Class Quotes
Summer 2016
K-State football has played in 19 bowls in the U.S., and we want to hear about your
favorite bowl experience. Also, tell us if you’ve been to all of them.
We’ve been to them all. We are crazy K-State fans. ... We’ve traveled to every bowl
with the Alumni Association, except for three trips in which we’ve traveled with the
team through the Catbackers. ... There’s something memorable about every single one,
but the Copper Bowl and the Holiday Bowls are probably our favorites.
Dan Bird ’62 and Beth Wilson Bird ’61
Manhattan, Kansas
The K-State vs. University of Oregon 2013 Fiesta Bowl created a mini-crisis of school
loyalty. Before I received my [master’s degree in education] from K-State and lived
in Manhattan for 22 years, I received two degrees from the University of Oregon. Our
daughter, Ally Brooks ’08, created a green and gold T-shirt for me to wear to the
2013 Fiesta Bowl Pep Rally. I noticed lots of challenging stares as I approached the
stadium, but as people read what was on my T-shirt, the hardened looks turned into
amused expressions. What they read was “I bleed purple.”
Hildie Brooks ’89
Chandler, Arizona
We have attended all of the 19 bowls in the U.S. but also attended the unofficial
Coca-Cola bowl in Japan. Sometime before the Independence Bowl, we said if KSU ever
goes to a bowl game we will go. Little did we know how much we had committed to, but
it has been exciting and wonderful to honor our own pledge. ... The Copper Bowl, 2001
Cotton Bowl and 1997 Fiesta Bowl stand out as great experiences.
Sharon Lady Evers ’67 and Richard Evers ’69
St. Joseph, Missouri
After KSU defeated Colorado in 1982, fliers were passed around in the stadium to promote
Independence Bowl attendance. ... I’ve never had so much fun as being wet, frozen
and losing surrounded by the KSU fans in Shreveport!
Dr. Rebecca Durst Twietmeyer ’77
Wichita, Kansas
I had the good fortune to attend the ’97 Fiesta Bowl with my great-aunt Aileen Rundle
Allen. I come from a long line of K-Staters. My aunt Aileen graduated in ’33 with
a [bachelor’s in home economics]. Aileen and I both had a great time cheering the
Wildcats to victory over the Syracuse Orangemen.
Jennie Benson ’80
Highlands Ranch, Colorado
Spring 2016
In five words, describe your K-State experience.
Memories, growth, friendships, education, opportunity
Jarold W. Boettcher ’63
Manhattan, Kansas
Lifetime cherished and heartfelt memories!
Susan Waechter Garcia ’80
Sugar Land, Texas
Best time of my life
Sandy Saragusa Crable ’98
Olathe, Kansas
Exciting. Elevating. Endearing. Energizing. Empowering.
Risto Marttinen ’65
Lexington, Kentucky
Life changing achievement = new career.
Johnna Bradford Flack ’15
Easton, Kansas
Friends became family. Indescribable adventure.
Lana Swendson Barkman ’11, ’13
St. George, Kansas
Best experience, lifelong friends, awesome!
Andy Nelson ’91
Spring Branch, Texas
It always feels like home.
Jane Westhues Von Elling ’83
Lenexa, Kansas
Unforgettable - most enjoyable - lifelong memories.
Larry Corrigan ’64
Overland Park, Kansas
Challenging, hard, fun, enriching and eye-opening
Nancy Venneberg Mattke ’73
Andover, Kansas
Calvin, Union, Kites, Campus, Ahearn
Kevin Sheehan ’85
Wichita, Kansas
My degree got my job.
Stephen Amthauer ’72
Overland Park, Kansas
We gonna win. Purple Pride!
Kay Denton '70
Manhattan, Kansas
The only place I miss
Katie Bryant ’13
The Colony, Texas
Nichols burned. Christmas fire watch.
Darrell Denton '69
Manhattan, Kansas
Hard work = successful career.
Carlton A. Bird ’59
Emporia, Kansas
Feels like home to me.
Megan Grapengater Palen ’11
Scott City, Kansas
Best time of my life!
