K-State Salina student wins Goldwater scholarship, Manhattan student honorable mention
Joshua Nelson, junior in physics at K-State Salina, was selected as the most recent Barry M. Goldwater scholar for the university while Aaron Messerla, junior in mathematics at the Manhattan campus, was chosen as the Goldwater scholar honorable mention.
According to a K-State News and Communications Services release, Nelson and Messerla both have active research projects in their respective fields, which the scholarship requires its recipients to have in mathematics, science or engineering.
“It is a huge honor to be named a Goldwater scholar,” Nelson said in Tuesday’s news release. “I never expected to win such a prestigious award.”
Nelson said he plans to earn a doctorate in physics and hopes to eventually work as a professor of physics and conduct research in atomic, molecular and optical physics.
Messerla said he plans to attend graduate school and study pure mathematics after completing his undergraduate studies.
“I want to earn my doctorate and become a professor at a university where I can teach and do research,” Messerla said in the news release.
Beckham is next dean of College of Veterinary Medicine
K-State recently named Tammy Beckham, director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, as the next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. According to Little Apple Post, Beckham will take the position effective Aug. 2.
“I am excited to welcome Dr. Beckham as the 12th dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine,” April Mason, K-State provost and senior vice president, said in Tuesday’s article. “She is recognized as an international expert in the diagnosis of foreign animal diseases and will be a tremendous leader to help guide us toward our goal of becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”
Before she was the director for the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, Beckham was the director of the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, which is a part of the USDA’s Plum Island Animal Disease Center. Beckham is succeeding Ralph Richardson, who will be moving to a faculty position.
Leadership Studies to host SafeZone introductory training for students Thursday
SafeZone will be offering a student introductory training on Thursday from 3-5 p.m. in 113 Leadership Studies. According to K-State Today, the training will focus on teaching students how to be active bystanders in all locations.
Active bystanders make the choice to not be complicit whenever they witness harmful actions and use a range of actions used to prevent harm when another person is at risk for violence. SafeZone training aims to teach students multiple methods of creative and safe options that can be used as intervention in risky situations.
SafeZone has been present at K-State since the 1970s and was initially started to aid those facing discrimination based on their sexual orientation. It received a revitalization in 2002 and in its current form, SafeZone allies are educated to assist in situations involving bullying, discrimination, LGBTQ issues and sexual violence.
