K-State Collegian (Aug. 25, 2016)

Š 2016 collegian media group

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T V O I C E F O R K A N S A S S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

Giving back Page 3: A chat with Interim President Gen. Richard B. Myers

vol. 122, issue 4

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EDITORIAL BOARD

Danielle Cook online editor

Timothy Everson editor-in-chief

Jason Tidd news editor

Jamie Teixeira managing editor

Scott Popp sports editor

George Walker Emily Starkey multimedia editors

Jessie Karst copy chief

Kaitlyn Cotton current editor

Melissa Huerter ad manager

Audrey Hockersmith design editor

Kelsey Kendall opinion editor

Steve Wolgast adviser

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Mason Swenson | THE COLLEGIAN

Gen. Richard Myers, interim president, poses in his office during an interview with the Collegian on Wednesday.

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Interim President Myers shares memories, life lessons JON PARTON

THE COLLEGIAN

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2-year-old Kansas boy was playing in his yard when he watched as a four-engine bomber fell from the sky, exploding into a fireball when it crashed just a few blocks away.

That incident instilled a fear of airplanes in young Richard B. Myers, the man who would later become an Air Force pilot, general and chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Today, he’s also known as Interim President Myers. The 40year Air Force veteran and Kansas State graduate came back to teach at the university shortly after his retirement in 2005. For Myers, retirement offered him the chance to do more.

“I’ve been very fortunate in my life and fortunate in my career,” Myers said. “I said, ‘I need to give back.’ Too, I wanted to make a little money. So I thought, you don’t accumulate much of a bank account in the military so I wanted to make a bit more money. And then I wanted to spend more time with family and friends.”

K-State offered him the opportunity for all three. Myers said he was approached about a job as Foundation professor of military history and leadership by Sue Peterson, assistant to the president and director of governmental relations, and Bob Krause, former vice president for institutional advancement.

The job also gave Myers the chance to give back to the place he once called home.

“I’m from Kansas City,” Myers said. “I really love my home state. I love Kansas State University, so I thought if there was some way I could help and be involved, that would keep my roots alive. Otherwise, I might have stayed in Virginia where we decided to live and let those roots wither. That would have been sad to me and my wife (Mary Jo).”

UNDERGRAD STUDENT

Whereas some students would hang out at Aggieville or Tuttle Creek, Myers, who plays

Mason Swenson | THE COLLEGIAN

Reflecting on his time at Kansas State, Gen. Richard B. Myers, interim president, smiles as he remembers his time as a student, fraternity member and band member.

Myers was appointed interim president of K-State on April 14. both the piano and tenor saxophone, had a different kind of hangout experience.

“Where I’d be hanging out on most Friday nights, Saturday nights and some Sunday nights would be somewhere in the Topeka area playing in a rock and roll band,” Myers said.

Although the legal drinking age was 18 at the time he was at K-State, Myers said he wasn’t much of an Aggieville bar patron.

“I think there was a place called the Dugout,” Myers said.

“I remember being in there, but I wasn’t a regular bar scene kind of guy ... I was working, trying to make my way through college, making a few bucks working in the band, which I enjoyed ... I loved going to Tuttle Creek and just look(ing) out over the lake.”

Myers was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon and it was through an intramural football game that he met his wife Mary Jo, according to his book “Eyes on the Horizon.” Myers said she accompanied him to a show once, but didn’t really care for the experience.

“Someone asked her to take tickets and stamp the hands of people who left and wanted to

come back in,” Myers said. “She did that and decided it wasn’t very fun.”

Though Myers came to school with the idea of becoming a veterinarian, he soon discovered another path.

“Vet medicine appealed (to me) because I loved animals of all sorts,” Myers said. “I thought if I could help animals, it would be a good match. But then I went to the engineering building (at the time), Seaton Hall, and became an engineering student.”

Myers earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from K-State in 1965. It was during his time here that he was also involved with the ROTC program.

“Nobody in my family other than an uncle had served, so I didn’t get much advice on what to do,” Myers said. “So I took ROTC and I planned on doing the two-year mandatory and then not doing it but with Vietnam going on and the draft, I said, ‘I better stick with this. It might give me a choice (of military branch).’”