Dr. Trisha Totman ’87, ’92
Taos, New Mexico
One highlight of my life!
Steve Powell ’82
Loveland, Colorado
Winter 2015
Share a memorable story about registering for class.
I remember going to registration in person and how a patient woman named Alma helped
me when I didn’t have everything I needed. She also made a good suggestion about algebra.
She had so much experience about what worked and what other students had done. It
was an overwhelming process made better by the way she did her job.
-Caron Patterson Osberg ’95
Urbandale, Iowa
August in the “Barn.” Oh, the memories. Picking up my stack of punch cards and walking
out paying $300 for 15 hours. How times have changed.
-Tom Roth ’85, ’97
Clay Center, Kansas
It was so funny trying to explain “pulling cards” for enrollment to my kids when they
were at K-State in the 2000s. They just didn’t understand it.
-Valeria Marrs Edwards ’75, ’76
Olathe, Kansas
It was a little hectic, but I just kept looking around, soaking in that, in a few
short months, I would be back in that rocking “Barn” cheering on Mike Evans, Larry
Dassie, Rolando Blackman ’81, etc.
-Craig Null ’77
Independence, Kansas
I remember it well. Classes, Royal Purple and football tickets — those lines, but
they always seemed to keep moving. I found my receipt for my first semester: $158
for one semester of classes and $300 for the dorm.
-Ron Wellington ’80
Manhattan, Kansas
Always hotter than all get out! And the lines!
-Dr. Dana Petersen ’95, ’97
Laramie, Wyoming
I was a 17-year-old freshman the fall of 1960, when enrollment involved lining up
outside the southeast door of Ahearn Field House to enter in groups. Once inside we
moved like cattle through mazes of ropes to find faculty members handing out computer
cards for their classes.
When I ended up at the north exit, cards in hand to check out, the woman said, “That
will be $104 for tuition.” I was shocked. Assuming my parents had taken care of my
bills, I had no cash, checkbook or credit card. It was before cellphones. She told
me to step out of the line. While standing there in embarrassment, I was relieved
to see Jim Mottin ’64, my Highland Park High School classmate from Topeka, coming
through behind me. I told him my predicament, and he whipped out his checkbook and
paid for my tuition on the spot. I am sure I paid him back. After all these years
I don’t remember. Jim, did I?
-Louanne Theilmann Isernhagen ’64
Littleton, Colorado
Fall 2015
Share one of your favorite memories of K-State's Homecoming.
I was a member of the 1990 class of Blue Key Leadership Honorary, which was the last
group of Blue Keyers to plan, coordinate and carry out all aspects of Homecoming.
We were introduced on the field during halftime of the football game in a driving
rainstorm, where the water bouncing off the artificial turf filled our dress shoes.
We spent the next day with buckets and rags, cleaning windows of businesses all over
town that allowed us space for a window-decorating contest. Those are two favorite
memories because of the great people with whom I shared in the misery!
-Jeffrey Bates ’91, ’97
Beloit, Kansas
At Edwards Hall in the mid-‘80s, it was always fun getting together after classes
to work on our floats. Everyone pitched in, whether you were designing, building or
poking tissue paper into chicken wire. Then the morning of gameday it was the big
Homecoming parade from downtown Manhattan through Aggieville. Sadly, “Eddy’s” is no
more, but the memories live on.
-Dr. Patty Standfast-Ungles ’85, ’87
Chanute, Kansas
So my favorite homecoming memory was the football season after I graduated. It was
my first year working with the athletics department. My little brother came out to
his first K-State football game ever vs. West Virginia. The game was on his birthday
and I got him surprise field passes. It was what I called "the perfect K-State weekend"
because it started with the Homecoming Parade, we then went to basketball's Madness
in Manhattan (Dave got his photo with Thomas Gipson, a huge deal to him), tailgating,
field passes, a Wildcat victory, then that Sunday there was the first WBB game of
the year so we went to that too.
Best. Homecoming. Week. Ever. (Especially for a 9-year-old Wildcat fanatic.)
