College of Education

Student Awards – Fall 2021

Congratulations to the following College of Education students!

Outstanding Future Teacher Awards

  • Alyssa Gembala, Elementary Education, Overland Park
    She served as a College of Education Ambassador and a Campus Ministry small group leader. She graduated summa cum laude and was on the Presidents Honor Roll from 2019-2021.
  • Jasmine Duarte, Physical Education/Health graduate, Dodge City

    She served as treasurer for LUPE and as a member of a Hispanic American Leadership organization. She also was a member of the Washburn University Cross Country and Track Team for prior to attending K-State.

Outstanding Undergraduate Student Awards

  • Ian Adams, Secondary Math Education, Olathe
    He served as a member of the Kansas State University Marching Band and a technology specialist in the College of Education Catalyst Center. His service to the community included working at the Douglas Center in Manhattan and assisting with ELT at the Manhattan High West Campus after school. His academic honors and achievements include honors for outstanding academic performance for multiple semesters, receiving the NSF Noyce scholarship for math education, the Swart Family scholarship, the Blackwood (Paul) Memorial scholarship, the Marching Pride scholarship, the Irby (Robert/Marcy) Memorial scholarship, the Sjogren (Franco Hammel) Memorial scholarship, and the Foundations Plus scholarship.
  • Lindsey Bergner, Secondary English Education, Pratt
    Her service to the community included serving as a High School Bible study teacher, volunteering at Pratt County Food Bank, serving as a 4-H Leader and Swine barn superintendent, and being a member of the Lutheran Women’s Missionary League. Her academic honors and achievements included receiving the Charles I. Rankin scholarship in Education, the Alumni Association Legacy scholarship, the Clark Brink Memorial Essay Award, the Borck Leadership scholarship, the Konold Education scholarship, and first place Swogger Primary Text Certificate.
  • Emily Orville, Elementary Education, Mission Viejo, California
    She served as a member of the sigma Alpha Lambda Honor Society, an active member of Backcountry Hunter and Anglers, and is a Delta Delta Delta alumnae. She also provided service to the community by working at Wonder Workshop in an afterschool program for children. She also graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors.
  • Anna Wasburn Williams, Secondary English Education, Lexington Park, Maryland

    She served as a College of Education Ambassador, the Social Media Director and Content Creator for KSU EDCATS from 2019-2020, and a member of the Sigma Kappa sorority. Her academic honors or achievements included receipt of the Tomorrow’s Teacher scholarship, the Charles Setterquist Education scholarship, and the Julie R. Woods Bissey Education scholarship.

  • Tel Wittmer, Secondary Social Studies Education, Holton
    He served as Kansas State University’s 2020 Student Body President, a College of Education Senator, a member of Blue Key Senior Honor Society, a member of the Student Alumni Board, and the 2019 K-State Student Ambassador. His academic honors included his nomination for the 2021 Rhodes Scholarship and is a United States Senate Youth Program Alumni.

Outstanding Graduate Student in Education Award

  • Tess Hobson, Ph.D. graduate in Counseling and Student Development, Student Affairs in Higher Education, Admire
    She is a member of the Association of Leadership Educators and International Leadership Association. She has also received the Commerce Bank Presidential Award for Distinguished Service to Underrepresented Students at Kansas State University and the K-State Office for Advancement of Science and Engineering Women of Distinction Award.Christy Craft, Special Education, Counseling and Student Affairs department chair and Hobson’s major professor said, "Tess is most deserving of this award! While working on her doctorate, she also earned a graduate certificate in Social Justice Education. In her dissertation research, Tess studied storytelling as a pedagogy for racial justice education within an intercultural leadership course. That work, along with other publications of hers, reflect her amazing scholarly ability and passion. While working with Tess, I have appreciated and been inspired by her love for learning, her dedication to her academic goals, and her service to the university.”

Social Justice Advocacy Award

  • Shabina Kavimandan, Ed.D. graduate in Curriculum and Instruction, Leawood

She is a project director in the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy at Kansas State University. Her pursuit of social justice and breaking down barriers is inspiring. Dr. Kavimandan said, “I am so thankful for this momentous recognition by the College of Education. Hopefully, we can continue to work towards a just and fair society where every individual is at least given a chance to reach their potential. Also, a huge thanks to the individuals who nominated me. I hope to make you all proud!”