K-State Alumni Association presents Anderson Awards to four seniors

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Source: Andrea Bryant Gladin, 785-532-5058, AGladin@k-state.com
News release prepared by: Tim Lindemuth, 785-532-5061, tlindemuth@k-state.com

Friday, May 18, 2007

K-STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION PRESENTS ANDERSON AWARDS TO FOUR SENIORS

MANHATTAN -- Four outstanding Kansas State University seniors have received Anderson Awards from the K-State Alumni Association. The awards, presented May 3, recognize the students' achievements during their college careers.

Recipients are Joshua York, Ashland; Joshua Ault, Olathe; Thuy-Kieu Nguyen, Overland Park; and Lydia Roberts, Pomona.

Amy Button Renz, president of the K-State Alumni Association, presented the students with their award plaques at the Senior Send-Off event at the K-State Alumni Center. Each year, the association honors four seniors for leadership, service, inspiration and academics. Faculty and peers nominate candidates.

"We selected the winners from a pool of many deserving candidates," said Andrea Bryant Gladin, associate director of alumni programs for the alumni association. "We are pleased to honor these individuals for their accomplishments during their time at K-State."

York, who has earned bachelor's degrees in history and political science, received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Leadership. He is the 2007 K-State Air Force ROTC Field Training distinguished graduate. York also was treasurer and president of his fraternity, Delta Upsilon. He has been a volunteer with the Boys and Girls Club and adopt-a-highway program, and worked with the homeless. York also is an Eagle Scout.

Ault, who has earned a bachelor's degree in microbiology, received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Service. He was president for the K-State chapter of the American Red Cross for two years, the 2004 president of Sexual Health Awareness Peer Educators and 2006 president of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Ault was a volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, Students for Clean Air Manhattan and the Student Health Advisory Committee at Lafene Health Center.

Nguyen, who has earned a bachelor's in fine arts-drawing, received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Inspiration. She has been president in the Vietnamese Student Organization and vice president of Mortar Board senior honor society. Nguyen taught leadership skills at The First Tee National Youth Golf Academy. A nominator said Nguyen's greatest impact has been her understanding and ability to mentor and inspire students from diverse cultures.

Roberts, a senior in chemistry and biochemistry, received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Academics. She has maintained a near perfect "A" average in her overall academic studies, according to her faculty nominators. She has worked in the laboratory of Duy Hua, professor of chemistry, studying the chemistry related to Alzheimer's disease. Roberts is the recipient of a Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research Undergraduate Research Award, as well as numerous other honors. She has been president of Alpha Chi Sigma professional chemistry honorary and a recruitment officer for her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega.