Welcome to the new design for @K-State, the monthly K-State Alumni Association e-newsletter. After months of research, development and testing, we’re excited to introduce this new look to you. We've designed the newsletter to be cleaner, simpler to navigate and in a format that’s easier to use on a variety of devices, whether you prefer to read our newsletter via smartphone, tablet, laptop or PC.

 

Based on reader feedback, we've added a new section to the newsletter highlighting articles from each of the colleges at K-State. Going forward each month, you’ll receive an email that links you to the actual newsletter. The cover email will preview several of the newsletter articles, along with a preview article from your college. The corresponding college article in your personal email is based on the preferred degree linked to your email address in our alumni database. If you are a friend or supporter who did not graduate from K-State, we have a special section for you too. Once you click into our newsletter, you can scroll up and down to access a variety of articles from the University, the Alumni Association, Athletics, the Foundation, the colleges and more. 

 

After you finish reading the latest issue of our newsletter, we invite you to explore the rest of our website, which also has an updated look. On our home page, you’ll find a simpler navigation system that makes it easier to get involved and find the information you need. You can view the latest news articles or learn about upcoming Alumni Association events. Our brand-new Alumni Clubs map also makes it easier to locate clubs across the state, the country and the globe. You can also show off your purple pride and stock up on K-State gear in our Shop Purple section. 

 

We hope you like the new look for our newsletter and our website, and we hope you enjoy using them to stay connected to the K-State Alumni Association. Thank you for supporting K-State. Go ’Cats!

 

Ashley Pauls

@K-State editor

apauls@K-State.com

When it comes to the best place in Kansas to get a college education, Money magazine says it’s Kansas State University.

 

The home of the Wildcats and purple pride is the highest-ranking university from Kansas on the magazine’s annual list of best colleges and its list of best colleges by state. The article notes K-State offers more than 250 majors and options through its nine colleges; works closely with military members and their families; and is nationally recognized for such programs as K-State Proud, the student-run philanthropy organization that has raised more than $1 million to help students in need.

 

With campuses in Manhattan, Olathe and the polytechnic campus in Salina, as well as K-State Global Campus for distance education, K-State leads the way in Kansas by providing options in higher education that fit the needs of any student, said Pat Bosco ’71, ’73, vice president for student life and dean of students.

 

“K-State is the college of choice among Kansas high school seniors and the largest undergraduate university in the state, so we’re not surprised to be ranked as the best college in Kansas by Money magazine,” Bosco said. “With our nationally ranked programs, outstanding faculty and staff, and services that help students achieve and succeed, K-State is known for its family atmosphere and as a place where students from Kansas and across the nation and world can thrive.”

 

K-State also continues to build for the future. The new College of Business Administration building opens this fall, along with Wefald Hall, K-State’s new residence hall.

 

The new College of Business Administration building features tiered classrooms, a large showcase lecture hall and a financial research lab. The plans also include dedicated space for entrepreneurship and sales education, as well as space for study, collaboration and networking throughout the building.

 

Named for former K-State president Jon Wefald, Wefald Residence Hall has six stories (located above a two-story dining center) and will include three communities on each floor with 14 double rooms, two single rooms and a study room. The three communities on each floor will share a kitchen and lounge area, and there will be a central lobby and laundry facility on the first floor.

 

If you can’t make it back to K-State to see these exciting changes, you can still take a virtual tour of campus with the university’s new online maps. The full-color maps feature detailed renderings of the Manhattan, Polytechnic and Olathe campuses. Visitors can also use the maps to target helpful locations on campus such as bicycle racks, construction zones, dining areas, parking spots, recycling stations and more.

 

Explore the new online maps. 

This week, the best athletes in the world will gather in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to compete for a medal at the Summer Olympics. Seven K-Staters will be participating in this international competition, representing their home countries and hoping to make their Olympic dreams come true.

 

You can show off your purple pride by watching these athletes compete at the Olympics, which run Aug. 5-21. Wildcat athletes include Akela Jones, Barbados, heptathlon and high jump; Jeff Julmis ’12, Haiti, 110 meter hurdles; Erik Kynard ’13, United States, high jump (Kynard is a 2012 Olympic silver medalist); Shadae Lawrence, Jamaica, discus; Beverly Ramos Morales ’10, Puerto Rico, marathon; Alyx Treasure ’16, Canada, high jump; and Balazs Baji, Hungary, 110 meter hurdles.

 

Cliff Rovelto, K-State’s director of track and field and cross-country, will serve Team USA as an assistant coach for the men’s team.

