HomeNewsAt K-StateMarch 2017

At K-State

March 2017

General

Open House

Alumni and friends invited to explore K-State at annual All-University Open House

Alumni and friends are invited to come home to K-State during the annual All-University Open House on Saturday, April 1. The event is a chance for members of the Wildcat community and prospective students to explore the campus and learn more about K-State.

 

Every year, approximately 20,000 people flock to K-State’s carnival of academic exhibits, entertainment, food and fun. The open house showcases the university’s 250-plus majors and options, 475-plus student organizations and the family atmosphere that makes K-State stand out.

 

The event is open to all ages, and admission is free. This year’s theme is “The Future is Built Here.”

 

The different colleges have a chance to show off their programs with special demonstrations and hands-on activities for visitors. Other activities throughout the day include opportunities to visit the nuclear reactor at Ward Hall; take photos with Willie the Wildcat; participate in a short service project at the School of Leadership Studies; learn to Wabash with the K-State Marching Band; and more.

 

If you’re looking for a bite to eat, you’ll find a variety of options across campus, including a pancake feed, homemade baked goods, barbecue and more.

 

The event at the Manhattan campus is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and at the Olathe and Polytechnic campuses from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

Learn more about the open house or watch a video below.

 

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K-State football

Gear up for Wildcat football with spring game and Vanderbilt travel packages

After celebrating a winning season that was capped by a Texas Bowl victory, Kansas State fans can get their first look at the 2017 Wildcats at the annual Purple/White Spring Game on Saturday, April 22, in Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

 

Tickets will be available through the K-State Athletics Ticket Office beginning Wednesday, March 1, and cost only $5. The game will begin at 1:10 p.m. Season tickets for the 2017 season also will go on sale March 1, online at www.k-statesports.com/tickets, by phone at 1-800-221-CATS or at the main ticket office inside Bramlage Coliseum.

 

K-State returns 14 starters — eight on offense and six on defense — and 18 players overall who made at least one start in 2016. The group includes eight players who earned All-Big 12 honors this past season, featured by first-teamers Winston Dimel, Will Geary, Byron Pringle, D.J. Reed and Dalton Risner. Reed was named the 2016 Big 12 Defensive Newcomer of the Year, while defensive end Reggie Walker earned Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year honors.

 

Head coach Bill Snyder also announced 22 student-athletes who plan on joining or have already joined the K-State football program as part of K-State’s 2017 Signing Class. This year’s class includes 19 players from the high school ranks and three community college players.

 

“I have been impressed with the quality of character of each of these young men, as well as their collective commitment to become the best person, student and athlete possible,” Snyder said.

 

On the road

K-State football will travel to Nashville on Sept. 16 to take on the Vanderbilt University Commodores. Join the K-State Alumni Association to cheer on the ’Cats.

 

The Association will offer two- and three-night land packages, including a Nashville Day Tour on Friday and admission to the Country Music Hall of Fame.

 

The travel packages are available for booking now. For more information about the trip or to register, visit www.k-statesportstours.com or 888-402-8055. Game tickets are not included with the travel packages. Stay tuned for more details on a pregame event.

 

View the complete 2017 football schedule.

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John Currie

John Currie named vice chancellor and director of athletics at Tennessee

John Currie, who since arriving in 2009 has led K-State Athletics through one of the most successful periods in department history, has been named the new vice chancellor and director of athletics at the University of Tennessee.

 

Since Currie’s introduction as director of athletics in May 2009, the Wildcats’ athletics program has experienced a seven-year period of athletic, academic and fundraising excellence that ranks among the best in school history. Currie, who will begin his new position on April 1, spent 10 years at Tennessee prior to his arrival at K-State.

 

Laird Veatch ’95, current deputy athletics director and former Wildcat football standout, has been named acting athletics director and will manage the department until a permanent hire has been made.

 

“I want to thank John for his tremendous leadership and efforts on behalf of our student-athletes and university,” said President Richard B. Myers ’65. “It has been impressive to see the growth of our athletics department with the goal of building a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program. I look forward to working with acting athletic director Laird Veatch and the staff as we continue to strengthen what is already a very strong relationship between intercollegiate athletics and the university community.”

 

Under Currie’s leadership, K-State has evolved into one of the NCAA’s most financially solvent programs while initiating $210 million in comprehensive facility improvements — all privately funded with zero state tax or university tuition dollars — including the new Vanier Football Complex, West Stadium Center at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Ice Family Basketball Center, Intercollegiate Rowing Center and Mike Goss Tennis Stadium.

 

Athletically, Currie’s tenure has been marked by across the board success, including seven straight bowl appearances in football; Big 12 Conference championships in football, men’s basketball and baseball; 47 individual Big 12 and eight NCAA titles in track and field; and NCAA Tournament appearances by men’s basketball (five), women’s basketball (three), volleyball (four) and baseball (three). The 2012-13 campaign also was one for the ages as K-State became just the fourth BCS school since 1998 to win league titles in football, men’s basketball and baseball the same year.

 

“Words cannot express how grateful our family is for the time and experience we have had here at K-State and in the Manhattan community,” Currie said. “Tennessee reached out to me earlier this week and encouraged me to visit with Chancellor Davenport about the position. It was evident early in our discussion that she has a tremendous vision for the University, and I am excited to be a part of her leadership team.

 

“From when I arrived at K-State back in 2009, I have experienced some of the most enjoyable moments in my life, filled with some of the most genuine and caring people I have ever met. As I have said so many times, the collective group of head coaches we have here rival those of any in all of college athletics. Our primary goal has been to provide a world-class student-athlete experience, and I know we have made tremendous progress in this arena. And of course, our fans continue to support the Wildcats in record numbers, and I know that will continue.”

 

Academically, all Wildcat programs boast multi-year Academic Progress Rate marks of at least .944, with the football, men’s golf, women’s golf, men’s cross country and women’s cross country teams sporting Big 12-leading scores. Approximately one-half of all 450-plus Wildcat student-athletes achieved a 3.0 GPA or higher this past academic year.

 

K-State Athletics has also proven to be a great partner to the university, having eliminated approximately $3 million in annual state and direct university funding of intercollegiate athletics under Currie’s leadership to become the only institution in Kansas and one of only approximately two dozen nationwide to operate without these subsidies.

 

The 2013 Bobby Dodd AD Award winner and a 2012 UnderArmour AD of the Year, Currie has served on the NCAA Division I Administrative Cabinet and was the chair of the Big 12 ADs in 2013-14 while also being one of only two intercollegiate ADs named to SportsBusiness Journal’s 2011 prestigious Forty Under 40 list of national sports leaders.

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Research Showcase

Research Showcase connects university with regional industry

Kansas State University’s research capabilities, facilities and resources will be spotlighted at a 2017 event for business and industry in the Kansas City metro area.  

 

The 2017 Research Showcase is May 17 at K-State Olathe. The event serves as a large-scale networking session and showcase for the wide breadth of research expertise and resources at K-State that are available for public and private corporate partners. 

