By Joan Davies
Quivira’s “University Class of 2012” is the largest on record. The resumes from our fourteen university graduates and one post university graduate read like a special volume of Who’s Who of American University Students. The graduates have majored is a wide variety of disciplines from the Universities of Brigham Young, Colorado State, Georgia, Kansas, Kansas School of Nursing, Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Park, Pittsburg State, Rockhurst and Pikes Peak Community College. Among our graduates are those who earned 4-year academic dean’s list status, academic society members, one Academic All American and three cum laude or summa cum laude awardees. Several are headed for future graduate studies, while others will be working in a wide variety of professions throughout our country.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to each of our outstanding graduates.
Mark Davies
US Navy Retired Chief Petty Officer Mark Davies graduated cum laude from Pikes Peak Community College with an associate of arts degree in business administration. He says enjoying over thirty summer vacations at Lake Quivira at his Grandma McLean’s and parents’ house helped him to enjoy the outdoors and anything relating to water. Mark has recently licensed his new business, Handymarks LLC, in Colorado Springs.
Acknowledging it is never too late to pursue a college degree, Mark intends to complete his bachelor’s degree at his parents’ alma mater, the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, beginning in September 2012. Proud parents are Jim and Joan Davies.
Kelsey Friesen, daughter of Craig and Lynn Friesen, graduated from the University of Kansas School of Nursing (KUSN) with a BS in nursing degree. Academic honors included membership in Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society; placement in the top 10% academics at both Kansas State University (KSU) and KUSN; and numerous academic scholarships.
Kelsey not only excelled academically, but also gave generously of her time volunteering weekly at Mercy Regional Hospital in Manhattan, KS, as well as logging hundreds of hours of community service with the Community Outreach Program while in nursing school. She has worked for three years in the Children’s Mercy Hospital Contact Center and one year in the Gastroenterology Procedure Room at Children’s Mercy Hospital.
In July she begins work in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Mercy Downtown Hospital. Future plans include continuing her education to become a nurse practitionner.
Christen Botteron Guenther
Christen Botteron Guenther, daughter of Brad and Ann Botteron, and wife of Wes Guenther, graduated from Brigham Young University with a BS degree in exercise science. While attending BYU, Christen was named a Mountain West Conference Scholar Athlete from 2008 to 2010 and an Academic All-American in 2011-2012.
A pole-vaulter for the BYU Division I track and field team all four years, Christen holds the indoor school record for the pole vault with a height of 14’1”. She placed 10th in the 2012 Indoor National Championships. Christen, with her husband Wes, is spending the year living with her parents while working and enjoying the Lake. She plans to apply to nursing programs while Wes applies to dental school.
John Hanson
John Hanson, son of Scott and Joanne Hanson, grandson of Dick and Cece Sandifer, is a recent graduate of Rockhurst University, with a BSBA degree in accounting. He earned Dean’s List status; was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and formal chair of chaplain fundraising. His soccer team was named the Intramural Soccer Champion in 2010.
John worked at Commerce Bank and became a tax accounting intern while there. In his free time John is an automotive enthusiast. He plans to graduate with a MBA in May 2013 and sit for the CPA exam after graduation.
Genni Hursh
Genni Hursh, daughter of Ken and Theresa Hursh, is yet another example of Lake Quivira’s outstanding 2012 university graduating class. She graduated with Highest Distinction from the University of Kansas with a BS in accounting. She received numerous scholarships all four years at KU.
A member of the Chi Omega sorority, Genni served as the treasurer and recruitment coordinator each year. She was inducted into Beta Alpha Psi accounting fraternity and into Sigma Alpha Lambda, a leadership and honors fraternity, 2009-2012.
Genni will be attending KU School of Law beginning in August. After graduation she will take the CPA exam and plans to work in corporate or tax law.
Alex Jury
Colorado State University graduate Alex Jury is the son of Tim and Janet Jury. Alex earned a BS degree in wildlife biology. While attending CSU Alex earned Dean’s List status; was a member of the Outdoor Club, and volunteered for both the Rocky Mountain Raptor Center and Everglades National Park. Additionally, he was a research assistant for two years, studying the effects of drought on canola and the effects of parasitic infection on the behavior of crustaceans.
Loving anything to do with the outdoors, Alex lists rock climbing, bouldering, hiking, camping, snow shoeing, snow boarding and scuba diving as his favorite activities. After trips to Australia and South America this summer, Alex intends to begin graduate studies in marine biology and/or environmental law.
Lauren Karley
Lauren Karley, daughter of Darrin and Sandra Karley, graduated from Park University with a BS degree in biology and chemistry. She belonged to the school’s Biology Club, Chemistry Club and Pre-med Club.
Lauren attended her first two years at Pittsburg State University with a track scholarship, continuing on to Park University as a track team member and scholarship holder from 2010 to 2012.
A hostess for Yardhouse Restaurant, Lauren will begin medical school in the fall.
Cooper Mach
Cooper Mach, son of Scott and Patty Mach, graduated summa cum laude from Kansas State University with a BS degree in journalism and digital media. He was a Putnam Scholar, AQ Miller School of Journalism Scholar, Philipp H. Howe Scholar, and member of the Sigma Alpha Lambda Honorary and National Society of Collegiate Scholars.
