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Medallion

The Medallion award recognizes an alumnus whose humanitarian service has added measurably to the quality of life.

PAST RECIPIENTS

2004-Wayne Freeman38

2004
Wayne Freeman '38, Agriculture

Freeman spent a lifetime developing the capabilities of poor nations to feed their people. He spent 15 years developing his work in India and then developed an integrated cereals program in Nepal. Freeman created an innovative evaluation and seed distribution suitable for developing countries.

2004-Dr-DanUpson52-62-69

2004
Dr. Dan Upson '52, '62, '69, Veterinary Medicine

Upson was the first veterinarian to serve on the Kansas Pharmacy Board. He developed regulations to standardize the procedures for proper drug use in food animal medicine and safety. Upson pioneered technology based education in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

2003-RichardDodderidge47

2003
Richard Dodderidge '47, Arts and Sciences

Dodderidge was president and CEO of Brewer Advertising Agency in Kansas City. The agency was eventually bought out by Young and Rubicam of NY. Brewer was ranked third in the nation amoung ad agencies with major agricultural clients. After leaving advertising, Dodderidge managed corporate marketing for AMC theaters. His professional experience in marketing was a natural complement to his philanthropic and humanitarian efforts. His 38-year Rotary career included service projects in South Africa, Russia and India. He assisted in the formation of a Rotary Club in St. Petersburg, Russia. He was on the Kansas Board of Regents and championed the Margin of Excellence, a legislative funding package to aid public higher education in Kansas.

2003-KarenMilnerGraves57

2003
Karen Milner Graves '57, Education

Graves is known for her commitment, dedication and unwavering support for many worthwhile community projects. She founded the Trails West! Festival in St. Joseph, Missouri, and the Smoky Hill River Festival in Salina, Kansas. Graves served as president of the Neighborhood Partnership, a revitalization effort in Patee Town, an older neighborhood in St. Joseph in which eight museums are located. She was Salina's first woman mayor and was an integral player in the merger of Kansas College of Technology with K-State.

2001-DonDowning50

2001
Don Downing '50, Arts and Sciences

Downing retired from New York Life Insurance, Co. and used his business experience to establish the Haitian Episcopal Learning Partnerships (HELP). The organization provides medical and educational support to one of the poorest Third World nations. Downing helped build a parish school and he raised funds and sought medical volunteers to form health care teams.

2001-RobertHagans50

2001
Robert Hagans '50, Business

Hagans was CEO and chairman of the board of Unitog, a custom-designer and manufacturer of buisness uniforms and work apparel. He was a believer in teaching youth entrepreneurship and was involved in Junior Achievement for more than 20 years. During his 27 year membership in the Rotary club he chaired the Rotary's camp enterprise committee which led a camp to demonstrate the role of business, labor and government in the free enterprise system to high school seniors. Hagans created numerous endowed scholarships in the K-State Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences and Business Administration. He also established two endowed professorships in the College of Business Administration and was the largest benefactor to the Colbert Hills Golf Course and one of the lead donors for the K-State Alumni Center.

2001-RickHarman50

2001
Rick Harman '50, Arts and Sciences

Harman was recognized as a major player in the racial integration of restaurants during the Civil Rights era. Not only was Harman concerned by the inability of minority populations to eat in public food service operations but also by the discrimination of hiring practices. He operated the family business, Myron Green Cafeterias and opened his dining rooms to minorities. Harmon convinced the Kansas City Restaurant Association board of directors to pass a resolution favoring equal treatment for all people. Harman served four years on the Kansas Board of Regents and chaired the academic affairs committee which raised student enrollment standards. As chair of the facilities committee, he was instrumental in obtaining facilities renovation at the state universities.

2000-StephenHolloway65

2000
Stephen Holloway '65, Architecture, Planning and Design

Holloway rallied support for health, education and housing for Jamaica's neediest youth and other residents in the rural, mountainous region of the island. He formed Jamaica Partners, Inc., a non-profit service organization and volunteers from 12 states have journeyed to Jamaica to build a health clinic, library and science education center.