 

“Industry partnerships are crucial components to advance your research, to increase research funding at Kansas State University, and to impact the economic development of our state and region,” said Peter Dorhout, vice president for research. “These partnerships are becoming even more pivotal as state funding remains limited and grants from federal funding agencies are becoming increasingly competitive. I hope faculty and staff are excited about this opportunity that could lead to collaborations that will advance their research, engage their students, and potentially develop new solutions and technologies.”

 

The Research Showcase will highlight the university’s numerous capabilities, including:

 

  • Global food systems, including agriculture and food science

 

  • Animal and human health and nutrition

 

  • Engineering and technology, including construction, architecture and software

 

  • Workforce development and diversity

 

  • Life sciences and analytics, including sensory analysis and consumer preferences and behavior

 

Research Showcase“We are taking the showcase on the road to Olathe this year because companies in Greater Kansas City are hungry for collaboration and innovation with talented researchers,” Dorhout said. “Industry benefits from academic partners who help develop and advance the technologies of tomorrow so that they can be brought to a commercial market and used to improve lives.

 

“I encourage you to join us at this event to promote your expertise and the resources and research activities and capabilities across our campuses at Kansas State University,” he said.

 

Learn more about the 2017 Research Showcase. Industry registration is due by May 1.

 

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Wabash KC

Photo gallery: Wabash CannonBall Kansas City celebrates K-State, raises funds for scholarships

K-Staters from the Kansas City area gathered to celebrate their purple pride and raise funds for student scholarships at the 11th annual Wabash CannonBall Kansas City on Feb. 24 at the Overland Park Convention Center.

 

The elegant evening of dining, dancing and donating drew a crowd of nearly 800 K-State alumni, supporters and university administrators. In the first decade, the event has built an endowment of nearly $2 million and funded more than 370 scholarships — totaling $932,500 — for Kansas City-area high school students to attend K-State.

 

“Thank you to all of our alumni and supporters who helped us celebrate K-State at the 11th annual Wabash CannonBall Kansas City,” said Andrea Bryant Gladin ’02, director of alumni programs. “Your generous support of scholarships makes it possible for future generations of Wildcats to attend K-State. Thank you!”

 

The next Wabash CannonBall event will be the inaugural Wabash CannonBall North Texas gala May 19, followed by Wabash CannonBall Colorado on Aug. 11. Learn more about the Alumni Association’s Wabash CannonBall galas.

 

(Photos by David Mayes ’96) 

 

Wabash KC tables

 

K-State alumni and friends gathered to dine, dance and donate at the 11th annual Wabash CannonBall Kansas City on Feb. 24.

Attendees at Wabash KC

 

Alan Stetson ’80, Lynn Hindley, Jill Harrison and Pat Harrison ’82 pose for a photo during Wabash CannonBall Kansas City. 

Dessert

 

The menu at Wabash CannonBall Kansas City included lavender Tahitian vanilla panna cotta topped with Chantilly cream and raspberries, with a candied “Little Apple.”

Crowd at Wabash KC

 

The 2017 Wabash CannonBall Kansas City drew nearly 800 K-State alumni, supporters and university administrators. 

Dancing

 

K-Staters at the Wabash CannonBall Kansas City danced the night away to the sounds of Atlantic Express. 

Dancing

 

Learn how you can get involved with the K-State Alumni Association’s upcoming Wabash CannonBall events, including the inaugural Wabash CannonBall North Texas gala May 19 and the Wabash CannonBall Colorado on Aug. 11.

 

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Grandparents University

Registration opens for Grandparents University

Experience K-State with a special grandchild, niece, nephew or neighbor in your life at this year’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 on the K-State campus in Manhattan, Kansas. 

 

Grandparents University 2017 will be July 30 through Aug. 1. Registration opens March 6.

 

Participants stay in a suite together in a residence hall and eat in the Derby Food Complex, just like a college student. The schedule involves activities from units such as Engineering, Education, Architecture, the Beach Museum of Art and more. Additional opportunities include swimming and bowling and of course a scoop of Call Hall ice cream. There also will be time to explore campus while participating in a scavenger hunt.

 

“Make plans now to reunite with campus, do the Wabash, and spell K-S-U,” said Debbie Mercer ’84, ’88, ’96, ’99, dean of the College of Education. “Share your K-State pride while making memories with a special child in your life!”

 

Logan Taylor, Wichita, Kansas, and Lynda Taylor ’74, Yates Center, Kansas, attended Grandparents University 2016 and said it was a great opportunity for them to have fun together and explore K-State.

 

“We just wanted to spend some quality time together,” Lynda Taylor said.

 

If you have questions about Grandparents University, please call the registration office at 785-532-6041 or email gpu@ksu.edu. Space is limited, so make sure to sign up as soon as possible if you’d like to attend.

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Watch Party

Photo gallery: Alumni Association connects K-Staters through variety of events

Throughout the year, the K-State Alumni Association connects K-Staters across the state, the country and the globe with a variety of events and programs. View photos from some of our recent events in the gallery below, or learn how you can get involved with a club in your area. Also be sure to watch our calendar page for upcoming events. 

 

Painting party

 

K-Staters in the Wichita, Kansas, area enjoyed a K-State-themed painting party Jan. 28 at Paint the Towne. (Photo: Wichita Catbackers) 

DC Social

 

Wildcats in Washington, D.C., gathered for an alumni dinner Feb. 7. Special campus guests at the event included Richard B. Myers ’65, K-State president, and Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86, K-State Alumni Association president and CEO. (Photo: John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology) 

Wichita Wine

 

K-Staters enjoyed sampling new wines and socializing with fellow Wildcats at the annual Wichita Wine Tasting on Feb. 10 at the Crestview Country Club in Wichita, Kansas. The event included dinner and a selection of wines. (Photo: Gavin Hargrave ’08, ’10, K-State Alumni Association)

Watch Party

 

K-State Olathe hosted a multicultural alumni watch party for the K-State men’s basketball game versus West Virginia on Feb. 11. (Photo: Jessica Elmore ’06, ’15, K-State Alumni Association) 

KC Brew and BBQ

 

Join other alumni and friends for an evening of K-State food and fun at Kansas City Brew and BBQ on March 21 at Boulevard Brewing Co. in Kansas City, Missouri. Enjoy a sampling of Boulevard Brewing Co. beers and a buffet of Kansas City barbecue. Cost includes souvenir pint glass, Boulevard beer, wine, barbecue buffet, snacks and parking. RSVPs are due by March 14. (Graphic: Lindsay Porter ’04, ’07, K-State Alumni Association)

Topeka visit

 

Would you like to get more involved as an advocate for higher education? Help K-State raise awareness about the significant impact that higher education and K-State have on the state by joining Wildcats for Higher Education. Learn more about the program and sign up for the e-newsletter. (Photo: Linda Cook ’77, K-State Alumni Association)

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Bob Chipman

Former K-State student-athlete Bob Chipman to retire after successful coaching career 

Former K-State basketball player Bob Chipman ’74, ’76 played guard for two years under Wildcat coaching legend Jack Hartman. Now, he’s a coaching legend in his own right.

 

As head coach of the Washburn University men’s basketball team, Chipman, Topeka, Kansas, has led the Ichabods to unparalleled success, reaching 800 wins this season. He is the all-time winningest MIAA basketball coach. He led the Ichabods to the 1987 NAIA National Championship in Kansas City as well as to 12 conference titles with 10 coming in the MIAA. Last summer, he announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2016-17 season.

