good for k-state spring 2012

Volume 4, Issue 1 Spring 2012

Focus on facultyEndowed chairs keep K-State strong

A corporate collaboration chalks up to one great opportunity for two K-State studentsBy Andrew ZenderCue up the scanners — because two K-State students are about to rack up an impressive amount of hours cataloging a one-of-a-kind collection of memorabilia at the Chapman Center for Rural Studies in the Department of History.

Mack Scott, doctoral student in history from Petersburg, Va., and Katie Jones, senior in history and English, Dodge City, Kan., are spearheading a project to digitize and

preserve catalogs, products and other materials representing 165 years of history of Brunswick, an American corporation known for its bowling and billiards products.

Using a sophisticated archival processing program, the two students are creating a digital inventory of a collection in excess of 10,000 pages and more than 900 pieces of memorabilia collected by Joe Newell, Clay Center, Kan. In exchange for fully supporting Scott’s work for two years, Brunswick will receive a fully digitized archive of Newell’s collection.

Scott is grateful for the support that Brunswick has given him as he pursues his studies. “I’m thankful to Brunswick for generously funding my graduate work,” he said. “Their support affords me the opportunity to work intimately

Partnership in the pocket

Bonnie Lynn-Sherow, Joe Newell, Mack Scott and Katie Jones marvel over the collection of vintage bowling and billiards equipment housed at Leasure Hall.

Spring 2012

2 GoodShot Live! Tonight! The K-State Singers

4 GoodWord A scholarship donor and a recipient reunite as

colleagues

6 Portraits of passion Meet faculty members who hold endowed

chairs

16 Have fellowship, will travel One gift from two donors changes three

students’ lives

18 A New York [business] state of mind New technology transforms Calvin Hall into

Wall Street

20 Good for All K-State Telefund: a great tradition gets even

better

22 GoodNews Where passions intersect: family, football,

students and alumni

24 GoodBye In style: inspiring attire arrives at K-State

Front cover, from left: Professor Katie Kingery-Page and students Chelsey King and Sukaina Fakhraldeen review a project in the landscape architecture master’s report studio, Landscapes of Learning.

Good for K-State is published for the thousands of alumni and friends who advance K-State through philanthropy. Thank you for all you do to keep K-State strong!

with primary historical material and gain practical experience with the accessioning process.”

“Being able to capture and preserve this rich treasure trove of Brunswick’s past is truly a rare and outstanding opportunity,” said Dustan McCoy, chairman and chief executive officer of Brunswick Corporation. “We are honored that Joe would entrust this collection to us and are grateful for K-State’s guidance and assistance.”

How you can helpFor more information on how you can support students, faculty and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, contact Sheila Walker at 785-532-7511 or [email protected]. n

Welcome to Good for K-State, a magazine devoted to the inspiration and impact of private philanthropy for Kansas State University. We invite your comments, questions and ideas. Just send an e-mail to [email protected], or talk to us on Facebook or Twitter.

facebook.com/ksufoundation twitter.com/KSU_Foundation

Editorial teamJulie Lea, editor Andrew Zender, writerSusan Wolf Berhow, writer Kim Zerfas, art director/layout artistKim Downing, editorial assistant

PhotographersMatt Binter, David Mayes

Good for K-State is published by the Kansas State University Foundation, 2323 Anderson Ave., Suite 500, Manhattan, KS 66502-2911.

front and bacK covEr PhotoS: Matt bintEr

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Photo: david MayES

| GoodShot |

Where at K-State can one find a mix of students who bring life, energy, excitement and entertainment to campus? Onstage with the K-State Singers’ spirited

performances, where charismatic, captivating voices meld to make a joyful sound.

Since its founding in 1954, K-State’s “singing ambassadors” have brought together music and non-music majors who’ve charmed audiences at home and across the globe.

Many of its members have been supported by scholarships, which are essential to making music possible at K-State. Meghan Rush, a senior from Wellsville, Kan., majoring in wildlife and outdoor enterprise management, is one of those scholarship recipients. She appreciates the opportunity to perform with a tight-knit group of students who represent the university.

Songs about places and the ways people get there — roads, highways, planes and trains — was the theme of the “Going Places” show in fall 2011. Here, the singers are leapin’ for “Sweet Home Alabama.”

Not the same ol’ song and danceBy Andrew Zender

2 Good for K-State | Spring 2012

“I feel really honored to receive a scholarship that allows me to sing with a group of truly dedicated student leaders,” Rush said. “There’s a lot of diversity within the group, but we’re very close and very proud to be out on the road spreading the good name of K-State.”

“Music is a labor of love,” Rush said. “To have people support us doing something we love just shows that if you really love something, you can make it work. No matter

the amount, every gift means a lot to those who receive it. It lets us know that others love this just as much as we do.”

How you can helpFor more information on how you can support students, faculty and programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, contact Sheila Walker at 785-532-7511 or [email protected]. n

Scan this QR code with your smartphone

to view a YouTube video from the K-State

Singers fall 2011 showPhoto: david MayES

www.found.ksu.edu 3

| GoodWord |

“ I hope other donors get to experience moments like this...”

Marsha Meili and Janessa Wedel have a lot in common. They are both K-State College of Engineering alumnae and live in Wichita, Kan. They both work for Spirit AeroSystems, the world’s largest supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components. They even work on the same project team there. But there is another tie that unites them: Janessa, a 2011 K-State graduate, was the recipient of the Marsha Meili Engineering Scholarship, which Marsha established to support outstanding students involved in Women in Engineering programs.

Here, Marsha and Janessa share how they met, and how philanthropy has impacted their lives.

Marsha MeiliEngineering Manager, Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, Kan.; K-State College of Engineering graduate, 1981

“I met Janessa Wedel, the recipient of my scholarship, this past year. I had heard she was a summer intern here at Spirit last year and was hired after graduation. Now, she and I are both working on the same program, Spirit’s portion of the new Boeing KC-46 Tanker. I went over and introduced myself with her thank-you letter from a few years ago in hand. That was very cool!

I’m really glad I decided to fund the scholarship during my lifetime so that I could enjoy moments like this. It brings tears to my eyes to see young women like Janessa graduating from K-State and hopefully able to start off their careers without being quite so much in debt. I hope I’ll get to spend more time getting to know her here at Spirit and maybe in organizations

like Society of Women Engineers. I hope other scholarship donors get to experience moments like this.”

Janessa WedelDesign Engineer, Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, Kan.; K-State College of Engineering graduate, 2011

"Receiving scholarships made possible by the generous donations of alumni like Marsha completely changed the course of my education, and ultimately my career. Because of the scholarships, I was able to pay for school without having to work a part-time job. This allowed me time to excel in my classes and maintain my scholarships. However, my educational experience at K-State was about so much more than the curriculum. I participated in many extracurricular activities, including the SAE Aero Design Team, which helped me develop leadership, communication and engineering skills necessary to land two summer internships. That experience in turn set me up for an excellent full-time position, even in an economy where qualified graduates have struggled to find jobs.

Getting to meet Marsha at Spirit was very exciting for me. I really appreciated the opportunity to personally thank her for her support. I don’t think I could ever properly thank all the donors who made my time at K-State so wonderful and made me proud to say for the rest of my life that I am a WILDCAT!”

How you can helpTo learn more about how you can support students in the College of Engineering, contact Lori Rogge at 785-532-7539 or [email protected]. n

Marsha Meili and Janessa Wedel

courtESy Photo


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Portraits-of passion

How you can helpK-State is at the threshold of a bold new vision to become one of the nation’s top 50 public research universities by 2025. A key component to reaching this goal is enhancing our ability to recruit and retain distinguished faculty members. To learn more, contact Bill Grevas at 785-532-7540 or [email protected].

Medals were awarded to faculty members who hold endowed positions at a recognition ceremony last fall.


Endowed faculty professorships

By Susan Wolf Berhow and Andrew ZenderPhotos by David Mayes

What does it mean to be great? Does it mean awards, recognition and renown? Are we defined by our accomplishments? Or is it something

different — such as the impact on the lives of others — that is the truest gauge of success?

No matter how you measure it, many of K-State’s achievements can be traced back to faculty members. K-State is home to gifted scholars who innovate, mentor, create, connect, dream, challenge and envision a better K-State in their work. They push themselves and their students to new limits, shatter conventions and constantly redefine what it means to be a great teacher.

The importance of philanthropic support for faculty cannot be overemphasized. Outstanding faculty members are the most precious resource of any university and the single most important factor in determining the university’s reputation for excellence. Generous donors to the university have established endowed chairs and professorships in every college on the Manhattan campus. K-State Salina will award its first chair in the near future.

Here we introduce you to several faculty members who hold endowed chairs. They represent the extraordinary range of character, passion and vision of the K-State faculty.

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MichAeL hoLenDeAn, coLLeGe oF eDUcATion

elvon G. and Lydia e. Skeen chair in education

Some say that Michael Holen arrived at K-State in 1971 on a motorcycle, a 26-year-old from the West Coast with jet-black, shoulder-length windblown hair and a handlebar mustache — not exactly the picture of a future dean.

