Alumni News

2015 Presidential Award for Excellence Recognizes Conklin’s Teaching

Mike Conklin (ID ’92), was recognized in July by President Barack Obama as one of 108 mathematics and science teacher recipients of the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching for 2015.

“These teachers are shaping America’s success through their passion for math and science,” President Obama said, when announcing the 2015 honorees. He continued, “Their leadership and commitment empower our children to think critically and creatively about science, technology, engineering and math. The work these teachers are doing in our classrooms today will help ensure that America stays on the cutting edge tomorrow.”

The Presidential Award for Excellence is awarded annually to outstanding K-12 science and mathematics teachers from across the country. The winners are selected by a panel of distinguished scientists, mathematicians and educators following an initial selection process completed at the state level. Each year the award alternates between educators teaching kindergarten through 6th grade and those teaching 7th through 12th grades.

Growing up in Indiana, Conklin was inspired by his own teachers and knew from a young age he wanted to be a teacher and help others learn by passing on this inspiration. Conklin, 42, is a math teacher at University High School in Spokane Valley, Wash.

Recipients, two from each of the 50 states and four other U.S. territories, will be honored in-person at a ceremony in Washington, D.C., in late summer. The awardees honored in 2015 teach 7th through 12th grade. Winners of this Presidential honor receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at their discretion.

“I’ve always been excited by the idea of learning,” said Conklin, who has taught all levels of math in his 10 years at University High. He was nominated for the award in 2013 and submitted additional materials including a personal essay and a video that shows him teaching pre-calculus. He said the most noteworthy moment in the video shows him pausing to help a student who didn’t understand a problem.

“I think that’s something that I do really well—make connections with students,” Conklin said, noting that some continue to visit him long after they finish his class.

Conklin said he focuses on teaching students how they use math in their everyday lives, even if they’re not pursuing math or engineering degrees. “I find places where hard topics are used,” he said.

Mike Conklin (ID ’92), a math teacher at University High School in Spokane Valley, Wash., is a recipient of the 2015 Presidential Award of Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Photo credit: Dan Pelle, The Spokane-Review

“Even if no calculations are involved, there’s still mathematical thinking involved when cropping a picture in photography or figuring out which cell phone plan to buy, for example.” And he has a unique way of rewarding students who show initiative and turn in their homework on time. “When I played football, we used to get helmet stickers for doing something good,” he said. “So I started giving out calculator stickers.” This fall Conklin will begin his 20th year of teaching—10 at University High and nine previously in Maryland, while he pursued his master’s degree at the University of Maryland, and one year at Brixner Junior High School in Klamath Falls, Ore.

He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Idaho, where he is a 1992 initiate of the Idaho Chapter of FarmHouse. Conklin remains involved with the Idaho Chapter today, serving on the Idaho FarmHouse Association Board. He lives in Rockford, Wash., with his wife, Tanya, who also works in education, and his daughter, Emerson, who is in second grade.

Although he is a now well-tenured and a nationally recognized educator, Mike does not anticipate slowing down his passion for teaching anytime soon. Conklin reflected, “I definitely want to keep teaching—my excitement for doing so and educating the next generation is at an all-time high.”

ALUMNI NEWS

NIC Recognizes Former Kansas Governor Carlin for Achievement

In April, the North-American Interfraternity Conference (NIC) recognized John Carlin (KS ’59), with the NIC’s prestigious Alumni Award of Distinction. Brother Carlin is the first FarmHouse man to receive this honor.

Originally a dairy farmer from rural Kansas, Carlin has enjoyed a long career in public service, including his election as Governor of the State of Kansas in 1979, and again in 1983, becoming the first two-term Governor in the state in over 100 years, and culminated in his appointment to Archivist of the United States under Presidents Clinton and Bush.

In 2005, Carlin returned to Kansas State University as a visiting professor of political science and leadership. He has served as the Kansas State FarmHouse chapter’s faculty advisor since 2012. “What motivates me to continue to be involved with FarmHouse,” said Carlin, “is the opportunity to, in modest ways, help young men become even better leaders... Experience is a great teacher and I’ve obviously had, given the years, lots of it, and to not look for ways to share that makes no sense.” Carlin remains active on a number of local and national boards and resides in Manhattan, Kan. with his wife, Lynn.

