Outstanding Recent Graduates
The Outstanding Recent Graduate award recognizes an outstanding recent graduate from each of the undergraduate colleges and schools at Emporia State University. Selection for this award is based on criteria determined by each school/college and the stipulation that the recipient be no more than 10 years past graduation at Emporia State University. This award is sponsored by the ESU Alumni Association and is facilitated by the ESU Ambassadors organization. See the 2008 biographies here, and a full list of recipients with degree years by clicking here.
The 2009 Outstanding Recent Graduates
Megan (Chalfant) Burgess
Topeka
BS 2005, Emporia State University
Megan is a replenishment specialist at the Hills Pet Nutrition corporate headquarters. She was previously a market analyst for Payless Shoe Source. Megan had been actively engaged on a variety of issues, and she ran three political campaigns on campus, but focused on different parties; since graduating, she has assisted ESU with interns. While in college she was a significant part of the American Democracy Project and organized students for some of the significant ADP events.
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Mark F. Schmelzle
Valley Center
BSB 1999, Emporia State University
MBA 2000, Emporia State University
Mark is a certified public accountant, licensed in Kansas and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and Kansas Society of Certified Public Acountants. He joined Allen, Gibbs & Houlik in 2001. He was promoted to manager in 2005 and then to senior manager in 2008. Mark serves primarily as an assurance manager specializing in serving middle-market, closely held businesses. Mark has nearly 10 years of experience serving clients in the following industries: financial services, mortgage banking, retail, wholesale distribution, manufacturing, auto and construction equipment dealerships, oil and gas, and investment banking. He also manages all of the firm’s ERISA auditing.
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Jodie (Kimball) Leiss
Emporia
BSE 2003, Emporia State University
MS 2006, Emporia State University
Jodie is an instructor at ESU in the department of health, physical education and recreation. From 2003 to 2008, she was a teacher at Village Elementary School in Emporia. Her contributions to society include serving on the PTA & PTO of various elementary schools, and on the student intervention team at Village Elementary. She is coordinator for Kansas Kids Fitness Day. Professionally, Jodie is president of the Kansas Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Association and has been selected for their young professional award. She has received a grant for equipment at Village Elementary School through GeoFitness Company. She is also the vice president of the health section for the Central District of the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance.
The 2008 Outstanding Recent Graduates
The 2008 recipients were be honored at the Alumni Awards banquet on Friday, Oct. 24, during Homecoming festivities. See an interview with Jeremy Luby and Jared Larson.
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Jared Larson Annville, Penn. College of Liberal Arts and Sciences BA 2002, BA 2002 |
Jared Larson is studying for his Ph.D. in global governance at the University of Delaware while performing research in the United States and in Spain. He is a commentator on Spanish radio regarding U.S. foreign policy, speaking Spanish fluently and French and Portuguese very well, with proficiency in five other languages. His publications appear in Spanish journals and conference proceedings. He has taught at Lebanon Valley College, the University of Delaware, and ESU, and has taught English in Madrid.
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Jeremy Luby Overland Park, Kan. School of Business BSB 2003, MBA 2004 |
Jeremy Luby, the senior web developer at American Century Investments, has designed several web pages for non-profit groups. He is the sole proprietor of Tenretni Computer Systems in Emporia, a Direct Channel Innovation Award recipient and a Corporate Circle of Honor inductee. The former ESU webmaster designed and implemented the current university website, has spoken at professional development seminars and to a student group on campus, and has donated books on financial planning to ESU students.
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Todd Wheat Olathe, Kan. Teachers College BSE 2001, MS 2004 |
Todd Wheat is the principal of Northview Elementary School for the 2008-09 school year, after serving as an administrative principal intern at the Arbor Creek and Sunnyside schools the past two years. He began his career teaching second and then sixth grade, and is now pursuing his doctorate of education. He consistently serves on district-wide committees and teams focused on leadership, facilities, staff development, safety, curriculum, and parents, while creating new programs, writing successful grants, and much more.
Last Updated November 17, 2009