May 9, 2024
McKenna Johnson awarded Michael E. Brown Alpha Tau Omega Mortar Board Leadership Scholarship
McKenna Johnson, a senior majoring in environmental and biological systems engineering, is this year's recipient of the Michael E. Brown Alpha Tau Omega Mortar Board Leadership Scholarship. Johnson was presented the award at the orientation for new Mortar Board members on April 21.
The Brown Mortar Board Scholarship was established in 2009 and named for Mike Brown, treasurer of the Kansas State Alpha Tau Omega Students' Aid Endowment Fund for 33 years and Mortar Board advisor for 13 years. The award is for $1,000. Johnson was presented with the award by Bill Muir, assistant vice president emeritus.
The award is given annually to a member of Mortar Board who is a K-State student in good standing, judged to be of good character and sound academic standing, and who has substantially and meritoriously contributed to the quality of student life at the university and outstanding leadership in Mortar Board. The award is given through the endowment fund by a joint committee
During the 2023-2024 school year, Johnson excelled at leading K-State's XIX Chapter of the Mortar Board Senior Honor Society. Her efforts resulted in an outstanding year for Mortar Board focused on leadership, scholarship and service to the university community and beyond.
Throughout the year, Johnson's efforts to organize and mobilize Mortar Board was particularly notable with regard to service. Mortar Board members were a consistent presence in HandsOn Kansas State's Mobile Food Distributions, participating in all distributions throughout the school year. Johnson also led Mortar Board's participation in annual events with Wildcat Dialogues and the MLK Day of Service, as well as a variety of other service efforts with Be Able, the Sunset Zoo and Meadowlark. Johnson's efforts led to a reinvigorated chapter with a service-oriented presence in the Manhattan community.