To share his professional experience with a broader audience, he launched a website (johnwcarlin.com) in January of this year to explore ideas, stimulate creative thinking and advance civic engagement. Along with an active social media presence, the site shares his experience and perspective through a blog on current issues, compelling photo and biographical content, and a series of short video clips that can be used as a resource in classrooms, organizations and for personal learning on the topic of leadership.

The Alumni Award of Distinction recognizes the fraternity man who has given specifically of his time, talents, and service to the betterment of his fraternity. Carlin received his award

“Experience is a great teacher and I’ve obviously had, given the years, lots of it, and to not look for ways to share that makes no

sense.” —John Carlin (KS ’59)

during the Gold Medal Banquet on April 19, 2015, during the NIC’s annual meeting, held this year in Kansas City, Mo. A delegation of 15 FarmHouse members and friends were in attendance to help celebrate the occasion—including staff, volunteers, undergraduates and Brother Robert Lewis (KS ’58), who helped recruit Carlin to the Kansas State chapter during their time as undergraduates. Carlin received his award along side the NIC’s other winners, including undergraduates and chapters. He stated, “What stood out to me as I listened and learned about the individuals and chapters that were recognized, was the high level of excellence and the variety of impressive service projects to help individuals and communities. It humbles me that I was honored on the same program. It was certainly special to receive such recognition and one that I will long remember.”

Congratulations Brother Carlin and thank you for your service—both to our country and our Fraternity!

Top left: FarmHouse men and friends celebrate Brother John Carlin (KS ’59), former Governor of Kansas, at the 2015 NIC Meeting in Kansas City. Top right: John Carlin (KS ’59) held a distinguished career in public service as an elected member of the Kansas State House, as two terms as Governor of Kansas (1980-88) and as Archivist of the United States (pictured) under Presidents Clinton and Bush from 1995 to 2005.

ALUMNI NEWS

Marten represents u.s. ag Delegation to Cuba

2

3

4

[1] Marten speaks with Tomoko Horie, reporter for Japan’s Nippon Television about the opportunities that trade relations will bring for both American and Cuban farmers and consumers. [2] Marten gives baseballs to children in Viñales, Pinar Del Rio, Cuba. Baseball remains a large part of Cuban recreation and a strong cultural connection between Cuba and the U.S. [3] Josefina Vidal Ferreiro, General Director of the U.S. Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba, greets Marten during his visit. Vidal Ferreiro is the lead diplomat working with Roberta Jacobson, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs, in reestablishing formal diplomatic relations between the U.S. and Cuba. [4] Marten visits with tobacco farmers in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio Province. Tobacco production in this Province remains largely primitive as oxen and sled are utilized, while Soviet-era tractors are parked due to a lack of fuel.

“Change is happening and it is for

1 the better.”

Thomas Marten (SIU ’11) traveled to Cuba in March as a part of the United States Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) delegation to the island nation. This was the first major business delegation from the United States to Cuba since the announcement of normalizing diplomatic ties.

Marten represented the Illinois Farm Bureau’s interests in the delegation and had previously traveled to Cuba in 2012 during a study abroad experience while a student at Southern Illinois University.

While in Cuba, Marten met with Cuban officials including the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment as well as the National Association of Small Producers. Additionally, the USACC delegation had the opportunity to visit various agricultural production regions including rice, sugar cane, tobacco, livestock, aquaculture and fresh produce.

Marten visited the tobacco production area in the Viñales Valley in Cuba’s Pinar del Rio Province. In addition to being a prime region for the production of quality tobacco, Viñales is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site recognizing its gorgeous karst formations, local architecture, arts and agriculture.

Ninety-five leaders of American agriculture representing agribusiness, commodity organizations and farmer organizations were part of the USACC delegation which also included Missouri First Lady Georganne Nixon and former U.S. Secretaries of Agriculture, John Block and Mike Espy.

In reflecting on the experience Marten said, “I was deeply honored to be able to represent the Illinois Farm Bureau on this historic visit.” He added, “Change is happening and it is for the better. Cooperatives are expanding and casas particulares, where citizens can host their own private businesses, are thriving.”

