College Exemplary Awards

Dan and Cheryl Yunk Award for Excellence in Educational Administration

The Dan and Cheryl Yunk Award for Excellence in Educational Administration recognizes the importance of school administrators in establishing environments that promote student learning. The award is named in honor of Dan and Cheryl Yunk, exemplary teachers and administrators throughout their careers in the Manhattan-Ogden school system. The purpose of this award is to advance public recognition and recruitment for graduate programs in Educational Leadership at Kansas State University by honoring an individual who has demonstrated exemplary leadership in providing or promoting the administration of P-12 schools in Kansas.

2025 Award Recipient:

Randy Watson, Kansas Commissioner of Education

2024 Award Recipient:

Michael C. Holen (posthumously) K-State College of Education Dean (1990 – 2012)

Distinguished Cooperating Teacher Award

The Distinguished Cooperating Teacher Award is bestowed every year by the Student Affairs Committee. This award is given for meritorious service to the profession in Elementary (K-6), Middle School (5-8), or High School (9-12) classrooms. The winner is honored at the fall Education Symposium.

2025 Award Recipients:

Elementary Education Award Shauna Hammett, Shawnee Mission School District, USD 512; Secondary Education Award Katelyn DeHoff, Geary County Schools, USD 475

2024 Award Recipients:

Elementary Education Award Jamilee Scandle, Manhattan-Ogden Public Schools, USD 383; Secondary Education Award Michael Sapenoff, Olathe Public Schools, USD 233