2000-IvanStrickler47

2000
Ivan Strickler '47, Agriculture

Strickler influenced the socio-economic well-being of the nation's dairy farmers, and the global dairy industry. He became known as an innovator for the industry as he applied the latest dairy research procedures. Strickler's international influence stemmed from his longtime leadership in some of the nation's largest dairy organizations. He worked with Congress and the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture on dairy policy issues and legislation. He also represented the nation on various international trade missions.

1998-PerryAdkisson56

1999
Perry Adkisson '56, Agriculture

Adkisson developed and implemented integrated pest management programs in the United States and worldwide through the United Nations. His research prevented the release of hundreds of tons of insecticide into the environment. Adkisson's vision helped the world feed itself in ways that are ecologically sound, environmentally friendly, economically beneficial and healthier. He won the World Food Prize in 1997.

1999-DrEdwardGillette56-70

1999
Dr. Edward Gillette '56, '70, Veterinary Medicine

Gillette was a pioneer in animal cancer research and had significant impact on the study of human cancer. He established a comparative oncology program to use naturally occurring tumors in companion animals as models for human cancer treatment. He also provided guidelines for normal tissue tolerance to radiation therapy. Gillette's enthusiasm for science was contagious, and he inspired many future scientists to follow in this field of cancer research.

1999-JackVanier-fs51

1999
Jack Vanier (fs '51), Agriculture

Vanier was an international leader in the livestock industry and a respected humanitarian and philanthropist. He led CK Ranch, which had  one of the premier registered Horned Hereford herds in the world. Their livestock have been used in developing herds around the world. Vanier distinguished himself as a humanitarian and philanthropist, supporting various arts programs, underprivileged children and youth programs, health-related institutions and many college and universities. He supported the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, the Basic Cancer Research Center, Beach Museum of Art and K-State Athletics.

1998-DrHenryMBeachell33

1998
Dr. Henry M. Beachell '33, Agriculture

Beachell, a rice scientist, developed rice varieties that first transformed the U.S. rice industry and then improved varieties in Asia. "Miracle rice" formed more grain and less straw, matured early and produced record yields that helped feed Asia's growing population. Beachell is credited with more advances in the productivity of rice than  had occurred during the previous 10,000 years. He won the World Food Prize in 1996.

1998-FrancesAicherLewis37

1998
Frances Aicher Lewis '37, Human Ecology

Lewis exemplified the term "professional volunteer." In the 1940's and 1950's she taught cooking basics to hundreds of children in 4-H. She was named the 1951 Kansas Master Homemaker. Lewis organized all-girls youth meat judging contests and help establish the American Junior Hereford Association.

1998-Dr-JohnLeoDWilson23

1998
Dr. John Leod Wilson '23, Arts and Sciences

Wilson was a dedicated university administrator known for his lifelong commitment to student development. He served as an administrator at several Historically Black Colleges and Universities including, Southern University, Langston University, Savannah State College and St. Augustine College. His achievements during the turbulent World War II years influenced thousands of military personnel and he served as a director with the USO. During an uneasy social climate, Wilson successfully created activities for students with an emphasis on racial understanding.

1995-SteveGrogan75

1995
Steve Grogan '75, Arts and Sciences

Grogan, a 16-year veteran quarterback for the New England Patriots, became a tireless advocate for people challenged by physical and mental disabilities. He has introduced countless people throughout New England to the challenges facing individuals with mental handicaps and has provided leadership to non-disabled individuals on how to relate to people with mental disabilities.

1993-schowengerdt

1993
Dean Schowengerdt '49, '51, Agriculture

D. Schowengerdt had a life-long commitment to improving the quality of life in Korea. He directed the Union Christian Service Center in Taejon, Korea, which included work relief for war refugees, limb making and vocational training for amputees. Schowengerdt also promoted post war development projects that included mountain land husbandry of sheep and farm production loan fund and rice bank cooperatives.