Marten is a chartering member of the Southern Illinois FarmHouse Chapter and continues to serve as the chapter’s alumni advisor, the Southern Illinois FarmHouse Association President and as a FarmHouse Regional Director for the North-Central area, covering the upper Midwest.

Marten farms with his family on their grain farm near Raymond, Ill., and he recently began work with the Illinois Farm Bureau Agricultural Association as the Manager of Stark County (Illinois) Farm Bureau.

ALUMNI NEWS

Gardner elected as u.s. senator in 114th Congress

With his election last fall, Cory Gardner majored in political science. He also attended and graduated (CO ’95) became the first FarmHouse man from the University of Colorado Boulder Law School before to serve in the United States Senate, when beginning his career in public policy and service. the 114th Congress convened in January. Campaigning for the U.S. Senate in the fall of 2014, he made A fifth-generation Coloradan, Gardner an impromptu visit to the CSU chapter house and met with was elected the U.S. Senator from his undergraduate FarmHouse brothers. As noted in a blog post by home state in a Denver Post reporter who was with November 2014 him during the stop, Cory, with a laugh, when he won the “During my time in “found a much younger, much skinnier, election against incumbent Senator Mark Udall. He won by a 3 percent margin, with a 49 percent to 46 percent advantage. FarmHouse, i first learned the valuable lessons of leadership, discussing black-haired Cory Gardner” in a chapter composite on the wall. Gardner added, “During college and my time in FarmHouse I first learned

Gardner was born and raised in differing views and the valuable lessons of leadership, Yuma, a small town on the eastern collaborative teamwork.” discussing differing views and plains of Colorado, where his family has collaborative teamwork.” owned a farm implement dealership and He held a number of chapter offices, ranched for nearly a century. He lives in the same house his was involved with IFC and student government and was a ramgreat-grandparents lived in. After working at his family handler for the Colorado State live mascot, CAM the Ram. implement business and for the National Corn Growers Senator Gardner remains connected to FarmHouse and his Association as a policy advisor, Gardner took a position as native roots. Today he continues to live in Yuma with his wife, the legislative assistant for Senator Wayne Allard of Colorado Jaime and their three children, Alyson, Thatcher and Caitlyn. and quickly advanced to the role of legislative director.

Gardner entered public service himself in 2005 when he was first appointed and then elected to the Colorado House of Representatives, District 63. Colleagues elected him as House Minority Whip in 2007 and he became known for his expertise in natural resource and agriculture policy. In 2007, Gardner was identified as one of the “Top 40 Lawmakers Under 40” by Rising Tide magazine and he was quickly viewed as a public official to watch for higher elected office.

Such occurred in 2010 when Cory was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the 4th District of Colorado. The large geographic district included the eastern third of the state, from the Nebraska-Wyoming border to the Oklahoma border north-to-south and from the Kansas border to the Front Range of the Rockies east-to-west.

Gardner served in the 112th Congress (2011-13) with two fellow FarmHouse men in the U.S. House of Representatives, Steve Pearce (NM ’04) of New Mexico and Rick Berg (ND ’78), Master Builder, of North Dakota.

As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Gardner championed an energy strategy that promoted traditional resources as well as renewable energy. In addition, he became a leader on energy efficiency initiatives and founded a bipartisan energy efficiency caucus in the House. He was re-elected to the U.S. House of Top: During his fall 2014 campaign for the U.S. Senate, Gardner makes Representatives in 2012. an impromptu stop at the Colorado State Chapter of FarmHouse in Fort

Today, Gardner is a member of the Senate Energy & Natural Collins. Bottom left: Gardner meets with Erick Gauck (CO ’11), pictured Resource Committee, in addition to serving on the Foreign Relations Committee, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, and the Small Business and left, this summer when he was in Washington, D.C., for an orientation prior to an international student exchange program trip for the fall semester in Germany. Bottom right: In addition to the important role of U.S. Senator, Gardner also has the important title of “dad” to three Entrepreneurship Committee. children, Alyson, Thatcher and Caitlyn. Here, Gardner’s son, Thatcher,

Gardner joined FarmHouse at the Colorado State Chapter helps him make a special delivery of famous Colorado peaches to his in 1995, where he graduated summa cum laude in 1997 and dad’s Senate Office.