Conversations with the 2025 Alumni Fellows: How K-State prepared me for my career
When this year’s K-State Alumni Fellows reflect on their career journeys, a common theme emerges: gratitude for their K-State experience and the ways their time at the university propelled their future success.
- “K-State gave me the foundation I've used through my whole career.”
- “K-State provided me a nurturing environment which allowed me to learn, experiment, innovate and iterate.”
- “K-State didn’t just prepare me academically — it provided the tools, the network and the mindset to excel in a wide range of industries.”
Since 1983, the Alumni Fellows program has brought distinguished alumni back to campus
to meet with students and faculty and to share their expertise in the classroom and
at informal settings.
We asked the 2025 Fellows to share more about how their K-State experience prepared
them for their careers:
Renée McReynolds Laird ’93
College of Agriculture Fellow
Ag tech and commodities executive, financial and risk management leader, leadership
and wellness coach | Renée Laird Consulting
Kansas State University played a pivotal role in shaping the foundation of my career.
The rigorous academic training I received, especially in agricultural economics, provided
me with a deep understanding of markets and financial systems that has been instrumental
in navigating the diverse sectors I’ve worked in, from investment banking to ag tech.
Growing up on a family farm in northwest Kansas, K-State was a natural choice for
me. It wasn’t just the academic excellence but also the values instilled by the university
that resonated deeply with my background. The importance of hard work, innovation
and fostering relationships — whether in a rural community or on the global stage
— was something K-State nurtured through both its academic programs and its community-oriented
approach. READ MORE
Graham Smith ’93, ’97
College of Architecture, Planning and Design Fellow
Urban planner | Multistudio
My experience at Kansas State University, where I earned both a bachelor's degree
in geography and a master's in regional and community planning, built the strong foundation
I needed to thrive in my career. The depth of education at K-State equipped me to
build lasting partnerships with communities and stakeholders — relationships that
continue to flourish today.
Through my undergraduate studies, I developed essential skills in critical analysis,
thorough research and consistent reliability that remain cornerstones of my professional
approach. Graduate school elevated these capabilities, teaching me to balance ambitious
vision with precise execution — a crucial skill set for urban development. This combination
of strategic thinking and attention to detail has been fundamental to my work in shaping
communities and cities.
Danielle Cornejo Calhoun ’08
College of Arts and Sciences Fellow
Vice president, DEI | Weber Shandwick
K-State gave me the foundation I've used through my whole career. The jobs I've had
didn't exist when I was a student at K-State, but the skills I learned through the
A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication, Staley School of Leadership, and the
Developing Scholars Program are still integral in the roles I have today.
When I was advising huge brands on how to use new social media platforms, I needed
the underlying storytelling strategy our journalism and PR classes taught me. Now
in my role leading programs centering diversity, equity and inclusion, I rely on the
structure of belonging and inclusion embedded in Leadership Studies. The chance I
had to collaborate with Pat Bosco ’71, ’73 during my time in Mortar Board, and witness
his power to lead through personal connection, is still with me today.
Eric Farmer ’97
College of Arts and Sciences Fellow
Principal staff mathematician | Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory
K-State is unique because of its people. I'm thankful for the faculty, advisors, mentors
and support staff who had such a positive and memorable influence on my career and
life.
These individuals not only provided the environment for learning the foundational
technical knowledge in the classroom, but also encouraged and supported the experience
of mathematical research, and demonstrated what turned out to be a contagious passion
for teaching.
Charlie Morrison ’90
College of Business Administration Fellow
Retired chief executive officer | Wingstop, Inc.
K-State, and specifically the faculty of the College of Business Administration, were
instrumental in my success.
During a challenging time in life during my senior year, a professor in management
information systems (MIS) pushed me hard to develop a skill in software coding that
became the catalyst for my career development and advancement. His personal investment
in my well-being during tough times paved the way for my personal and our family’s
ultimate success.
Vince Carlisle ’16
College of Education Fellow
Deputy director | Center for Army Leadership
As the Army is moving to data centricity, the research methods in the social sciences,
especially in education, and the superb instruction in qualitative and quantitative
analysis have set me apart from my peers.
As the federal departments discern how to determine the value of what they do for
America's citizenry, the Center for Army Leadership baselines leader attributes and
conducts an annual survey of Army leadership allowing leaders to make data driven
decisions to increase organizational effectiveness and trust.
Beth Ward ’93
Carl R. Ice College of Engineering Fellow
Former senior vice president supply chain | Hallmark Cards, Inc.
K-State’s College of Engineering was a major influence on my leadership journey, providing
life-long problem-solving skills, applying engineering principles to real-world business
problems, and practicing these within teams, honing interpersonal effectiveness.
The professors and colleagues who have influenced me at K-State are smart, humble
and successful people with personal values that reflect my own desire to advance organizations,
be a global thinker and help others.
Sudhakar Ramakrishna ’95
Graduate School Fellow
President and CEO | SolarWinds
K-State provided me a nurturing environment which allowed me to learn, experiment,
innovate and iterate.
This then enabled me to be more prepared to face the vicissitudes of corporate environments,
even as I was able to enjoy the many positives of it.
Evan ’02 and Andrea ’02 Grier
College of Health and Human Sciences Fellows
Co-founders | One Egg Group
K-State provided the professional foundation of knowledge, community and mentorship
that supported our careers, especially in the early years.
It’s been a true blessing to build a business and raise a family in Manhattan, surrounded
by the strength of our K-State community.
Steve Reed ’88
College of Technology and Aviation Fellow
Retired executive vice president of business development | Kasa Companies
K-State Salina laid a solid foundation for my career in industrial automation by combining theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Here are some key ways K-State Salina prepared me:
- Applied Learning Focus: The program's emphasis on practical, hands-on training in labs equipped me with essential skills for designing, programming and troubleshooting automation systems — skills that are at the core of industrial automation.
- State-of-the-Art Tools: I was able to work with cutting-edge technology and equipment, including PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), robotics, sensors and actuators. This prepared me to adapt to evolving technologies throughout my career.
- Systems Thinking: The curriculum taught me how to approach problems from a systems perspective, understanding how components interact within a larger automated process — critical for optimizing industrial systems.
- Industry Connections: K-State Salina’s strong ties to industry provided me with cooperative learning experiences and job placement opportunities, helping me transition directly into the industrial automation field.
- Collaborative and Problem-Solving Skills: Working on group projects and tackling real-world problems honed my ability to collaborate with teams and creatively solve challenges — key attributes for a successful career in industrial automation.
Dr. Ronald Marler ’71, ’73, ’78
College of Veterinary Medicine Fellow
Professor emeritus | Mayo Clinic Arizona
Kansas State University is a place I know well. It is an amalgam of its people, programs
and traditions.
The university experience provided the foundation for my personal and professional
growth, and my academic training shaped my career in ways I could not have imagined
at the time.
The 2025 Alumni Fellows will address students and faculty in classes and receptions
April 23-24 during the 2025 Alumni Fellows week.
The program is sponsored by the K-State Alumni Association, the Office of the President
and the Deans’ Council. For more information about the Alumni Fellows, visit k-state.com/Fellows.