KU News Release

LAWRENCE — The School of Education at the University of Kansas has announced the names of 16 students honored during its May convocation.

The award for Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation was presented to Rashida Banerjee for her dissertation titled “Morning or afternoon: Does it make a difference in early childhood programs?” The honor includes a cash award. Bannerjee received her doctorate from the Department of Special Education in summer 2008. Her adviser was Eva Horn, professor of special education.

The Outstanding Master’s Thesis was awarded to Lonna Summers for her thesis “Empowerment and self-efficacy in the lives of four emerging bilingual assistants in an additive bilingual program.” The honor includes a cash award. Summers completed her master’s degree from the Department of Curriculum and Teaching in summer 2008. Lizette Peter, assistant professor of curriculum and teaching, was her adviser.

The Outstanding Master’s Project was awarded to Michael Brown for his project “Breaking the ties that bind: A narrative approach to understanding and treating sexual addiction.” The honor includes a cash award. Brown received his master’s degree from the Department Psychology and Research in Education this spring. Tom Krieshok, professor of psychology and research in education, was his adviser.

Thirteen graduating seniors received Senior Leadership Awards recognizing exemplary leadership through involvement in school, university and/or community activities. Each received an engraved pewter Jayhawk statue.

Rick Ginsberg, dean of the School of Education, presented the awards at the convocation, which was part of commencement activities. For more information about the School of Education, go to soe.ku.edu.

The funds for the awards are managed by KU Endowment, the independent, nonprofit organization serving as the official fundraising and fund-management foundation for KU. Founded in 1891, KU Endowment is the first foundation of its kind at a U.S. public university.

Award recipients are listed below by hometown, major, parents’ names (when available), previous schools attended and award received.

ALLEN COUNTY
From Iola 66749
Dylan Porter, graduating senior in elementary education, son of Frank and Robyn Porter; Iola Senior High School; Senior Leadership Award.

BUTLER COUNTY
From El Dorado 67042
Ashley Marie Roedel, graduating senior in community health education, daughter of Anna Graves; El Dorado High School; Senior Leadership Award.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence 66044
Michael L. Brown, master’s degree graduate in counseling psychology (spring 2009); doctorate in Spanish from KU, spring 2005; master’s degree in Spanish from KU, spring 1999; bachelor’s degree from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University; Outstanding Master’s Project.

FINNEY COUNTY
From Garden City 67846
Ashlea Ann Orrell, graduating senior in unified early childhood education, daughter of Richard and Janet Orrell; Garden City High School; Senior Leadership Award.

FRANKLIN COUNTY
From Ottawa 66067
Meghan Kathleen Miller, bachelor’s degree graduate in community health education (fall 2008), daughter of Gary and Pam Miller; Ottawa High School; Senior Leadership Award.

GOVE COUNTY
From Quinter 67752
Lonna S. Summers, master’s degree graduate in curriculum and instruction (summer 2008), daughter of Bill and Bev Summers; bachelor’s degree from Southwestern College, Winfield; Outstanding Master’s Thesis.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Overland Park 66213
Valerie Ann Chapple, bachelor’s degree in secondary science education in physics (fall 2008), daughter of Larry Chapple; Olathe East High School; Senior Leadership Award.

From Shawnee 66216
Adriane Marie Ferbezar, graduating senior in elementary education, daughter of David and Karen Ferbezar; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School; Senior Leadership Award.

From Stilwell 66085
Torre Norton, graduating senior in elementary education, son of Chris and Denise Norton; Blue Valley West High School; Senior Leadership Award.

RILEY COUNTY
From Manhattan 66502
Benjamin Montgomery Engle, graduating senior in sport science education with emphasis in sports management, son of Neil and Holly Engle; McPherson (Kan.) High School; Senior Leadership Award.

From Manhattan 66503
Nicole Schmidt, graduating senior in secondary science education in biology, daughter of Patricia Orazem; Manhattan High School; Senior Leadership Award.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita 67212
Alexis Brianne Childs, graduating senior in unified early childhood education, daughter of Marcus and Linda Childs; Bishop Carroll High School; Senior Leadership Award.

SHAWNEE COUNTY
From Topeka 66604
Karen Christensen Buhler, graduating senior in unified early childhood education, daughter of John and Carol Christensen; Senior Leadership Award.

WASHINGTON
From Sumner 98390
Hannah Elizabeth McMacken, graduating senior in elementary education, daughter of Eileen Riordan; Auburn Riverside High School, Auburn, Wash.; Senior Leadership Award.

WYOMING
From Cody 82414 and Glenrock 82637
Monica Barbara Dutcher, graduating senior in elementary education, daughter of Rick and Kathy Dutcher; Cody High School; Senior Leadership Award.

INDIA
From Kolkata
Rashida Banerjee, doctorate in special education (summer 2008); master’s degree in special education from KU, spring 2004; bachelor’s degree from Jadavapur University in Calcutta, India; Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation.