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MORTAR BOARD

SCHOLARSHIP | LEADERSHIP | SERVICE


XIX Chapter | Kansas State University
Fall 2018 Newsletter

New class joins to begin 2018-2019 year


T his past April, the 2017-
Leah Nelson, Wichita, Kan.; Jacob
Ockerhausen, Overland Park, Kan.;
Kan.; Sydney Vahling, Hays, Kan.;
Benjamin Walberg, Overland Park,
2018 class of Mortar Board mem- Darah Portenier, Kirwin, Kan.; Kan.; Elizabeth Weesner, Leawood,
bers gathered on the lawn of Lead- Zachary Smith, Overland Park, Kan.
ership Studies to pass the torch to Kan.; Megan Steward, Garden City,
28 new inductees.
The inductees had been
determined as exhibiting Mor-
tar Board’s values of scholarship,
leadership, and service. The XIX
Chapter welcomed the following
28 members to the Mortar Board
tradition:
Timothy Brill, Lenexa, Kan.; Riley
Burghart, McPherson, Kan.; An-
drew Buyle, Olathe, Kan.; William
Carter, Thiensville, Kan.; Gabrielle
Ciccarelli, Village of Loch Loyd,
Mo.; Logan Coates, Overland
Park, Kan.; Rachael Cunningham,
Manhattan, Kan.; Emily Ebert,
Clay Center, Kan.; Kennedy Felice,
Manhattan, Kan.; Ashlyn Fisher, St.
John, Kan.; Rafael Garcia, Emporia,
Kan.; Edward Genovese, Frisco,
Texas; Olivia Haney, Overland
Darah Portenier shows
Park, Kan.; Cole Klinkhammer,
excitement for Mortar
Wichita, Kan.; Elyssa Kohler, Wich-
Board and Free Balloon
ita, Kan.; Heather Lipps, Manhat-
Day on Bosco Plaza,
tan, Kan.; Stephanie McGivern, El
pg. 4.
Dorado, Kan.; Max Meyer, Lenexa,
Kan.; Jacob Modlin, Faucett, Mo.;
Sarah Moyer, Emporia, Kan.;

1
Alumni spotlight: Eric Aube
A recent 2018 graduate, Eric derstanding of the diseases we will roles a doctor fulfills. These roles
Aube, reflects on his Mortar Board start learning about in November include being a support system for
experience and future aspirations. and onward. patients, competent communica-
Eric graduated with a de- Medical school is much tion to make sure patients know
gree in medical biochemistry and more work than undergrad from what you are saying, and above
completed a minor in business. He a purely volume of material per- all else, getting the patient back to
served as a co-director for mem- spective. However, since all of our feeling well about their physical and
bership when active in the chapter. lectures coincide (to an extent), mental health. There are even more
Attendance at Mortar Board events everything flows logically and has aspects of being a doctor that I
was highly prioritized during his a specific purpose. I learned more could write pages on, but I will save
senior year. about medicine in my first week you from having to read through
of medical school than I did in my that novella.
entire undergraduate degree cur- Mortar Board made a
M ortar Board has a lot riculum. For me, learning about
medicine is really exciting. I find
significant impact on my time at
K-State and beyond. I was sur-
of potential to do good, as long as
everyone shows up and does their all of it very interesting and I enjoy rounded by people who were
part. Our year of Mortar Board understanding how all the nasty driven to be successful, cared about
members were able to make a sig- diseases we hear about in the world the community, and fun to be
nificant impact on the community work. around. Truly special things can
because we were passionate about As of right now, I am cur- happen when driven and talented
this organization. rently in the top quarter of my class people work together within an
I plan on either practicing as far as test scores go. However, organization. I greatly benefited
in internal medicine or going into our class rank is comprised of much from my time in Mortar Board and
neurology and focusing on surgical more than just raw scores. We have will always value the time I spent
intervention or imaging. Kind of all not been given an official class rank helping the community as a part of
over the place, I know. My prefer- yet. In my eyes, however, in order this tremendous organization.
ences pretty much change with the to be a good doctor, I need to not
weather, so next time you ask me it only know about the science, but I — Eric Aube
will probably be different. also need to learn about the other
In medical school we have
learned a lot about cellular and
molecular medicine. We have been
learning all about what happens on “Truly special things can happen when
the cellular level in certain diseases
and how certain genes or diseases
work. Overall, these are just general
driven and talented people work together
biological concepts and I realistical-
ly have no idea how to treat real-life
within an organization.”
people yet, it is crucial for my un-