But in the 41 years following his arrival on a steel horse, Holen’s vision and his promotion of access and opportunity resulted in an impressive array of programs, including the Midwest Equity Center, English as a Second Language and the School of Leadership Studies. To Holen, teaching the teachers is a huge task he and his students embrace wholeheartedly.

“You’re responsible for preparing those who will educate thousands of kids over a lifetime, but our students have an esprit de corps that a lot of colleges don’t have and they recognize that responsibility. I think we’ve developed one of the premier undergrad preparation programs in the country.”

The Skeen Chair was funded by a charitable remainder unitrust established by the late Elvon G. and Lydia E. Skeen, Eugene, Ore.

“ K-State has always had an environment that encourages success. To keep pursuing our land-grant mission, remain competitive and become a top 50 public research university by 2025, it’s crucial we have resources to provide opportunities for endowed faculty.”

— Michael holen

The Visionary


DiAne SWAnSonProFeSSor oF MAnAGeMenT, coLLeGe oF BUSineSS ADMiniSTrATion

Dennis and Sally von Waaden Professorship in Business Administration

Diane Swanson acts as a bridge between K-State MBA students and where they want to be: in jobs where they can make a difference.

“There’s been a value shift among students,” she said. “They want to work for companies with good values and give back to the community.”

And as a professor of business ethics, Swanson is just the person to help them reach that destination. Since coming to K-State in 1997, she’s made a name for herself as an innovative teacher, spearheaded a national campaign about the importance of ethics in business education and helped K-State earn a top

100 spot on the Aspen Institute’s global rankings for responsible management education.

She enjoys K-State’s student-centered teaching approach and hopes she, too, is making a difference.

“No one business ethics professor will ever make too many claims about what they can do,” she said. “It depends on the students in front us and an environment that supports ethics education.”

The von Waaden Professorship was funded by Dennis and Sally von Waaden of Austin, Texas. Swanson will transition to the Edgerley Family Chair in Business Administration, funded by Paul and Sandra Edgerley of Brookline, Mass., in June 2012.

“ endowed chairs have provided me an administrative budget to travel to conferences, to bring speakers into my classroom and to purchase equipment that helps me deliver ethics material.“

— Diane Swanson

The Bridge

www.found.ksu.edu 9

Kc oLSonASSociATe ProFeSSor, coLLeGe oF AGricULTUre

Walter M. and Frances Aicher Lewis Distinguished chair in Animal Sciences and industry

A freshman walks onto K-State’s campus in the fall, intimidated, uncertain and emotionally shook-up — but under the guidance of KC Olson, they’ll graduate as a confident young adult with a clear vision for their future. It’s the opportunity to make a lasting impact on a student’s life that drives Olson to achieve the same level of mentorship he

experienced at K-State as a doctoral student.

To him, it isn’t a matter of checking boxes on a list — but forming real relationships to help young people realize their potential. He believes that K-State’s student-centered philosophy and emphasis on undergraduate excellence is unmatched by any other university.

“K-State is the best place to send your children on the planet — and I think I have the best job on the planet. Being an instructor and a mentor for undergraduates is what I’ve been called to do — and what I was made to do.”

The Lewis Chair was funded by the estate of the late Walter M. and Frances Aicher Lewis, State College, Pa.

“ i feel privileged to have been chosen for this appointment. it provides resources and research opportunities to identify and solve problems in an immensely important industry at the best land-grant institution in the world.”

— Kc olson

The Mentor


LAVerne BiTSie-BALDWinDirecTor, MULTicULTUrAL enGineerinG ProGrAM, coLLeGe oF enGineerinG

Dow Directorship of Multicultural engineering Program

LaVerne Bitsie-Baldwin has one of those great jobs that’s all about helping students achieve their dreams.

As the director of the College of Engineering’s Multicultural Engineering Program, Bitsie-Baldwin and her staff shepherd multicultural students (defined as Black, Hispanic and Native American) through the complex process of getting into, staying in and graduating from the College of

Engineering. And it’s working. In the past six years, the number of multicultural incoming freshmen has increased by 140 percent.

Bitsie-Baldwin, a Navajo from New Mexico, understands that degree attainment can be transformational for multicultural students and their communities. She received the 2010 Outstanding Director Award from the National Association of

Multicultural Engineering Program Advocates, Inc. But, she’s not resting on her laurels.

“Now that we have increased the number of incoming students, we are focused on retention, so we can have just as many going out as we do coming in,” she said.

The Dow Directorship of Multicultural Engineering Program is funded by Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich.

“ i am pleased to be the executor of the endowment from Dow chemical. it allows me to have a budget that is not connected to state funds. This support is an important commitment to diversity.”