 

Below, Chipman shares some of his thoughts about his career and his time at K-State.

 

Reflecting on your career, what has been your most memorable moments with Washburn?

Bob Chipman: The National Championship in 1987. In 2001, we were the runner-up. Being able to coach my son, Bobby — that was a dream come true. My family — my wife, Carol ’76; my daughter, Kelsey ’10, and Bobby — were so much a part of so much of everything I’ve done here. Those are the highlights.

 

Was there anything in your coaching style that you picked up from Coach Jack Hartman?

In my estimation he was the greatest basketball coach ever. Coach taught me the game of basketball, the fundamentals, how to win. The practices that he organized and put us through, they allowed everyone to become the very best they could be.

 

Why do you think basketball is so important to Kansas?

The history and the winning. With schools like K-State, KU, Wichita State, Washburn and Fort Hays, it’s always been exciting. They’ve all had successes, but it seems to be getting better in recent years on all levels, not just the top schools. 

 

Stay up-to-date on K-State men’s and women’s basketball with K-State Athletics.

 

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Harold Roberts

Foundation news: K-State’s Mr. Ice Cream is memorialized with scholarship

Harold Roberts ’59, ’68, or as others knew him, “Mr. Ice Cream,” earned the name for his passion in teaching dairy processing and for his years directing the operations of Kansas State University’s dairy processing plant.

 

“The ‘Purple Pride’ ice cream flavor was started by Harold back when the football field was purple and Vince Gibson was the coach,” said Kevin Grow ’87, ’90, one of Roberts’ former students. “All the ice cream formulas and flavors at the Call Hall Dairy Bar were developed by Harold and to my knowledge are still intact.”

 

The Kansas Dairy Technology Society and the Missouri Dairy Products Association have created a scholarship to perpetuate the memory of Roberts and honor his family while providing financial assistance to students in the Department of Animal Science and Industry or the Food Science and Industry programs at K-State.

 

While having numerous professional memberships, Roberts also left a mark on K-State personally. He was a reliable dairy judge for the FFA, K-State dairy products teams and many state fairs, and also was known for inspiring many students in the classes he taught.

 

Read more

 

Carrying on the inspiration

Diane and Bob PatrickDiane Patrick ’70 and her late husband, Bob ’69, ’70, were both influenced by taking political science courses from Orma Linford. Linford held rigorous academic standards, founded the pre-law program and was a staunch defender of the Constitution. She was a civil rights and civil liberties advocate, counseling victims of civil rights infringements and racial and gender discrimination.

 

To Diane and Bob, she represented an empowered professor with the highest intellectual standards, who had the strength and will to counsel those who did not yet have their voice.

 

“Dr. Linford was committed to ensuring that due process was in place for students who chose to demonstrate or engage in civil disobedience to voice their opinion on critical issues of the late 1960s, such as civil rights and the Vietnam War,” Patrick said.

 

The Linford-Patrick professorship in political science was made with the intent that the recipient of this award would reflect the teaching style that Linford possessed.

 

Read more

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Agriculture

Ag alumni

Retirement honors for Steve Harbstreit well deserved

During his 29-year career at Kansas State University, Steve Harbstreit taught, mentored or graduated 128 of the current 223 agricultural education teachers in the state. He is confident that his students and their students will continue his legacy.

 

High-school agricultural programs are growing in rural and urban Kansas, with 16 new programs in the last five years. Instructors also serve as FFA advisers. Harbstreit attributes the growth to the strong science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) curriculum and the leadership opportunities through FFA.

 

Multiple organizations have recognized his accomplishments, including the 2009 David J. Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award from the College of Agriculture, Lifetime Achievement Award from the Kansas Association of Career and Technical Education, and the VIP Award from the National FFA organization. Lucas Shivers ’03 wrote an article about Harbstreit’s influence on ag ed teachers, which was published in Grass and Grain.  

 

Harbstreit has built strong relationships with students in the classroom, as an adviser, during student intern visits, and through FFA activities. Former students David Holliday ’88, ’89, agricultural education teacher at Rock Creek Junior/Senior High School, and Shannon Washburn ’95, ’99, assistant dean for the College of Agriculture, exemplify Harbstreit’s positive influence.

 

Here are a few recent thank-you messages from other former students:

 

  • Thank you so much your dedication to agricultural education and future ag teachers.

  • Your influence will live on in future generations of Kansas ag teachers.

  • I will never forget the real-life advice phone calls during my first year.

  • You have been an inspiration to a lot of ag teachers and a great role model to me. Thank you for your professional leadership, guidance and personal friendship.

  • Your passion for agriculture has spread throughout the state like wildfire.

  • You are a tremendous example for all of us.

  • Thank you for all you have done for KSU, FFA and ag education in general. Your impact will be felt for generations.

  • All of your advice and words of wisdom have made me grow as a better teacher.

  • Without your support and assistance, I would not be where I am today. Your love and passion for this profession is truly inspiring.

  • Thank you does not express how much I appreciate all you have done to help me succeed.

  • Your passion for agriculture and teaching comes out in every conversation and experience. Thank you for being a mentor to so many of us.

  • My students and my own children benefit every day from the lessons I learned from you at KSU.

 

The Department of Communications and Agricultural Education will host a reception honoring Harbstreit from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday, April 21, at the Stanley Stout Center, 2200 Denison Ave., with a formal presentation at 3 p.m.

 

If you are unable to attend but would like to send a card, please send it to Steve Harbstreit, Communications and Agricultural Education, 1612 Claflin Rd., 301 Umberger Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506. 

 

Photo: From left, David Holliday ’88, ’89, 2015 College of Agriculture Distinguished Alumnus; Kris Boone, communications and agricultural education department head; Steve Harbstreit; and Shannon Washburn ’95, ’99, 2016 David J. Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award recipient. (Courtesy photo)

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National Collegiate Landscape Competition

Horticulture students prepare for national competition

Horticulture students are honing their skills for the 2017 National Collegiate Landscape Competition in Provo, Utah, March 15-17. Thirty-five Kansas State University students will compete in the competition — 16 for the first time.

 

Each year, a different institution hosts the competition. K-State hosted the 2012 event. It’s a great opportunity for students to showcase their skills, network with industry representatives and learn about plants in other states.

 

Cathie Lavis ’93, ’05, associate professor of landscape management, and Greg Davis ’79, ’88, ’93, associate professor of landscape design in the Department of Horticulture and Natural Resources, help the students prepare for the competition and travel with them.

 

“Our students will compete in all 29 events,” Lavis said.

 

To cover expenses, students earn money through various fundraisers — selling Valentine’s Day roses plus seasonal bedding plant, wreath and chrysanthemum sales. They also send donation request letters.

 

“Our industry is very generous,” Lavis said. “This year, they responded with at least $13,000. This makes the trip possible for many of our students who could not afford it.”

 

Dan Moore, director of operations for Kinghorn Gardens in Omaha, Nebraska, spends each winter visiting horticulture programs from the Great Lakes to the panhandle of Nebraska and south into Kansas.