2
Attendees share National Convention summary

This summer four of our is!” Sydney says. “I didn’t realize


it had such long-standing history
we are excited to take what we have
learned from the National Confer-
members made the trek to Co- and tradition. And even though the ence and implement it, to develop
lumbus, Ohio for Mortar Board’s organization has this long standing and uphold Mortar Board’s tradi-
National Conference, hosted by tradition, you are still able to make tion at K-State.”
THE Ohio State University. Cole your Mortar Board experience
Klinkhammer, Ashlyn Fisher, unique to you
Sydney Vahling, and our fabulous and your cam-
advisor Amanda Cebula spent a pus.”
wonderful weekend learning how “The conference
to make the XIX Chapter the best it was an excellent
can be. experience and
Current members engaged served as a strong
in professional networking with foundation to
alumni, attended “branch out” build this year’s
sessions, and heard keynote speaker chapter around.”
Bryan Stevenson. Attendees left the says Ashlyn, this
conference invigorated and excited. year’s president.
“I learned just how import- “Looking ahead,
ant and prestigious Mortar Board

Service partnership formed with Meadowlark

M eadowlark Hills,
either wanted to give them to their
husbands or wifes or friends.”
a senior living commu- “Sydney had bought extra
nity in Manhattan, has pots, which was great,” she con-
welcomed Mortar Board tinues. “There were a few that just
this fall for service activ- wanted to paint, which was fun.”
ities. The first one, led by Members plan to visit the
executive Sydney Vahling, residents one Friday each month.
involved painting pots and “I’m really looking forward
planting succulents. to going back,” Riley says. “It’s nice
“We spent about an to be in community with everyone,
hour at one of the tables, and do some outreach. We not only
just talking and chat- get to know people in our chapter
ting,” says member Riley but also other people in our com-
Burghart. “A lot of them munity.”

3
Members share Free Balloon Day on campus

M ortar Board members,


The event took
place October 11 and
led by the recently formed outreach coincided with the week of
committee, gave away balloons K-State Homecoming.
on Bosco Plaza near the Union in A card, right, was
efforts to raise awareness of the tied to each balloon.
society on campus.

4
Member spotlight: Timmy Brill

It’s easy to see that behind “We have a couple different


responsibilities,” he says. “My main
ment at K-State has been with his
fraternity, Theta Xi.
his black-rimmed glasses, Timmy responsibility is selections.”
Brill brings thoughtfulness, com- The coordination and structure
passion and an easy laugh to this involved with selections mirrors
year’s Mortar Board class. A dual what Timmy will apply in his future
major in biology and secondary ed- classroom.
ucation, he serves on the leadership “One of the biggest things
committee for the society this year. that I want to stress when I’m a
He says leadership can take teacher here in the next couple
many forms, depending on what a years is creating an environment
group needs. where learning is always happen-
“In some cases that means ing,” he says. “I want my students
being the typical leader and taking to not just memorize but actually
charge,” Timmy says. “But in a lot absorb that information.”
of organizations, a leader is going The aspiring educator says
to be that backbone. You’re going he hopes to teach that failures are
to do the hidden things behind the some of the most valuable learning
scenes, making sure everything moments. He also wants to main-
runs smoothly.” tain the three ideals of scholarship, “I’ve taken different leader-
He hails from Lenexa, Kan. leadership and service during his ship roles,” the member says. “I’ve
and learned about Mortar Board career. organized a lot of events for us, and
from members in it’s really helped
previous classes. me be a better
“They person.”
talked about
some of the dif-
“To promote both personal growth and Another
organization he’s
ferent experienc-
es, a couple of the
helping others... I felt the whole mix was actively partic-
ipated in is the
projects, and they
sounded like real-
something I wanted.” Student Govern-
ing Association
ly great opportu- on campus. Tim-
nities to promote my says he valued
both personal “I think a lot of the appli- contributing to decisions directly
growth and helping others,” he says. cation of our ideals is helping me impacting students and student or-
“I felt the whole mix was something become a well-rounded person so ganizations such as Mortar Board.
I wanted.” that I can help my students become He says, “It’s meaningful
As a part of the leadership more well-rounded people,” he says. being able to help students orga-
committee, he helps to prepare for Outside of Mortar Board, nizations get what they need to be
the next exemplary class of seniors. Timmy’s most meaningful involve- successful.”