— LaVerne Bitsie-Baldwin

The coach

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DAnieL KUeSTerDirecTor oF UnDerGrADUATe STUDieS in econoMicS, coLLeGe oF ArTS AnD ScienceS

roger Trenary chair in economics

For Dan Kuester, there’s nothing more rewarding than when a student overcomes their dread of economics and understands its everyday, real-life application.

It would be hard for a student to not be interested when their instructor uses clips from the popular television show “The Office” to illustrate a point, brings in the Kansas governor as a guest speaker, or empowers them to dictate the next day’s discussion by posting topics on the course’s Facebook page. Kuester seeks to innovate and evolve methods of presenting economic concepts, drawing inspiration from the late

Roger Trenary, the former K-State professor who hired him and for whom the chair is named.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Roger. I’m proud and honored to have that same passion as he did for seeking opportunities to build meaningful relationships and create a sense of community with our majors.”

The Trenary Chair was funded by more than 160 of Roger Trenary’s former students, faculty colleagues, family and friends — students like Michael Goss and his wife, Becky, Westport, Conn.; and also by Phil Nordhus, Johnston, Iowa, and Melissa Waters and her husband, Carter Hill, of Baton Rouge, La.

“ endowed faculty positions create benefits for the university above and beyond the individual that can’t be overstated. They mentor and build relationships with students and junior faculty, and have an overwhelmingly positive impact on the K-State community.”

— Dan Kuester

The risk Taker


MAUrice MAcDonALDDirecTor, SchooL oF FAMiLy STUDieS AnD hUMAn SerViceS, coLLeGe oF hUMAn ecoLoGy

elizabeth chapin Burke Professor of human ecology

While looking for his first faculty job, Maurice MacDonald found his intellectual home in an unexpected place. He had a doctorate in economics but was more interested in families and their decisions than big firms or governments. He realized he was a “new” home economist, a growing area of scholarship that focuses on female work decisions and related fertility and family structure developments.

MacDonald’s work spans family economic well-being and income adequacy to intergenerational wealth transfer and the economic status of children, college students and the oldest old. His work has informed public policies to reduce the impact of poverty and hunger on families. He helped launch an online master’s program in family and community service and Powercat Financial Services, a financial counseling program.

A husband and father of eight, his work has mirrored his own experiences. “My research interests have followed my life cycle,” he said. “I’ve lived some of this stuff.”

The Burke Chair was funded by Frank and Elizabeth Burke of Doylestown, Pa.

“ The endowed chair has meant i can stay involved in what i am interested in and keep up my credentials even as an administrator.”

— Maurice MacDonald

The Family Man


KATie KinGery-PAGeASSiSTAnT ProFeSSor, coLLeGe oF ArchiTecTUre, PLAnninG AnD DeSiGn

Mary K. Jarvis emerging Faculty of Distinction in Landscape Architecture

From streetscapes, schoolyards and stormwater meadows to community visioning and military landscapes, Katie Kingery-Page brings the perspective of an artist and sculptor to every project she touches. It’s from personal observation of the world — walking neighborhoods in Manhattan, Kan., Rio de Janeiro and industrial England, among other places — that she believes we learn best from direct experience.

Whether inspired by the tallgrass prairie or the musings of her children, she’s not afraid to share the very personal genesis of her ideas. She finds inspiration by connecting those things that are most important to her: the bonds of family life; bright, creative students; environmental stewardship and community engagement.

“There’s nothing like the moment when you witness students so engaged in their work that a new world of knowledge opens before them. Developing this creative passion is crucial for future landscape architects and planners.”

The Jarvis award was funded through the estate of the late Mary K. Jarvis, Omaha, Neb.

“ This kind of recognition is an honor for faculty, but we can’t underestimate how important it is to students. Funding a research assistant, as the Jarvis chair does, helps fund students’ educational goals and provides for significant research opportunities.”

— Katie Kingery-Page

| GoodPlan | The connectorthe Jarvis and frick positions were created with planned gifts, a philanthropic strategy that allows donors to maintain control of their assets during their lifetime, meet their personal, financial and estate planning goals and leave a legacy at K-State. for more information about making a planned gift to K-State, contact our Gift Planning department at 785-532-7531 or [email protected].


h. MorGAn ScoTTProFeSSor, coLLeGe oF VeTerinAry MeDicine

edwin J. Frick Professorship in Veterinary Medicine

When H. Morgan Scott does something, he goes big, whether riding his bike around the world or pulling together a team of researchers to compete for and win a $2 million grant from the USDA.

