K-State Alumni Association honors 17 K-State students for excellence
Each year the K-State Alumni Association recognizes graduating students with awards. In 2026, 17 graduating Kansas State University students have been recognized by the Alumni Association for outstanding achievements throughout their college careers.
The recipients were nominated by K-State faculty members and their peers. They were selected by committees consisting of K-State students and alumni, as well as members of the Alumni Association board of directors.
“These students are role models for leadership, community service, inspiration and academics and exemplify the caliber of students at K-State,” said Brandon Moreno, associate director of engagement and belonging for the Alumni Association. “The Alumni Association is thrilled to celebrate these students by honoring them for their contributions to the Wildcat community.”
The Anderson Senior Award recognizes four graduating seniors for excellence in academics, leadership, inspiration and service.
The recipients are:
- For academics: Samuel Speck, bachelor’s candidate in conservation biology
- For inspiration: Sophia Schneider, bachelor’s candidate in chemical engineering
- For leadership: Jack O'Malley, bachelor’s candidate in strategic management and organizational management
- For service: Adam Collins, bachelor’s candidate in physics
The Graduate Student Award recognizes two outstanding graduate students for academics, service and leadership.
The recipients are:
- For academics: Seyedamirreza Babaei, master’s candidate in biological and agricultural engineering
- For leadership and service: Taylor McAtee, doctoral candidate in pathobiology and epidemiology
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 are:
- Abhinash Boddepalli, master’s candidate in entomology
- Endy Lopes Kailer, doctoral candidate in agronomy
- Inisa Shrestha, master’s candidate in genetics
- 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 under-represented communities.
The recipients are:
- Campbell McNorton, bachelor’s candidate in global food system leadership and social transformation studies
- Mikey Schneider, bachelor’s candidate in history
The Robinson Family Multicultural Leadership Award recognizes four outstanding graduating students who are leaving a legacy of enhancing multicultural engagement at Kansas State University through their leadership.
The recipients are:
- 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
- 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 community leadership and service through Jurich’s core leadership tenets.
The recipients are:
- For undergraduate: Campbell McNorton, bachelor’s candidate in global food systems leadership and social transformation studies
- For graduate: Jessica Ramirez, a doctoral candidate in leadership communication
To find out more information about the Alumni Association Awards, please go to k-state.com/awards.