Magic was in the air — and on the court — as the Wildcats advanced through March Madness postseason basketball.

 

In the NCAA Tournament first round, the K-State men’s team topped Creighton with a score of 69-59 on March 16, before pulling off a 50-43 win against Cinderella team UMBC in the second round on March 18, advancing to the Sweet 16. Then, a thrilling 61-58 win against Kentucky on March 22 sent the ’Cats to the Elite Eight. That win was even more special thanks to guest Ernie Barrett ’51, ’56, who was a member of the 1951 K-State basketball team that also made it to the Sweet 16 and ended the season as the NCAA Tournament runner-up to Kentucky.

 

“It’s surreal,” sophomore forward Xavier Sneed said of the March Madness experience. “I’m still taking it in. As a kid, I dreamed about being in these moments and this is just big time. I’m still taking it in now.”

 

Although the team’s postseason journey ended sooner than they hoped, with a 78-62 loss to Loyola Chicago in the Elite Eight on March 24, the ’Cats still had plenty of reasons to celebrate.   

 

“I’m just so proud of our guys, how hard they’ve worked, how we’ve overcome so much throughout the year and did some special things,” head coach Bruce Weber said. “It’s hard to get to this spot, and right now we’ve got a lot of sad faces, a lot of tears, but I told them I appreciate them so much.”

 

The K-State women’s team also was on a postseason winning streak. After defeating Saint Louis in the opening round of the WNIT, 75-61, in Bramlage Coliseum on March 15, they beat Utah 74-57 in the second round on March 18. 

 

Sadly, their journey also came to an end, with a narrow loss to UC Davis on March 23 in the round of 16, with a final score of 71-69. Yet they too are proud of what they have accomplished.  

 

“It feels awesome,” junior guard Kayla Goth said of making it to postseason play. “We are a pretty young team so to be able to make it to the postseason and make a run in the postseason is really big for us. We are playing pretty well right now as a team.”

 

View postseason highlights in the photo gallery below:

 

For the past 35 years, the K-State Alumni Fellows Program has invited distinguished alumni back to campus to meet with students and faculty and share how their experiences at K-State helped them succeed in their careers.

 

The Fellows are selected by K-State’s nine colleges, along with Global Campus and the Graduate School. The program recognizes the Fellows’ career achievements and also gives them a chance to share their expertise with the next generation of Wildcats. They will return to campus and visit classrooms April 11-13.

 

The Alumni Fellows Program is sponsored by the Deans Council, the President’s Office and the Alumni Association. Learn more.

 

Get to know the 2018 Alumni Fellows in our photo gallery below, and hear how K-State prepared them for their career. Click on the names for more information.

 

No matter who you are or where you’re from, you have a place at Kansas State University. That’s the driving message of KSUnite, a movement started at the university in 2017 to reaffirm K-State’s commitment to safety, inclusion and compassion for all and to promote ongoing dialogue about diversity.

 

The K-State Alumni Association continues to be a part of that conversation and to promote diversity efforts through its Multicultural Alumni Council. Founded in 1993, MAC is an advisory council within the Alumni Association that operates as a bridge between multicultural alumni, current multicultural students and the university. This group also serves as a voice for multicultural alumni and assists with engaging and providing activities for alumni. 

 

MAC demonstrates the importance of diversity and encourages all K-State alumni and friends to use their voice.

 

“So often, our American society focuses on the appearance of diversity instead of the true inclusion of individuals representing a variety of ethnicities, gender, nationalities, religion, etc., and all that is added with their presence. The active existence of a body like the Multicultural Alumni Council reaffirms the importance of true societal inclusion,” said Cynthia Fails ’02, MAC past chair. “In supporting this programming, the Alumni Association plays a role in helping to alleviate part of the strain that can impact the educational experience of multicultural students attending a PWI (predominantly white institution). The existence and support of the Multicultural Alumni Council speaks to the priority the Alumni Association has placed on the importance of all feeling both included and valued in the K-State experience.”

