SALINA, Kansas – Kansas Wesleyan University will honor three of its alumni during Homecoming activities this weekend. The 2008 Alumni Award recipients are Brenda (Brzon) Bott (’79), Paola, Kansas, Philip Coleman (’68), Salina, and Dr. Stefanie (Milam) Greiten (’02), Sunnyvale, California, will be honored during the annual Alumni Dinner Friday (October 10).
Brenda (Brzon) Bott (’79), Paola, Kansas Alumni Achievement Award
Bott is the 2008 recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award. The award was established to recognize alumni for outstanding accomplishment in his/her chosen field.
A teacher at Shawnee Mission West High School, Bott has been a science educator for 27 years. In addition to her teaching at Shawnee Mission West High School, Bott also has served as an Associate Professor at Johnson County Community College, teaching a variety of Biology courses.
Additionally, Bott is the creator of the Shawnee Mission School District’s Biotechnology Program. According to a story about the program that appeared in the Kansas City Star (September 10, 2007), “Shawnee Mission’s program is distinctive because it’s designed to appeal to a wide range of students: those heading toward advanced degrees in science and a future in research as well as those who hope for careers as lab technicians.” The program offers students a hands-on experience in a biotechnology lab and includes career shadowing, guest speakers, and research projects.
Philip Coleman (’68), Salina Alumni Service Award Coleman is the 2008 recipient of the Alumni Service Award. This award was established to recognize alumni for notable and devoted loyalty to Kansas Wesleyan.
Coleman has served Kansas Wesleyan in a variety of ways since his graduation in 1968. He has served as a nine-year member of the University’s Board of Trustees and has served in various capacities with the Alumni Association, including four years as President. Coleman is a 38-year member of the Alumni Association and a long-time member of the Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Booster Club. Coleman also served as President of the W Clan for five years. He has served on the Kansas Wesleyan Athletic Hall of Fame Selection Committee for a number of years, and is a member of the Athletic Hall of Fame. He and his family have served as a host family for numerous members of the Men’s Basketball Team.
Coleman has worked on behalf of the University on a number of fund-raising campaigns and is a long-time contributor to the University. Coleman also has served as chair of the University’s real estate committee.
Additionally, Coleman has taught numerous classes at Kansas Wesleyan and presented a variety of management and employee seminars. He volunteers his time to the University for a variety of activities, including ushering at Commencement and assisting with Buck Meals, the Sunday night meal sponsored by University United Methodist Church.
Dr. Stefanie (Milam) Greiten (’02), Sunnyvale, California Young Alumna Award Greiten is the 2008 recipient of the Young Alumna Award. This award was established to recognize alumni 35 years of age or younger for their extraordinary achievements and service.
Greiten is an astrochemist working with NASA scientists at the Ames Research Center and the SETI Institute in California. She received her Ph.D. in Chemistry from the University of Arizona in 2007. Her dissertation was “Studies of Astrochemistry in molecular clouds, circumstellar envelopes and comets via radio astronomy and mm/sub-mm spectroscopy.” Her research projects included Galactic and circumstellar isotope ratios, cometary chemistry, carbon chemistry in planetary nebulae, and a spectral survey of an oxygen-rich Supergiant.
“To her credit, Stefanie’s contributions have helped shape the interdisciplinary field of astrochemistry. She is best known among astrochemists for measurements of carbon isotopes in interstellar clouds, stars and comets. This research has documented chemical changes that have led to our understanding of the origin of carbon and how this element has been distributed throughout the universe and within the Solar System. Her work on carbon extends from the outer limits of our Galaxy to our own backyard, wrote Susan Wyckoff, an Emeritus Professor of Physics at Arizona State University who has worked with Greiten.
“Stefanie has also discovered complex carbon-bearing molecules in comets and distant stars. Her work has contributed to our understanding of the chemistry that culminated in the development of life on Earth. Her current work at Ames is also forging new frontiers. She is now conducting experiments to understand the origin of the molecular precursors to life on Earth. No research topic could be more fundamental or relevant today. I have no doubt that she will continue to accomplish spectacular scientific results in the years to come,” Wyckoff added.
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