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!
Clifton J. Stratton, 1911
Executive secretary - 1920 – 1922
During World War I, Stratton served as a first lieutenant of infantry and spent most of 1918-1919 in France. He continued after the war with the National Guard until 1934 and by that time had achieved the rank of major and was made inspector general.
Stratton was the author of a column, "Clif Stratton Writes," which appeared in The Daily Capital for more than 30 years.
Oley W. Weaver, 1911
Executive secretary - 1922 – 1924
Under Weaver's administration a directory of alumni was prepared and then issued in February 1923. Record-keeping has long been an important role of the K-State Alumni Association.
Weaver was also employed by the ad department of the Daily Eagle in Wichita, Kansas, and worked in the newspaper business in Wyoming.
Ralph L. Foster, 1922, 1927
Executive secretary - 1924 – 1928
Foster worked to promote the sale of life memberships, and thus improving the financial basis of the Alumni Association. During his time, he also made a plan for a reunion of each class at five-year intervals from the year of graduation.
Kenney L. Ford, 1924
Executive secretary - 1928 – 1961
During his time as executive secretary Ford took extended trips covering much of the United States for the purpose of meeting groups of alumni and stimulating their interest in K-State.
The completion of Ford Hall was named in his honor in 1967 as part of the Derby Complex.
Dean Hess, '50
Director of alumni relations - 1961 – 1978
Before Hess’ position with the K-State Alumni Association he was an area representative for a Denver lumber firm.
During his time his position title was changed from executive secretary to director of alumni relations.
Larry Weigel, '68, '69
Executive director - 1978 – 1988
Weigel's first introduction to K-State came in the form of an athletic scholarship from head basketball coach Fred "Tex" Winter in the fall of 1962. Following graduation, he coached under three head basketball coaches: Winter, Cotton Fitzsimmons and Jack Hartman.
Larry and his wife, Kay Weigel ’66, ‘79 understood the importance of supporting future generations of K-Staters and decided to endow a scholarship for students in Ellis County to attend K-State.
Fred Thibodeau, '74
President - 1988 – 1994
Before joining the K-State Alumni Association as president, Thibodeau was director of development and alumni relations at Thomas College in Waterville, Maine. He had worked for several years in alumni relations, public relations and fundraising at both Thomas College and Baker University in Baldwin City, Kansas.
He earned a bachelor's degree in English and secondary education from K-State in 1974. Thibodeau also received a Master of Divinity from the St. Paul School of Theology.
Amy Button Renz, '76, '86
President and CEO - 1994 – 2023
Button Renz began her career with the Alumni Association in 1977. She was named president and CEO in 1994, becoming the first female alumni director in the Big Eight and later the Big 12 conference.
Button Renz was instrumental in the creation of many programming efforts including the Student Alumni Board and the K-State Student Ambassadors. She served as the lead fundraiser for the Alumni Center building campaign. The $12.7 million facility was dedicated in October 2002. Additionally, she chaired search committees that brought several administrators to K-State: two athletic directors, John Currie and Gene Taylor, respectively, and vice president for student life and dean of students, Thomas Lane.
Under her leadership the Alumni Association raised more than $6 million for student scholarships and recognition through the K-State Licenses Plate program. Since 1996, the program expanded to include four states. Additionally, during her leadership the Alumni Association raised more than $3.7 million for student scholarships through Wabash CannonBall galas in Kansas City, North Texas, Houston and Colorado.
Dr. Adam Walker, ’04, ’09
President and CEO - 2023 – present
Walker, a former student-athlete, was a member of the K-State track and field team. His career culminated with a second-place finish in the weight throw at the Big 12 championships his senior year.
Walker became president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association in July of 2023.
Walker previously held administrative, teaching and fundraising roles at the University of Memphis and the University of Central Florida. Additionally, he has worked as a fundraiser for the KSU Foundation and as an admissions representative for K-State.
Read more about our current and past Alumni Association Presidents