 

Meet the members

The Multicultural Alumni Council is made up of 11 members, with one standing appointment from the Office of Diversity and a student representative.

 

Chris Merriewether ’10, current MAC chair, said he wanted to join the council as a way to give back to the university, promote more multicultural engagement among alumni and improve the student experience.

 

Through his work on the council, he said he has enjoyed meeting students and hearing some of their accomplishments and also seeking their insight on opportunities for K-State to grow in a more diverse and inclusive way. 

 

“I didn’t realize some of the issues of diversity and inclusion when I was a student-athlete at K-State because I was in a bubble,” Merriewether said. “So being a part of the MAC has been a tremendous growth opportunity for me to understand that everyone does not have the same K-State experience. I would like to help there to be more equity and equality among the experiences that multicultural students have at K-State.”

 

Fails said she was inspired to join MAC by her passion for strengthening communities through education.

 

“It is a unique opportunity for a team of committed and passionate KSU alumni to serve as a bridge of sorts, connecting multicultural students with alumni, and voicing campus climate concerns on behalf of our multicultural alumni and in support of our students,” she said.

 

Some of the other programs, activities and discussions associated with MAC include: organizing listening sessions with students to learn what issues they are dealing with and how alumni can help; hosting multicultural alumni watch parties; selecting the Robinson Family Multicultural Leadership Awards and International Leadership Awards; providing career advice for students; giving feedback to campus units about reaching out and engaging more multicultural alumni; bringing speakers on campus to present on diverse fundraising; writing letters of support for diverse faculty and administration; and serving as a sounding board for fundraising strategy for a multicultural student center.

 

How you can help

Merriewether and Fails both offered suggestions of how all K-Staters can help MAC carry out its mission:

 

• Support multicultural events on campus and attend multicultural alumni events.

• Be advocates for diversity initiatives at your firm and recruit K-Staters.

• Continue to hold MAC and the broader university accountable for maintaining and growing enrollment numbers of diverse students and recruiting and retaining diverse faculty to help teach all students.

• Communicating your interest in serving on future councils, advisory committees, panels, etc., or connecting with students one-on-one.

• Donating to Alumni Association and university initiatives which champion student retention, graduation and post-grad preparation efforts for our multicultural students.

 

Merriewether thanked the Alumni Association and Jessica Elmore ’06, ’15, the Alumni Association’s associate director of diversity programs, for their support.

 

“MAC being housed within the infrastructure of the Alumni Association is key,” he said. “Without people resources, financial resources and organizational resources of the K-State Alumni Association, this would be very tough to move the mission forward. In addition, I view K-State’s Alumni Association and board as best in class, so we are able to leverage off of that institutional knowledge to help these key priorities of the university.”

 

Elmore said the Multicultural Alumni Council is a critical part of the K-State Alumni Association.

 

“In order to make an impact and progress in serving a diverse K-State community, we must have active and authentic participation among our graduates,” she said. “Our alumni are the only constant that our university has and we must do well to provide spaces and platforms to utilize their voices and experiences. It is important for the Alumni Association to show that we care and listen to our alumni, and we want alumni to always consider us to be a link for life.”

 

Learn more about the Multicultural Alumni Council and KSUnite.

Jordan Kiehl and Lacy Pitts have already made K-State history. For the first time, K-State students have elected two female students to the top two student government leadership positions in the same year.

 

Kiehl, senior in industrial engineering, Fairway, Kansas, will serve as student body president, and Pitts, junior in agricultural economics, Moundridge, Kansas, will serve as student body vice president.

 

“It means so much to be elected and we owe it all to the students who believed in the purpose behind us and our platforms,” Kiehl said. “We would not have been able to do it if it wasn’t for their encouragement and incredible support. While elections are over, the real work has just started. We are excited to begin working for and with students on our campaign initiatives, but also on the other issues students see on our campus in order to truly enhance the student experience for all students.”