 

Kinghorn Gardens helped sponsor the K-State team and attends the national event.

 

“K-State consistently places as one of the top schools in a competition that, last year, included more than 60 college teams,” Moore said. “Out of this event we met many more of your students and hosted two as summer interns. We were very impressed with the knowledge they had coming in and have since hired one as a full-time, salaried employee.”

 

Moore also spoke to Greg Davis’ class. “Following my first encounter with Dr. Davis’ class and after being introduced to Dr. Lavis, it became very apparent that your program’s professors have a unique bond with their students.”

 

In addition to competition success, K-State students have fared well in securing internships with top 100 companies at the national competition and the annual Agri-Industry Career Fair on campus. Lavis shared a few examples:

 

Southern Botanical from Dallas hired three students last May and offered two internships. The interns have either taken a full-time position now or will in May.

 

At last year’s competition, Alic Erpelding secured a summer internship with Ruppert Landscape in Laytonsville, Maryland.

 

Two years ago, Andrea Johnson met a representative from Denison Landscape in Fort Washington, Maryland. She interned with them last summer and will start working for them after her study abroad and graduation in May.

 

Lauren Walz received a summer internship with Chatham Landscapes in Marietta, Georgia.

 

Chris Rea ’14 secured a job with Mariani Landscape in Lake Bluff, Illinois. He earned national championships in Woody Plant Identification and Tractor Loader Backhoe Operation. 

 

Photo: Associate professors Greg Davis ’79, ’88, ’93, far left, and Cathie Lavis ’93, ’05, far right, with K-State horticulture students at the 2016 National Collegiate Landscape Competition at Mississippi State University. (Courtesy photo)

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Architecture, Planning and Design

A rendering of a duplex under construction at 7509 Pennsylvania Ave. that aims to provide affordable rental rates for workers in the Waldo neighborhood. Kansas State University School of Architecture Design+Make Studio

Students and professionals work together on affordable-rent duplex

When housing costs started rising above the ability of a neighborhood’s residents to afford living there, a group of Kansas City professionals and students at Kansas State University teamed up to tackle that challenge. They’re working on a small project in the Waldo neighborhood, designing and building a duplex they anticipate can be rented for about half of market rate apartment rentals in that area.

 

Read the full-length article published in the Kansas City Star. 

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Arts and Sciences

Emily McLaurin

CAREER award winner ‘microwaves’ next-generation materials for emerging technologies 

A Kansas State University chemist has earned a National Science Foundation CAREER award of more than $700,000 to develop a more efficient and safer way of etching semiconductor nanocrystals. Her work could lead to more energy-efficient lighting and greener technology.

 

The Faculty Early Career Development, or CAREER, Program is the NSF’s most prestigious awards program in support of junior faculty who exemplify the role of teacher-scholars through outstanding research, excellent education and the integration of education and research within the context of the mission of their organizations.

 

Emily McLaurin, assistant professor of chemistry, will use the award for her project “Microwave-Assisted Ionic Liquid Etching of Colloidal III-V Semiconductor Nanocrystals.”

 

Semiconductors are a class of solid materials with electrical conductivity that form the basic components of electronic circuits, light-emitting diodes and sensor devices. They are etched — a process that is much like sanding — to remove oxygen and organic, or carbon-based, impurities from their surfaces, McLaurin said.

 

McLaurin’s work uses microwaves in the etching process with the goal of more efficiently producing safer, superior semiconductor nanocrystals known as quantum dots.

 

“Quantum dots have unique properties that depend on their size,” McLaurin said. “As they decrease in size, you can tune the color they glow from red to blue. They’re used in commercial display technologies such as TVs, phones and tablets because they’re very bright and can provide more colors than other displays. Quantum dots are also important for research in biology, where they are used as luminescent sensors and in emerging solar cell technologies.”

 

Despite existing for more than 20 years, quantum dot production methods are inefficient and often require toxic, heavy-metal components, McLaurin said. Her use of microwaves provides an alternative approach that eliminates these negative aspects and could make it possible to use these materials in biological sensing and imaging.

 

“We need to make sure we have the next generation of materials ready for emerging technologies,” McLaurin said. “Microwave chemistry gives us a unique way to do this.”

 

Dan Higgins, head of the chemistry department, said the CAREER Award is an important recognition for McLaurin’s work in the lab and classroom, as well as her outreach efforts.

 

“It is wonderful to see Dr. McLaurin’s growing research and teaching programs recognized through this prestigious award,” Higgins said. “Her research in the development of greener methods and materials for the synthesis of semiconducting nanocrystals will ultimately lead to enhanced energy efficiency in a range of technologies. She is using these same concepts in her outreach efforts to help build interest in STEM — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — disciplines among young students.”

 

McLaurin has developed lab experiments based on her work for middle, high school and undergraduate students. By using simple microwave-based experiments, the students can learn relevant nanotechnology and renewable energy applications. Her outreach is part of the university’s partnership with the Kansas Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation, and she is reaching a diverse student base and helping generate interest in the STEM fields by young women and underrepresented students.

 

“As a new investigator, this award will play a key role in my career, both stimulating the progress of my talented research team and engaging the next generation of scientists through learning experiences with these new materials,” she said.

 

McLaurin joined the university in 2013. She earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, San Diego, and a doctorate from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. She also served as a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Washington.

 

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College of Arts and Sciences

K-State journalism student wins scholarship in biotechnology reporting contest 

Safiya Woodard, senior in mass communications at K-State, won the grand prize in the 2016 Biotech University reporting contest — a $2,500 academic scholarship.

 

Woodard’s winning entry was a video documentary, “The Evolution of Biotechnology in Agriculture.”

 

The reporting contest was part of the 2016 Biotech University seminar in October 2016 at Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications, and Biodesign Institute. Biotech University is a one-day seminar designed to introduce college journalism students to the emerging science of biotechnology.

 

Forty-one journalism students attended Biotech University. Twenty-one students from colleges and universities across the country, sponsored by Qualified State Soybean Boards, also attended. In addition, five working journalists attended.

 

The event was sponsored by the United Soybean Board and co-sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association, the Arizona Farm Bureau and Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute.

 

At the seminar, experts on biotechnology explained the science, debated pros and cons, and discussed the scientific, business and political issues surrounding the topic.

 

 

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Business Administration

Launch a Business

K-State seeks innovative startup ideas for Launch a Business program 

Kansas State University is seeking applications from Kansas-based startups to participate in its fourth annual K-State Launch a Business (LAB) program, powered by KS State Bank.

 

The program, specifically intended for early-stage companies, provides entrepreneurs much-needed resources, including faculty-led courses, hands-on student research teams and access to the world-class K-State alumni mentor network. It is designed to provide the building blocks for turning a concept into a successful venture.

 

As many as 25 high-potential startup ventures or concepts will be selected for participation in the Launch a Business program, including up to 10 companies from Global Food Systems industries. Each venture that successfully completes the program will receive $1,500 and is eligible to participate in the culminating Launch Party, where a total of $80,000 in additional prizes will be awarded.

