May 14, 2011

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Kansas State University held its spring commencement exercises on Saturday and among those receiving degrees were 36 current Wildcat student-athletes.

Highlighting the 36 graduates on the weekend were 10 men’s and women’s track and field athletes, seven members of the K-State football team, seven rowers, six from the equestrian team, two members of the men’s and women’s golf teams and two each from men’s and women’s basketball.

"Providing the opportunity for each of our student-athletes to earn their degree remains a top priority and one of the most important components of being a model intercollegiate athletics program,” said Jill Shields, Associate Athletics Director for Student Services. "These individuals have displayed a tremendous amount of commitment and determination during their time at K-State and are to be commended for this accomplishment.”

K-State, which has led the Big 12 Conference in overall graduation rate in each of the past four seasons, had another outstanding academic year in 2010-11. Three players have been named Academic All-Americans, while four others were selected to the Academic All-District VII team.  In all, 99 student-athletes have earned Academic All-Big 12 honors, while a combined 426 student-athletes were named to the Spring 2010 and Fall 2011 Big 12 Commissioner’s Honor Roll.

Also, K-State was one of just two Big 12 schools in the Big 12 and 14 across the nation this season to have its football team in a bowl game and both basketball teams in the NCAA Tournament.

Spring 2011 Graduates

Track and Field (10)
Denise Baker
Alyssa Bellinder
Amanda Boor
Jason Coniglio
Meriel Harwood
Michael Healey
Sam James
Nina Kokot
Ben Love
Ali Pistora

Football (7)
Prizell Brown
Troy Butler
Josh Cherry
Emmanuel Lamur
Sammuel Lamur
Sheldon Smith
Terrance Sweeney

Rowing (7)
Christa Brown
Weatherly Butler
Stephanie Carr
Heather Crichton
Jayci McKenney
Melanie Rogers
Melissa Steen

Equestrian (6)
Christina Costello
Kendall Marvin
Jennifer Rawle
Natasha Vincent
Jennifer Wright
Alecia Zimbelman

Golf (2)
Emily Houtz
Jason Schulte

Men’s Basketball (2)
Curtis Kelly
Jacob Pullen

Women’s Basketball (2)
Kelsey Hill
Shalin Spani