 

Currently, Kiehl is the chief of staff and Pitts is a senator for the College of Agriculture for the Student Governing Association. They will take office in April and plan to continue their work on their three platforms — affordability, access and accountability.

 

According to the Kansas State Collegian, some of Kiehl and Pitts’ ideas include re-evaluating the scholarship process and requirements to qualify for scholarships; improving the connection between students and SGA; and promoting inclusion.

 

“Getting elected by the student body was an extremely gratifying experience, and we are so lucky to have the support of our friends and family,” Pitts said. “The work Jordan and I put into developing platforms was well spent and we can’t wait to get started on bringing positive change to K-State and addressing the needs of students.”

Invite a special grandchild, niece, nephew or neighbor in your life to experience a fun and educational K-State adventure at this summer’s Grandparents University.

 

Co-sponsored by the College of Education and the K-State Alumni Association, Grandparents University is a summer camp where children ages 8-12 and their guardian can engage in a variety of learning experiences and fun activities on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas.

 

Grandparents University 2018 will be July 29-31. REGISTRATION OPENS soon.

 

Participants enjoy the “college experience” of staying in a residence hall and eating in the Derby Food Complex. The schedule involves activities such as touring the College of Veterinary Medicine and K-State Athletics facilities, visiting the local waterpark and, of course, sampling a delicious scoop of Call Hall ice cream.

 

“As a GPU participant with my granddaughter Kadence, I have first-hand knowledge of the memories made during this special time,” said Debbie Mercer ’84, ’88, ’96, ’99, dean of the College of Education. “We have learned from different faculty experts, visited the insect zoo, bowled and eaten Call Hall ice cream. I cherish the opportunity to share my K-State purple pride with someone so special to me.”

 

2017 Grandparents University campers said they enjoyed the opportunity to experience K-State in a unique way and also spend time together.

 

“I liked having all the fun activities and spending time with my grandma,” said Meila Gronemeyer, age 9, Plymouth, Nebraska. “I liked the pool party and the engineering activities. We built bridges with candy dots and toothpicks and made wooden and paper airplanes.”

 

Grandparent Val Kershner ’74, Manhattan, Kansas, also said she enjoyed the learning opportunities.

 

“The educational parts were really cool,” she said. “K-State has changed so much from when we were here.”

 

If you have questions about Grandparents University, email gpu@k-state.edu.

 

More summer fun at K-State

Looking for more fun summer activities for kids at K-State? Every year, K-State hosts a variety of summer programs designed to educate and inspire youth. Participants have the opportunity to further their education and skills while experiencing life at K-State and making new friends from around the country.

 

K-State offers a number of programs on different topics, including academics, STEM, music, the arts and athletics. Find a full schedule of camps and get connected to K-State this summer.  

The many trees on campus are part of what makes Kansas State University such a beautiful place, and a number of K-State faculty, staff and community organizations are working hard to make sure these trees are protected for many years to come. As the university prepares to celebrate Arbor Day in April, K-State alumni and friends also will have an opportunity to help.

 

“The goal is to maintain the tree landscape on our campus for future generations,” said Cathie Lavis ’93, ’05, associate professor and Extension specialist: landscape management.

 

In 2013, K-State was first recognized as a Tree Campus USA, a national program launched by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota to honor colleges and universities for promoting healthy trees and engaging students and staff in the spirit of conservation. In Kansas, Arbor Day is celebrated on the last Friday in April. Tree Campus events at K-State will be held at various times throughout the week of April 23-27.

 

This year’s educational outreach is focused on the invasion of the emerald ash borer. Members of the K-State Landscape Advisory Committee and Tree Campus USA are currently developing a plan to manage and minimize the ecological, economic and aesthetic effects the emerald ash borer will have on the K-State campus in Manhattan.

 

The emerald ash borer is an exotic invasive insect in the U.S. The larval stage of the insect causes significant damage to the vascular system of the tree by disrupting the tree’s ability to transport water and nutrients.