1993
Marjorie Schowengerdt '48, Human Ecology

M. Schowengerdt had a life-long commitment to improving the quality of life in Korea. She managed the ChungNam Foundling Home by the request of the Korean government. The home cared for 321 abandoned or orphaned babies and children. As organizer and teacher of Taejon's first community kindergarten for English-speaking children, Marjorie worked with scholarship funding for economically deprived women students.

1991-DrGhulamRasoolChaudhry68-70

1991
Dr. Ghulam Rasool Chaudhry '68, '70, Agriculture

Chaudhry was a staunch advocate of accessible education for the underprivileged people of Pakistan's rural areas. He became the secretary to the government, Agriculture Department in Pakistan in 1989.

1990-DaphyneSmithCauble32-37

1990
Daphyne Smith Cauble '32, '37, Home Economics

Cauble was regional director for Project Concern and state co-chair of International Health and Medical Concern. She was actively engaged in sending medical equipment as well as clothing and hygiene kits, all over the world. Cauble has also looked after the people of Wichita and Kansas. Her work has assisted many local service organizations such as the Colvin Center, the Rescue Mission, World Impact Village and the Salvation Army.

1989-MattBetton38

1989
Matt Betton '38, Arts and Sciences

Betton was the founder of the National Association of Jazz Educators. The organization was in existence until 2008 under the name International Association of Jazz Educators and had over 7,000 members. He was invited to play at the White House by President Ronald Reagan. Nearly 150 students worked their way through K-State between 1933 and 1963 playing with the Betton orchestras.

1988-SGraceDickmanKing18

1988
S. Grace Dickman King '18, Home Economics

King was a retired principal and teacher who expended much of her considerable energy in service to her community and to K-State. Her talents and ambition were ahead of her time, and she said that because of her gender, "I limited my acitivities to the more sedate. I couldn't be a county agent, but I did plan and initiate a township high school in my hometown of Fostoria."

1988-A-G-Glenn-Pickett-35

1988
A. G. (Glenn) Pickett '35, Agriculture

Pickett was the former executive vice president of the Kansas Livestock Association, whose practicality and foresight continued to influence Kansas agriculture. He based his agricultural principles on the thesis of "make it simple, workable and acceptable, and if possible, profitable." He set up a school to issue diplomas to inmates at the Hutchinson State Reformatory.  He served as State Livestock Sanitary Commissioner from 1949 - 1970. During his tenure he eradicated turberculosis in cattle in Kansas and made strides in eliminating brucellosis. The Kansas Animal Health Department functions under excellent statutes initiated by Pickett. His recommendations laid the groundwork for the development of the national beef promotion federation of 38 state beef councils and the Beef Industry Council of the Meat Board.

1987-Dr-Helen-BeckStafford20

1987
Dr. Helen Beck Stafford '20, Home Economics

Stafford was born at the turn of the century to a father who was a former slave and a college-educated, school teacher mother. "Blacks weren't accepted, we were just here, period. In classes or labs where we worked in pairs, if there was no other black girl, you worked alone. You were in complete isolation, always alone." Stafford ignored the prejudice and compiled a long list of accomplishments in civil rights and community service. She became a founding member of the Tacoma, WA NAACP chapter, was the first black member of the area League of Women Voters, served on the first board of the Tacoma Urban League, and was on the YWCA board when black girls were not admitted as members. She helped organize and served as president of the Tacoma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, the first black service sorority and in 1948 became the first black to be employed by the State Department of Human and Health Services as a caseworker.

1987-FredCBramlage35

1987
Fred C. Bramlage '35, Business

Bramlage served on the National Battle Monuments Commission under three Presidents and was  Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army - an appointment equal to that of a three-star general. He was instrumental in attracting the 1st Division to Fort Riley. He helped plan the Tuttle Creek and Milford Reservoir Dams, as well as the I-70 route through Kansas. "Few people have even an inkling of the range and depth of influential and benevolent activities in which he quietly or silently engaged," Randy Pohlman, former dean of the College of Business Administration, K-State, said of Bramlage.