He’s the type of researcher who titles his presentation, “Ideas So Crazy They Just Might Work.” He revels in identifying paradoxes and bucking conventional wisdom through

epidemiology, the study of the spread and causes of disease in populations.

That might mean outfitting a herd of feral pigs with GPS collars to understand how disease spreads — or leading a joint research project between six universities to study beef cattle systems across the U.S. and Canada. No matter the subject, the goal is to come up with solutions

that can be implemented quickly by industry.

“I’m interested in the interaction between animal agriculture and human health,” he said. “K-State is one of the places that still values research in this area.”

The Frick Professorship was funded by the late Edwin and June Frick of Manhattan, Kan. n

“ having an endowed professorship is a big deal. it allows me to do things like host visiting scientists or fund pilot studies that can lead to getting more outside grant money.”

— h. Morgan Scott

The idea Guy


By the time young scientists reach the end of their training, many of their biggest challenges still lay

ahead. Long hours and rigorous research — not to mention the financial burden of continued schooling — can make the jump to postdoctoral work a tougher test than anything done in a laboratory.

Retired scientists Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek, Wichita, Kan., are making that transition a little bit easier for K-State graduate students. Since 2002, the Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek Predoctoral Honors Fellowship in Molecular Biology has annually provided a $15,000 fellowship and one or more scientific travel awards of up to $1,000 to K-State doctoral students, helping them present their research at national conferences, meet others in the scientific community — and ultimately, identify postdoctoral employment opportunities.

Alvin earned his doctorate in genetics from K-State in 1957 and following postdoctoral study at Rutgers, went on to join K-State professor Val Woodward in founding the Department of Biology at Wichita State University in 1958. He served as department chair at Wichita State for 14 years and retired as Distinguished Professor of Natural Sciences in 1992.

RosaLee, also a career biologist, was a medical technologist on the staffs of St. Francis Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Wichita, Kan., and served as the first chairperson of the medical technology program in the College of Health Professions at Wichita State University.

Alvin recalls his brief time at K-State as an enjoyable period in his early career — and he remembers how

challenging it can be for students completing their doctorates to select possible postdoctoral training or job opportunities.

“We have great respect for K-State, its programs and its personnel,” Alvin said. “And being bio-scientists ourselves, we thought it would be a good place to make a contribution. It’s a unique opportunity to reward some of the exceptional students by providing them with a stipend large enough to give them freedom to get their career started.”

Alvin and RosaLee appreciate that K-State has traditionally offered a broad array of quality programs in the life sciences, many of which have outstanding national reputations. They feel the fellowship has been so successful that they’ve made contributions to bring it to endowed status so that awards may be given for years to come.

“We’re very pleased with how this has been administered, how the funds have been spent, and it has served exactly the purpose we had in mind,” Alvin said. “I’ve been fortunate in my 40-plus years as a working scientist to have had the opportunity to visit programs all across the country and familiarize myself with what’s happening in graduate programs in my field. The opportunity to serve those in our field is very rewarding.”

How you can helpFor more information on how you can support students, faculty and programs in the College of Agriculture, contact Kim Schirer at 785-532-7517 or [email protected].

31gift

recipients2donors

An annual gift from two Wichita biologists helps boost the research careers of three K-State doctoral candidates.

By Andrew Zender


Mauricio Montero AstúaMontero astúa is researching the tomato spotted wilted virus (tSWv), which infects hundreds of plant species, causing losses of billions of dollars due to reduced crop yields, unmarketable produce and the cost of control applications. his research would provide growers with a novel tool for management of plant disease and contribute to the understanding and control of other viruses transmitted by insects.

Montero astúa will use the fellowship to start his teaching career and research program at the university of costa rica.

“i’m grateful to the Saracheks and the university to have this opportunity,” Montero astúa said. “i’m also grateful to all of the plant pathology community that has helped me to get to this point, which is the result of teamwork. in science, most projects involve teamwork. you need collaborative efforts in order to generate good research. this is a life-changing opportunity.”

Erica Caincain is investigating the function of the human dual specificity phosphatase 12 (duSP12) gene, which is amplified in many cancers. as the function of duSP12 is unknown, cain hopes that her research will expose duSP12 as a potential drug target for cancer therapy.

cain used the Sarachek travel award in december 2011 to attend the annual meeting of the american Society for cell biology in denver, colo., including a career fair where she was able to speak with leading scientists in her field.

“by traveling and presenting our research, we’re able to interact with and represent the university among the scientific community,” cain said. “the Saracheks are helping us connect with potential employers and secure jobs as well as show the world what great research is happening at K-State.”

Vinod Monyhow do an organism’s genes respond to changes in environment? Mony’s research could help explain some gene functions that are still unknown, particularly in c. elegans — genes involved in bacterial defense and metabolism — which could ultimately help improve medicine.

