Sept. 3, 2003

Contact: Jennifer Alderdice, Kansas Alumni Association (785) 864-4760 or (785) 760-4678.

KU student alumni association named nation's best

LAWRENCE -- The University of Kansas Student Alumni Association, a student volunteer program of the Kansas Alumni Association, was named the country's outstanding student alumni organization Aug. 16 at the national convention of the Association of Student Advancement Programs in Nashville, Tenn.

This is the first such national honor for the KU Student Alumni Association. SAA President Sara Gillispie, a senior from Overland Park, along with Jennifer Alderdice, the Kansas Alumni Association's director of student programs, accepted the award.

Founded in 1987, SAA educates students about the Alumni Association through involvement in various activities, with a goal of preparing students to become future alumni leaders. The group has about 75 active members.

KU SAA officers are listed below by hometown, year in school and major, parents' names, high school alma mater and SAA office.

BROWN COUNTY
From Hiawatha
Todd Barrett, senior in genetics, son of John and Marcia Barrett; Hiawatha High School graduate; director of marketing.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park
Sara M. Gillispie, senior in education, daughter of Mike Gillispie; Blue Valley North High School graduate; president.

ROOKS COUNTY
From Plainville
Marcie Rohleder, senior in business administration, daughter of Kenny and Shirley Rohleder; Plainville High School graduate; vice president of marketing.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Ashley Boone, sophomore in psychology, daughter of Darryl E. Boone; Wichita High School Southeast graduate; vice president of university relations.

Steve Griffin, sophomore in psychology, son of Clarence and Wanda Griffin; Mulvane High School graduate; vice president of outreach.

Meredith Hauck, sophomore planning to study journalism, daughter of Steven and Theresa Hauck; Maize High School graduate; director of outreach.

Erin Vernon, sophomore in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, daughter of Robyn Vernon; Maize High School graduate; director of member relations.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka
Susie Banks, senior in biology, daughter of Robert and Jenifer Banks; Topeka West High School graduate; vice president of special events.

Casie Olberding, senior in education, daughter of Jody Olberding; Hayden High School graduate; vice president of member relations.

ARIZONA
From Phoenix
Sarah Lathrop, sophomore in Spanish with plans to study journalism, daughter of Wilson and Bonnie Lathrop; Scottsdale Christian Academy graduate; director of university relations.