Alumni Treated at Eisenhower Circle Celebration
By Tom Roesler
Communications Coordinator
The K-State College of Arts & Sciences family celebrated in style at the Eisenhower Circle Celebration on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2013. Established in 2010, ECC is a special event recognizing the college’s alumni award recipients, student scholarship winners and loyal alumni and friends who give $250 or more to the college annually.
Treated to the sounds of the K-State Percussion Studio and catered food from local favorite Coco Bolos, guests enjoyed a social hour prior to the ceremony of recognition.
“Tonight was a great night. To have a record crowd full of alumni, students and faculty, along with an amazing student percussion group and great food was special,” said Peter Dorhout, dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. “And to be able to recognize three outstanding alumni for their career accomplishments made it even better.”
This year, Evan Stewart, 1965 alumnus in mathematics, and Steve Physioc, 1977 alumnus of the A.Q. Miller School of Journalism and Mass Communications were both awarded the college’s Alumni Merit Awards and April West, 2001 Psychological Sciences alumnae, was awarded the college’s Young Alumni Award. All three were recognized for their career excellence in the aerospace industry, sports broadcasting and human resources, respectively, and contributions to K-State and their communities.
“I’m proud that this is where I got my start,” Physioc said. “This is where I discovered my passion. I love being back in the Midwest. I love broadcasting for my hometown team, the Kansas City Royals, and having an opportunity to work with young students.”
“I’m just so honored to be receiving the award and having the honor to be here with my family to share in this,” said West. “It means so much to me, so much more than other acknowledgements I’ve received because this is where it all started. This is where I built the confidents to do what I’m doing now.”
Much of the financial support from those at the event provide scholarship funding for outstanding College of Arts & Sciences students. Many were on hand at the event to be recognized. Kash Brown, senior in Life Science and Pre-Nursing spoke to the audience on behalf of all of the scholarship winners, thanking those who make the financial support possible.
“We (student scholarship recipients) are so thankful for the support from everyone here,” said Brown. “It makes our goals as students possible to reach."
The night concluded with closing remarks from Dorhout, who thanked all everyone for supporting the college and an invitation to come back next year for another night of celebration and fun.
“Thank you to everyone who helps the College of Arts and Sciences continue to provide the opportunity for students to make a difference in the world around us,” Dorhout said. “I hope you’ve enjoyed this evening as much as I have and that you’ll join us again next year as we celebrate five years of this wonderful event.”