1986-ClarkCCollins-DVM41

1986
Clark C. Collins, DVM '41, Veterinary Medicine

Collins was a veterinarian who made significant contributions to both animal and human medicine. He became a pioneer in using movies to film diseases of all kinds and surgical procedures. Those films were shown at veterinary conventions and later became used in teaching at K-State and other universities. Due to family tragedies, he was instrumental in obtaining the first artificial kidney machine in Nebraska and formed the hospital foundation in West Point, Nebraska, where he served as president for more than 20 years. 

1986-MaryMcDonaldHewson48

1986
Mary McDonald Hewson '48, Education

Hewson dedicated much of her life to support K-State and education from the pre-school to the post-graduate level. Hewson was a treasured advisor to University, Alumni Association, and Foundation administrators. She helped establish "HEAL" (Help Eliminate Abuse Locally), a group to combat drug use by teenagers. Hewson counseled hundreds of high school students, keeping in contact with them as they arrived at K-State and other universities. She worked tirelessly to teach high schoolers about the importance of higher education, worked to get them into a university and worked to keep them there.

1986-CarlPMillerSr20

1986
Carl P. Miller Sr. '20, Arts and Sciences

Miller and his family owned nine California newspapers, was the assistant financial editor of the LA Times and the secretary/manager of the Los Angeles Stock Exchange. In 1929 Miller was chosen to begin The Wall Street Journal's Pacific Coast edition - one week before the stock market crashed. The paper survived and became a model for several other Wall Street Journal editions. Miller's second career, as a Rotarian, began as a young man. He became the organization's international president in 1963 and introduced the "Matched District and Club Program" designed to cultivate international goodwill, increased tremendously Rotary's World Community Service projects and youth exchange by pairing Rotary districts around the world for cooperative work.

1985-HelenVarneyBurst61

1985
Helen Varney Burst '61, Home Economics

Burst was the chief designer of contemporary nurse-midwifery education and the force behind the legitimization of nurse-midwifery in every state. She was the author of the first nurse-midwifery textbook in the U.S. and twice president of the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

1985-PaulBGwin16

1985
Paul B. Gwin '16, Agriculture

Gwin was known for developing an extension program that brought rural people the tools needed for successful living and encouraged children to develop leadership skills. Once retired, he focused his energies on organizing and supporting programs for senior citizens in north central Kansas. He played a major role in the development of the 4-H camp at Rock Springs Ranch and was a director of the North Central-Flint Hills Area agency on Aging.

1985-AlvinAHostetler32

1985
Alvin A. Hostetler '32, Business

Hostetler was president and chairman of the board of First National Bank in Manhattan, Kansas. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce during the flood of 1951. Hostetler was the prime mover in re-establishing businesses within a year. His most significant asset in support of Kansas State University was his clear understanding of how the academic/administrative system interrelates on campus and within the Manhattan community.

1984-VonEastmanEulert-fs42

1984
Von Eastman Eulert (fs '42), Human Ecology

Eulert was a pioneer in braille services. She became the first braille transcriber to be cerified by the Library of Congress in math and science. She developed codes for ancient numerations and electron dots used in chemistry textbooks, and designed hand tools for brailling math and science diagrams.

1984-EdwardJKingJr43

1984
Edward J. King Jr. '43, Engineering

King was the founder and president of King Radio Corp., a leading manufacturer of communication systems for the aircraft industry. His accomplishments in avionics contributed greatly to the nation's department of defense. King paid for the construction of the K-State International Student Center. This contribution was prompted by his belief that we live in a global society, and that there was a need to provide international students with a sense of belonging.

1984-TRussellReitz27

1984
T. Russell Reitz '27, Agriculture

Reitz was an outstanding influence in Manhattan, Kansas. He was a leader in developing personnel and conservation programs in extension, agriculture and the forest service. He was mayor of Manhattan three times. Reitz worked to raise money for the Riley County Historical Museum, a new swimming pool and a new sewer system. His leadership on city governmental boards and in volunteer associations greatly enriched Manhattan and the lives of its people.