 

How will this impact the Manhattan campus? Dead, poor and fair condition trees, and trees in poor locations, may have to be removed. A July 2017 inventory found 251 ash trees on the Manhattan campus; half were rated in fair condition, 32 percent in good condition, 18 percent in poor condition, and two trees were dead.

 

Chemical treatment will be reserved for notable and historic trees and other good condition trees that contribute to a healthy campus landscape. Tree planting will ideally occur in advance of or in tandem with the removal of trees. Solid ash logs and those of other species will be kept for campus construction or renovation and instructional opportunities.

 

“It is not possible to replace the shade and ecosystem services provided by mature and maturing trees with small caliper trees, so two trees will be planted for each tree removed to more quickly fill the void of the larger trees lost and establish shade in hot locations,” Lavis said. “In this five-year strategy, 70 trees will be planted each year for a total of 350 trees in five years.”

 

The university, the K-State Alumni Association, Kansas State University Foundation, Manhattan Rotary and Manhattan Konza Rotary have already partnered on a project to plant trees on the university’s Manhattan campus. The Greater Manhattan Community Foundation is collecting donations for this tree project. Trees cost between $150-$250 each, and all donation amounts are accepted. To make a contribution, visit www.mcfks.org/onetree. 

 

“I hope we plant trees where the shade and beauty benefit as many students as possible,” said Rod Harms ’82, president of Manhattan Konza Rotary.

 

As part of Tree Campus week, six trees will be planted, including a flowering dogwood in honor of Provost April Mason at 10:30 a.m. April 27 near Bosco Plaza, and at 1 p.m. a paper birch will be planted in honor of Chris Rea ’14, location to be determined. Rea is a horticulture graduate who passed away suddenly on March 14 while attending the National Collegiate Landscape Competition, an event he was passionate about and had participated in for multiple years.

Two K-State student groups and one adviser were recognized for their efforts at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education – Affiliated Student Advancement Programs’ District VI conference at the University of Oklahoma.

 

K-State’s Student Alumni Board (SAB) and Student Foundation were named 2018 Outstanding Organizations by CASE-ASAP District VI. Additionally, Marcus Kidd ’14, ’16, SAB adviser, was named 2018 Outstanding Adviser. SAB, Student Foundation and Kidd are in the running to receive the national awards in these categories. The winners will be announced this summer.

 

This is the second year in a row an SAB adviser has been named Outstanding Adviser by the organization. Last year, Jessica Elmore ’06, ’15, SAB adviser and associate director of diversity programs for the K-State Alumni Association, earned the honor.

 

“These honors reflect the effort, time and dedication our organizations have put in place to showcase K-State,” said Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. “Through their leadership efforts, these student organizations help our entire K-State family build lifelong connections to the university.”

 

Student Alumni Board is a program of the K-State Alumni Association. SAB members are responsible for planning and hosting several programs to recruit students to K-State, including the For Sophomores Only program for high school sophomores and the Just For Juniors program for high school juniors and their parents. SAB members also coordinate and assist with Wildcats Forever Student Alumni Association, Grad Bash, the Distinguished Young Alumni Award, Junior Wildcats Club and other Alumni Association programs and events.

 

Student Foundation serves as the student arm of the KSU Foundation and engages current students in developing a culture of “Students Helping Students” by providing opportunities for philanthropic leadership throughout the year. Student Foundation members lead the annual Why I Give and K-State Proud campaigns, collaborate with the Office of Student Financial Assistance to provide Student Opportunity Awards to students in extreme financial need, and interact with donors and KSU Foundation trustees to offer student perspectives on philanthropy.

 

“Through their vision and commitment to serving the K-State community, the KSU Student Foundation has created a level of engagement for student philanthropy that is second to none,” said Greg Willems, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation. “We’re proud of their hard work toward building a culture of philanthropy that begins while they are students and will continue for a lifetime of supporting K-State.”

You’re invited to socialize with fellow Wildcats, learn exciting updates about Kansas State University, and enjoy food and fun at the annual Alumni Club and Catbacker Tour!

