Editors and Editorial Board

Editors: 

Eli Wilch – Eli is a senior pre-law student, majoring in organizational management with a minor in philosophy and a Primary Texts Certificate. He currently serves as the President of K-State’s mock trial team and aspires to pursue a career in law. In his free time, Eli enjoys traveling and hiking.

Gracie Jo Stanton – Gracie Jo is a senior majoring in Political Science and minoring in English on the pre-law track with a Certificate in Primary Texts and Conflict Resolution. She serves on the Judicial Branch in SGA and is a member of Mortar Board. Her career plans include attending Washburn Law and returning to Northwestern Kansas to serve the surrounding rural communities as an attorney.

Faculty Editorial Board (see biographies below):

Dr. Laurie Johnson (Political Science) – Director of the Primary Texts Certificate program and Professor of Political Science. Her research interests include early modern and modern social contract theory, the application of political philosophy to international relations theory, the study of honor in modern liberal societies, contemporary ideologies, and the political thought of Carl Jung.

Dr. Benjamin McCloskey (Classical Studies)

Dr. John Warner (Political Science)

Student Reviewers:

Katey West- Katey is a senior in Political Science with minors in Anthropology and Middle East Studies. After graduating, she hopes to attend law school and practice human rights law. Katey is involved in Model UN and the Community Enhancement Committee of student government. When she is free, Katey is usually spending time with friends and her dog.

Ethan Chapman- Ethan is on a pre-law track pursuing a Political Science degree and a double minor in History and Classics. While at K-State, he has spent time competing with the K-State Model UN team and working as a bartender at Tanners in Aggieville. He plans to graduate in the Fall of 2025, work as a substitute teacher for the Blue Valley School District and pursue his law degree at UMKC in the 2026 semester. His areas of emphasis include educational policy, political theory, and ancient history. He is also a huge fan of K-State sports, so if you don’t see him on campus or at Tanners, you’ll probably see him at a game!

Sophie Bond- Sophie is a senior at K-State, double majoring in Political Science and French. After graduating, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career in employment or family law. Sophie is involved in Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and serves as a Modern Language Ambassador and Tutor. She also works at Hale Library in the Academic Achievement Center. In her free time, Sophie enjoys reading, watching reality TV, and spending time with friends.

Annelise Hall-  Annelise is a pre-law student double majoring in Political Science and Philosophy, driven by a passion for justice, global issues, and helping others. She is a proud member of the Sophomore Key Honors Society, a Cats Cupboard Ambassador, and a Learning Assistant, where she supports academic success and student well-being through peer mentorship and volunteer work. When she isn’t or on campus, you can often find Annelise serving coffee as a part-time barista, swimming laps at the pool, or planning her next travel adventure. Annelise is fascinated by international law and looks forward to continuing her academic journey at Washburn University School of Law, where she hopes to build a career making a global impact.

Hannah Moyer- Hannah is a junior studying political science with a minor in leadership studies and a certificate in primary texts. She works on campus as an RA in Ford Hall and is the committee chair for the education committee in Leadership Ambassadors, as well as a pre-law ambassador. In her free time, she enjoys reading, going on walks, supporting K-State Athletics, and coloring.

Chris Bedros – Chris is working towards a political science and economics major, as well as the primary text certificate. He hopes to teach after his undergrad and maybe write political theory of his own. Some of his hobbies include poetry, cooking, and reading.

Jess Pittenger – Jess is a junior at K-State majoring in Philosophy with a pre-law track and a minor in Leadership Studies. Upon graduating from Kansas State, her goal is to go onto law school. A fun fact about Jess is that she loves to waterski; she is even a member of the K-State waterski club!

Gerianne Meals – GeriAnne is both an English and theatre major at K-State, studying with an emphasis in creative writing and performance. She grew up moving all over the country from places like Puerto Rico to Florida! When she isn’t reading the latest John Green novel she’s either playing with her wonderful poodle, Nikki, or cooking an odd niche recipe she found online. She is super excited to be helping out with the Live Ideas Journal!

Tinashe Sekabanja – Tinashe is a junior at K-State majoring in statistics and data science while pursuing a minor in computer science and a Primary Text Certificate. She is originally from Kampala, Uganda, the Pearl of Africa. On campus, she serves as the Vice President of the Statistics club and on the executive board of the National Society of Black Engineers. Her love for numbers is only matched by her love for the arts. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, playing the piano, and spending time with friends and family.

Past Editors and Participating Alumni:

Jakob Hanschu (Editor: F2018 – S2019) – Jakob is originally from Hillsboro, Kansas. He graduated from K-State in May 2019 with degrees in anthropology and geography, as well as a minor in statistics and undergraduate certificates in GIS and primary texts. During his time at K-State, Jakob worked extensively with primary texts and finds value in their ability to expose him and to new and unfiltered ideas that he can then interpret and apply to his research. He is the founding editor of Live Ideas.