Mony used the Sarachek travel award to present his research at the 18th international c. elegans Meeting at the university of california at Los angeles in June 2011, where he was able to meet scientists from different disciplines and receive feedback on his work.

“i’m very thankful for the Sarachek award, which allowed me to explore many avenues that are new to me in science without worrying about any financials,” Mony said. “i feel honored because these awards help graduate students meet others in the field and shape their careers. i very much appreciate the opportunities that it has provided for me.” n

the fellowship and travel awards from alvin and rosaLee Sarachek are helping advance the important research and future careers of three doctoral candidates at K-State — Mauricio Montero astúa, department of Plant Pathology; and Erica cain and vinod Mony, division of biology. these three are getting down to the nitty-gritty of molecular-level research. here’s how they’ve benefited from the Sarachek awards.

Scan this QR code with your smartphone for

more information about the Sarachek Predoctoral

Honors Fellowship

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It’s an intense day for the investors, whose eyes are fixed upon the flash of lights and logos on the screen above. It’s a dizzying dash of colors and numbers.

Stocks are up, stocks are down. Teams assemble for quick meetings to strategize the next move. At the conclusion of business, the inhabitants of this fast-paced world reflect on their careful calculations, closely monitoring the results of the day’s decisions.

It’s another day in the Investment Management and Capital Markets Trading Lab at K-State, where students try their hand at trading stocks, cutting their teeth on cutting-edge technology on the third floor of Calvin Hall. With two 46-inch monitors mounted from the ceiling, dual monitors for each of the 12 Bloomberg workstations, an instructor podium, digital display video feeds and a stock ticker, students in the K-State College of Business Administration might not be on Wall Street, but they’ve got it at their fingertips.

The lab, stock ticker and Calvin Connection — a series of eight monitors throughout the building connected to the stock ticker — were made possible by gifts from four couples: Wendell and Pauline Gardner, Tucson, Ariz.; Kent and Rhonda Gasaway, Prairie Village, Kan.; Tim and Sue Regan, Waterloo, Neb.; and Dennis and Sally von Waaden, Austin, Texas.

The von Waadens believe it’s important for students to have access to this technology in a rapidly changing world.

“The good educational foundation students build at K-State will plant the seeds for their future careers,” Dennis said. “These are the building blocks that will allow them to learn in new and different ways and adapt to changing technology before they enter the workforce.”

The Gardners decided to fund Calvin Connection to recognize Wendell’s 50th anniversary of graduating from K-State and the impact of his K-State education has had on their lives and their family. They wanted to help the college meet its communications needs and view the technological boost at Calvin Hall as not only beneficial to the academic environment, but to the entire K-State community.

“This makes K-State even more visitor-friendly and reflects well on the college and the university,” Wendell said. “Students, alumni and visitors will all benefit from this. It’s marketing that will generate positive feelings about K-State.”

According to Eric Higgins, finance department head and von Waaden Chair of Investment Management, the trading lab has been in high demand since its installation in September 2011.

“Bloomberg is the gold standard when it comes to financial data — it is the same tool that the professionals on Wall Street have,” Higgins said. “We have 12 terminals

and they’re always filled, but we could have 40 and it would be the same. We’re thankful to the donors for their vision and commitment to providing these experiential learning opportunities to our students, and we’re excited to continue growing the lab in the future.”

The Regans and the Gasaways invested in the project because they consider the lab and its state-of-the-art tools and technology to be an essential resource for students as they prepare for their future careers.

“The lab is a great opportunity for students to gain real-world experience while they’re still in college,” Tim

Finance department head Eric Higgins and finance/accounting student Kyle Landau in a moment free of the hustle-and-bustle at Calvin Hall.

Photo: david MayES

The real dealBy Andrew Zender

<WallStreet


said. “Because of that, they’ll be more competitive when they enter the workforce.”

“We want to see K-Staters succeed,” Kent said. “Having these tools as part of the learning experience will make students invaluable to potential employers.”

Kyle Landau, a senior in finance and accounting from Leawood, Kan., is one of many students who have found the lab — and the stock ticker — to be important in creating a change in the culture and mindset among the student body.

“The ticker puts finance at the forefront of everyone’s minds,” Landau said. “It gets people thinking and acts as a reminder of what’s happening right at that moment in the business world — and it’s a powerful tool that will set K-State graduates apart.”

