New leaders assume their roles on K-State Alumni Association board of directors
The K-State Alumni Association board of directors transitioned its membership and leadership June 9 during the board’s annual meeting in Manhattan, Kansas.
Tim Oswalt, Little River, Kansas, who served as chair-elect last year, assumed the leadership of the board as the 2023-24 chair at the annual meeting. Oswalt recently retired as a commander in the U.S. Navy. He earned a bachelor's degree in finance from K-State in 1993. He succeeds Candace Hart Duncan, Bethesda, Maryland, who now fills the immediate past-chair position until June 2024. A 1975 K-State graduate, Duncan is a retired office managing partner with KPMG in the greater Washington, D.C., metro area. Chancy Montera Love, Greenwood Village, Colorado, managing partner of Proteaus Investments, will serve as chair-elect. She earned a bachelor's degree from K-State in 2007.
In a general election this spring, members of the Alumni Association approved a slate of five new members of the board of directors.
These alumni also began their four-year terms at the board’s annual meeting and will continue to June 2027.
They are Dr. Eva Stumpff Gardiner ’81, ’86, ’91, Ashland, Kansas, who is a veterinarian for Ashland Veterinary Center and rancher with Gardiner Angus Ranch; Mako Blevens Miller ’04, Olathe, Kansas, who is the director of the professional career escalators program at the University of Missouri – Kansas City; Greg Musil ’80, Overland Park, Kansas, who is an attorney and shareholder with Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.; Alejandro “Alex” Suñé ’08, ’11, Savoy, Illinois, senior associate director for student engagement and assistant to the associate vice chancellor for student success, inclusion and belonging at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and Jake Worcester ’01, Manhattan, Kansas, who is vice president, development, at the National 4-H Council.
Also joining the board is Travis Lenkner ’01, Chicago, Illinois, who is an attorney. Lenkner will serve as the board treasurer. Lenkner previously served as member of the board of directors from 2010-17 and served as chair from 2015-16.
Additional board leadership includes Mary Vanier ’89, Manhattan, chair of the Kansas State University Foundation board of directors; Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86, Manhattan, president and CEO of the Alumni Association and board secretary; Greg Willems, Manhattan, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation; and K-State President Richard Linton, Manhattan.
Two K-State students filling yearlong standing appointments also assumed their seats on the board. They are Emily Howard, Eudora, Kansas, Student Alumni Board president, who will serve a second one year term after being reelected as SAB president, and Caleb Stout, Cottonwood Falls, Kansas, K-State student body president for the 2023-24 school year.
Outgoing members recognized for their service to the Alumni Association’s board of directors were Rich Macha ’80, Rehoboth, Delaware; Lori Francis Rogge ’94, Leonardville, Kansas; Mike Simms ’89, Kansas City, Missouri; and Brent Wiedeman ’97, ’05, Colby, Kansas; and Nabeeha Kazi Hutchins ’96, exiting past-chair, Washington, D.C.
After many years of service, Curt Frasier ’73, Beloit, Kansas, was also recognized for his service to the board of directors. Frasier has served as a board member, board chair, and most recently as board treasurer.
Parker Vulgamore ’23, Scott City, Kansas, 2022-23 K-State student body president, was also recognized for his service.
“On behalf of the Alumni Association, I would like to extend our utmost appreciation for the leadership these volunteers, both past and present, have given to the organization,” Button Renz said. “These K-Staters provide us with their time, talents and experiences which allow us to be better stewards of our mission to ‘to lead and inspire lifelong involvement that will benefit Kansas State University and all members of our Wildcat Community.’”