 

These Wildcats know the competition will be fierce, and only one athlete in each event can come home with that coveted gold medal. However, their training at K-State has helped prepare them to compete on this international stage, and they’re ready to embrace the challenge.

 

Akela Jones has already drawn attention for her NCAA heptathlon title in 2015, and Coach Rovelto believes she has a shot at medaling in this event at the Olympics.  

 

“My thoughts are always about getting the gold, getting a personal best and being the first woman in my country to actually win a medal,” Jones said. “This is a big stage for my country. When I go out there, and if I win this gold medal, this is a really big accomplishment for my family, for my former schools, for [K-State] and for my country. It’s going to be amazing.”

 

Alyx Treasure sees the Olympics as a second chance, after being plagued by injuries throughout her college career. Competing is the fulfillment of a long-time dream.

 

“Honestly, it’s always been on the radar since the first time I went to the World Championships when I was a youth,” she said. “I kind of always had it in focus that’s what I wanted to do, but I was a long way off back then. Now it’s kind of become a reality. It means a lot. I’ve been working for this for so long and to finally have it within reaching distance, it’s exciting. I’m ready for it to happen.”

 

View a complete schedule of Olympic events, and stay up-to-date on K-State Athletics news on Facebook or Twitter. 

Kansas State University will host two pep rallies at noon and 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at the 2016 Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson.

 

Pat Bosco ’71, ’73, vice president for student life and dean of students, will speak at Nex-Tech Wireless Stage at Lake Talbott. The K-State Band with Frank Tracz, Willie the Wildcat and the cheer squad also will perform. In addition, Willie will make appearances around the fairgrounds throughout the day.

 

Kansas State University has a longtime and proud presence at the Kansas State Fair. Please see the fair’s website for a listing of the many K-State exhibits, educational opportunities and other university-affiliated activities available throughout the 10-day schedule. 

 

If you’re looking for other fun K-State events, be sure to check out the K-State Alumni Association’s new calendar page. You can use the redesigned calendar to search for Alumni Club/Catbacker events, pregames, Traveling Wildcats trips and more.

From classic country to modern dance, from music theater to political comedy, from international music to death-defying martial arts, the 2016-17 McCain Performance Series is packed with a variety of events bringing the arts to life at Kansas State University. 

 

The diverse line-up for the next season kicks off Sept. 20 with The Piano Guys, four dads who became an Internet sensation thanks to their self-made music videos that blend classical music with pop songs.

 

One of country music’s longest-running and most acclaimed acts The Oak Ridge Boys comes to McCain Auditorium on Sept. 30, followed by a political comedy group, The Capitol Steps, who are presenting “What to Expect When You’re Electing” on Oct. 7, just in time for election season.

 

Other highlights throughout the season include popular a cappella group Straight No Chaser on Oct. 23, the celebrated Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University Choir from South Africa on Nov. 14, and modern dance masters Pilobolus with “Shadowland” on Feb. 26, a mix of shadow theater, dance, circus and concert. The Shaolin Warriors will also amaze audiences with their choreographed Kung Fu stage production March 14.

 

Finally, no McCain season would be complete without music theater, and this year’s performance series features several well-loved musicals, including Annie on Nov. 30, Mamma Mia! on Jan. 24, Pippin on Feb. 6, and 42^nd Street on May 8.

 

The McCain Performance Series will offer four shows each semester available at a special K-State Alumni Association discount. Find more details, or learn how you can become a member of the Alumni Association and receive these and other discounts.  

 

View the complete schedule of 2016-17 McCain Performance Series events. 

From the captivating Mediterranean with the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa and the beautiful Tuscan countryside, to the pristine beaches and neon-blue lagoons of French Polynesia, the Traveling Wildcats program allows you to explore the globe, visiting exciting new places and meeting fellow K-Staters along the way.

 

The K-State Alumni Association’s Traveling Wildcats program offers a variety of tours throughout the year to places across the United States and the globe. Guided excursions add to your experience, and reliable travel companies make the arrangements so you can travel worry-free. You’ll also get to meet other K-Staters on the tour, providing an opportunity to create lifelong friendships.

 

It’s an experience Jim Briggs ’68 would recommend to fellow Wildcats. He recently went on a Traveling Wildcats Mediterranean cruise. He said the cruise offered a variety of activities, such as trying new foods, touring cities like Florence and Barcelona, or just enjoying the sailing experience. Of course, the cruise also was an opportunity to show some purple pride.