1983-MariannaKistlerBeach41

1983
Marianna Kistler Beach '41, Arts and Sciences

Beach was instrumental on the student committee to obtain legislative approval to enable construction of the Kansas State Student Union. She was involved with the Kansas-Paraguay Partners, promoting cultural and technical exchange between the United States and Latin America. As an ardent supporter of the arts, Beach and her husband established the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art to ensure art be available for all Kansans to enjoy. She worked tirelessly in supporting efforts to maximize the potential of handicapped individuals and served on the President's Committee on Mental Handicaps. She also served as the U.S. representative and president of the Inter-American Children's Institute of the Organization of American States.

1983-McDillHuckBoyd-fs-28

1983
McDill "Huck" Boyd (fs'28), Arts and Sciences

Boyd was the publisher of the The Phillips County Review in Phillipsburg, Kansas. He was instrumental in bringing the first cooperative refinery to Phillipsburg, established the Mid States Port Authority which bought and maintained 465 miles of rail line after the Rock Island Rairoad went bankrupt and obtained legislative approval to establish rural family practice residencies, which solved the doctor shortage in rural Kansas. He earned the William Allen White Award for Journalistic Merit, the Murdock Award for distinction in journalism and community service and the Eugene Cervi Award for public service through community journalism.

1983-HarriettPMorris18

1983
Harriett P. Morris '18, Home Economics

Morris was a missionary in Korea for over 20 years. She was instrumental in bringing home economics education into Korea through her work at Ewha Womans University. She published "The Art of Korean Cooking" which exposed westerners to Korean food. At Ewha, she introduced Western cooking techniques and the concept of nutrition, including awareness of calories and vitamins. 

1982-DrMiltonSEisenhower-24

1982
Dr. Milton S. Eisenhower '24, Arts and Sciences

Eisenhower was president of Kansas State from 1943 to 1950. During his tenure, he transformed K-State into a comprehensive educational institution by revising all 51 curriculums and establishing Ph.D. programs in philosophy, political science, economics and other areas. He later served as president of Penn State University and Johns Hopkins University. His public service record included special assignments carried out on behalf of eight U.S. presidents.

1982-VelmaGoodHuston31

1982
Velma Good Huston '31, Home Economics

Huston established an extension program in the nation of Israel in the late 1950s.  Prior to that, she establised a strong extension program in the Upper Peninsula region of Michigan.

1982-DonAMcNeal36

1982
Don A. McNeal '36, Arts and Sciences

McNeal served as editor and publisher of the Council Grove Republican for over 40 years. He was a former president of the Alumni Association Board and served as chairman of the Association's legislative network. He served in the army as a lieutenant colonel during World War II. He was President of the Kansas Press Association, chairman of the Kansas Chapter of the American Cancer Society and president of the Council Grove Chamber of Commerce. McNeal won the Huck Boyd Leader of the Year Award from the Huck Boyd National Institute for Rural Development in recognition of outstanding leadership in community journalism.

1981-ElizabethMayGalloway19-33

1981
Elizabeth May Galloway '19, '33, Home Economics

Galloway retired as Dean of the School of Home Economics at Prairie View A&M after 41 years. Home Economics consisted of cooking and sewing courses when she began in 1923, but during her tenure she expanded the college to include majors in institutional management, foods and nutrition, clothing and textiles, art and design, child development and nursery, home management, and othe related courses. Prairie A&M recognized Galloway's contributions by dedicating its new Home Economics building in her name. 

1981-WalterSJones30

1981
Walter S. Jones '30, Arts and Sciences

Jones served in the U.S. Air Force and went overseas with the first B-29 bomber group. He served in India, China, and Tinian in the Mariana Islands and was awarded the Bronze Star. Jones was instrumental in securing land for Tinker Field which became Tinker Airforce Base in Oklahoma City. He was active in the Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce and Kiwanis. Jones was a major benefactor of the university's annual "Classified Employee of the Year" award.

