MANHATTAN, Kan. – Twenty Kansas State University students recently were selected to serve on Student Alumni Board, a group of approximately 40 students who promote and serve the university and the K-State Alumni Association. SAB works to enhance the K-State experience by creating a link between the Alumni Association and past, present and future students. Additionally, SAB was recognized with two awards at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education – Affiliated Student Advancement Programs’ District VI conference in March.
Jessica Elmore, an SAB adviser and associate director of diversity programs for the Alumni Association, was awarded the Outstanding Adviser Award and Taylor Fry, SAB president, Great Bend, was awarded the Outstanding Student Leader Award. Both Elmore and Fry are in the running to receive the national awards in these categories. The winners will be announced this summer.
“Our entire Student Alumni Board works incredibly hard throughout the year to showcase K-State,” said Andrea Bryant Gladin, director of alumni programs for the Alumni Association. “The recognition our SAB leaders earned this year shows their commitment to the organization and its programs.”
SAB members are responsible for planning and hosting several programs to recruit students to K-State, including the For Sophomores Only program for high school sophomores and the Just For Juniors program for high school juniors and their parents. SAB members also coordinate and assist with Wildcats Forever Student Alumni Association, Grad Bash, the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, Junior Wildcats Club and other Alumni Association programs and events.
Marcus Kidd, SAB adviser and assistant director of student programs for the Alumni Association, said the Alumni Association received a record number of applicants to join SAB.
“The Student Alumni Board did an excellent job of diversifying its membership,” Kidd said. “Our new members were selected from a group of nearly 150 applicants. From this pool we were able to increase the diversity of the board to better reflect the student body at K-State.”
This year’s incoming class of SAB students increased the number of out-state-students, ethnic diversity, and college representation within the group.
“I am so pleased with this new member class and can’t wait to see the amazing things that they will accomplish during their years on SAB,” Fry said. “This group brings a wide variety of backgrounds and opinions which will propel SAB forward as it continues to grow and enhance its programs.”
“I am excited to work with such a diverse group of passionate K-State students,” Ashley Ebeck, SAB vice president for membership. “Each new member really impressed our current members during the application and interview process, so I am looking forward to the impact this group will have on Student Alumni Board.”