Twelve Kansas State University alumni selected as 2025 Alumni Fellows
Twelve accomplished Kansas State University alumni have been selected as the 2025 Alumni Fellows and will address students and faculty in classes and receptions April 23-24 during the 2025 Alumni Fellows events.
Alumni Fellows return to discuss current business and industry trends and to meet with students and faculty. The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association, the Office of the President and the Deans’ Council.
“The Fellows were chosen based on their high levels of professional accomplishment and distinguished service in their respective careers,” said Andrea Bryant Gladin, K-State Alumni Association vice president of alumni engagement and organizer of the Alumni Fellows program.
The 2025 Alumni Fellows are:
Renée McReynolds Laird, ag tech and commodities executive, financial and risk management leader, leadership and wellness coach, Renée Laird Consulting, Denver, Colorado, for the College of Agriculture. Laird earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics in 1993.
Graham Smith, Urban Planner, Multistudio, Leawood, Kansas, for the College of Architecture, Planning and Design. Smith earned two degrees from K-State: a bachelor’s degree in geography in 1993 and a master’s degree in regional and community planning in 1997.
Danielle Cornejo Calhoun, vice president, DEI, Weber Shandwick, Washington state, for the College of Arts and Sciences. Calhoun earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2008.
Eric Farmer, principal staff mathematician, Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Columbia, Maryland, for the College of Arts and Sciences. Farmer earned two bachelor’s degrees in 1997 from K-State in mathematics and computer science.
Charlie Morrison, retired chief executive officer, Wingstop, Inc., Southlake, Texas, for the College of Business Administration. Morrison earned bachelor’s degree in management in 1990.
Vince Carlisle, deputy director, Center for Army Leadership, Parkville, Missouri, for the College of Education. Carlisle earned a doctorate in adult, occupational and continuing education in 2016.
Beth Ward, former senior vice president supply chain, Hallmark Cards, Inc., Lawrence, Kansas, for the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Ward earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering in 1993.
Sudhakar Ramakrishna, president and CEO, SolarWinds, Austin, Texas, for the Graduate School. Ramakrishna earned a master’s degree in computer science from K-State in 1991.
Evan and Andrea Grier, co-founders, One Egg Group, Manhattan, Kansas, for the College of Health and Human Sciences. Both earned bachelor’s degrees in hotel and restaurant management from K-State in 2002.
Steve Reed, retired executive vice president of business development, Kasa Companies, Lindsborg, Kansas, for the College of Technology and Aviation. Reed earned an associate’s degree in electronic engineering technology in 1988 from the Kansas Technical Institute, now known as K-State Salina.
Dr. Ronald Marler, professor emeritus, Mayo Clinic Arizona, Scottsdale, Arizona, for the College of Veterinary Medicine. Marler earned three degrees from K-State: a bachelor's degree in veterinary medicine in 1971; a doctorate in veterinary medicine in 1973; and a doctorate in pathology in 1978.
For more information about the Alumni Fellows program, visit k-state.com/Fellows.