 

“The Launch a Business program allows us to share our expertise with the community,” said Chad Jackson ’99, ’10, ’14, director of the Kansas State Center for the Advancement of Entrepreneurship. “Our faculty, alumni and students are incredible resources, and we are excited to ask them to volunteer to support the next great startup ventures. We are grateful to KS State Bank for making this possible.”

 

Kansas-based startup founders with scalable, for-profit businesses or ideas are invited to apply until Friday, April 14, at 5 p.m. Criteria for selection include identifying a real problem and an innovative solution, demonstrating the drive to succeed and ability to incorporate feedback, and showing commitment to the idea.

 

The program will take place throughout the month of June, giving the chosen finalists several opportunities to attend workshops and mentoring sessions. Program organizers invite all alumni and supporters of K-State and the regional startup ecosystem to mark their calendars for the closing celebration Launch Party on June 29. The event will feature presentations from all Launch a Business participants.

 

There is no charge to apply or participate. More details, including the online application form, can be found at www.k-state.edu/lab.

 

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Distinguished Lecture

Cerner President Zane Burke presents College of Business Distinguished Lecture 

Zane Burke ’88, ’90, president of Cerner, presented the College of Business Administration’s Distinguished Lecture on Feb. 6.

 

Burke joined Cerner in 1996, where he has served in a broad range of executive positions across sales, implementation, support and finance. Prior to becoming president in 2012, he led Cerner’s Client Development organization with a focus on establishing new relationships across all segments of the health care market.

 

As the president of Cerner, Burke focuses on client relationships worldwide. He makes an impact by leading the corporate direction and strategy for solution operations, including new business efforts, revenue generation and marketing. With more than 20 years of experience, he understands the current and emerging challenges that face the health care industry and partners with clients to address these issues and create opportunities.

 

Dedicated to the advancement and development of health care leaders, Burke serves on the board of trustees and the foundation board of directors for the College of Healthcare Information Management Executives (CHIME). Locally, he serves on the board of directors of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, an organization focused on growing Kansas City business and building a vibrant and thriving economy. He is also on the board of directors of Truman Medical Centers, an academic health center providing quality care and building a healthier community in Kansas City.

 

You can watch Burke’s full lecture at http://cba.k-state.edu/about/distinguished-speakers/burke-lecture.html.

 

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Education

Blue Valley

College of Education hosts record-breaking ‘We the People’ event 

A two-day civics and government competition sponsored by the College of Education for middle and high school students drew the largest number of participants in the event’s 30-year history. 

 

Blue Valley Northwest High School, led by government and AP government teacher Ken Thomas, won the “We the People” competition. According to event organizers, of the nine high schools participating and 1,600 points possible, only two points separated two of the top three teams. Emporia High School took second place, and Abilene High School placed third. Sara Christensen with the Johnson County First Amendment Foundation presented Blue Valley with a $5,000 check to help pay for the team’s travel expenses to the national “We the People” competition this spring in Washington, D.C.  

 

Robinson Middle School in Wichita, led by Michelle Rowley, won the middle school competition, and only 40 of the 1,200 possible points separated the top three teams.  

 

The event was held Feb. 6-7 and was organized by College of Education faculty members Brad Burenheide ’06, associate professor of curriculum and instruction, and Thomas S. Vontz, professor of curriculum and instruction and director of the Center for Social Studies Education.  

 

“The students were impressive, making reasoned arguments about critical constitutional issues and connecting constitutional ideas to historical and current events,” Vontz said. “This kind of intelligent, mature and civil discourse about our similarities and differences has been and will continue to be an important marker of the health of our republic. This doesn’t happen accidentally and requires deliberate attention to help ‘We the People’ thoughtfully engage the ongoing debates about the meaning and application of constitutional ideas. Brad and I applaud the teachers of these ideas because they are on the front lines of attempting to keep our experiment in self-government vibrant and healthy.” 

 

Blanche Wulfekoetter, a high school teacher from Jefferson West High School, said this about her experiences with the competition.  

 

Robinson Middle School“Being involved with this ‘citizen growing’ event is one of the finest blessings of my professional career,” Wulfekoetter said. “I take usable content away each and every time we gather. I was blown away by Junction City’s first-year performance at state! What a blessing to watch these students testify and respond to big idea questions. Then, I was struck the next day by the high level of critical thinking the middle school students showcased. Truly, I was amazed. This is exactly the kind of hands-on education that sticks with students far beyond their years in school.” 

 

Burenheide and Vontz both expressed how impressed the volunteer judges were. The judges were teachers, K-State education students and actual judges from the state who volunteered their knowledge and time to evaluate the performance of the students.

 

The “We the People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program” promotes civic competence and responsibility among the nation’s upper elementary and secondary students. The “We the People” printed textbook’s and Enhanced Ebook’s interactive strategies, relevant content and the simulated congressional hearing make teaching and learning exciting for both students and teachers.

 

The program enjoys active support from state bar associations and foundations, and other educational, professional, business and community organizations across the nation. Since its inception in 1987, more than 28 million students and 75,000 educators have participated in the “We the People” program.

 

The high schools and their sponsoring teachers in the competition were: 

 

Blue Valley Northwest (Overland Park), Ken Thomas 

Hartford High School (Hartford), Lewis Whitson 

Valley Heights High School (Blue Rapids), Lew Whitson ’94 

Abilene High School (Abilene), Janeal Barry 

Emporia High School (Emporia), Jamie Dawson

Northeast Magnet School (Wichita), Brittany Herod 

Humboldt High School (Humboldt), Eric Carlson ’99

Natoma High School (Natoma), Ben Swenson ’11 

Junction City High School (Junction City), Reina Cruz ’15

 

The middle schools and sponsoring teachers in the competition were:  

 

Fort Riley Middle School (Geary County), Stephanie Staley and Alli Ronnebaum

Hamilton Middle School (Wichita), David Pines and Earnest Robinson

Robinson Middle School (Wichita), Michelle Rowley 

Wamego Middle School (Wamego), Adam Topliff 

 

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Kristin Wright and Judy Hughey

College offers school counseling program at K-State Olathe 

The College of Education is responding to the demand for more school counselors by offering its program at the K-State Olathe campus, making it even more convenient for professionals to access the program.

 

Judy Hughey, associate professor of special education, counseling and student affairs, said the Kansas Commissioner of Education Randy Watson ’81, ’84, ’90 and the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Teacher Supply and Retention have identified the crucial role school counselors play in student success. That, she said, is bringing attention to the profession.

 

“We are elated that Commissioner Watson has been such an advocate for more school counselors and has drawn a direct line between their expertise and the financial strength of the Kansas economy,” Hughey said. “Our response at K-State is to make it as convenient as possible for educators or career changers to enter the profession.”

 

The school counseling master’s degree is 48 credit hours, and career changers can have a bachelor’s degree in any field. For more information about the school counselor program, please contact Hughey at jhughey@ksu.edu.

 

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Carl R. Ice College of Engineering

Railroad ties

K-State researcher develops industry standard for concrete railroad ties 

When it comes to stronger, safer concrete railroad ties, Kansas State University researchers are on track.

