Student Receives 2008 Anderson Senior Award

Reprinted Courtesy of K-State Alumni Association and K-State Media Relations and Marketing

Four outstanding Kansas State University seniors have received the 2008 Anderson Awards from the K-State Alumni Association.

This year’s recipients are Vincent M. Hofer, Franklin; Clemente Jaquez-Herrera, Garden City; Sarah B. Devlin, Manhattan; and John L. Newman, Overland Park.

Amy Button Renz, K-State Alumni Association president and chief executive officer, presented plaques to the students at a May 7 luncheon honoring their achievements during their college careers. 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 and coordinator of the Anderson Awards for the alumni association. “We are pleased to honor these individuals for their accomplishments during their time at K-State.”

Hofer, who will graduate with a bachelor’s in agribusiness, received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Leadership. As chapter president, Hofer was instrumental in leading the K-State National Agri-Marketing Association team to back-to-back wins in national competition. Other leadership offices he has held include president of the Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Club, vice president of Blue Key, and the vice president and treasurer of the Ag Council. A recipient of $28,000 in merit-based scholarships during his college years, Hofer was a recitation instructor for a class of 40 students in agricultural economics.

Jaquez-Herrera, who will graduate with a master’s degree in architecture, receives the Anderson Award for Outstanding Service. In New Orleans, he has cleaned and gutted houses damaged in the hurricane; designed and built structures for Greensburg, Kan.; performed clothing distribution for the Salvation Army; tutored children; and performed bilingual translations for parent-teacher conferences at Manhattan’s Lee Elementary School. A Rhodes Scholarship national finalist, Jaquez-Herrera also has been president of Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity and a resident assistant for K-State housing and dining services.

Jaquez-Herrera is a graduate of Lakin High School.

Devlin, who graduates with a bachelor’s in biochemistry and a minor in Spanish, received the Anderson Award for Outstanding Academics. She has earned a near-perfect academic grade point average in her field of study. Besides studying abroad in Spain, Devlin also has worked as a research fellow in K-State’s department of anatomy and physiology. Her campus honors and leadership include Phi Beta Kappa induction, president of Blue Key, vice president of the Panhellenic Council, and a member of the Student Alumni Board and Gamma Phi Beta sorority.

Newman, who graduates with bachelor’s in finance and accounting, receives the Anderson Award for Outstanding Inspiration. A staff sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserves, Newman has served one tour of duty in Iraq and will return there immediately after graduation. He has been largely responsible for reinventing the College of Business Administration’s Student Finance Association in making it a link between students, faculty and alumni. Newman was elected to the Business Student Council and was president of the Student Health Advisory Committee.