At the end of each academic year, the Kansas State Alumni Association gathers to honor students across campus for their excellence in leadership, service and outstanding accomplishments during the year. This year, 17 students were honored as graduating, international and graduate students.  

Brandon Moreno, associate director of engagement and belonging, extended his pride to the recipients for their acts of service during their four years as Wildcats. 

“It’s very special for me to be awarding these students because congratulating them for their leadership and service on campus and being able to recognize their value to the community during their four years here is very special,” Moreno said. 

Honored students could not apply or submit resumes for these awards, but instead were nominated anonymously, per recommendation by their peers and mentors on campus.

According to a press release from the Alumni Association, there were six awards available, with multiple recipients per award and ceremonies within the next few weeks. 

The Anderson Senior Award recognizes four graduating seniors for excellence in academics, leadership, inspiration and service. 

The recipients include Samuel Speck, bachelor’s candidate in conservation biology for academic excellence, Sophia Schneider, bachelor’s candidate in chemical engineering for inspiration, Jack O’Malley, bachelor’s candidate in strategic management and organizational management for display of leadership and Adam Collins, bachelor’s candidate in physics, awarded for acts of service. 

According to one senior, Jack O’Malley, this honor is something he will never forget.

“It’s truly an honor to be the recipient of the Anderson Senior Award for leadership,” O’Malley said. “Over the course of my time at K-State, I have always worked to better my communities and this university that I have grown to love so much. I hope I have played a small role in leaving this place better than I found it. This award is a testament to so many incredible friends and mentors who have poured into me these past four years.”

The Graduate Student Award recognizes two outstanding graduate students for academics, service and leadership. 

The recipients include Seyedamirreza Babaei, master’s candidate in biological and agricultural engineering for academic excellence and Taylor McAtee, doctoral candidate in pathobiology and epidemiology for leadership and service. 

The International Leadership Award program recognizes four outstanding international graduating students for service and leadership within the international K-State and Manhattan communities.

The recipients include Abhinash Boddepalli, master’s candidate in entomology, Endy Lopes Kailer, doctoral candidate in agronomy, Inisa Shrestha, master’s candidate in genetics and Vidya Nadar, doctoral candidate in chemistry. 

The Ad Astra Award recognizes two outstanding graduating students for their exceptional leadership qualities and efforts to actively promote and advocate for K-State’s underrepresented communities.

The recipients include Campbell McNorton, bachelor’s candidate in global food system leadership and social transformation studies, along with Mikey Schneider, bachelor’s candidate in history.  

On Monday, April 28, the Alumni Association awarded the Robinson Family Multicultural Leadership Award, recognizing four outstanding graduating students who are leaving a legacy of excellence in multicultural engagement on campus through their leadership. 

The recipients include Ibrahim Çiftçi, bachelor’s candidate in medical biochemistry, Asmita Mahara, doctoral candidate in biological and agricultural engineering, Catherine Obiribea Ofori-Bah, master’s candidate in data analytics and Kameron Thompson, bachelor’s candidate in accounting. 

The Tony Jurich Community Commitment and Leadership Award recognizes two students — one graduate and one undergraduate — who have demonstrated a commitment to local community leadership and service through Jurich’s core leadership qualifications. 

The recipients include undergraduate student Campbell McNorton, bachelor’s candidate in global food systems leadership and social transformation studies and graduate student Jessica Ramirez, doctoral candidate in leadership communication. 

“We truly care about what they’ve done on campus and wanted to document their success here,” Moreno said.