 

Pretensioned concrete railroad ties use steel indented wires that are stretched before being cast into concrete. When the wires are saw-cut, they spring back to compress the concrete member with approximately 140,000 pounds of longitudinal force. Bob Peterman, professor of civil engineering, and his graduate student, Matthew Arnold, Shawnee, Kansas, developed a test to determine how well the concrete wires will bond with the surrounding concrete.

 

ASTM International, formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials, standardized Peterman’s test as ASTM A1096. It will be used by manufacturers across the globe.

 

“I feel honored that our work was adopted as an ASTM standard, and I’m excited by how quickly it happened,” Peterman said. “Sometimes, procedures take a long time to be adopted as standard, but the process accelerated because the industry really wants a test like this.”

 

Peterman attributes the speed of his solution’s adoption to support from pre-stress concrete producers and pre-stress steel wire suppliers.

 

“It’s important in construction to supply a quality product and, unfortunately, when something goes wrong, there is plenty of finger-pointing,” Peterman said. “Because this standard allows a pre-caster to specify a certain bond quality at the time of purchase, it helps to delineate responsibility, which is something both sides really wanted.”

 

Peterman’s procedure could potentially save the industry millions of dollars per year by allowing producers to specify and receive wire reinforcements that are used to fabricate concrete railroad ties that have a uniform factor of safety against different failure modes.

 

“The railroad industry has been developed through a series of educated guesses, putting the product on the rails and seeing how it performs. Unfortunately, sometimes things don’t perform well,” Peterman said. “If they catch it at the plant, it may be a $75-$100 error. If it gets to the track, fails and needs replacing, it will cost 20 times that amount. With the case of railroad ties, you can produce millions before receiving much feedback.”

 

Concrete ties are typically spaced 24 inches apart, so there are 2,640 ties per mile. In Europe, more than 90 percent of the ties are concrete, but in the U.S., the majority of ties are wooden, with concrete ties comprising just 8 percent. The U.S. continues to mostly use wooden ties because of their lower production costs and because concrete ties cannot presently be interspersed with wooden ties due to differences in stiffness.

 

“Running a train on wooden ties versus concrete ties could be compared to riding a bike through the grass versus riding it on concrete,” Peterman said. “It’s stiffer and doesn’t deflect as much, so you achieve better fuel economy.”

 

Peterman and his student team added weight to various concrete members that encapsulated 15 different reinforcing steels to test whether the wires would still hold without pulling through the concrete.

 

The research that led to the test was made possible as a result of a device developed in K-State’s Non-Contact Precision Measurements Laboratory by researchers Terry Beck, professor of mechanical engineering; Weixin Zhao ’06, ’11, doctoral student in mechanical engineering; Chih-Hang “John” Wu, associate professor of industrial manufacturing systems engineering; and Peterman. The device was designed to optically measure transfer length — the distance from the end of the tie to the point at which it is able to carry its full load bearing capacity. The device was awarded a patent in 2014.

 

It was found that 8 to 15 inches is the safe zone for transfer lengths in concrete railroad ties, whereas significantly shorter transfer lengths can cause splitting and cracking, and significantly longer transfer lengths will cause the tie to have a reduced load-carrying capacity.

 

“Really short transfer lengths can actually lead to bursting, so it’s kind of the Goldilocks approach — you don’t want it to be too short or too long,” Peterman said. “I tell people it's like ‘CSI Concrete,’ because we’re trying to figure out how it all works.”

 

Peterman launched the project in 2002 through a research association with Beck and Wu, along with initial seed funding from K-State’s University Transportation Center and Advanced Manufacturing Institute. In 2011, the funding increased with a $2.1 million grant from the Federal Railroad Administration.

 

Peterman said he especially enjoys working with the student team to examine the data and determine the next step. Their team has conducted research at the LB Foster/CXT Concrete Tie plants in Grand Island, Nebraska, Tucson, Arizona, and Spokane, Washington; VAE Nortrak North America Inc. plant in Cheyenne, Wyoming; and Rocla Concrete Tie plants in Sciotoville, Ohio, and Pueblo, Colorado.

 

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Fellows

Three professors named to fellow status 

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers recognized three Kansas State University professors as fellows at its 2016 annual international meeting in Orlando, Florida.

 

With the number of candidates elected to fellow grade each year limited to 0.2 percent of the total membership, to have three of this year’s 13 recipients from one university is a remarkable achievement.

 

Gary Clark, senior associate dean in the College of Engineering; Joe Harner, professor and head of the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering; and Xiuzhi Susan Sun, a university distinguished professor in the Department of Grain Science and Industry, and ancillary professor of biological and agricultural engineering, were each recognized for their “unusual professional distinction, with outstanding and extraordinary qualifications and experience in, or related to, the field of agricultural, food or biological engineering.”

 

Fellows must have 20 years of active practice in the profession of engineering, the teaching of engineering or teaching in an engineering-related curriculum.

 

Gary Clark

Clark, a licensed professional engineer, was honored for his outstanding teaching, research and extension contributions to irrigation, water management, academic administration and leadership within the engineering profession. Throughout his career, he has focused on water conservation through improved irrigation system design, operation and management. At K-State, he built a comprehensive irrigation teaching and research program by revising irrigation management and irrigation system design courses, adding experiential labs and software applications to enhance student learning.

 

While serving as interim dean of the College of Engineering, Clark helped lead the groundbreaking and project oversight for the recently completed 108,000-square-foot addition to the college. He held a key leadership role in the establishment and execution of goals and programs of the state of Kansas’ University Engineering Initiative Act to increase the number of engineering graduates from K-State.

 

A 32-year member of the society, Clark has lent his leadership and expertise to such projects as developing the society’s standards, and providing leadership in a variety of its councils and technical communities. He also is a life member of the Irrigation Association, active with the American Society of Engineering Educators and a member of Phi Kappa Phi. Clark has authored or co-authored more than 150 refereed journal articles, book chapters and technical and extension publications.

 

Joe Harner

Harner, also a licensed professional engineer, was honored for advancing engineering principles and implementing innovative ideas toward a safer and more sustainable food system. A member of the K-State dairy team, he has been involved in bringing fundamental engineering principles into the design and evaluation of heat abatement systems for conventional dairy structures in the development of low-profile, cross-ventilated, free-stall building design. Dairies across the U.S. and in other countries are being built according to his cross-ventilated model.

 

In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of animal feeding operations, Harner has explored alternative technologies such as wetlands and vegetative filters. His expertise is highly sought after, as he has been an invited speaker at more than 120 allied industry-sponsored conferences around the world.

 

A 33-year member of the society, Harner has served in a variety of leadership roles, holding several membership and officer positions on key technical committees. He was honored by both the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers’ Kansas section and Mid-Central regional meeting as the 2009 Engineer of the Year. He has authored or co-authored more than 270 refereed journal articles, conference papers and technical and extension publications. Harner’s work has been frequently adapted for mass media in more than 100 popular press magazine articles.

 

Xiuzhi Susan Sun

Sun was honored for her work in the conversion of biorenewable feedstocks and biomolecules into high-performance chemicals and polymers for biobased adhesives, plastics, coatings and medical devices. Her work has had significant impact on the biobased-products industry, demonstrating her ability and leadership to apply fundamental research to practical applications that have significant impact on humanity in terms of reducing dependence on fossil fuels, mitigating environmental pollutions and improving human health.

