For more information, contact Todd Moore, 620-792-9241.

May 25, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Prepared by: Linda Jerke

Barton Community College announced its 2010-11 Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassadors of the Year at an awards luncheon May 12 in the Plaza de Cavanaugh in Barton’s Learning Resource Center.

This award named in memory of B.J. Ballhorst recognizes outstanding Student Ambassadors, who are chosen by their peers and Barton’s Admissions staff for their work as ambassadors for the college. Kaitlin Ptacek, Dorrance, and Jared Marcuson, Oberlin, were named recipients of this year’s awards.

Ptacek, a freshman at Barton, is involved in Student Ambassadors and Campus Christian Fellowship, and serves as volleyball manager. She will be a sophomore at Barton this fall pursuing a degree in art.

This is Marcuson’s third year to receive the Student Ambassador of the Year award. He has been involved in Hilltop Singers, Student Senate as vice president and president and Student Ambassadors. He also served as the Barton Cougar mascot. He will attend Kansas State University this fall pursuing a degree in liberal studies. He also was named one of two Barton Outstanding Graduates and he presented a speech to fellow graduates at Barton’s commencement ceremony. He is the son of Brad and Elaine Marcuson, Oberlin.

The Admissions Office also honored Barton sophomore, Corey LaMoureaux, Westminster, Colo., as recipient of “The Rock” award, which is presented to a student who goes above and beyond the call of duty in assisting the Admissions Office.

LaMoureaux is involved in Student Ambassadors and the women’s soccer team at Barton. She will attend Southwestern Oklahoma State University this fall pursuing a degree in engineering and athletic training. She is the daughter of Kenneth and Suzanne LaMoureaux, Westminster.

B.J. Ballhorst was a 2002 Barton graduate and was a Student Ambassador during his time at Barton. His parents, John and Gayle Ballhorst, Smith Center, were honored guests at the luncheon. Despite health concerns throughout his time at Barton, B.J. was the model Ambassador, said Todd Moore, Barton’s Director of Admissions and Promotions. He balanced a challenging course schedule and golf team commitment while remaining dedicated to his role as Student Ambassador. His determination and dedication touched the lives of everyone he met.

Graduating from Barton with a degree in pre-pharmacy, he was accepted into and attended the School of Pharmacy at the University of Kansas. He was a student at KU until his death on Aug. 5, 2004. He was the grandson of Floyd and Marie Rogers and the late Newt Ballhorst, all of Great Bend; and Berta Riegel and the late William H. Riegel, Eaton, Colo., formerly of Great Bend.

Barton will continue to honor Ballhorst’s achievements, character, personality and work ethic by awarding future Ambassadors of the Year in his memory, Moore said. A permanent plaque dedicated in his honor is displayed in the corridor of the Kirkman Student Activity Center on Barton’s campus.

Recipients of Barton Community College’s Brant J. Ballhorst Student Ambassador of the Year Award, Kaitlin Ptacek, Dorrance, and Jared Marcuson, Oberlin, are pictured with John and Gayle Ballhorst, Smith Center, right, who were honored guests at the awards luncheon. Also pictured is the permanent plaque dedicated in B.J.’s memory and inscribed with the names of each recipient of the award.

Corey LaMoureaux, Westminster, Colo., received “The Rock” Award from Barton’s Admissions Office.

Kaitlin Ptacek, Dorrance, Ambassador of the Year Award Recipient

Jared Marcuson, Oberlin,Ambassador of the Year Award Recipient