5
Meet the Executive Team

The Executive Team drives the Family has always been one
of my top priorities, and I cherish
allows me to give back to our
K-State Family through service
chapter, its committees and mem- any time we get to spend together. and learning. I’m excited to collab-
bers throughout the year. The My sister is currently a freshman orate with other incredibly driven
current team was tasked with intro- at K-State, and I’ve thoroughly students to address needs of the
ducing themselves by answering: enjoyed sharing my favorite place community and our campus.
• How has Mortar Board and the with her. Our parents attend all of My favorite K-State tradi-
XIX chapter impacted you? the home games, and we always tion is by far when the band travels
• What are you passionate about? have a great time while cheering on around Manhattan before games
• What is your favorite K-State the ‘Cats! and plays. I have always loved the
tradition? My favorite activity in band and love their ability to gen-
Manhattan is to relax and enjoy erate school spirit instantly through
Ashlyn Fisher the view with my friends on top of their enthusiasm.
President Manhattan Hill (Bluemont Hill). I’m really passionate about
Biology, Pre-Medicine In my eyes, this spot is particularly helping women/children escape
sentimental because it’s also where oppressive and abusive situations,
my parents got engaged while they and bringing awareness to social
were students at K-State. Being a inequality in our justice system.
third generation Wildcat allows me
to share this place with my entire
family, which it truly special. Cole Klinkhammer
Vice President – Leadership
Computer Science
Elyssa Kohler
Vice President – Scholarship
Psychology, Pre-Law

In my short time in the


XIX Chapter, I have already had
the pleasure of forming friendships
among like-minded members while
growing as a leader. We have an
ambitious agenda, and I can’t wait
to see what the rest of the year has
in store. After graduation, I hope
to continue to build upon Mortar Mortar Board provides me
Board’s three ideals and implement with an outstanding platform to
them into my professional career better K-State and the Manhattan
and personal life. I believe that Mortar Board community. With many volunteer-

6
ing opportunities and a very driv- Mortar Board has already group of people is invigorating,
en chapter, I am eager to see how done so many wonderful things and leading within such a group is
much of a difference we can make for me-I’ve met some really great something I haven’t had the chance
during the upcoming school year. people and made new friends, as to do yet. I am looking forward to
I believe this desire to help and well as made important connec- seeing what this year has in store
having empowerment to do so is tions with some alumni as I move for us as a chapter, and I am more
unique. into my future. I also know it will than eager to reflect upon this ex-
As a long-time musician help me to grow as a leader in our perience once I graduate.
and a member of the K-State K-State community and encourage I am passionate about learn-
Marching Band, I have a huge pas- me to live out the Mortar Board ing. I love learning. I love being
sion for music. Another big passion ideals. challenged to think differently. I
I have comes from my background I am most passionate about have found that the world opens up
in technology. In my field, change service-helping others is what I was when you ask questions, and more
is constant. I am very passionate meant to do. I love doing mission importantly when you ask hard
about staying on the cutting edge work, and I plan on spending some questions. These days my favorite
and having the ability to create real of my year every year working in learning tends to come through
change. Mortar Board is an orga- underprivileged areas. application of educational and
nization in which I believe we can My favorite K-State tradi- behavioral psychology theory. Is it
truly create change for our commu- tion is the Wabash Cannonball at possible to walk into a high school
nity and those around us. football games. Go Cats! sophomore classroom and not only
The phrase “Every Man form a positive, genuine relation-
a Wildcat” has to be one of my ship with these students but also
favorite K-State traditions. It speaks
directly to our idea of ‘Family’ and
Zack Smith guide them to learn—all in a week
and a half?
Vice President – Outreach
the fact that anyone with a fondness Secondary Education Oh man. Here’s where peo-
for our university is welcome here. ple call me out. I will have just gone
to my first K-State football game
by the time this Newsletter gets
Sydney Vahling mailed. Uh… I think I’ll like doing
that leaning forward and backward
Vice President – Service
Biology, Pre-Medicine thing to the Wabash. If not that, at
my job (The Pathfinder) we go over
to AJ’s on Monday nights to get
pizza and that’s always a good time.

Mortar Board will challenge


me. And I can’t wait. Mortar Board
is a lot of new and a lot of firsts for
me. Working with such a talent-
ed (and quite literally honorable)

7
Chapter calendar and semester snapshots
Fall Events
08/03-05 National Conference
08/19 New Student Convocation
08/25 Fall Retreat
09/28 Spirit of Leadership event
Meadowlark activity
10/01 Committee pumpkin carving
10/11 Free Balloon Day
10/12 Mobile Food Drive
10/14 Scholarship application deadline
10/26 Meadowlark activity
11/03 Scholarship interviews
11/05 Poinsettia sales end
11/09 HandsOn K-State mobile food drive
11/12 Chapter bowling social
11/30 Meadowlark activity
12/01 Faculty Recognition
12/03 Fundraiser at Raising Cane’s

...and the best is


yet to come!

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