By Beth Bohn

KSU News Service

Spring commencement ceremonies for Kansas State University’s class of 2002 will be May 11, 17 and 18. The class of 2002 is the 135th class to graduate from K-State since the first class graduated in 1867.

More than 2,500 K-State students are candidates for graduation. To be awarded will be more than 2,000 bachelor’s degrees, as well as approximately 300 master’s degrees, 65 doctorates, 100 doctor of veterinary medicine degrees and 60 associate degrees. More than 50 students are earning multiple degrees, and 89 students are earning their degrees through K-State distance education programs.

K-State’s ceremonies kick off with commencement for the College of Technology and Aviation, at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, in the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center Administration Building, 2025 E. Iron, Salina. Commencement speaker will be Jill Tietjen, a motivational speaker and former director of the women in engineering program at the University of Colorado.

Commencement weekend on the Manhattan campus starts with the Graduate School ceremony at 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, in Bramlage Coliseum. Commencement for the College of Veterinary Medicine will be at 3:30 p.m. May 17 in McCain Auditorium. Jack Wempe, Lyons, the vice chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, will represent the board at both ceremonies.

The Graduate School commencement speaker will be Col. Timothy Heinemann, dean of academics at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth. MaryAnn Radlinsky, assistant professor of clinical sciences, will deliver the commencement address for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Commencement ceremonies Saturday, May 18, will be on the Manhattan campus. Ceremonies in Bramlage Coliseum start with the College of Arts and Sciences, 8:30 a.m.; College of Education, 11 a.m.; College of Business Administration, 12:30 p.m.; College of Agriculture, 2:15 p.m.; College of Human Ecology, 4:15 p.m.; and College of Engineering, 6:15 p.m. Commencement for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design will be at 10 a.m. in McCain Auditorium.

Commencement speakers include Roger Wolfe, a K-State alum from Hiawatha who, with his wife, Ruth, established a scholarship fund for international studies in agriculture, speaking for the College of Agriculture; Victor Regnier, a professor of architecture at the University of Southern California and a K-State alum, for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design.

Pat Bosco, K-State associate vice president of institutional advancement and dean of student life, for the College of Arts and Sciences; Robert Debruyn, Manhattan, chief executive officer of The Master Teacher, for the College of Business Administration; Fran Irelan, a teacher at Lee Elementary School, Manhattan, and the recipient of the 2001 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, for the College of Education; Kevin and Dianne Honomichl, DeSoto, both K-State civil engineering alums, for the College of Engineering; and Carol Kellett, dean of the College of Human Ecology for the college.

K-State’s Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes significant contributions by individuals to the university, humanity and their professions, will be presented to five K-State alums: Kevin Honomichl, president of Brungardt Honomichl and Company, Overland Park, and his wife, Dianne Honomichl, project engineer at Black and Veatch, Kansas City, Mo., both of DeSoto; Brent Bowman of Brent Bowman and Associates Architects, Manhattan; John Renner, facilities designer administrator at the Crown Center Redevelopment Corporation, Kansas City, Mo.; and Michael Knapp of Knapp and Associates Inc., Convent Station, N.J.

Also to be recognized during commencement ceremonies will be recipients of the university’s major teaching, research and advising awards and titles. The honorees include:

* Promotion to the rank of university distinguished professor: Alan Knapp, professor of biology; S. Lillian Kremer, professor of English; Thomas Roche, professor of biochemistry; and Barbara Valent, professor of plant pathology.

* 2002-2003 University Chair for Distinguished Teaching Scholars: Jana Fallin, professor of music education.

* Commerce Bank Distinguished Graduate Faculty Awards: Scot Hulbert, professor of plant pathology, and Vince Ortiz, professor of chemistry.

* Commerce Bank Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Awards: Dennis Day, professor of landscape architecture; Michael Hafling, assistant professor of architectural engineering and construction science; David Poole, professor of kinesiology and anatomy and physiology; and Chwen Sheu, associate professor of management.

* Presidential Award for Outstanding Department Head: Sonny Ramaswamy, professor and head of the department of entomology.

* Presidential Awards for Excellence in Teaching: Michael Davis, graduate teaching assistant in history; Amit Chakrabarti, professor of physics; Chris Sorenson, university distinguished professor of physics and adjunct professor of chemistry; Deborah Murray, instructor of English; and Scott Todd, assistant professor of biology.

* Presidential Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Advising: Julie Katz, College of Business Administration.

The commissioning of Army ROTC cadets will be at 10 a.m., and commissioning of Air Force ROTC cadets at 3:30 p.m., both May 17 in Forum Hall at the K-State Student Union.

HOMETOWN CONNECTION

The following Kansas State University students will be vocalists or speakers at upcoming K-State commencement ceremonies:

Amy Metzinger, graduating senior in agricultural economics, Arkansas City, will be the student speaker at the College of Agriculture commencement ceremony, 2:15 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Charissa Bertels, senior in applied music, Manhattan, will sing the national anthem and K-State’s alma mater at the College of Veterinary Medicine commencement ceremony, 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, in McCain Auditorium. Bertels also will sing "America the Beautiful" and the K-State alma mater at the College of Human Ecology commencement ceremony, 4:15 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Allison Keane, sophomore in applied music, Manhattan, will sing the national anthem at the College of Architecture, Planning and Design commencement ceremony, 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in McCain Auditorium. Keane is a graduate of Wamego High School.

Karma Tinkler Loughney, a doctor of veterinary medicine candidate, Manhattan, will be a student speaker at the College of Veterinary Medicine commencement ceremony, 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, in McCain Auditorium. Loughney is a graduate of Southeast of Saline High School, Gypsum.

Michael Higley, junior in computer information systems, Mayetta, will be the student speaker at the College of Technology and Aviation commencement ceremony, 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, in the Kansas Highway Patrol Training Center Administration Building, Salina.

Carissa Bruna, graduating senior in animal sciences and industry, Marysville, will sing the national anthem at the College of Agriculture commencement ceremony, 2:15 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Kristen Ball, graduating senior in accounting, Menlo, will be the student speaker at the College of Business Administration commencement ceremony, 12:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Robin Eubank, graduating senior in general human ecology, Protection, will be the student speaker at the College of Human Ecology commencement ceremony, 4:15 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Megan Christensen, graduating senior in art education, Overland Park, will be the student speaker at the College of Education commencement ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Christopher Funk, graduating senior in music education, Shawnee, will sing the national anthem at the College of Arts and Sciences commencement ceremony, 8:30 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Anna Bolz, bachelor’s degree candidate in music theater, Topeka, will sing the national anthem at the Graduate School commencement ceremony, 1 p.m. Friday, May 17, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Carolyn Pirtle, junior in music, Wichita, will play the K-State carillon for commencement ceremonies Friday, May 17, and Saturday, May 18.

Matthew Lohmann, graduating senior in landscape architecture, Clear Lake, Ill., will be a student speaker for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design commencement ceremony, 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in McCain Auditorium.

Michelle Bahr, junior in secondary education-English, Livonia, Mich., will sing the national anthem at the College of Education commencement ceremony, 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in Bramlage Coliseum.

Jaime David, graduating senior in interior architecture, Ravenwood, Mo., will be a student speaker at the College of Architecture, Planning and Design commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in McCain Auditorium.

Nick Curtis, graduating senior in architecture, Raymore, Mo., will be a student speaker for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design commencement ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 18, in McCain Auditorium.

Jared Walahoski, doctor of veterinary medicine candidate, Elyria, Neb., will be at student speaker at the College of Veterinary Medicine commencement ceremony, 3:30 p.m. Friday, May 17, in McCain Auditorium.