Distinguished Young Alumni program helped K-Stater leverage success, make connections
By Tim Schrag ’12
For Clemente Jaquez ’08, a 2016 recipient of the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, the honor meant a validation of his time at K-State.
“When I first got the confirmation, I felt honored and I was pumped to come back to K-State!” he said. “I was excited because I wanted to come back to the university and talk about how K-State has made a difference in my life, in my career, and in my pursuits. I viewed this opportunity as a platform.”
The Distinguished Young Alumni program annually recognizes two K-State graduates who are excelling in their professions and contributing to their communities. The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association’s board of directors and Student Alumni Board.
After 10 years Jaquez, now co-founder of Dallas, Texas-based firm Modus Architecture, reflected on the impact the award had on him early in his career.
“I'm an architect and I design buildings,” he said. “I am also a business owner now. I have learned that everything is about people and networking is foundational to success. It is about telling your story, connecting with others, and perhaps one day they will become your clients and collaborators. When I received the DYA award, it gave me the platform to connect to a broader community of K-Staters. It created an opportunity to expand my social and professional network, which, honestly, I think has been the biggest blessing.
Jaquez returned to campus for three days, met with students, faculty and staff before giving a keynote address.
“The DYA program is not just an award - it places great emphasis on connecting to the university and the students. Our schedules through those three days were packed with opportunities to learn, connect, and inspire,” he said. “They personalized my visit to K-State in order to make it most impactful and memorable for myself and others.”
His family came to Manhattan from his hometown in Garden City, Kansas, to see his key-note presentation in the K-State Student Union’s little theater, which was filled to capacity for the presentation.
“The support and attendance from students and faculty were humbling,” he said. "My journey to become an architect and entrepreneur started at K-State, and through the DYA program, I had the opportunity to talk about my unique experience and trajectory since graduation. Coming back to K-State as a Distinguished Young Alum was a capstone celebration of my journey, and even more so to have my family there to celebrate with me.”
Since earning the award, Jaquez has remained involved with K-State in several ways.
When the Wildcats came to AT&T Stadium for the Big 12 Championship in football, Jaquez was there wearing purple.
Jaquez consistently helps with recruiting efforts in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. He’s a member of the Dean’s Advisory Council in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design, which brings him back to campus twice a year.
He also participates in the annual North Texas Boots and BBQ event.
“It feels like home to be in a room full of people who have the same passion and excitement for K-State and its students,” he said.
Jaquez and his wife, Olga, also established a scholarship in the College of Architecture, Planning and Design, which helps students from southwest Kansas attend K-State.
“Giving back is a personal mission of our family,” he said. “Building a strong community requires that we all give our time, our expertise, and often our financial support. I want to pave the way for other students, and through our family scholarship, my legacy will always be tied to K-State.”
Jaquez said the DYA program is a great vehicle to showcase the talent and impact of K-State and its graduates.
“The DYA program is extremely beneficial to students and the university. It is important for students and professors to see alumni share their stories to influence and inspire the next generation of leaders. In turn, I am inspired by the hope and aspirations of all the students I met during my visit to K-State, and I am excited about the impact we’ll continue to have in our communities. Go K-State!,” he said.