-Kelly McHugh ’13
Manhattan, Kansas
I loved homecoming because of all the Greek events. But I don't think I ever made
it to the game.
-Jenna Streff Coates ’11
Topeka, Kansas
I remember the Y-O skit presentations – the Greek houses would compete for the most
off-the-wall skit. At Christmas break, our group (Sig Ep) would meet in KC to cook
up a script, take in the Big Eight basketball tournament, and engage in other forms
of debauchery. The Meuhlbach Hotel was our base of operations. Pretty fancy digs for
a bunch of college kids!
-Steve Hummel ’68
Manhattan, Kansas
Summer 2015
What do you remember most about your first college room or apartment at K-State?
I lived in the new Plaza West apartments out by CiCo Park. My roommate was not only
my closest friend at K-State but became my lifetime dearest friend! The K-State experience
is unbeatable!
-Joyce Reid ’76
Lebanon, Kansas
In September 1963, I drove from our farm in Lawrence to the gravel parking lot across
the street from the K-State football stadium. It was my first look at West Stadium
Hall, my new home. I climbed the steps to Room 211, where I met my freshman roommates,
Harvey from New York, and the twins from western Kansas, Ken and Jim. There were bunk
beds on each side of the door and four desks. It was noisy and congested, but it was
all my parents could afford. I was the only roommate to become a sophomore the following
year.
-Stan Husted ’67, ’69
Danville, California
Very cold floor since my room was on the second floor over an open arch in West Stadium
Hall. Clothes closet was across the narrow hall. Two bunk beds slept four people to
a room with two shared desks.
-Samuel Beckman ’67
Osage Beach, Missouri
Smurthwaite housed only 64 gals. There were four people in each room, but it did not
feel crowded, because there was a divider in the middle of the room, which doubled
as our four desks, back to back, two on each side, with two bunk beds, dressers and
closets on each side. At the opposite end of the room from the doorway was a nice
window and a window seat, which we shared. There was one telephone at the end of the
hall, and anytime the phone rang, we all craned our ears to find out who it was for.
-Alice Seybert Montemurro ’68
Lake Delton, Wisconsin
After I returned from Vietnam (U.S. Army) I went to JCCC [Johnson County Community
College] for a year then transferred to K-State. I had all of the “group living” I
could handle for a while! I knew I could cook better for myself than I received from
the Army. I rented an apartment at 1521 Leavenworth from Sevekal Master ’72. He and
his family were great people. I would walk to Calvin Hall (business major) or ride
my 10-speed. I had some other great guys renting apartments in the same house: Brad
Dietz, Dave and Dan Groff and Doug Pederson . It was a great time and I loved being
at K-State!
-Retired Lt. Col. Larry McCarthy ’76
Overland Park, Kansas
Room 122 in Van Zile Hall was my home for three of my four years at K-State. Gloria
Johnston White was my roommate for two and a half of those years. We bought matching
bedspreads and a plastic drape for the window and began a lifelong friendship.
-Eleanor Herr Miller ’54, ’59
Topeka, Kansas
My first room at K-State was in Van Zile Hall and was to house two students but we
had three of us in the room because of lack of housing for students. A little crowded,
but we managed somehow. The most memorial event was watching the "The Barn"/Auditorium
burn from our window.
-Sharon Blasdel Jordan ’66
Glen Elder, Kansas
My roommate and I had to put aluminum foil on the TV antennas to be able to get the
only channel available to us – channel 13 from Topeka. And we were grateful for that
because The Young and Restless was on that station, and no self-respecting 18-year-old
dorm resident missed The Y&R. At 11 every morning the Y&R music could be heard on
every floor in Ford; at 11:29, there was mass exodus to Derby for lunch. When our
children started at K-State many years later, they had to choose which cable package
they wanted and could DVR whatever they chose.
-Shari Jackson VanLerberg ’77
Shawnee, Kansas
Matt Warner walking on his slack line outside of my window in Boyd Hall
-Michaela Muck ’08
College Station, Texas
The paint was institutional lime green, phone in the room and not a lot of storage.