Olivia Rogers (Editor: S2019 – S2020) – Olivia is a law student at Notre Dame Law School and graduated from K-State with a degree in Political Science and Pre-Law and a minor in Philosophy. She is from the great town of Gardner, known for its fields and town coffee shop. A fascination with the philosophical roots of the American founding as well as education policy drives her to learn as much as possible from early thinkers. Reading those thinkers firsthand has proved incredibly valuable to her studies and she can’t wait to continue working with Primary Texts.

Suan Sonna (Editor S2020-S2022) – Suan Sonna graduated from Kansas State University with a degree in philosophy. He studies issues in the philosophy of religion, ethics, and metaphysics. He also loves fiction, films, and other art forms that make life beautiful and worth living.

McKenna Wise (Editor F2023-S2025) – McKenna is a double major in History and Political Science with a double minor in English and French. Her degree is coupled with a Primary Texts Certificate as well. She will be graduating in the Spring of 2025. Her interest in editing falls under short stories, poetry, and essays. She is thankful for this opportunity and looks forward to meeting everyone involved with the Live Ideas Journal.

Trace Henderson (Former Assistant Editor) – Trace Henderson is a junior at Kansas State University. He is studying Psychology with plans to enter the clinical practice in the years to come. He spends most free moments reading (particularly enjoying the Surrealist movement of the 90s) and writing poetry and short stories. Trace works as one of the assistant editors of Live Ideas and keeps up the various websites.

Camryn Eberhardy (Former Assistant Editor) – Camryn Eberhardy is a senior at Kansas State University. She is studying Elementary Education and Sociology as well as pursuing the Primary Texts certificate associated with Live Ideas. After graduating, she plans to pursue a career teaching Special Education at the elementary school level. She spends her free time doing yoga, running, and reading books from her very long list of book recommendations from friends. Camryn works as one of the assistant editors for Live Ideas and is primarily in charge of the social media pages and advertising for the program.

Austin Kruse (Editor F2023-S2023) – Austin Kruse graduated from K-State with degrees in political science and philosophy (pre-law track) and a minor in history and leadership studies. He is originally from Topeka, KS and was also a Pre-Law Ambassador at K-State. After graduation, he plans to attend law school.

Kamryn Nickel (Co-Editor F2023- S2023)–  Kamryn Nickel graduated from K-State with a degree in political science (pre-law track) and a Primary Texts certificate. She is originally from Topeka, KS, was actively involved in greek life as a member of Chi Omega and also a member of the band as a classy cat. After graduation, she plans to attend law school.

Founding Editors:

Previous Student Reviewers:

Nikéla Reed – Nikéla is a senior in Theatre with focuses in both design and dramaturgy with minors in History and Classical Studies. Nikéla is interested in reviewing writings from arts and humanities but won’t shy away from reviewing social sciences.

Maddy Turner – Maddy is a junior majoring in Political Science (pre-law) with a minor in Classical Studies and is also earning a Primary Texts Certificate. After completing her undergraduate studies, she plans to continue her education at the University of Kansas (though she will always be a Wildcat) to pursue a degree in Criminal Law. In her spare time, you can find Maddy back in her hometown helping her dad run his restaurant or studying at Bluestem Bistro in Manhattan!

Ava Modin– Ava majored in Political Science and Philosophy. She received her Primary Texts Certificate in addition to her degree. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching K-State sports, and spending time outdoors. She is hoping to attend law school after finishing her undergraduate degree in May.

Cassidy Hartig – Cassidy Hartig majored in English (pre-law track), minored in philosophy and psychology, and earned certificates in linguistics and primary texts. On campus, she was the 2023 President of the Engineers Without Borders chapter: an organization dedicated to engineering solutions to meet basic human needs in local and international communities. In her free time, she loves reading, writing poetry, exploring nature, and displaying a healthy obsession with her betta fish Jane.

Natalie Jabben (Reviewer: S2019 – S2021) – Natalie is a Sophomore in Philosophy and Political Science from Olathe, Kansas. At K-State, she is involved in the Model United Nations team and in the Student Governing Association as a student senator. She enjoys reading and having discussions about philosophy in her free time. After repeated exposure to primary texts in history, philosophy, and political science classes taken through her first few semesters at K-State, Natalie began to realize that these sources tied together her academic interests in a unique way. She finds herself referencing the same ancient texts in discussions that occur in almost all of her classes. She hopes to continue the study of primary texts throughout her life.

