K-State student from Liberal combines love of graphic arts and engineering in studies

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Source: Edgar Martinez, 620-655-3240, edgar@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Adam Holste, 785-532-6415, mhall@k-state.edu

Tuesday, May 8, 2007

K-STATE STUDENT FROM LIBERAL COMBINES LOVE OF GRAPHIC ARTS AND ENGINEERING IN STUDIES

MANHATTAN -- One Kansas State University student has taken full advantage of the many opportunities offered at K-State to get involved.

Edgar Martinez, a junior in fine arts, Liberal, is a member of the Hispanic American Leadership Organization and the Developing Scholars Program, which matches underrepresented students, students of color and first-generation college students with faculty mentors to work on research projects.

Martinez is a first-generation college student who was born in Mexico. He and his family moved to Los Angeles when he was about a year old, and then to Liberal in 1998.

Martinez learned about K-State's Developing Scholars Program through Kansas Bridges to the Future while he was a student at Seward County Community College. Kansas Bridges to the Future is an offshoot of the Developing Scholars Program. It helps students from historically underrepresented racial and ethnic groups at five community colleges in Kansas who are interested in the biomedical sciences complete their bachelor's degrees at K-State. After Martinez earned his associate degree at Seward County, he enrolled at K-State.

Through the Developing Scholars Program, Martinez has been paired with K-State's William Dunn, associate professor in mechanical and nuclear engineering, to work on a neutron dosimetry project. They test neutron dosimetry technology that detects neutrons instantly, providing information that can be used to prevent harmful exposure to neutron radiation. In addition to meeting with Dunn once a week to go over the project, Martinez works Quaji Jahan, a K-State graduate student in mechanical and nuclear engineering, three days a week to do research.

"It's great," Martinez said about working with Dunn. "He's very open, and he'll talk to you if you have questions about anything."

Martinez spends from six to 10 hours per week working on his research. He recently gave a presentation about it at the K-State Student Union.

The Developing Scholars Program also includes a once-a-week seminar for first-year students to help them adjust to college life, learn study methods and get acclimated to their new surroundings.

Martinez, who also enjoys both art and mathematics, recently switched his major from mechanical and nuclear engineering to fine arts, specifically graphic design. He said he really enjoys his 2-D art classes and loves doing ink drawings.

Martinez also stays involved in the Hispanic American Leadership Organization. The group meets once a week to discuss fundraisers and things they can do for community service projects.

"Basically, we try to get involved in the community and let them know that we are here to do good and help out," Martinez said.

School work, research and club activities are what college is all about, Martinez said. "It's a blast. Everybody should experience it at some point."