The first few weeks everyone met each other in the bathroom and then the room doors
opened to new friends.
-Sharon Bairow-Riffey’77
Wamego, Kansas
My roommate and I shared the tiniest room in Putnam Hall our freshman year. I do mean
really tiny. Way too many people would pack into this space for good times. It might
have had to do with all the nonperishable food my grandfather would keep us stocked
up on. Canned Vienna sausages were a favorite. My closet was more a pantry than storage
for clothes. A wonderful memory.
-Carmaline Carmony Spurrier ’75
Deerfield, Illinois
All of my college housing was in the basement of various residents of Manhattan. My
landlady for the first two years was Dr. Mary Harman of the Zoology Department. She
cleared one shelf of her refrigerator for me to keep food and I cooked on an electric
hot plate in my room. When the weather became cool, mice came inside for the winter.
I never did tell her about the mouse that died in the mattress where I slept.
-Ida Harlene Bower Buchanan ‘51
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Returning veterans swelled the 5,000 plus student enrollment and private homes were
arranged when I enrolled at K-State in 1948. I was assigned a house on Poyntz with
five other women. Walking to the campus or carrying groceries across the park in all
kinds of weather was brutal.
Fate was kindly prompt and a room at Van Zile Hall became available for the spring
semester. I remember the stately building, lovely living room and sweep of windows
in the dining area where we could see the college from in the distance, and my silver
spoon with Van Zile engraved on it when I graduated, and the two Oscars I won for
acting, and a fighter pilot I met and married.
-Julia Ruth Henry Bogart ‘52
Wichita, KS
Spring 2015
What do you miss most about K-State?
I miss crossing campus in the evenings on my way to and from the Library. Never did
the campus look lovelier than in the moonlight with either fallen leaves or falling
snowflakes! Never was studying more rewarding!
- Gale West '79
Levis, Québec, Canada
Walking through campus on a cool crisp fall day, smelling the leaves and running into
friends at the Union.
- Heather Stewart Hall ’90
Kansas City, Missouri
Old limestone, creaky wooden floors, hidey-holes in Seaton and Fairchild, tree-lined
walks, the smell of the stacks.
- Sonya Wimmer Gaches ’85
Tempe, Arizona
Standing in line to get a good seat at Ahearn, campus in the fall, Vern's Donuts,
watching soaps in the little corner of the Union (no DVR to record back then).
- Ann Collins Schoen ’76, ’90
Downs, Kansas
The Rose Garden and campus walks at night.
- Jeff Reinert ’71, ’90
Garden City, Kansas
Winter 2014
What, if anything, would you do differently if you could revisit your college days?
I would not have done anything differently. I enjoyed my time at K-State because it
gave me the foundation I needed and friends for a lifetime!
-Stacy Yeager Huddleston ’98
Kansas City, Kansas
I wouldn't do a lot different, but I would have had a completely different attitude.
Instead of focusing on the moment I could leave Kansas State and get on with my life,
I would have enjoyed the moments of being a student.
-Kevin Mark ’79, ’82
Midvale, Utah
Maybe studied a little more my freshman year. Other than that I wouldn’t change a
thing. I was very lucky and landed at Bessie B. West, 4-B and have wonderful friends
for life!
-Carolyn Thompson Van Petten ’76
St. Paul, Minnesota
I'd probably play a little less bridge and study a little more!
-Martha Finney Bross ’58
Independence, Kansas
Taken time to appreciate every day a little more ... every class a little more ...
gotten more involved. Even so, K-State changed my life, and I will always be thankful!
-Stephani Johns-Hines ’91
Derby, Kansas
I worked hard on my courses [but] could have worked more on calculus, engineering
and physics. No excuses — quite happy with post-KSU career.
-Carl Eisenhauer ’78
Chesterfield, Missouri
Go to more games! Spent so much time in Seaton Hall.
-Jennifer Yard ’98
San Antonio, Texas
Buy football season tickets assuming this time I go back with some money in my pocket.
Go Wildcats.
-Vinit Gupta ’02
Little Rock, Arkansas
I would have tried out for the rowing team. But I am so appreciative of the mentors
I had, the lifetime friends I made and what I learned that has carried me through
to this day.
