Political science junior wins nationally competitive fellowship
Shai Washington, junior in political science, received a fellowship from the Public Policy and International Affairs Program to attend the Junior Summer Institute this June through July, according to a K-State news release.
Washington will attend the institute’s seven-week program designed to prepare college juniors for advanced degrees and careers in the public sector. She will attend the program at Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs.
“I was ecstatic when I found out,” Washington said in the news release. “This is an incredible opportunity to really focus on the skills needed to be successful in an international or public affairs graduate program. I normally would not be able to participate in a program like this because of financial constraints. My career goal is to become a foreign service officer, and this as an amazing opportunity that will help me on this journey.”
K-State professor wins national award
Dan Thomson, professor of clinical studies, director of the Beef Cattle Institute and assistant dean of outreach for the College of Veterinary Medicine at K-State, has been honored as the 2015 National Beef Quality Assurance Educator of the Year, according to a K-State news release.
Selected by a committee of representatives from universities, state beef councils and affiliated groups, the award recognizes key cattle industry influencers who promote Beef Quality Assurance Program principles on a daily basis.
“Dr. Dan Thomson is a leader amongst leaders and is devoted not only to redefining his profession as a veterinarian, but also to improving the reputation of beef cattle industry through the training offered via the Beef Cattle Institute, one producer, one chef, one extension agent and one retailer at a time,” Bruce Feinberg, global animal health and welfare officer for McDonald’s Corp, said in the news release. “I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the National Beef Quality Assurance Educator Award.”
Koch industry gift supports diversity programs at K-State
Koch Industries Inc. announced a gift of $2,635,000 to K-State according to a K-State news release. The gift will impact many of the university’s campuswide programs with a majority of the funds going to funds supporting diversity initiatives.
Koch’s gift renews its support of Project IMPACT, a program that focuses on student recruitment, retention initiatives, staffing support and scholarships for multicultural and first-generation college students.
The gift also increased its commitment to include funding for the Kompass program, an orientation and first-year retention program that teaches incoming multicultural and first-generation students effective study habits.
“For the Office of Diversity’s most important recruitment and retention initiatives, Koch Industries has meant everything,” Myra Gordon, associate vice provost for diversity, said in the news release. “Koch believed in these initiatives when they were mere words on paper. Today, these initiatives bring distinction to the university and support record multicultural student enrollments all across the university and in the targeted disciplines of business, engineering and agriculture. I appreciate and respect Koch for all it has been doing for the multicultural student populations in this state and now, for the entire university.”
Funds will also be donated to other campus programs including programs in the college of business, career and employment services and Center for Risk Management Education and research.