Eleven Kansas State University alumni selected as 2026 Alumni Fellows
Eleven accomplished Kansas State University alumni have been selected as the 2026 Alumni Fellows and will address students and faculty in classes and receptions April 22-23 during the 2026 Alumni Fellows events.
Alumni Fellows return to discuss current business and industry trends and to meet with students and faculty. The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association, the Office of the President and the Deans’ Council.
“The Fellows were chosen based on their exceptional levels of professional accomplishment and distinguished service in their respective careers,” said Michelle Elkins, K-State Alumni Association director of alumni awards and engagement and organizer of the Alumni Fellows program.
The 2026 Alumni Fellows are:
John F. Stika, president, Certified Angus Beef®, Creston, Ohio, for the College of Agriculture. Stika earned a bachelor’s degree in 1993 and a master’s degree in 1998, both in animal sciences and industry.
Traci Ferrell O'Bryan, CEO, Arcturis, St. Louis, Missouri, for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. O’Bryan earned a bachelor’s degree in interior architecture in 1986.
Summer Lewis, international partnerships and program consultant, True Roots , Manhattan, Kansas, and remote for the College of Arts and Sciences. Lewis graduated in 2005 with three bachelor’s degrees in Modern Languages (Spanish), sociology and women’s studies.
Ron Wasserstein, executive director, American Statistical Association, Springfield, Virginia, for the College of Arts and Sciences. Wasserstein received his master’s degree in 1984 and doctorate in 1987, both in statistics from K-State.
Duane Webber, attorney, Baker McKenzie (Global Law Firm), Mill Valley, California, for the College of Business Administration. Webber earned two bachelor’s degrees from K-State in 1981 in accounting and humanities.
Stephanie Bannister, president, FirstGen Forward, Washington, D.C., for the College of Education. Bannister earned a doctorate of education in counseling and student development in 2009.
Gabriel Hernandez, vice president, Burns & McDonnell, Overland Park, Kansas, for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Hernandez earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1995.
Mona Choi Dexter, vice president, military and veteran affairs, Comcast NBCUniversal, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for the Graduate School. Dexter earned a master’s degree in counseling and student development in 2008.
Dené Mosier, president/CEO, Kansas Children's Discovery Center, Topeka, Kansas, for the College of Health and Human Sciences. Mosier earned two degrees from K-State, a bachelor’s in family studies and human services in 1997 and a master’s degree in gerontology in 2014.
Lt. Col. Matthew A. Shelly, Strategic War Planner and A-10C pilot, United States Air Force, Honolulu, Hawaii, for the College of Technology and Aviation. Shelly earned a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical science in 2005 at K-State Salina.
Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean emeritus, K-State College of Veterinary Medicine, and, dean/CEO Emeritus, K-State Olathe, Olathe, Kansas, for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Richardson earned two degrees from K-State: a bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine in 1969 and a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1970.
The public is invited to attend a reception and dinner for the 2026 Fellows held Thursday, April 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the K-State Alumni Center. Tickets are available at k-state.com/fellowsrsvp.
For more information about the Alumni Fellows program, visit k-state.com/Fellows.