-Susan E. Hill Williams ’79
Sagamore Hills, Ohio
I would have gotten more involved with groups.
-Wanda Esping ’81,’82
Rock Island, Illinois
Fall 2014
What gameday ritual do you have?
I have to get my car washed on my way to the game. While it's getting washed I'll
crank the music up and really get focused on the game. It's one of many gameday superstitions,
but probably the most important. That applies to all football games, home and away
(I have washed rental cars and washed mine before going to a buddy’s house to watch
the game), but I will wash it before big games in any sport, so there have been pregame
car washes before men’s and women’s basketball, baseball and volleyball.
-Nate Warren ’11
Ruston, Louisiana
K-State Fight Song, Wabash Cannonball.
-Jeff Reinert ’71, ’90
Garden City, Kansas
Walking from Laramie all the way to the Bill [Snyder Family Stadium] with my friends
and stopping at other friends’ houses on the way. Best times ever.
-Katie Lenhausen Huckabee ’12
Kansas City, Kansas
I have to be in my seat at least 45 minutes before kickoff.
-Greg Mann ’75
Norton, Kansas
At each home football game, 30 to 60 friends and family members gather to celebrate
birthdays, the reuniting of old friendships, births of new fourth-generation future
Wildcats and, of course, to cheer on the ’Cats! The KSU Cat Family email goes out
the week prior with the meal theme. We have a small but quaint little bus and a generator,
Crock-Pots, grills and a picnic table make us tailgate worthy! From lasagna to enchiladas,
chili soup to baked potatoes with toppers, or burgers/brats, we come to celebrate
our love of the KSU family!
-Vickie Mumma James ’76 and John James ’75, ’76
Dighton, Kansas
Summer 2014
What was your favorite place to eat on campus or in town?
The Student Inn, which was off campus. As a “poor” engineering student attending college,
this place was a blessing! I could afford a week of healthy meals and still afford
to go to college. A couple who lived near Aggieville ran it out of their basement.
Only students could eat there, and student workers prepared the food. I ate every
weekday meal there for four years (1959-1964). Food: One serving of meat, all the
vegetables and bread you could eat. Cost: $10 for 15 meals — three per day, five days
a week.
-Marlin D. Breer
Wichita, Kan.
The Little Grill. It's not technically "in town," but the food is always excellent,
and sometimes they even have live music.
-Jenny Robertson ’08
Manhattan, Kan.
Renyards West (site of current McDonald's). Great sandwiches and even better selection
of about a dozen homemade pies!
-Steven Fisher ’71, ’77
Manhattan, Kan.
Hibachi Hut was the best when we were in school!
-Sharon Musil Foust ’81
Minneapolis, Kan.
My husband and I used to LOVE to go to a little "mom-and-pop" sub shop on Seth Child
called Subs and Such. Best subs and the friendliest couple.
-Amy Waldman Brooks ’91
Quinter, Kan.
Hibachi Hut without a doubt. The Ice Cream Social in the new Westloop mall was tasty,
too. Oh, the good ol’ days!
-Jeff Stephens ’82
Pittsburg, Kan.
I was fond of eating in the Student Union cafeteria and Scheu's Café on Poyntz Avenue,
which closed before I graduated.
-James Kent ’72, ’73
Duncanville, Texas
Spring 2014
How do you decorate your home, office, vehicle, etc., to show your K-State spirit?
My son, Carter Olson, is a junior in marketing and works for K-State Athletics in
the fan experience and sales division. Recently, my husband and I purchased a rental
home where he and some of his friends live. I painted the dining room purple and wallpapered
it with posters for all the athletic teams, copies of Powercat Illustrated, old and
new pictures of Aggieville and several K-Stater covers and articles covering a variety
of topics, including the timeline of K-State’s 150 years from the spring 2013 magazine.
I received my bachelor’s degree in fine arts from K-State in 1983 and feel it’s important
to have all areas of college life covered. When the room is totally done I may name
it “The State Room” when I sign it.