1981-Dr-JohnAShellenberger31

1981
Dr. John A. Shellenberger '31, Agriculture

Shellenberger was a world-renowned cereal scientist and was the head of Department of Flour and Feed Milling, now known as Grain Science. The Grain Science building is named in his honor. During his tenure the department was expanded to include majors in feed and baking science as well as milling. The contributions of his research and teaching have significantly influenced cereal chemistry, flour quality and protein content of U.S. wheat.

1975-JohnLCampbell18

1975
John L. Campbell '18, Veterinary Medicine

Campbell was a protégé of George Washington Carver and helped him develop a variety of uses for soy beans, peanuts, long stapel cotton and sweet potatoes. He taught at Voorhees Industrial School in South Carolina and later worked as a veterinarian for the US Department of Agriculture. Campbell helped found the Church of Good Shepherd, United Church of Christ in Chicago and was supreintendent of the church school. He also spent 40 years in financial leadership of the Morgan Park Savings and Loan Association.

1975-Adm-Eugene-J-Peltier33

1975
Adm. Eugene J. Peltier '33, Engineering

Peltier was rear admiral and chief of yards and docks and chief of civil engineers in the United States Navy. He retired and became president and CEO of the architectural and engineering firm Sverdrup and Parcel and Assoc. in St. Louis. He was bestowed an Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Kansas State University in 1961 and was a charter member of K-State's Engineering Hall of Fame.

1975-Dr-Virgina-Yapp-Trotter43

1975
Dr. Virginia (Yapp) Trotter '43, Home Economics

Trotter was Assistant Secretary of Education under Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford. The position was part of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare at that time. She was the first woman to hold the U.S. government's highest education post. She was Chairman of Home Economics at the University of Vermont and Dean of Home Economics at the University of Nebraska.

1973-EldenLAuker32

1973
Elden L. Auker '32, Arts and Sciences

Auker played in Major League Baseball for ten years with the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Browns.  He won the World Series in 1935 with the Detroit Tigers. The first batter he faced was Babe Ruth, whom he struck out with 4 pitches. Auker retired from baseball in 1943 to contribute to the war effort and worked on airplane and naval guns. He became president of Bay State Abrasives, a company that made armaments and abrasive materials.

1973-D-EarlVlark39

1973
D. Earl Clark '39, Arts and Sciences

Clark had a prolific career in the business community and served as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Occidental Life Insurance Co.  He also served as director for many of Transamerica Corporation's other subsidiaries including United Artists Corporation and United Artists Records. Clark's civic contributions included being a member of the Tournament of Roses Assoc., director of the Better Business Bureau, and director of the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce and Convention Bureau.

1973-C-DeanMcNeal34

1973
C. Dean McNeal '34, Agriculture

McNeal was an executive vice president of Pillsbury Corporation.  As an agricultural economist he made outstanding contributions as a teacher, administrator and advisor. He served as a consultant for governmental, commercial and educational organizations on local, state and national levels. McNeal also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the National 4-H Foundation.

1972-WLeRoyCulbertson39

1972
W. LeRoy Culbertson '39, Engineering

Culbertson was senior vice president of Phillips 66 and was a pioneer in the field of liquification of natural gas. In 1969 he was the "Engineer of the Year" by the Oklahoma Society of Professional Engineers. He was very concerned with the fuel crisis in the 1970s. Culbertson worked with government agencies and universities to research alternative fuel sources so the U.S. would be less dependent on foreign oil.

1970-MartinKEbySr29

1970
Martin K. Eby Sr. '29

Eby established his own construction company and in 1969 it was recognized as one of the largest in the nation. Among their more important commercial and industrial structures are schools, hospitals and churches as well as state and municipal government buildings, dams and defense structions. He was on the board of directors of the Foundation for the Blind for many years.

1969-Dr-A-D-Weber22

1969
Dr. A. D. Weber '22, Agriculture

Weber was one of the world's leading agricultural and livestock authorities. He became one of the nation's leading authorities on the agriculture of India and spent extended periods of service in India. Weber was a dean and vice president of Kansas State University and served as director of international activities at the university. Weber Hall is named in his honor.