 

The K-State Alumni Association encourages Wildcats of all ages to attend one of these fun summer events, hosted in a variety of cities. You can connect with other K-Staters from your area and with guests from the university, athletics and the K-State Alumni Association, and also help support the next generation of students through scholarships.

 

If you have never attended an Alumni Club or Catbacker event, learn more about these events below and find out how you can get involved. If you are a regular attender, we hope to see you again this year! You’ll also be able to meet our new assistant director of alumni programs, Alan Fankhauser ’82, who will help coordinate our in-state and out-of-state Alumni Club events and Catbacker Club events. Fankhauser previously served as chair of the Alumni Association board of directors.

 

Alumni Clubs

Alumni Clubs are generally established in areas with more than 200 alumni within a 50-mile radius. They bring K-State alumni and friends together for social outings, promote K-State and connect alumni to their alma mater.

 

Many clubs host a summertime gathering that includes special guests from the university leadership, a meal, presentations by the K-State Student Ambassadors and scholarships to help students attend K-State.

 

Locate an ALUMNI CLUB near you or find an UPCOMING EVENT.

 

Catbacker Clubs

Catbacker Clubs are co-sponsored by K-State Athletics and the K-State Alumni Association and help increase awareness of and support for K-State Athletics programs. K-State fans are invited to interact with their favorite coaches, student-athletes and, of course, Willie the Wildcat.

 

The 2018 tour kicks off May 14 in Dodge City. Find out if the tour is coming to a CITY NEAR YOU.

 

In the academic and scientific world of grant competition, there’s a bit of a conundrum — to get funding for their projects, scientists must already have completed some research showing their project is viable and worthy of funding. However, this preliminary research requires funding that is often unavailable.

 

Thanks to support from donors, multiple Kansas State University College of Agriculture faculty members from various departments were able to travel to Ethiopia and gather data for a $1 million grant proposal, which they were awarded. Ron Kruse ’62 and Tom Hammond provided the seed money, and the Kruse family and friends provided matching funds that made the K-State professors’ grant application more competitive.

 

Barry Bradford and Jessie Vipham ’09, faculty members in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, say this donor support was vital to the success of their proposal submitted to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Feed the Future Livestock Systems Innovation Lab grant, along with the matching funds K-Staters will utilize to partner with Project Mercy — a collaborator on the project in Ethiopia.

 

This project also pulls on the expertise of several other K-State faculty, including Dustin Pendell ’06 from the Department of Agricultural Economics, Doohong Min from the Department of Agronomy, and Travis O’Quinn from the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry.

 

Read more

 

Giving students wings: Bill and Elaine Gross use matching funds to create a scholarship for K-State Polytechnic students

Flying and teaching are two things Bill Gross ’70, ’73 loves most about his job as an aviation instructor at Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus. It’s because of these passions he and his wife, Elaine, participated in the K-State Family Scholarship Program and created a scholarship for Polytechnic students.

 

With the K-State Family Scholarship Program, new gifts of $30,000 are matched with $30,000 from the seed fund provided by Mary Vanier ’89, for a total of $60,000. $10,000 goes into an expendable fund, making $2,000 scholarships available to be awarded to students immediately. The remaining $50,000 goes into the endowment, ensuring future generations of Wildcats will receive scholarships as well.

 

“The flight program is expensive,” Gross said. “My goal is to help these young people create a career. The aviation field is wide open with lots of possibilities. We could graduate students who will have opportunities at their doorstep. However, it’s expensive for students to get flight training. Scholarships will assist with the affordability aspect of earning their flight ratings. To become flight certified costs students approximately $40,000 in addition to tuition.

 

“Whatever we can do to assist Kansas State Polytechnic recruit students, and then be able to see them move on to graduation, that’s what Elaine and I want,” Gross said.

 

Learn more about how you can take advantage of matching opportunities through the K-State Family Scholarship Program at ksufoundation.org/family, or contact John Morris, senior vice president of development, via email or 785-532-7587.

 

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