy, a cum laude graduate of the university, was the historian and community service chair for the Council for Exceptional Children and a student representative for the Kansas Educational Advisory Board. She received the Purple and White Scholarship, College of Education Alumni Scholarship, and the College of Education Faculty and Staff Scholarship. A 2008 graduate of Ponderosa High School, Parker, Colo., Tracy is the daughter of Jerry and Jean Tracy, Franktown.

* Robin Whitten, a Bachelor of Science graduate in elementary education, Venice, Fla., received the Outstanding Future Teacher Award for Elementary Education. Whitten graduated magna cum laude from the university and was a member of Pinnacle and Gold Key honor societies. She also was named the College of Education's Student of the Month in February 2012. A graduate of Venice Senior High School, Whitten is the daughter of Rosemarie Koplau, Venice, and the wife of Maj. Jason Whitten, Springfield, Mo.