Questions?
Brandon Moreno
Associate director of engagement and belonging
785-532-5060
Distinguished Young Alumni
The Distinguished Young Alumni program is in its eleventh year. It recognizes two Kansas State University 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. We encourage you to honor your outstanding graduates by nominating them for this
award.
2024 Recipients
The K-State Alumni Association is proud to announce the recipients of our 2024 Distinguished Young Alumni Award: Jill Applegate '16 and Tera Rooney Barnhardt '12, '14, '15.
Stream the live keynote speeches on Tuesday, March 5:
• Jill Applegate at 3:30 p.m.
• Tera Rooney Barnhardt at 4:30 p.m.
Jill Applegate '16
Applegate is a Skadden Fellow at the Neighborhood Defender Service. She earned two bachelor's degrees from K-State in modern languages and political science in 2016. Additionally, Applegate earned a juris doctor from the University of Texas at Austin.
Tera Rooney Barnhardt '12, '14, '15
Barnhardt is a veterinarian focused on animal welfare research and consulting. She earned three degrees from K-State, a bachelor's degree in animal science and industry in 2012, a doctor of veterinary medicine in 2014 and a master’s degree in biomedical science in 2015.
PAST RECIPIENTS
2023
John Grice '12
John Grice '12
Annual Giving Manager
Barack Obama Foundation
Watch Keynote Presentation
2023
Kelsie Ball Salazar '11
Kelsie Ball Salazar '11
Registered nurse care coordinator - education
University of Kansas Medical Center
Watch Keynote Presentation
2022
Sruthi Narayanan '11, '15
Sruthi Narayanan '11, '15
Assistant Professor of Crop Physiology
Clemson University
Watch Keynote Presentation
2022
James E. Millsap Jr. '11
James E. Millsap Jr. '11
Manager of Inclusion and Diversity Strategy
DICK’s Sporting Goods Inc.
Watch Keynote Presentation
2021
Dr. Jamie Ball '10
Dr. Jamie Ball '10
Pediatrician
Golden Valley Memorial Healthcare
Watch Keynote Presentation
2021
Kristine Davis '15
Kristine Davis '15
xEMU Space Suit Engineer
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Watch Keynote Presentation
2020
Sarah Sexton-Bowser '08
Sarah Sexton-Bowser '08
Managing Director
K-State's Center for Sorghum Improvement
Watch Keynote Presentation
2020
Mindy McBee '12
Mindy McBee '12
Strategic Accounts Sales Leader
Cargill
Watch Keynote Presentation
2019
Dr. Charley Cull '12, '14, '16
Dr. Charley Cull '12, '14, '16
Veterinarian, Clinical Research Associate, Director of Stocker and Grazing Cattle
Midwest Veterinary Services, Central States Research Centre Inc., Veterinary Biomedical
Research Center Inc.
Watch Keynote Presentation
2019
Kale Monk PhD '10, '13
Kale Monk PhD '10, '13
Assistant Professor, State Extension Specialist
Center for Policy and Family Research Fellow at the University of Missouri
Watch Keynote Presentation
2018
Megan McCall '08, '11
Megan McCall '08, '11
Remote on-call Bridge Coordinator
Rose Brooks Center’s Bridge Program
Watch Keynote Presentation
2018
Bryce Huschka '07
Bryce Huschka '07
Area Manager
ExxonMobil
Watch Keynote Presentation
2017
Dalton Henry '07
Dalton Henry '07
Director of Policy
U.S. Wheat Associates
Watch Keynote Presentation
2017
Jorge Mendoza '10
Jorge Mendoza '10
STEM exploration program manager
The Ohio State University
Watch Keynote Presentation
2016
Dr. Kourtney Bettinger '06
Dr. Kourtney Bettinger '06
Physician and pediatric resident
University of Colorado School of Medicine
Watch Keynote Presentation
2016
Clemente Jaquez '08
Clemente Jaquez '08
Design director
Hoefer Wysocki Architecture
Watch Keynote Presentation
2015
Corey Fortin '06
Corey Fortin '06
United States Foreign Service
United States Agency for International Development in Uganda
Watch Keynote Presentation
2015
Matt King '07
Matt King '07
Fund analyst
World Bank Group
Watch Keynote Presentation
2014
Molly Hamm '10
Molly Hamm '10
Planning and research coordinator
The DREAM Project
2014
Matt Wolters '03
Matt Wolters '03
Co-founder and co-owner
SureFire Ag Systems Inc.
2013
Nick Piper '08
Nick Piper '08
Founder and CEO
Phoria Energy Solutions
2013
Justine Sterling '07
Justine Sterling '07
Director of alumni relations
George W. Bush Presidential Center