Butler Students Named to Kansas All-State Academic Team

Four Butler Community College students were named to the 2018 Kansas All-State Academic Team. The students were among 57 Kansas community college students honored on Feb. 15 in Topeka as part of the 23 Annual Kansas All-State Academic Team Luncheon. The event was attended by community college, university and Kansas Board of Regents representatives, as well as Kansas legislators. The event, co-sponsored by the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society and the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, annually recognizes top students from the state’s community colleges.

Scholars recognized from Butler Community College included Andie Nibarger of Towanda, Mark Walthers of Towanda, Madison Mabie of Douglass and Jenny Oswalt of Wichita.

Those honored were presented an honorary medallion and certificate and state-wide recognition through the media. In addition, they were rewarded a stipend to be used at the institution of their choice.  

Each scholar is now nominated for the 2018 All-USA Community College Academic Team, sponsored by USA Today, Phi Theta Kappa and the Follett Higher Education Group. First-team members will receive a $2,500 stipend and will be featured along with second- and third-team members in USA Today. Team members are also presented with medallions. Names of the students will be placed on the society's website, www.ptk.org.

Phi Theta Kappa is the honor society for students attending two-year community colleges. Membership is based on high grade point averages and other criteria, with members focusing on scholastic achievement and service to community and campus. This year’s 57 scholars are part of a statewide student body that are enrolled at the 19 Kansas community colleges. Each scholar was selected by his or her own community college for the annual statewide academic team.

More about Butler’s Kansas All-State Academic Team members:

Andie Nibarger is a Marketing major who will be transferring to Oklahoma Christian University. She is a Volleyball Team Captain, Butler Academic Athlete of the Week and she is a member of the NJCAA All-Academic First Team. Nibarger graduated from Circle High School and lives in Towanda.

Mark Walthers is a Pre-Engineering major transferring to Wichita State University. He is a Phi Theta Kappa Chapter President and on the President’s Honor Roll.  He is also a Five Star Member and Grizzlies Give Back Volunteer. Walthers graduated from Circle High School and lives in Towanda.

Madison Mabie is a Digital Video Production major transferring to Wichita State University. She is a Phi Theta Kappa Member, Early College Academy Student, I3D Club Member, Volunteer for Douglass Senior Center and a President’s Honor Scholar. She will graduate from Douglass High School and Butler Community College this spring.

Jenny Oswalt is a Business Administration major transferring to Wichita State University. She is a proud Phi Theta Kappa Member. Oswalt lives in Wichita.