Barton Community College announced its 2010-11 Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassadors of the Year at a luncheon May 12 in the Plaza de Cavanaugh in Barton’s Learning Resource Center.
This award named in memory of B.J. Ballhorst recognizes outstanding Student Ambassadors, who are chosen by their peers and Barton’s Admissions staff for their work as ambassadors for the college. Kaitlin Ptacek, Dorrance, and Jared Marcuson, Oberlin, were named recipients of this year’s awards.
Ptacek, a freshman at Barton, is also involved in Campus Christian Fellowship and serves as volleyball manager. She will be a sophomore at Barton this fall pursuing a degree in art. She is the daughter of Stan and René Ptacek, Dorrance.
This is Marcuson’s third year to receive the Student Ambassador of the Year award. He has been involved in Hilltop Singers, and Student Senate as vice president and president. He also served as the Barton Cougar mascot. He will attend Kansas State University this fall pursuing a degree in liberal studies. He also was named one of two Barton Outstanding Graduates and he presented a speech to fellow graduates at Barton’s commencement ceremony. He is the son of Brad and Elaine Marcuson, Oberlin.
The Admissions Office also honored Barton sophomore Corey LaMoureaux, Westminster, Colo., as recipient of "The Rock" award, which is presented to a student who goes above and beyond the call of duty in assisting the Admissions Office.
LaMoureaux is involved in the women’s soccer team at Barton as well as Student Ambassadors. She will attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University this fall pursuing a degree in engineering and athletic training. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Suzanne LaMoureaux, Westminster.
B.J. Ballhorst was a 2002 Barton graduate and was a Student Ambassador during his time at Barton. His parents, John and Gayle Ballhorst, Smith Center, were honored guests at the luncheon. Despite health concerns throughout his time at Barton, B.J. was the model Ambassador, said Todd Moore, Barton’s Director of Admissions and Promotions. He balanced a challenging course schedule and golf team commitment while remaining dedicated to his role as Student Ambassador. His determination and dedication touched the lives of everyone he met.
Graduating from Barton with a degree in pre-pharmacy, he was accepted into and attended the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas. He was a student at KU until his death on Aug. 5, 2004. He was the grandson of Floyd and Marie Rogers and the late Newt Ballhorst, all of Great Bend; and Berta Riegel and the late William H. Riegel, Eaton, Colo., formerly of Great Bend.
Barton will continue to honor Ballhorst’s achievements, character, personality and work ethic by awarding future Ambassadors of the Year in his memory, Moore said. A permanent plaque dedicated in his honor is displayed in the corridor of the Kirkman Student Activity Center on Barton’s campus.
