Connecting ’Cats: Spotlighting student orgs across the K-State campus
When graduate research assistant Heather Poyner first came to K-State to study insects
and conduct research, she didn’t have a background in entomology. However, she quickly
found a home on campus, thanks to one of K-State’s student organizations: the Popenoe
Entomology Club.
“My favorite part about being a member of PEC is the club’s commitment to community
building within K-State and with the community at large,” she said. “I came to K-State
without a background in entomology and have since found a very supportive community
of students through this club. Talking to people about entomology has improved my
communication skills and has made me a better scientist as a result. I have formed
many friendships and professional connections through my involvement with the PEC
community.”
According to the university, there are more than 400 registered student organizations on campus, offering students a variety of ways to connect with their peers, get more engaged
in their educational experience, and, of course, spread some fun and purple pride.
At K-State spoke with representatives from four different student organizations on campus —
including the Popenoe Entomology Club — to spotlight how involvement in an organization
can enrich a student’s experience on campus.
Pre-Veterinary Medicine Society
Megan Griffith, president
Tell us about your organization, and how you get members involved?
The Pre-Veterinary Medicine Society is a club for all pre-vet students or any students
who are interested in the veterinary medicine field. Our club holds meetings every
other Thursday, where we do a variety of things, such as hands-on labs, bringing in
current vet students to speak to our members, bringing in local veterinarians to speak
to our members, or simply play games and just enjoy everyone's company. We also hold
community service events, social events and fundraising events for our club members
to get involved with.
What are some features that make your organization unique?
I believe that the thing that makes our club unique is the community that it fosters.
The pre-vet community is very competitive, and this club allows pre-vet students to
come together and spend time together and remember that these people that you are
always around are not just competition. I have seen lots of amazing friendships come
out of our club.
What are some of the benefits of membership?
The benefits of our club are that our members are able to get more exposed to the
veterinary medicine field and prepare themselves for the career that they are wanting
to go into.
What is your favorite part about being a member of this organization?
There are so many things that I love about being a member of the Pre-Veterinary Medicine
Society. But the biggest thing is that every other week I am able to learn more about
different aspects of the veterinary medicine field and prepare myself for veterinary
school.
What are some of the ways your organization enriches student life and adds to the
campus community?
Our club enriches student life and adds to campus community because it gives pre-vet
students a built-in community. It is completely up to the student how involved they
want to be with the community, but we are here and for those who dive in deep with
our club they definitely come out of it with a strong sense of community.
Engineers Without Borders
Jordan Kramer, secretary
Tell us about your organization, and how you get members involved?
Engineers Without Borders at K-State is a student chapter of Engineers Without Borders
USA. Our club focuses on cultivating future leaders through partnerships with local
and international communities to implement sustainable engineering solutions. Members
are involved through biweekly chapter meetings, biweekly executive board meetings
and weekly project meetings. The club also engages members through project work, outreach
events, fundraising activities and professional development opportunities.
What are some features that make your organization unique?
EWB-KSU is unique because it provides students with real world engineering experience
by working on sustainable projects both locally and internationally. The club operates
under a structured leadership team, including roles such as president, projects manager,
chief financial officer, secretary, and outreach coordinator, ensuring smooth project
execution and professional development. EWB-KSU also actively collaborates with professional
mentors, faculty and international communities, offering a global perspective on engineering
solutions.
What are some of the benefits of membership?
• Hands-on Engineering Experience – Members work on real engineering projects, gaining
technical and project management skills.
• Leadership Development – Opportunities to take on leadership roles and learn professional
communication and teamwork.
• Networking – Connections with professionals, faculty and other student organizations.
• Community Impact – The ability to create sustainable solutions that benefit communities
locally and internationally.
• Fundraising and Outreach Opportunities – Members can participate in events that spread
awareness and increase involvement.
What is your favorite part about being a member of this organization?
One of the best parts about being a member of EWB-KSU is seeing the tangible impact
of our projects on communities in need. Whether it’s helping a community gain access
to clean water or engaging with fellow students on campus, the experience is both
fulfilling and educational. The club fosters a strong sense of teamwork and leadership,
making it a great environment for personal and professional growth. Meeting and getting
to know everyone with different backgrounds and perspectives has really broadened
my outlook on my community and on the world.
What are some of the ways your organization enriches student life and adds to the
campus community?
EWB-KSU enhances student life by providing opportunities for students to apply classroom
knowledge to real world challenges, develop leadership skills and engage in meaningful
service projects. The club also contributes to the campus community through volunteer
and outreach events, such as participating in local STEM festivals, working with other
student organizations and hosting fundraising events. EWB-KSU also represents K-State
at national and international levels, bringing recognition to the university and fostering
a culture of innovation and service.