How you can helpFor more information on how you can support students, faculty and programs in the College of Business Administration, contact Tim Grant at 785-532-7525 or [email protected]. n

WallStreet


| Good For All |

Ringing in anew erafor TelefundBy Andrew Zender

Being a college student has its share of challenges and opportunities both in and out of the classroom. On top of coursework, jobs, social events and the

general commotion of college life, imagine trying to squeeze in a few hours to call K-State alumni during the annual K-State Telefund — or being responsible for coordinating 300 of your peers during the program.

But it’s those hours put in by devoted students, and the loyal generosity of K-State alumni that have made

Telefund so successful over the years. This year, K-State students and alumni joined forces once again, securing 12,506 pledges totaling $1,075,895 to support scholarships and programming for K-State’s nine academic colleges.

The strong tradition of Telefund is a great K-State story that is about to get even better.

“Telefund takes place over about five weeks, allowing our student callers to connect with about 30 percent of our alumni,” said Fred Cholick, president and CEO of the


Sharing the K-State experience“ telefund is a great way for alumni and students to connect and help the student body at K-State. i love hearing stories about their experiences and i’m excited to share my own with future K-Staters. i’ll always have the K-State family and appreciate what i learned there.”

cassie Kniebel, White city, Kan.

“ i want to thank all of our donors — past and present — and the students who make it a priority to be a part of telefund. all gifts made during telefund help make the K-State experience better for students, and i think that when our current students are part of the K-State family as alumni one day, they’ll leave the same legacy.”

Kassie curran, Girard, Kan.

“ you can tell how passionate our alumni are about K-State. they really respect the university and love the things that K-State stands for. there are a lot of students who work very hard and need help, and it’s great that we’re able to devote time to helping other students at K-State.”

reagan Kays, Pittsburg, Kan.

“ Whether they had a great experience as students, currently have children attending K-State or enjoy the atmosphere of a home football game, it’s great to hear the stories that alumni share and learn why they care so much about K-State. it’s about helping ‘your own,’ and it’s really great to see so many students devote their time — and alumni devote their resources — to make it happen.”

nellie hill, Pilsen, Kan.

How you can helpHave you fulfilled your Telefund pledge? Visit www.found.ksu.edu/wildcatconnection to give online. For more information on K-State Telefund and other annual giving programs, contact Mindy Weixelman at 785-532-7523 or [email protected]. n

KSU Foundation. “We know that the opportunity for our students and alumni to share their K-State experience is very positive for both groups. Soon, we will be expanding Telefund to a year-round program that means we can reach out to more K-Staters. Your opportunity to visit with a student and make a gift to support your area of interest may come at another time of the year.”

When you answer the call, you help to keep K-State’s future bright.

Photo: david MayES

www.found.ksu.edu 21www.found.ksu.edu 21

| GoodNews |

Notes of thanks: Alumni gift inspires leadership and engagementKaty Zapletal has never met Janet and Jack Ayres face-to-face, but she keeps a letter from Janet on her desk.

“I tend to re-read it every so often, and each time I do, I am reminded of their generosity,” said Zapletal, a senior in kinesiology/pre-physical therapy from Manhattan, Kan. “They have instilled in me what it means to be a true K-State alumna.”

Katy is one of four annual recipients of the Janet Sprang Ayres and Jack Ayres Student Alumni Board Leadership Scholarship. The scholarship is awarded to vice presidents of the Student Alumni Board, an enthusiastic group of about 35 students whose primary purpose is to promote K-State at a variety of university and K-State Alumni Association activities.

The scholarship represents an intersection of two passions for Janet and Jack: alumni engagement and student leadership.

“We knew we wanted to do something for students,” Janet said.

“This scholarship has so much heart for us because it involves student leaders and the alumni association. It was really a good fit.”

A 1970 K-State graduate, Janet was an active student leader who went on to work for the K-State Alumni Association, helping to develop programming that continues today. For more than 40 years, she has been active with the alumni association, serving as board chair and helping with strategic planning. She also serves on the KSU Foundation’s Board of Directors and chairs the foundation’s development committee.

Janet and Jack hope the scholarship conveys appreciation to the students for their leadership and acknowledges the value of the important work they do on behalf of the alumni association. Ultimately, they hope the scholarship inspires a relationship with K-State that lasts beyond graduation.

“We received a thank-you letter from Katie, and part of the letter read, ‘I look forward to continuing the legacy that you helped create at K-State and instill it in those around me,’” Janet said. “That’s the ripple effect we’re hoping for.” n

Recognizing leadership in annual givingSince K-State’s founding in 1863, alumni, friends and corporate partners have helped advance the university. The legacy of these loyal K-Staters has allowed the university to expand and succeed, generation after generation.

