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May 12, 2006 RIETCHECK NAMED OUTSTANDING TEACHER AT K-STATE AT SALINA SALINA – Andy Rietcheck, Kansas State University at Salina assistant professor, was named the 2005 recipient of the Marchbanks Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence at the spring commencement ceremony, May 7. Rietcheck leads the construction engineering technology program and has been with K-State at Salina since 2000. “Andy is a tremendous asset to K-State at Salina and all of Kansas State University,” said said Dennis Kuhlman, dean of K-State at Salina. “He brings excellence to the classroom and a great level of knowledge and experience to our students. The Marchbanks Award is the highest indication of teaching excellence awarded by our college, and he is most deserving of this honor.” The Marchbanks Award was established in 1983 to recognize a faculty member on the Salina campus for excellence in education with a focus on the development of students’ talents and abilities. Candidates are nominated by faculty, students and alumni, and must submit materials that justify that nomination. During the presentation of the award, Kuhlman read from one of the nominations from a student, describing Rietcheck. “He pushes students to strive for excellence. This is something that not every student appreciates in the beginning. However, in the long run, it is always the best strategy.” In another letter of nomination, a faculty member commented, “A uniqueness about Andy’s student focus is that his relationship with the students doesn’t end at graduation. I’ve always been impressed with how he keeps in touch with former students and loves to hear of their professional successes. Their accomplishments are very much a reflection of all that he has given to them inside and outside of the classroom.” Rietcheck has served the college and university as a faculty senator. He is the lead professor and industrial advisory committee member for the construction engineering technology program and has developed and taught many of the program’s courses. He also serves as an examiner for the American Concrete Institute’s construction inspector certification programs. Prior to coming to K-State, Rietcheck was a facility services officer with the U.S. Navy. Rietcheck and his wife Denise live in Salina with their three children, Andrea, Ashley and Dylan. He is a 1995 graduate of K-State in civil engineering and a licensed professional engineer. He is the son of Alfred and Barbara Rietcheck, Hoxie. |