A dozen Emporia State University students were honored Tuesday as the 2009-10 class of Shepherd Scholars.
“I congratulate you on your accomplishments to date,” said Michael Lane, ESU president, “but also on your future accomplishments, not only next year as seniors, but beyond ESU in your careers.” said ESU President Michael Lane, as he welcomed students, family, friends and faculty members in the Sauder Alumni Center.
The Shepherd Scholars program was established at ESU in 1994 by Augusta Shepherd of Emporia and her late husband, R. Hershel Shepherd. The scholarship provides generous support for ESU’s most accomplished upperclassmen in their senior years.
The 2009 Shepherd Scholars are: Frances Busby, Osage City, secondary English education; Caitlin Eck, Bartlett, accounting; Jill Ferrell, Hutchinson, secondary English education; Paige Kinzie, Macksville, secondary English education; Karen Kroge, Lawrence, secondary social sciences education; Jonathan Krueger, Bentley, political science and public affairs; Jacob Kucza, Lawrence, elementary education; Katie McClain, Lawrence, secondary social sciences education; Jasmine Puderbaugh, Topeka, secondary English and French education; Levi Short, Hamilton, biochemistry and molecular biology; Tamara Stimatze, Emporia, psychology and rehabilitation; and Melissa Swager, Goodland, mathematics.
During the ceremony, professors introduced the students and spoke of their accomplishments and hard work. Students received a plaque in recognition of their selection. For Frances Busby, the ceremony held a special surprise — she was also recognized with the Roe R. Cross Scholar Award, presented by ESU professors named as Roe R. Cross Distinguished Professors. The Roe Cross award annually recognizes a professor who best demonstrates teaching excellence, professional activities, fostering of intellectual atmosphere, service to the university outside the classroom, and status as a student mentor. For the third year, the elite circle of professors honored one of the Shepherd Scholars with an additional scholarship.