Royal Purple Yearbook
Jenna Fiscus, editor-in-chief
Tell us about your organization, and how you get members involved?
We are a private enterprise, not affiliated with the university; we are a publication
of the Collegian Media Group (CMG), overseen by a board of directors composed of K-State
faculty, students and community professionals. We spend the year gathering content
that compiles into a comprehensive view of our year on campus. We employ writers,
photographers and designers to put this book together, and we pay salary for the editorial
board and for piecework.
What are some features that make your organization unique?
One of the most unique things about the Royal Purple and CMG is that we are so closely related to the university without being a product
of the university. We have our own budget; we are, like I said above, overseen by
our own board of directors; we are almost entirely student run; and the students are
the center of the organization. For example, as the editor-in-chief, I manage everything
from deciding what assignments get assigned each week to providing a budget for the
year and managing payroll.
What are some of the benefits of membership?
There are many benefits of involvement in our organization, including experience in
writing, photography and design, as well as communications skills learning how to
email and ask for an interview or some other request. It is also just an incredible
culture; all of the CMG publications (The Manhappenin Magazine and The Kansas State Collegian newspaper) are extremely tight knit and there is a lot of crossover between the publications.
There are so many lasting friendships and relationships that are built within our
four walls and we are all driven by a passion for journalism and creativity.
What is your favorite part about being a member of this organization?
I love getting to interact with all of the people on my staff and on all other staffs.
I have also benefited so much from the leadership roles and responsibilities that
I have been trusted with, and I have grown so much personally and professionally.
What are some of the ways your organization enriches student life and adds to the
campus community?
Our main job and goal is to capture the year from the perspective of the students.
We tell the stories of others on campus and highlight the cool things that students
are doing. We try to cover every college and department, from clubs and extracurriculars
to the curriculum of the department.
Popenoe Entomology Club
Heather Poyner, public relations coordinator
Tell us about your organization, and how you get members involved?
The Popenoe Entomology Club (PEC) has been a gathering place for insect enthusiasts
for over 100 years. The club is named after Professor Edwin A. Popenoe, the founder
of the entomology program at Kansas State University. Since its inception in 1921,
the club has provided a space for people to celebrate insects and arthropods and enhance
knowledge and appreciation of entomology. Our members meet several times a month for
social gatherings, insect collecting and curating events, professional development
opportunities, public engagement activities and much more. Our members also attend
regional and national conferences where we raise money to fund the preservation of
historical entomological artwork. As a department sponsored organization, we work
closely with the Department of Entomology, but our club is open to all students who
are interested in joining, regardless of major.
What are some features that make your organization unique?
What makes the Popenoe Entomology Club unique is the diversity of activities that
it offers to students. In 2024, our club hosted or cohosted over 60 events! Whether
you’re interested in curating an insect collection, developing your leadership skills
or speaking to the public about entomology, there is a place for you in our club.
The club has several long-standing projects, including the C.V. Riley print restoration
and our annual Mudge Week celebration, that members can engage with. Additionally,
our club is comprised of undergraduate and graduate students across a variety of majors,
so members get to know students they may not meet through their classes.
What are some of the benefits of membership?
The Popenoe Entomology Club offers numerous opportunities for students to get involved
based on their interests. Members can develop their leadership skills by joining committees
and assuming one of the many officer positions within the club. Through our insect
collection and curation activities, members can develop their entomological skills
outside of the classroom. Club members who are interested in research can connect
with graduate students and professors to learn more about research opportunities at
K-State. By participating in the club’s professional development events, members can
learn about careers in entomology and talk to professionals about their career paths.
Additionally, our club offers professional development awards to fund students’ participation
in activities such as conferences and workshops. Above all, our members get to join
a welcoming community of enthusiastic students who share a love of entomology.
What is your favorite part about being a member of this organization?
My favorite part about being a member of PEC is the club’s commitment to community
building within K-State and with the community at large. I came to K-State without
a background in entomology and have since found a very supportive community of students
through this club. It’s easy to become interested in insects and their relatives when
surrounded by such an enthusiastic group of students! I also really enjoy interacting
with members of the public through outreach events around Manhattan. Talking to people
about entomology has improved my communication skills and has made me a better scientist
as a result. I have formed many friendships and professional connections through my
involvement with the PEC community.
What are some of the ways your organization enriches student life and adds to the
campus community?
The Popenoe Entomology Club enriches student life by creating an inclusive, welcoming
space where students can actively engage with the K-State community and the public.
Our members regularly engage the public through hands-on activities that showcase
the diversity of entomology at events like the Flint Hills Festival and the Kansas
Science Festival. Our members give back to the campus community through the club’s
fundraising and volunteering efforts, such as last year’s Cats’ Cupboard drive. Our
club has had an excellent track record of fulfilling our mission to engage our members
and the community through our passion for insects and insect relatives.