honors student stories
Emiko Taki
Dietetics major from Nagoya, Japan
Activities
Japanese Student Association (president), Student Dietetics Association, and several student honoraries. She’s also a mentor to freshmen about healthy eating and staying active in college.
Why dietetics?
Originally a computer information systems major, Emiko changed her major to dietetics because of a personal experience. “I got sick and had to learn about nutrition to get better—and I found out I liked learning about nutrition and food.”
Cool hands-on experience
Assisted a K-State professor with research on a hormone that causes cancer in rats.
Hardest class
Human Body and Anatomy, where students memorize all the parts of the human body by studying a cadaver. Emiko went on to be a teaching assistant for the class. “When I teach something, I retain the material better.”
Why honors?
“I love a challenge.”
Lane Rooney
Industrial engineering, business minor, leadership certificate, from Abilene
The research bug
After taking an introduction to honors class, Lane was ready to do his own research. “Research was an opportunity to pursue something I found interesting and to create something innovative that could be used large-scale.”
His project
One of his professors was looking for a student to work on a global positioning systems project, and Lane volunteered. Along with fellow engineering student Scott Rock, Lane developed a GPS device that leads users on tours of theme parks, national parks, and even K-State.
Future plans
He’s considering starting his own business, exploring possible markets for the GPS tool, or working for a consulting firm. “I like the idea of working on lots of different projects with different companies.”
Why honors?
“It’s an opportunity to create and develop something new. It’s a step beyond what you do in the classroom, and it has direct applications.”
Lauren Luhrs
Human ecology and mass communications major from Overland Park
Her major
Lauren combines her two passions—public relations and apparel marketing—with her unusual major. “I’ve always been into fashion, and this way I can have an application for my journalism. It was the public relations side that drew me in. I’m no designer!”
Her project
Organizing a PR project for the College of Human Ecology. “Maybe planning some event or holding an exhibit—something that incorporates journalism school and apparel. The projects undergraduates do in the honors program are similar to what graduates would be doing somewhere else.”
Who is honors for?
“The honors program is for students who are seeking an extra challenge. It’s something you have to work for. You can’t just graduate with honors without trying.”
What she never thought she’d do
Have a sleepout on campus. She planned the Sleepout for the Homeless for Silver Key, the sophomore honorary. “I think we raised about $2,700 for the Manhattan Emergency Shelter by sleeping outside on Bosco Plaza. I definitely never thought I’d be sleeping outside on campus!”
First K-State memory
K-State versus Nebraska in 1985. “I went to my first K-State game when I was six weeks old.”
What’s next?
This summer she’s trading in the college scene in Manhattan for the arts scene in Italy. “I’m going to learn about the fundamentals of all things artistic and beautiful.”