Meet K-State’s new student body leaders
According to Caleb Stout, right now is the perfect time to be at K-State.
The junior in agricultural economics and global food systems leadership said there
is “a new energy on campus,” and he’s ready to capitalize on that as the university’s
new student body president. He was sworn into office this spring alongside student
body vice president Jessica Binckley, a junior in psychology on the pre-med track.
“I was raised to love K-State, and my experience here in Manhattan has been better
than I could have imagined,” Stout said. “I see student body president as an opportunity
for me to give back to the place, and the people, that I love full well. It's really
nothing short of a dream come true.”
“This opportunity to lead the student body is really so exciting,” echoed Binckley.
“We're coming in with so much energy and so many ideas to continue pushing K-State
to be the best university out there. With the current buzz from our athletics teams,
the work President Linton is doing, and even the growth of the Manhattan community,
I couldn't think of a better time to be able to lead our students.”
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
As part of their new duties, Stout and Binckley will represent the student body and
voice student needs and wishes to the university administration, faculty and staff.
The student body president also serves on the K-State Alumni Association board of directors.
Stout said he was inspired to run for office by his desire to make an impact on K-State
and to serve the university, calling it “a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” He grew
up in a family of Wildcats and knew that he wanted to be a part of the family tradition.
For Binckley, this was a chance to “give back to the university and family that has
given me so much already.” She said she fell in love with K-State when she first stepped
on campus, and she noticed how happy everyone looked to be there.
“As we toured, I couldn't stop smiling,” she said.
As the new student body vice president, she also is looking forward to working with
other leaders and representing student interests on the university, city, state and
national levels.
A great day to be a Wildcat
According to Binckley, one of her primary goals in office is to build K-State's relationships
and image.
“This may look like building connections with the community and the major corporations
that are coming to Manhattan or even opening up more internship and career opportunities
for all of our different types of students,” she said. “I see our greatest opportunity
being how well K-State already prepares students for life after K-State.”
Stout said that students want to have a voice in the university’s future but do not
always feel they have one.
“We have an opportunity to be that voice; our challenge is making sure we represent
each and every student,” he said.
Stout and Binckley encourage K-State alumni and friends to come alongside them and
help the university continue to grow into its exciting future.
“Today is a great day to be a Wildcat, and tomorrow can be too. But we can't do it
alone,” Stout said. “It takes all of us, fighting each day for this big K-State family
of ours. Our culture is really special, and we each play a role in protecting and
preserving it. Our time as a Wildcat does not end at graduation. Really, it is just
the beginning.”
“K-State alumni reach so far,” Binckley added. “The best way you can support us is
by continuing to spread the word, in your day-to-day life, about K-State and the wonderful
things going on in the Little Apple. I also encourage you all to think about the mentors
that you had in your time as a college student and find ways to work with current
K-State students whenever possible.”
