2023 Outstanding Seniors
The Agricultural Economics Department has selected four students to receive the Department’s 2023 Outstanding Senior Award: Hannah Ballard, Ashley Hartman, Jenae Tilford, and Parker Vulgamore. The award recognizes seniors in the Agricultural Economics Department for their significant contributions during their time at K-State.
“The Department of Agricultural Economics is proud to select four students as our outstanding seniors for 2023. These students have all represented our Department, College, or University through various capacities and have been a joy to work with during their time at KSU. We are proud of their academic accomplishments as well as their leadership skills and are excited to continue to watch them succeed as alumni of our program!” Dr. Elizabeth Yeager, Associate Professor of Agricultural Economics and Director of Undergraduate Programs, said.
The following students were recipients of Agricultural Economics Outstanding Senior Award:
Hannah Ballard, Madison, Kansas, graduated from the department in Agribusiness in December. During her time at K-State, Ballard served as the President of Alpha of Clovia 4-H Cooperative Leadership house, was an active member in the Agricultural Economics Club, Alpha Zeta, Kansas Corn Collegiate Academy, and a team member of the International Food and Agribusiness Marketing Association, who won the 2022 international championship in Costa Rica. Additionally, Ballard was honored as the College of Agriculture Student of the Month. She gained valuable work experience as a student worker for the Agricultural Economics department, where she had the opportunity to travel to the World Ag Expo in California to recruit students for the College of Agriculture. Ballard now lives and works in Baldwin City, Kansas for Frontier Farm Credit as an Insurance Services Officer.
“I am honored to receive the outstanding senior award. My time in the Agricultural Economics Department at Kansas State is something I will look back on for many years to come. I will forever be grateful for all the special connections I made with faculty, staff, and students. K-State has some of the best and I am so proud to be an Ag Econ K-State Alum!” Ballard said.
Ashley Hartman, Waterloo, Illinois, grew up in Waterloo, IL on her family’s grain farm. She graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics with a specialty in Marketing and minor in Animal Science. Throughout her time at K-State, Hartman was involved in many organizations. She was part of the Sigma Alpha Professional Agricultural Sorority, College of Ag Ambassadors, NAMA team, Dairy Science Club, and Gamma Sigma Delta. Hartman has held many leadership roles such as President and Secretary of Dairy Science Club, Secretary and Treasurer of Sigma Alpha, Director of Involvement in Ag Ambassadors, and Dairy Chairman for Little American Royal. Academically, she maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her four years at K-State. Hartman gained various work experience from working on her family’s farm to working at the USDA as an office assistant to interning for John Deere with the Baling and Mowing Marketing team. Back home, she is part of the Monroe County Farm Bureau Young Leaders and Waterloo FFA Alumni. After graduation, Hartman will join the John Deere Marketing Development Program.
“I am honored to be named an Outstanding Senior for the Department of Agricultural Economics. I have greatly enjoyed my time at K-State and this is largely due to their classes and faculty that have helped me grow over the last four years,” Hartman said.
Jenae Tilford, Roca, Nebraska, decided to come to K-State because of the great agricultural programs and the welcoming family atmosphere. She majored in Agricultural Economics and Global Food Systems Leadership. Throughout her undergraduate degree Tilford was involved in Pre-Law Ambassadors, Economics Club, Kappa Alpha Theta, Gamma Sigma Delta, and Hands-on K-State. In the summer Tilford will be interning with the Kansas Department of Agriculture in their Water Resources Division. In the fall, we will start her master’s in agriculture economics at K-State.
"I'm very honored and grateful to have been selected for this award and to receive it in such great company. It means a lot to me to have had the support of the Agricultural Economics Department for the past four years,” Tilford said.
Parker Vulgamore, Scott City, Kansas, studied agricultural economics with a pre-law specialty. On campus, he served as the Student Body President of Kansas State, was a member and the former chapter president of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and served as a Pre-Law Ambassador. He is also a member of the Delta Upsilon International Fraternity board of directors. Vulgamore is the third generation of his family to study agriculture at Kansas State, and he is the fifth generation to grow up living and working on his family's farm in Scott City, Kansas. After graduation, he plans to pursue a master's in agricultural economics at Kansas State.
"I'm truly honored and humbled to be recognized with this award from the people who have made my undergraduate experience truly outstanding. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the Department of Agricultural Economics for the crucial support and exceptional education that has enabled my success and inspired my dreams. The academic advising, connections in industry, and legacy of outstanding students in the department are second to none,” Vulgamore said.
