K-STATE MARKETING STUDENTS EARN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR SEMESTER'S WORTH OF HARD WORK

MANHATTAN -- Seven students in the Kansas State University College of Business Administration received $1,000 scholarships for being the top performers in an upper level marketing management course.

Benchmark Financial, a general agency of New England Financial and a MetLife company, donated six of the scholarships awarded this spring as part of a $60,000 scholarship commitment over the next five years.

The seventh scholarship was donated by Tyler Francis and Jim Youngers of Gemini, based in Viola. Francis and Youngers own and operate the small company that specializes in cryogenically freezing various products to increase wear resistance or product life. Francis graduated from K-State with a bachelor's degree in marketing in 2000 and is on the College of Business Administration's Marketing Advisory Board.

The scholarships were awarded to the top performing students in the marketing management course based upon points accumulated during the semester. Points were calculated through performance on exams, quizzes and the students' creation of a strategic marketing plan. Eighty students participated in the scholarship program's inaugural semester.

Scholarship recipients include:

Aaron Debes, May 2008 bachelor's graduate in marketing, Clyde, Benchmark Financial scholarship; Michael Rohr, May 2008 bachelor's graduate in marketing, Derby, Benchmark Financial scholarship; Lee Legleiter, May 2008 bachelor's graduate in marketing and management, Hays, Benchmark Financial scholarship.

From Manhattan: Jennifer Kabler, May 2008 bachelor's graduate in marketing, Benchmark Financial scholarship; Jared Richards, May 2008 bachelor's graduate in marketing, Benchmark Financial scholarship; and Alison St. Clair, senior in marketing, Benchmark Financial scholarship.

Brad Loper, May 2008 bachelor's graduate in marketing, Rose Hill, Gemini scholarship.