MANHATTAN — Marvin Wade, superintendent of Manhattan-Ogden USD 383, is this year’s recipient of the prestigious Dan and Cheryl Yunk Award for Excellence in Educational Administration from Kansas State University’s College of Education.The Yunks were each exemplary teachers and administrators throughout their careers in the Manhattan-Ogden school system. Established in their honor, this award recognizes the importance of educational administrators in establishing environments that promote student learning.In addition to receiving this distinguished award, Wade was selected as commencement speaker for the College of Education.“Dr. Wade embodies many of the same outstanding attributes Dan and Cheryl possessed as administrators, and that’s why he is not only the perfect recipient of the Yunk Award but also our ideal commencement speaker,” said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education.Prior to his arrival in Manhattan in 2016, Wade was a superintendent in Marshalltown, Iowa, for eight years and in Weld County, Colorado, for eight years. Other administrative positions include assistant superintendent, director of instruction and special services, and principal. Wade earned his doctorate in educational leadership from K-State in 1995 while serving as a principal in Clay Center.Wade currently serves on the Council for Public School Improvement Steering Committee, the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education Board of Directors, the Institute for Personalized Learning Advisory Committee and the Youth Empowerment for Success Fund Advisory Board. He is also a member of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art Advisory Council, the Community Liaison Group for the National Bio and Agro-Defense Facility and the Manhattan Area Chamber of Commerce Board.Since arriving in Manhattan, Wade has been invited to speak at annual conferences of the Kansas Association of School Boards, Kansas Association for Career & Technical Education, Kansas Association of School Business Officials, United School Administrators of Kansas and the Kansas Multi-Tiered System of Supports Symposium.Wade will retire this summer after a rewarding and successful career in educational administration.