-Chris Exline Olson ’83
Wamego, Kan.
My classroom at Central Plains Middle School in Bushton, Kan., has a definite K- State
theme. I have collected and displayed this assortment for many years, and it has moved
with me every time I have changed classrooms!
-Susan Luebbers Weber ’74
Hoisington, Kan.
When I finished our basement in our home, my wife suggested I make the downstairs
bathroom a KSU theme. She supplied a K-State shower curtain, purple embroidered bath
towels, purpled floor mats, purple soap dispenser, cups, and banner. Our foreign exchange
student got in the act by supplying a KSU toilet seat. Later came border trim around
the edges.
The project grew into the main room of the downstairs with a magnetic dart board,
stuffed K-State animals, a blanket throw with many souvenir cups and glasses over
the years. Next to our desk is a 1997 KSU basketball poster that shows us setting
in the stands in our purple behind then KSU basketball coach Tom Asbury pacing the
sidelines.
-Don DeWerff ’76, ’90
Lyons, Kan.
Winter 2013
What has been the biggest change at K-State since you were a student?
Technology is the change that has benefited students most. The students no longer
have to stand in line to pull punched computer cards for each class during enrollment.
They no longer have long nights waiting for an available key punch machine to make
changes to their decks of program code. They no longer have to expose their “nerdiness”
with a 12-inch slide rule clipped to their belts on the way to a physics exam. Not
having to make collect calls to your parents on a rotary phone in a booth down the
hall is a plus, also.
-Don Daniels ’74
Topeka, Kan.
Everything! 2,000 students – we all said “hi” and made friends. Campus was a short
hike from one building to the next. Enrollment fee was $50 a semester. We worked for
board and room. Football games – we never won! Girls wore hat and gloves to cheer
from the stands. Professors knew us and were friendly advisers anytime. President
Eisenhower called us by first name (even though we picketed him!) Only basketball
hasn’t changed – we won!
-Margaret Pixley James ’48
Liberty, Mo.
Recently, my husband and I visited the campus and I was amazed at how tall and big
the trees were, compared to when I was a student at K-State in the mid to late ’70s.
Apparently, they have been well cared for by K-State's horticulture department/grounds
keepers.
-Michele Cochran Reese ’79
Auburn, Kan.
There is so much more technology today. When I started at K-State, I was the oddball
with my own computer and cellphone. I didn't have email or Internet access until my
junior year, and that was through a dial-up modem! I could only dream of somehow sending
a message to my sorority sisters to get a ride home from campus. Today's students
can use text, tweet, Snapchat and I'm sure other tools I haven't found yet.
-Janelle Seck Dana ’96
Overland Park, Kan.
FUN football games because of the GAME!
-Paula Swann ’87
McKinney, Texas
It’s hard not to associate K-State with the city of Manhattan, which to me has seen
the biggest change. Manhattan’s transformation from sleepy college town to robust
regional center of economic activity has been remarkable. The influx of national brands,
downtown’s revitalization, jet service at Manhattan Regional Airport and the K-18
expansion has increased Manhattan’s visibility in the state to levels I thought unimaginable
a decade ago. And this doesn’t take into account changes at the university, which
are also remarkable, including NBAF, Bill Snyder Family Stadium, K-State Student Union
parking garage and the updating of Jardine Apartments and other off-campus housing.
-Mike Shepherd ’01
Wichita, Kan.
As an English major for both degrees, I was in Denison often. My first office as a
grad student was in Denison, as well. I know the library has beautiful landscaping
where Denison used to be and I love walking there. For sentimental reasons, I do miss
Denison, however.
-Carol Russell ’90, ’02
Abilene, Kan.
Bill Snyder for certain, and the enthusiasm for football! The parking lot south of
the Union! I believe every new building (Alumni Association, for sure!) has been planned
to fit and enhance the beauty of the campus. EMAW! Could not be more proud!
-Nancy Giesch Ingram ’76
Olathe, Kan.