Not content to merely excel academically, Cooper was active in the Student Senate, the Intra Fraternity Council and his Beta Theta Pi fraternity, where he served as the recruitment chair, alumni chair and intramurals chair, in addition to leading various philanthropic activities. He was a member of the KSU club volleyball team and 17-time untramural champion.
This fall Cooper will attend KU Law School…”with Genni Hursh and like my Dad!”
Ben McAnany
Pat and Mel McAnany’s son and Betty McAnany’s grandson, Ben McAnany graduated on the Dean’s Honor Roll and Dean’s Honor Roll for Social Responsibility from Creighton University with dual BS degrees in business finance and marketing. While at Creighton, Ben was active in many academic, fraternal and sporting venues. These included the following: Phi Delta Theta, Youth Leadership Omaha coordinator, College of Business Congress president, Student Union cabinet member, Financial Planning Association president, Financial Management Association treasurer, an Anna Tyler Waite Leadership Scholar and Financial Planning Scholar, and he was chosen to be part of the College of Business’ Restructuring Committee.
Ben also continued with his love of all sporting activities, including Cross Country as a freshman and sophomore; intramural soccer all four years, winning the championship his junior year; and intramural basketball and football.
Ben will work in financial planning at Mutual of Omaha in Kansas City. He will focus on investments and specialized care for those needing financial guidance.
David Munro
David Munro, son of Jan and Stuart Munro, graduated from Pittsburg State University with a BS degree in geography and a minor in multicultural studies. While at PSU, David was active in the Geography Club. He also participated in numerous clubs and groups focused on promoting social justice, understanding cultural diversity and increasing awareness on mental health issues.
David’s long-time interest in public safety has led him to participate in numerous police “ride alongs.” Last fall he graduated from the Sheriff’s Citizens Academy of Johnson County. He has been active at Second Presbyterian Church, where he serves as a Youth Deacon and has volunteered his time helping post flood rebuilding efforts in Iowa. One unusual hobby of David’s has been to train his Dachshund, Gordon (pictured with David) to play soccer.
David has begun working for the City of Overland Park at the Deanna Rose Farmstead. His future plans include a career combining his knowledge of geography, interest in public safety and enjoyment of working with people and animals.
Rebecca Rada
Rebecca Rada, daughter of Chris and the late Dr. David Rada, graduated from KSU with a BS degree in biology and a minor in Spanish. Rebecca earned placement into Alpha Epsilon Delta, a pre-med honorary society, from 2009 to 2012 recognizing her outstanding academic success.
She participated in intramural volleyball and dodge ball in addition to finding time to help many organizations and people in need. For example, for a field day fundraiser she helped raise over $4000 for Flint Hills Community Clinic, a Manhattan clinic providing health care for those without medical insurance. She also helped to raise money for Comfort the Children, an organization providing housing, schooling and food to children in Africa infected with HIV. In the summer of 2010, she interned at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, shadowing physicians from various specialties.
This upcoming year Rebecca will be working as a research assistant at the KU Alzheimer’s and Memory Program. She is applying to medical school and hopes to begin in the fall of 2013.
Katie Van Saun
Graduating from KSU with a BS degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders is Katie Van Saun, daughter of Mark and Pam Van Saun. Katie is a member of the KS State Student Speech, Language and Hearing Association, where she chaired Better Speech and Hearing Month activities as a junior. She belonged to the Gamma Phi Beta sorority and acted as its Scholarship Chair her sophomore year.
As a senior, Katie played the major role of Elaine Robinson in the Manhattan Arts Center production of The Graduate. She also loves playing tennis at LQ.
Katie will attend graduate school at KSU to earn a master’s degree in communication sciences and disorders and then plans to become a speech-language pathologist.
Gregg Wertz
Professional Landcare Network Academic Excellence Foundation scholarship winner for 2011-2012 and 2010 Dean’s List member, Gregg Wertz graduated from KSU with a BS degree in horticulture with a business minor. Tom and Anita Wertz’s son, Greg was an active member all four years in the Horticulture Club, serving as its treasurer and College of Agriculture Student Council representative. He was scholarship chair and president of his fraternity, Phi Kappa Theta.
Gregg worked as a member of our golf course grounds crew from 2008 to 2010, and in 2011 he completed a summer design internship with Heads Up Landscape Contractors, Inc. in Albuquerque, NM. He is now working as a landscape horticulturist at Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, TX.
Alex Zimmer
Alex Zimmer, the son of Chip and Aline Zimmer, and recent graduate from KU with a bachelor’s of arts degree in english literature, earned placement on the Dean’s Honor Roll each year from 2010 to 2012. Recognized for his outstanding work academically, Alex was inducted into the Sigma Alpha Lambda honors fraternity.
He was a member of the Ultimate Frisbee Club and worked as a server for Maceli’s Catering. His favorite hobby is writing poetry. Alex will attend KU this fall, studying to earn a masters degree in English while working as a graduate teaching assistant.
Nathan Walters
Cradle Qui-viran Nathan Walters, son of Dr. David and Leanna Walters, graduated from the University of Georgia with a PhD in Mathematics. He was inducted into the Phi Kappa Phi honor society in recognition of his outstanding academic success.
During his six years at the University of Gerogia in Athens, Nathan enjoyed participating in trapeze and aerial fabrics at Canope, a community aerial studio.
Recently, he began working as a consultant with CCP Data and Analytics for fellow Quiviran, Chris Wojcik.