Chris Butler (Reviewer: F2019 – S2021) – Edwin ‘Chris’ Butler is a graduating senior from the College of Arts and Sciences. His studies are in Sociology and Anthropology with a interest in topics such as global development and criminal justice. Chris has spent his undergraduate years studying social interactions between the elderly living at ‘Meadowlark Hills Retirement community’. Chris has also worked closely with the ‘Bridges out of Poverty’ group based out of Clay Center. He is a passionate poet and lover of history.

Alissa Rehmert – Raised in the humble town of Purdy, Missouri, Alissa is in the English M.A (Creative Writing) program. In her free time, she enjoys reading and collecting classic literature, cuddling her pet bunnies, embroidering, and playing board games with her husband. As for academics, she is primarily interested in gothic and new wave science fiction literature. She finds the complex and timeless interweaving of individual’s thoughts and expressions found within primary texts deeply enlightening and modernly pertinent.

Sydney Wolgast – Sydney, originally from Wichita, KS, completed her undergraduate career at Kansas State University in History and Anthropology in 2021. She is now looking forward to starting a graduate degree in History. Sydney fell in love with history at a young age when she decided she wanted to be like Indiana Jones, although that hasn’t really changed too much. She believes that history is important and incredibly fascinating because seemingly ordinary people did extraordinary things that led to where we are today. Using primary texts has always been interesting simply because the words from the past survived to the present and we are able to preserve them.

Kristin Chaney – Kristin Chaney is a Social Work major with an English minor. She is a McNair Scholar in the Honors Program and Treasurer for the Phi Alpha Honor Society of Social Work. She is driven by her love for people and the written word. Through her studies she has found that policy is a little-known love language that when crafted and written properly can change lives for the better. Kristin is looking forward to the work she will get to do with the primary texts and as a peer reviewer.

Cade Ciesielski (Reviewer: x – S2022)- Cadence Ciesielski is a senior at K-State studying Spanish and Philosophy, Pre-Law. She is originally from Valley Center, KS. At K-State, Cadence is a member of the Mock Trial team, Pre-Law Ambassadors, Mortar Board Senior Honorary, Snyder Leadership Legacy Fellows, and the Food Recovery Network. After graduation, she plans to attend law school and has an interest in practicing immigration and human rights law.

Levi Van Hoecke – Levi Van Hoecke is a Senior at Kansas State University studying Economics with an emphasis on Entrepreneurship. Levi enjoys getting coffee with friends, disc golfing, reading classic novels, and going on road trips. He would like to apply his education towards helping nonprofits or ministries with their finances. The easiest way to get Levi talking is to ask for his opinion on The Incredibles II.

Lori Leiszler – Lori is a senior in the Honors program, majoring in secondary education with an emphasis in English/journalism. Previously, she served as the assistant culture editor for the Kansas State Collegian. She grew up on a farm outside Clifton, KS and credits her persistent work ethic and perennial love of learning to her childhood there. She loves deep talks about life, literature, morality, and cows.

Bob Brummett – Bob Brummett is a senior majoring in GWSS along with secondary ed. social studies. He loves the social sciences so much and is interested in getting a degree in one and a degree in how to teach it. His main interests are early feminist movements, education, and history.

Bailey Britton – Bailey is a senior at K-State studying English and journalism. She participates in Mortar Board and the McNair Scholars Program. Previously, she acted as the editor-in-chief for the Kansas State Collegian. In her free time, she likes to play with her dog, travel, spend time with friends, and drink coffee. She also has strong feelings about the Oxford comma.

Kinsley Searles – Kinsley Searles is a junior at K-State majoring in English. She also is pursuing minors in French and leadership studies. Kinsley is originally from Topeka, KS but now calls Manhattan home. In her free time, she likes to read (especially Agatha Christie), play Nintendo games,, and do all types of puzzles. Kinsley is also a LEAD212 Class Leader and does research with the Chapman Center. She is very excited to review submissions from students.

Ashley Elliott – Ashley is a senior at K-State studying history and classical studies while also pursuing a Primary Texts Certificate. On campus she is involved in the Judicial Branch of Student Governing Association and Union Governing Board. Ashley is a member of Greek life as a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She is deeply interested in all things poetic and history related, and in her free time Ashley gardens, paints, and writes. After graduation, she plans to attend graduate school.

Naomi Galindo – Naomi is a senior majoring in French and pursuing a secondary degree in international area studies as well as a minor in history and a Primary Texts Certificate. Naomi is originally from El Dorado, KS. She is also involved in Modern Languages, as she has served as a modern languages ambassador and MLSA president. She loves learning new languages and history, playing video games, reading literature from different countries, traveling, and plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in public service and languages.

Laura Anderson – Laura Anderson is a senior majoring in political science and minoring in communications. She grew up in Overland Park, Kansas. The Primary Texts Certificate Program is one of her favorite parts of K-State. After undergrad she hopes to attend law school. Outside of academics, Laura loves to play the piano, cook, spend time with friends, and watch hockey.

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