Today, just like generations of past K-Staters, you can support the university at a higher level and inspire others to do the same. The 1863 Circle is K-State’s annual giving society that recognizes K-Staters with leadership giving of $1,000 or more annually. We invite you to join this circle of K-Staters who are working to ensure the university’s future. You automatically become a member of the

1863 Circle each year that your giving total equals $1,000 or more.

Best of all, you decide how your gift makes a difference. Whether your passion is a particular academic program, student life, athletics or other areas, you choose the area — or areas — where you’d like to make a difference. n

To learn more about joining the 1863 Circle, visit: www.found.ksu.edu/1863

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Several members of Student Alumni Board


Of family and football…

Family scholarships score big at K-StateIt’s probably safe to say that for every seat in Bill Snyder Family Stadium, there’s a love story that began at K-State. Counted among those is the story of Marjorie and the late Leland Townley, whose lifelong love of family and football started at K-State more than seven decades ago.

Leland came to the university in 1938, Marjorie arrived in 1939, and they married in 1940. They loved to attend football games and raised four sons, all K-State graduates, three of whom married K-State alumnae. Over the years, living in Topeka, Kan., the family’s love of K-State sports grew into a passion that spurred them to establish two athletic scholarships.

Son Larry Townley and his wife Carolyn live in The Woodlands, Texas, and are proud and pleased that his parents joined their efforts to help support student-athletes at

K-State. “Along with my parents, we’ve endowed two athletic scholarships thus far,” Larry said. “The second scholarship, The Earl Oliver Jr., Scholarship, is particularly meaningful, as it honors my uncle who was killed serving in World War II.”

Marjorie, who now lives in The Woodlands, loves being a part of two K-State families — her own, and the greater university community. “I’m very proud to say that all of us went to K-State,” Marjorie said. “We’re quite a K-State family.”

“Support from loyal endowed scholarship contributors like the Townleys has enabled us to not only attract the best student-athletes from all over the world, but also provide them a world-class experience at K-State,” said Athletics Director John Currie. “What makes K-State such a

unique and special place is the generosity demonstrated by all of our hard-working and grassroots Ahearn Fund members and supporters, which is fundamental for us as we continue to build a model intercollegiate athletics program.”

How you can helpFor more information on how you can support student-athletes at Kansas State University, contact Chad Weiberg at 785-532-6901 or [email protected]. n

“ Support from loyal endowed scholarship contributors like the Townleys has enabled us to not only attract the best student-athletes from all over the world, but also provide them a world-class experience at K-State.”

— John Currie

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“oh, Selda would want that!” was a common comment in Coffeyville, Kan. When you were

looking for a safe home for an ancestor’s heirloom dress or other textile treasures, you took them to Selda Grauerholz. With extensive collections of remarkable handmade frocks, hats, lace, shoes and handbags, Selda’s house was the default textile museum of Coffeyville.

“She was an unforgettable personality,” said James Grauerholz, of Lawrence, Kan., of his late mother. “She had great presence. She was an actress, an accomplished

vocalist, fashion model and a producer of educational programs on the history of music and costumes.”

Even though Selda, as well as James and his father, were all University of Kansas graduates, her love of textiles inspired her to seek a permanent home for her collections at the K-State Historic Costume and Textile Museum. Housed in the College of Human Ecology, the museum contains more than 15,000 garments and accessories worn by women, men and children.

By Susan Wolf Berhow

GiFT oF Alifetíme24 Good for K-State | Spring 2012

“We preserve items in perpetuity,” said Barbara Anderson, head of the Department of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design. “The museum is open to researchers from around the world, as well as students and faculty, wanting to understand the scholarly history of apparel and textiles.”

The Selda Paulk Grauerholz Collection, including more than 500 of Selda’s treasured items, is a significant gift to the museum, providing a look into her life and times.

“The clothes relate stories about people and how they lived, which is of particular interest to researchers,” said

Marla Day, curator. “This gift helps tell a story about a special place and time.”

How you can helpIf you would like to support the ongoing preservation of the Historic Costume and Textile Museum collection, please contact Jennifer Rettele-Thomas at 785-532- 7592 or [email protected]. n

| GoodBye |

Marla Day, left, and students examine part of the

Grauerholz collection.

Photo: Matt bintEr

2323 Anderson Avenue, Suite 500Manhattan, Kansas 66502-2911

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Sarah Kauffman and Marilyn Burrows of Cox Communications, Wichita, Kan., showed their corporation's support of the K-State Proud student-led campaign during the men's basketball game on March 3. John Grice, one of the campaign leaders, is all smiles as he thanks Cox for their leadership and support during the first six years of the campaign, which has now raised more than $550,000 to support Student Opportunity Awards.

good for k-state spring 2012

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