This has been a big year for the K-State Alumni Association. For 150 years, we’ve advocated for and served K-Staters worldwide, as well as the university.
Alumni Center helps Ag Econ department engage with community through events
As part of its mission, for teaching and extension, K-State’s Department of Agricultural Economics hosts conferences around the state of Kansas to help the agriculture industry connect with university researchers, students and others in the profession. Rich Llewelyn ’84, ’88, ’95, an extension assistant in the Ag Econ department, is responsible for organizing these extension conferences across the state of Kansas. For Llewelyn, there isn’t a better place to host these meetings than the K-State Alumni Center.
K-State supporter has traveled to every single bowl game with the Alumni Association
Sharon Lady Evers ’67 has been to all 25 of K-State’s bowl games along with her husband Richard ’69. Each time they traveled with the K-State Alumni Association. “It’s just fun to be with them,” she said. "They take good care of us.”
A history of Wildcat pride: 2024 K-State Homecoming recap
We celebrated the many years of K-State pride through this year’s Homecoming theme: Then. Now. Forever., which also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the K-State Alumni Association and our status as the keepers of tradition.
Will Kirk learned lifelong lessons serving as a K-State Student Ambassador
It’s been 40 years since Will Kirk ’86 was elected to serve as a K-State Student Ambassador. He almost didn’t apply. But then an ad in the Kansas State Collegian piqued his curiosity.
Photo gallery: Food, fun and purple pride at the K-State Alumni Association’s 150th anniversary celebration
There was plenty to celebrate in Manhattan on the last weekend in September. The weather was beautiful and sunny. The ’Cats defeated Oklahoma State 42-20 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. And the K-State Alumni Association celebrated its 150th anniversary with a purple pride filled party at the K-State Alumni Center and on the field at World War I Memorial Stadium.
Longtime board member Curt Frasier supports Alumni Association for love of the institution
Each time the K-State Alumni Association approached Curt Frasier ’73 with an ask, it has been met with a yes. Not only a yes, but an enthusiastic yes.
Community invited to K-State Alumni Association’s 150th celebration — guest appearances
from Coach Tang and Willie the Wildcat
The K-State Alumni Association is throwing a party to celebrate its 150th anniversary on Sept. 27. This family-friendly event is open to the community and free to attend.
150 years of connecting Wildcats: K-State Alumni Association historical timeline
1874: A meeting of Kansas State Agricultural College graduates takes place June 24 at Manhattan’s First Presbyterian Church to form what will become the K-State Alumni Association.
K-State professor has stayed engaged with Alumni Association through awards and participation in programming
Lisa Wilken ’03 is well regarded for her teaching style.
Throughout her career at K-State, Wilken has been dedicated to enhancing the educational
experience of students by facilitating student success as an academic, career and
research adviser; integrating high impact learning activities and innovative teaching
strategies; developing strong relationships with students within and beyond the classroom;
and actively serving her department, the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering, and K-State.
Longest tenured Alumni Association staff member recalls how times have changed, yet the goals stayed the same
With more than 35 years of experience, Jeanine Lake, senior director of information services, has seen the K-State Alumni Association grow and change into one of the leading alumni associations in the country.
Celebrate our 150th Anniversary with K-State trivia – plus a chance to win prizes!
Show how much you know about your K-State Alumni Association as we celebrate our 150th Anniversary in 2024! Plus, for all those who complete the quiz, we'll randomly select three winners to receive a prize package. Note: Quiz must be completed by Friday, Aug. 23, to be eligible for the prize drawing.
Dorothy Nelligan '47 still spreading purple pride at 105
As the K-State Alumni Association celebrates its 150th anniversary, we’re highlighting Dorothy Nelligan '47, one of our loyal Alumni Association members. She proudly spreads her purple pride for her alma mater, and we recently asked her to share some of her favorite K-State traditions and memories.
K-State shaped young storyteller now back on campus to write university’s story
Rafael Garcia ’19 is the son of immigrants. He came to K-State as a first-generation college student, not knowing much about the college experience, but here he found community in a variety of ways.
K-Stater recalls being honored as an Alumni Fellow
Cheryl Hewitt ’69 often tells people if she could relive any part of her life, it
would be her time at K-State.
“As I've gotten older, I've appreciated it even more,” she said.
Telling K-State stories
At the K-State Alumni Association, one of our favorite things to do is telling stories. In 2024, we’re celebrating our 150th anniversary, and in honor of that, we’re inviting you to share your own stories from your K-State history.
Read now!
Tulsa Cats leader was instrumental in launching the Oklahoma K-State license plate
On the roads of Oklahoma, Herb Whitney ’63 is easy to spot. Whitney’s vehicles sport the Oklahoma K-State license plates numbered 0008, 0009 and 0010.
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Former Alumni Association executive director reflects on organization’s transformation
Larry Weigel ’68, ’69 has worn plenty of K-State hats over the years.
First as a student-athlete playing basketball for legendary coach Tex Winter. Next
as a coach working as a graduate assistant for Winter and, later, on the coaching
staff for Cotton Fitzsimmons and Jack Hartman.
Read now!
Then. Now. Forever. The K-State Alumni Association is here to serve
Some things have changed since the K-State Alumni Association was formed in 1874. But at its heart the Association still calls back to its roots of maintaining connections with alumni and friends to the university.
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Be a part of 150 years of alumni history with a K-State Alumni Center paver
One of the ways our K-State Alumni Center helps share stories and traditions is through the Paver program. Over the years, K-Staters have had opportunities to honor a special occasion or pay tribute to a loved one through these dark gray slate pavers lining the Alumni Center. Each paver symbolizes a lasting tribute to a K-State legacy — and only a few slots remain.
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Marc and Jana Elkins have deep K-State roots, pay it forward through Wabash CannonBall
Marc ’79 and Jana ’78 Elkins are strong supporters of K-State, the Alumni Association
and the Wabash CannonBall Kansas City.
“The original inspiration for the Wabash was to create an event that was fun, that
would give an opportunity for K-State alumni to get together and just have a good
time,” Marc said.
Read now!
At K-State throwback: K-State grad celebrates International connections
For a number of years, the Alumni Association’s At K-State newsletter has been helping to share alumni stories. In honor of our 150th celebration in 2024, we’re resharing this story pulled from the At K-State archive a decade ago, in 2014.
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Alumni Profile: Cameron Banning '14
Alumni Club leader shares memories of good times in ‘EMAWstin’
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Alumni Profile: Tim Lindemuth '77
Longtime K-Stater editor recalls fond memories telling stories of alumni and the university
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150 Years of Fun Facts; Past K-State Alumni Association Presidents
Ever wonder what it takes to reach 150 years of success? Read about the nine K-State Alumni Association presidents past and present and what made them unique leaders. The Alumni Association is rich in history but it’s also full of fun and exciting facts!
Read now!
Photo Recap: Happy Hour for K-State Faculty and Staff
The K-State Alumni Association proudly celebrates its 150th anniversary. To commemorate the special occasion the Alumni Association hosted a faculty and staff happy hour to honor this historic milestone.
View photos from the celebration.
Our Story
It was commencement week at Kansas State Agricultural College. Against the wishes
of President John Anderson, alumni of the school met at Manhattan’s Presbyterian Church
on Wednesday, June 24, 1874. The meeting established the Alumni Association of Kansas
State Agricultural College. Records indicate a large crowd was in attendance and a
gift presentation of silver items were given to Joseph Denison, the college’s first
president.
“There was the best feeling throughout the evening,” a correspondent wrote in the
Nationalist, a local paper at the time. “The music was good, especially the genuine College song.”
Thus begins our history.
View photos over the years
