2016-2022

Coming home to Kansas, K-State’s second alumnus president became its oldest to take the position. Richard B. Myers ’65 earned his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from K-State in 1965 and a master’s degree in business administration from Auburn University in 1977. From 2001 to 2005, he served as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and was later awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Myers joined the Air Force in 1965 through K-State’s ROTC program. Myers was the 1990 Alumni Fellow for K-State’s College of Engineering, had previously served as chairman of the Kansas State University Foundation’s board of trustees, was an ex officio member of the KSU Foundation board of directors and was a standing director on the K-State Alumni Association board of directors in 2014-2015. Myers occasionally teaches various courses, and K-State’s military science building bears his name.

Myers and his wife, Mary Jo Rupp Myers ’64, have strongly supported the university throughout their lives, through service, leadership and volunteer work. After being named president, the couple promised to continue their partnership in service to K-State.