 

A recipient of several teaching awards, Sun has advised 33 graduate students and 26 postdoctoral candidates. Her success in obtaining grant money has led to more than $20 million in research awards on projects where she has served as principal or co-principal investigator. Funding agencies include the U.S. Departments of Agriculture, Energy and Defense, and the National Science Foundation.

 

A 24-year member of the society, Sun has served as an associate editor as well as chair of two committees. Other professional memberships include the Institute of Food Technology, American Association of Cereal Chemists, Bioenvironmental Polymer Society and American Academic Association of Scientists. Sun received the lifetime achievement award from the Bioenvironmental Polymer Society and the Higuchi Research Achievement Award from the University of Kansas. She has authored or co-authored more than 310 refereed journal articles, book chapters and technical presentations. She holds 10 patents, with nine pending, and has been inducted into the National Academy of Inventors.

 

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Human Ecology

Nutritionists

Below threshold: Nutritionists discuss serious yet common mineral deficiencies 

Iron and zinc are critical minerals, but many people are deficient in them. The good news, according to nutritionists at Kansas State University, is that these deficiencies can be diagnosed through a simple blood test and are easily treatable.

 

Brian Lindshield ’03, associate professor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health, says iron deficiency is especially common in menstruating and pregnant women because of blood loss and increased blood volume, respectively. Lindshield says the recommended daily allowance of iron is 18 milligrams per day for menstruating women and 27 milligrams per day for pregnant women. Men need only 8 milligrams per day.

 

Women need more iron because they lose more iron, says Linda Yarrow ’83, ’85, ’06, instructor of food, nutrition, dietetics and health. An iron deficiency may be an extra concern for pregnant women who face hemodilution, in which increased body fluids dilute hemoglobin levels while increased mineral levels are needed for fetal growth.

 

“Given that an ounce of beef provides 1 milligram of iron, it can be a challenge for women of childbearing age to meet their iron needs through diet alone,” Lindshield said.

 

Lindshield and Yarrow say the human body needs iron for proper enzyme function; oxygen transportation through the blood; and adequate growth, development and synthesis of some hormones. The nutritionists say iron deficiency can result in anemia, which causes symptoms of fatigue, weakness, lethargy, apathy, impaired cognitive abilities, decreased immune function and headaches.

 

While iron deficiency is somewhat common, Yarrow says it is rare for the deficiency to be found alone.

 

“Because iron deficiency can be related to poor diets and blood loss, persons with iron deficiency tend to have other nutrient deficiencies as well,” Yarrow said.

 

Zinc, for example, is a mineral that is often found with iron. Beef, soy and whole grains all contain both iron and zinc. Similarly, where iron deficiency is found, zinc deficiency also is often present. Zinc deficiency is less common than iron deficiency, but it is more common than most other mineral deficiencies, Yarrow says.

 

Zinc deficiency is most likely to be found in older adults, children living in food-insecure households, persons with alcoholism and those with vegan diets, especially in developing countries. Lindshield says veganism can contribute to zinc deficiency because zinc is not absorbed as well from plant foods as from animal-based foods.

 

Zinc is required for cellular metabolism and is important for immune function, wound healing and DNA synthesis. The mineral also is necessary for adequate senses of taste and smell. Zinc deficiency can result in hair loss, dermatitis, growth retardation, loss of appetite, poor wound healing and altered senses of taste and smell.

 

Yarrow advises anyone who suspects they may have deficiencies in iron, zinc or any other minerals to consult their physician rather than attempting to self-diagnose or self-treat. A physician will ask questions about dietary intake and symptoms and possibly order laboratory work to determine if any deficiencies are present, Yarrow says.

 

If deficiencies are confirmed, the client will receive education about increasing intake of foods that contain the deficient nutrient. The client also may receive recommendations on supplements to take to achieve desired nutrient levels. Yarrow says this process is crucial because there is plenty of misinformation on the internet and because if a supplement is needed, self-determining which supplement to take and how much can be harmful. For example, overly high levels of Vitamin D have been linked to health problems, Yarrow says.

 

“Nutrient deficiencies can be damaging, but excesses of many nutrients can be just as detrimental,” Yarrow said. “Excessive intake of any nutrient has potential harmful effects, so please visit your physician for deficiency diagnosis and treatment.”

 

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Kristin Malek

Kristin Malek studies fair and festival food safety 

Eating is a popular activity at the thousands of fairs and festivals that take place in the United States each year. Factors such as outdoor locations, insufficient temperature control, unsanitary practices of food handlers and the frequent presence of animals make food safety a potential problem at these events, but little research has been done to determine the scope of the problem.

 

Kristin Malek, assistant professor of hospitality management, is out to change that. She conducted a study of 30 fairs and festivals across Kansas in 2016 to observe the state of food safety practices. Her objectives were to develop baseline data on types of food operations and on-the-job food safety practices at fairs and festivals, identify corrective actions and develop recommendations for food safety training programs that are specific to fairs and festivals.

 

Appropriate and targeted training programs are important because most fairs and festivals are run by volunteers who have little formal training. The right programs could help organizers reduce liability and increase customer satisfaction while reducing the risk of foodborne illness.

 

Malek’s ultimate goal is to protect consumers.

 

“Foodborne illness has serious implications for the attendees, the organization and the community,” she said.

 

Malek found interesting results. Of all the food vendors, one type had the most frequent violations statewide. Of all the areas observed, access to hand-washing stations was most frequently lacking. At community festivals with more mom-and-pop type stands, sample food was frequently given out to entice visitors, but this was done with little regard for food safety practices. Malek plans to use these foundational standards from her study to inform future studies and grant submissions.

 

A University Small Research Grant from the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs in fall 2015 supported Malek’s study.

 

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Technology and Aviation

Terri Gaeddert

Terri Gaeddert joins Kansas State Polytechnic as director of academic operations 

With a continued focus on enhancing the student experience, Kansas State University’s Polytechnic Campus has hired its first-ever director of academic operations.

 

Terri Gaeddert, former associate dean and director of teacher education at Sterling College, has been selected for the new role and is charged specifically with strengthening program collaboration under the campus’ recently implemented School of Integrated Studies. She also will streamline course schedules, mentor faculty and improve faculty resourcing. The creation of the position, which Gaeddert began in January, is a part of Kansas State Polytechnic’s vision of providing an environment centered around experiential learning and cost-effective education.

 

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Gaeddert as the inaugural director of academic operations on the Polytechnic Campus. Along with an indisputable passion for higher education, she brings years of valuable expertise and a fresh perspective that will help lead the School of Integrated Studies and our commitment to offering students relevant education with a strong experimental component,” said Verna Fitzsimmons, dean and CEO of Kansas State Polytechnic.

 

In fall 2016, the campus established the School of Integrated Studies after it was approved by the Kansas Board of Regents the year before. The new academic alignment allows programs and faculty to no longer be separated by department, but to be organized together under the director of academic operations. One of Gaeddert’s primary roles is to help faculty utilize the collective structure to generate synergy among the programs — integrating different disciplines so students will receive additional skills and knowledge relatable to their majors.