The expansion of the buildings on campus and of course the use of technology. I worked
as a student aid in the computing center in the basement of the Physical Science building,
where only those authorized and wearing protective shoe covering, etc., to enter the
room that contained the main frame that did not have the capacity of the laptop I
am using now! Going back to get my master's in 2000-2001 was sure different just as
it is today.
-Shirley Ford Symns ’69, ’01
Atchison, Kan.
The biggest change since I was a student is definitely the upgrade to the West Stadium
Center at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. I took part in a few football games there while
I was a student, and my dream is to take my daughter to watch K-State football there
before she is a Wildcat herself!
-Jennifer Toews Conner ’09
Wagoner, Okla.
The way students dress to attend class and events in this day and age! When I was
on campus the girls wore dresses and the guys were always dressed in nice jeans/slacks
and shirts tucked in!
-Sondra Dorsch Bracelin ’66
St. Francis, Kan.
Football games -- attendance, wins and the display of purple pride! When I was at
K-State we cheered like we had won the game if we got a first down. But we still went
to games!
-Cindy Sommer Martens ’79
Overland Park, Kan.
Since 1980? Me! But I love the new/old library. Great job, K-State.
-Kathy Gromer ’80, ’81
St. Paul, Minn.
The changes from the old Farrell library.
-Victor Moss ’71
Poplar Bluff, Mo.
Attitude is the biggest change I see at K-State since my undergraduate days. The years
between 1961 and 1966 were pretty lean as far as football game victories go. In those
days we expected the team to do their best but we were pretty used to coming in second.
Now all that has changed. We expect our Wildcats to win and most often are surprised
when they don’t. The one this that has not changed is Manhattan. It still is a beautiful
city and I always look forward to my trips back to K-State and the Little Apple.
-Mike Dumiak ’66
Sumter, South Carolina
Fall 2013
What do you remember most about your first day on campus?
My K-State career had a not-exactly-auspicious start in late August 1978: I broke
my right ankle playing one-on-one pickup basketball at Ahearn Field House, which meant
I couldn’t drive, couldn’t work and had to rely on friends to take me to and from
campus. However, three good things resulted: my basketball opponent didn’t score on
me; I learned firsthand how kind and generous K-Staters are; and because I could do
nothing but study, I compiled a 3.5 grade point average for the semester. It was a
blessed break.
-Raymond “Ray” Schaefer ’82
Maysville, Ky.
My roommate (a high school friend) and I were standing in front of Nichols Gym wondering
why our schedules showed this as the location for our water safety class. Nichols
was still a shell in 1973 and the storm cellar doors were overgrown with ivy. My dad
(Charles Rathert ’54) had sat in the rafters at Nichols for basketball games. I knew
the history. Some young man finally redirected us to the natatorium. We missed the
first day of class.
-Susan Rathert-Todd ’77, ’10
Manhattan, Kan.
Learning my social security number.
-Ann Woodyard ’82, ’10
Athens, Ga.
I remember thinking, “Yikes! This place is big! I hope I don’t get lost! Please, God,
just get me from Ford to McCain without making a fool of myself.”
-Kristi Baker ’79, ’84
Topeka, Kan.
Standing in line, in the August heat, in Ahearn, waiting to get my schedule. Suddenly
the horizontal stripes on the guy in front of me started waving up and down. It was
so hot that I fainted. I received all kinds of special attention and a ride back to
the dorm from campus police.
-Tara McDonald Schmanke ’85
Alma, Kan.
I met my husband sitting on the front porch of Ford Hall on my first day on campus.
We have been married 43 years! Terrie Gettino Shawnee, Kan. I remember getting out
my map to figure out where I was going. I realized later how comical that probably
looked to upperclassmen. I also remember thinking there were a lot of people on campus
(and I graduated from high school with 600 people in my class) and wondering what
people from small high schools were thinking.
-Kim Myles Burchstead ’81
Overland Park, Kan.
What I remember most about my first day on campus is walking into the band room in
McCain on the first day of Band Camp ... I sat next to Drew (now my husband), and
we had a memorable conversation about names, before Dr. Tracz got into the music and
marching – oh, and it was SO hot! Drew was the first person I met at K-State and we
shared our entire college experience together! Here we are 10 years later ... We just
celebrated our fifth anniversary and have two beautiful children. K-State definitely
holds a special place in our hearts!