 

“For the duration of the Mediterranean cruise we all wore purple,” he said. “I am very pleased to be able to reconnect with Kansas State. I have been away too long. Thanks for a great trip.”

 

Upcoming trips include:

 

• Captivating Mediterranean, Oct. 8-16, 2016. Uncover a captivating mosaic of cultural and historical treasures as you sail from Italy to Monaco, France and Spain aboard Oceania Cruises’ exquisite Riviera.

• Pure Polynesia, Feb. 4-16, 2017. Experience pure natural wonders during this luxury cruise: soaring emerald mountain peaks, glistening neon-blue lagoons and powdery white-sand beaches.

• Passage of Lewis and Clark, May 7-15, 2017. Follow the passage of Lewis and Clark’s fabled expedition to the Pacific coast as you journey through a geological masterpiece of astounding landscapes.

 

Explore other trips available through the K-State Alumni Association’s Traveling Wildcats program. For more information, contact Terin Walters ’05, director of development programs and travel, at 800-600-ALUM (2586) or TWalters@K-State.com.

K-Staters are welcomed and encouraged to attend the upcoming Petfood Innovation Workshop and K-State Pet Food Experience. The event features leading research on topics directly associated with pet food and work that overlaps at the boundary of pet food, nutrition and processing technology. There will be networking opportunities with industry professionals, faculty and staff, plus leading local regulatory and governmental officials.

 

This multi-day joint event will take place Sept. 13-15 on Kansas State University’s main campus in Manhattan, Kansas. Students play a key role in the production of the event by volunteering to help with the hands-on educational activities and supplier-led demonstrations where attendees create pet food and pet treats using novel proteins and other high impact functional ingredients. A new feature of this year’s event highlights the chance for pet food industry members to schedule job or internship interviews with students in the newly remodeled Career Center, located in the Berney Family Welcome Center.

 

Registration is now open and expected to sell out quickly, as there are a limited number of registrations offered to ensure quality of the workshop activities and seating in the research sessions. After the event, you can stick around in Manhattan to attend the first home football game of the season Sept. 17 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. 

 

The Pet Food Experience is hosted by the Kansas State Pet Food Program team with the Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization, and utilizes student volunteers as well as facilities within the community. During the Pet Food Experience, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from industry experts as they present their latest research and insight on various topics. An outline of the program schedule is available here.

 

On Wednesday evening, guests can opt to participate in a dine-around event, as an additional opportunity to engage with industry peers at various local restaurants. The 2016 event aims to infuse attendees with the K-State college experience, while simultaneously providing valuable educational and networking opportunities.

 

The Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization is dedicated to the start-up and expansion of technology-based, high-growth enterprises and enabling the commercialization of university and under-utilized corporate intellectual property. The organization provides opportunity assessment; strategic partnership design; technology acquisition, management and licensing; business development; and technology transfer support activities for entrepreneurs to commercialize intellectual property emanating from basic research at K-State and other intellectual property portfolios.

 

The Pet Food Program at Kansas State University was started in 2012 and has established degree programs, short courses and research concerning pet food and nutrition. Read more about pet food innovations at K-State in the College of Agriculture section of August @K-State.

 

The Petfood Innovation Workshop is organized and hosted by Petfood Industry magazine. Both are owned by WATT Global Media, a content company founded in 1917 that provides exceptional business content and solutions to the agribusiness industry. As an industry innovator, WATT Global Media has connected buyers and sellers in the poultry, pig, animal feed and pet food industries through its media channels for almost 100 years. 

Students’ designs give prosthetics a new look

Industry support for architecture, planning and design faculty is advancing the look and functionality of prosthetics at Kansas State University. Assistant Professor Dustin Headley, who recently earned the Treanor Architects Faculty Award, leads students in unique research projects such as creating custom prosthetic limbs.

 

Read more

 

Expanding relationships

 Tap to Togetherness, an innovative new university program being advanced through philanthropic gifts, is already so successful, it will expand to Ghana, Africa, this year and Kuwait and Cuba in 2017.

 

The K-State Tap Dance Ensemble partners with Parents as Teachers, a community-based program, to bring local families a series of tap dance classes. These classes are offered to any family in Parents as Teachers that has a child between the ages of birth and three years old.

 

The primary goals of Tap to Togetherness are to boost self-esteem, enhance family relationships, identify sensory needs of children and address these needs through tap dance sessions. The program will be working abroad with universities, cultural centers and other family organizations, sharing the Tap to Togetherness program and teaching tap dance master classes.

 

Read more