 

Gaeddert also will develop a two-year rotation of courses, ensuring every course in a major is offered at least once within a two-year window. This will provide all students — bachelor’s degree-seeking students, transfer students and students with an associate degree pursing a bachelor’s degree — the opportunity to complete their endeavors in a timely manner, which will bolster cost savings. In addition, Gaeddert will implement scheduling efficiencies for faculty so they can spend more time with students, performing research and connecting with the community.

 

“My teaching philosophy is based around the three R’s: relationships, relevance and rigor. One of the reasons this position stood out is because the polytechnic, or hands-on, approach this campus values encompasses those elements,” Gaeddert said. “Knowledge and understanding is only the beginning; it’s those that are able to apply, do and create using their knowledge that will be heavily sought after. I look forward to working with the faculty at Kanas State Polytechnic as they continue to cultivate an experience-driven atmosphere for their students.”

 

A native of Ogallala, Nebraska, Gaeddert has a doctorate in educational leadership from Wichita State University, a master’s in teaching from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, and a bachelor’s in mathematics and computer science from Chadron State College in Chadron, Nebraska. Most recently, she served as the associate dean of Sterling College as well as its director of teacher education for four years. Gaeddert also worked in high schools as a teacher and technology specialist, wrote curriculum and problem-solving tests for the Kansas State Education Department, and has served on a number of Kansas teacher education committees.

 

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Veterinary Medicine

Zelda the ferret

A new legend for Zelda: Ferret receives pacemaker for heart condition at Veterinary Health Center 

This past January, a team of veterinary specialists at Kansas State University performed the Veterinary Health Center’s first-ever surgical implant of a heart pacemaker in a ferret named Zelda.

 

Zelda’s owner, Carl Hobi, Olathe, Kansas, had noticed in December his pet ferret’s behavior had changed. As the owner of two other ferrets, Zelda’s behavior was quite conspicuous.

 

“She would not eat all her ‘soupies,’ which is homemade duck soup I make for ferrets, and she would lay down more often than she normally does,” Hobi recalled.

 

Hobi is a freelance videographer and storm chaser for 41 Action News, Kansas City, and for Live Storms Media. He has his own chase team, KC Storm Trackers, and he is employed by Pioneer College Caterers, a food service management company. He also is a volunteer board member with the Kansas City Ferret Hotline, a ferret rescue group where he originally adopted Zelda.

 

During Christmas break, Hobi took a trip home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

 

“Zelda was in 17 states over Christmas and got to meet a capybara, pig, opossum, skunks and squirrels,” Hobi said. “Zelda was still not feeling well, so on Christmas Eve, I took her to Avets in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Dr. Christopher Norkus [editor’s note: a former resident in anesthesiology and analgesia at K-State] ran some tests on her. After running tests, they said she had a third degree AV block in her heart, which was responsible for the slow heart rate, so Dr. Norkus told me to take her to K-State.”

 

Zelda was admitted to the Veterinary Health Center at K-State, where she was examined by Dr. James Carpenter, professor, Dr. David Eshar, assistant professor, and Dr. Louden Wright, intern, from the wildlife and zoo medicine section in the College of Veterinary Medicine. She was then seen by a cardiologist, Dr. Justin Thomason.

 

“We performed an echocardiogram, EKG and chest X-rays, which demonstrated Zelda was a good candidate for pacemaker implantation,” Thomason explained. “As with a human patient, this condition called for the implantation of a pacemaker to help increase Zelda’s heart beat and provide her a good quality of life.”

 

Dr. Emily Klocke, clinical associate professor of small animal surgery, performed the surgery and was assisted by Dr. David Rankin ’93, clinical associate professor of anesthesiology.

 

“This was the first time I had ever performed this particular procedure on a ferret, although I have performed it on dogs before,” Klocke said. “I was very concerned about how small our patient was and whether I could successfully suture the pacemaker leads to her beating heart without causing severe bleeding.”

 

While pacemaker implantation has been performed on other animal species, it is much rarer in ferrets.

 

“It takes a very special pet owner to be willing to provide this level of care,” Thomason said. “Although pacemakers have been implanted in ferrets at other institutions, this is the first time we have placed a pacemaker in a ferret at our hospital.”

 

After the surgery, Zelda was in the ICU for two days, before being released to Hobi. Thomason explained the battery in the pacemaker is good for about 10 years, so he expects Zelda to be able to enjoy a normal ferret lifespan. 

 

Zelda returned to the Veterinary Health Center in early February to undergo a post-surgical examination. Veterinarians examined Zelda to make sure she was adapting well and fine-tuned the settings on her pacemaker. They explained the swelling inside Zelda’s heart had reduced and her heart was now back to a normal size. She should continue to make improvements and return to her normal feisty self.

 

Photo: A collage shows Zelda the ferret before surgery, and the radiograph reveals the implantation of the pacemaker in the abdomen, where it will help Zelda maintain her heart beat at a normal rhythm for ferrets. (Courtesy photo)

 

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Dr. Jean Sonnenfield

Dr. Jean Sonnenfield receives 2017 Alumni Recognition Award 

Dr. Jean Sonnenfield ’92, ’00, Atlanta, Georgia, received a 2017 Alumni Recognition Award from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine at the North American Veterinary Conference in Orlando, Florida, on Feb. 7.

 

Sonnenfield received a bachelor’s degree in biology, graduating summa cum laude, in 1992 and her doctor of veterinary medicine degree, also summa cum laude, in 2000, both at K-State. From 1997 to 2003, she earned a DPhil in clinical biochemistry at Oxford University in England. While at Oxford, she also represented the university in soccer and rugby and received five blues.

 

Sonnenfield completed a one-year internship in small animal medicine and surgery at the University of Georgia, and then practiced as an associate veterinarian at a practice in Atlanta for three years. She then joined Georgia Veterinary Specialists (now BluePearl Sandy Springs) as an emergency clinician and became head of the emergency service as well as the internship program. In addition to her clinical duties, she currently serves as vice president of development for BluePearl Veterinary Partners.

 

“It is a great honor to be the recipient of the 2017 alumni recognition award,” Sonnenfield said. “K-State has always had a special place in my heart. Without the great education, mentorship and support, I would never have been able to achieve what I have. K-State is a truly unique institution that challenges students to be the best veterinarians they can be and gives them the support to achieve it.”

 

“We are delighted to have this opportunity to recognize an alumna who is making a difference for animal health and welfare in her local community,” said Dr. Tammy Beckham, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “We are proud that Dr. Sonnenfield helps guide young, aspiring veterinarians through her leadership in overseeing her practice’s internship program. We look forward to seeing how she will contribute to the profession as her career continues.”

 

Sonnenfield is a member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, Georgia Veterinary Medical Association, Cobb County Veterinary Medical Association and International Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care Society. While in college, Sonnenfield was a Truman scholar and Brasenose scholar, was on the All-American Academic Team and played women’s soccer for K-State.

 

Sonnenfield and her husband, Gareth Morgan, have two boys: Anthony John, age 12, and Nicholas Edward, age 11.

 

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