-Stacy Velleca ’08
Olathe, Kan.
Summer 2013
What was the best piece of advice you received at K-State?
Best advice came in classes in both journalism and then the Institute of Citizenship.
It was "Question authority!"— and I deeply hope it's still being taught.
-Ann Thackrey Berry '51
Raleigh, N.C.
"To be early is to be on time. To be on time is to be late. To be late is to be left."
- Frank Tracz before any band trip we ever took!
-Katie Eads Bussard '08
Manhattan, Kan.
There are no calories in a cup of coffee.
-Rena Hartzler Armatas '53
La Quinta, Calif.
Study abroad! Now I live in Prague, have a Czech wife, a little boy and am expecting
another. I also travel around Europe for work and go to the Alps to ski, along with
supporting the ’Cats from across the pond!
-Clint Meyer '06
Prague, Czech Republic
Going to school is the easiest thing you will ever do.
-Greg Mann '75
Norton, Kan.
Ruth Hoeflin, my K-State advisor, encouraged me to finish my MS. Barry Finchbaugh
advised me to purchase a section of pasture land. I took both suggestions. No regrets!
Best advice for my life.
-Gayla S. Peacock-Moeckel ’78
Sylvia, Kan.
The best advice I received at K-State came from long time Voice of the Wildcats Dev
Nelson, who in my freshman year of broadcasting from Ahearn Field House told me that
the radio sports listener wants to hear only three things: the score, time and position
of the ball on the court or field. Anything else is needless fluff. I have used it
on every sports play-by-play game during my career for the last 47 years.
-Bill Stallard '70
Wamego, Kansas
You are going to work your entire life, there's no need to rush through school only
to start working a year early.
-DeeAnn Turpin '13
Leavenworth, Kan.
Spring 2013
What is your favorite K-State tradition?
In August, Willie the Wildcat and the K-State Marching Band would perform in Aggieville.
This was the mark of band camp ending and a new school year beginning. So much anticipation,
enthusiasm, pride in the air.
-Mardell Maxwell ’09
Lincoln, Neb.
Jogging on the K-State campus.
-Dolores Marroquin ’91, ’92
Manhattan, Kan.
I was in the marching band throughout college. Playing the Wabash Cannonball during
the football pre-game was such a memorable experience because you were on the field
watching the crowd’s excited reaction to such a great K-State tradition. It was wild!
-Dana Avery ’12
Topeka, Kan.
My roommate and friends from West Hall would dress up on Sunday for church and then
eat in the Gold Room at the Derby Dining Center.
-Lisa Ann Nobert Sjogren ’86 ’92
El Dorado, Kansas
Going to Swannies for a backdoor doughnut run, and taking a study break at Vista for
a cup of french fries and a malt.
-Terry Chartier ’86
Ottawa, Kan.
The spring bed races — I loved decorating the metal bed frames and having the race
through the streets of the campus with people being pushed and the crowd yelling their
support.
-Ginny Campbell ’75
Leawood, Kan.
The mini loaves in the Union. It may not seem like a tradition, but when you’re from
as far away as I am, that daily dose of bread was how I knew I was on campus. I have
yet to meet anyone from any other university that has those blessed loaves!
-Tressa Rae Heffronn ’01
Athens, Pa.
I liked the whistle that was at the power plant. You could hear it all over town.
In the days before ubiquitous clocks, it announced the hour at 8 a.m., noon and 5
p.m. (if I remember right). Some of the barracks residents across the street — this
was a really long time ago, before Jardine Apartments were built — complained about
the noise and the university shut it down. Big mistake.
-Diane Dufva Quantic ’62, ’66, ’71
Derby, Kan.
Chanting “K-S-U Wildcats” after a Wildcat touchdown!
-Jenny Shepherd Crosse ’01
Wichita, Kan.
The Kansas State Rodeo!
-Karla Johnson ’00
Manhattan, Kan.