It was his senior year when Myers was informed he was qualified for pilot training. He trained

at the Manhattan Regional Airport and was hooked. The ROTC recruit who used to be afraid of airplanes now wanted to fly them.

“The first flight was everything,” Myers said. “I said, ‘Wow, this is cool.’”

AIR FORCE VETERAN

Myers went on to serve 40 years as a pilot and later general in the Air Force. He said there are certain qualities and traits about the military that appealed to him and carried over to aspects that affected his life.

“In the military, integrity really counts,” Myers said. “You’ve got to count on the man on your left or the woman on your right sometimes just to survive, but certainly to get the mission done.

So people who don’t have strong character, don’t have great integrity, you learn not to trust.”

Myers said another aspect of the military he enjoyed was the value placed on skill and ability rather than race, religion or background.

“I liked the fact that it was a meritocracy,” Myers said. “You were promoted into more responsibility and perhaps more rank

based on how you could contribute to the mission, not based on where you went to school, not the color of your skin, not in many cases your gender. What do you bring to the organization? Otherwise, how could an ROTC graduate from Kansas State University go on to be the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff?”

Most of all, Myers said the military taught him how to look beyond himself to find purpose.

“You do serve because of this notion of serving something bigger than yourself,” Myers said.

“That always felt good to me. I never had trouble getting up in the middle of the night and (going to) train somewhere when I thought about what the ultimate purpose of what our service was, and that was to protect the country.”

It was less than a month after 9/11 that Myers officially took the job as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the nation’s highest ranking military officer. It was during this time that he served as the principal military adviser to President George W. Bush.

After serving for four years, Myers retired and returned to K-State.

INTERIM PRESIDENT

Like many universities in the state and across the country, K-State has been set back by state funding cuts. For Myers, this makes his philanthropy work as interim president even more important.

“I understand how important philanthropy is to our mission here at K-State,” Myers said. “A lot of my time here in the first several months has been on fundraising trips ... I think it’s important for any president of the university to do that.”

Myers said there were some reservations at the K-State Foundation a couple years back when the suggestion was made for a fundraising goal of $1 billion for the university.

“When we set that, there was an audible gasp in the leadership team that was sitting around when we were trying to decide what our goal should be,” Myers said. “We’re going to reach the one billion goal and we’re going

to reach it early. So we’ll be over our one billion goal in the timeframe we set for ourselves.”

When the opportunity came for Myers to serve as interim president of K-State, his family’s first thoughts on the matter were clear.

“The family’s first reaction was, ‘You’re too old. Why would you do this?’” Myers said. “So that was the first reaction. But within an hour, it actually turned into, ‘You might really like that.’”

Although Myers’ family lives mostly in Virginia, he said he’s always near to them.

“I had two little grandkids fly by themselves into Manhattan, a 10-year-old and 7-year-old,” Myers said. “If I can’t be with my family, I’m going to bring them out here, by darn. They’ll all be here for Thanksgiving, all except my son and the daughter-in-law.

But the others, the five grandchildren, two sons-in-law and two daughters. We’re going to be here on Thanksgiving.”

Regarding his grandchildren, Myers said he hopes to make them Wildcats.

“I am determined, of the five grandkids, maybe convince a couple to come to K-State,” Myers said. “That’s part of my indoctrination program to get them out here, show them some things, introduce them to some of our leaders. You never know. I’d love it if a couple would say, ‘You know, I’m going to K-State.’”

Though he has only served in the position a few months, Myers said he has enjoyed it so far.

“I love it,” Myers said.

“People told me, ‘It’s going to be hard,’ and it is. But it’s really fun.

If you’re passionate about something, just throw yourself into it and it usually works out okay.”

Given his experience, Myers has some advice for students new and old to K-State.

“Part of being at a university is finding out what you’re passionate about,” Myers said. “You may come in with some idea of what you’re passionate about, but through opportunities and through reaching out through other experiences that you try to have, you may find there are other things you are more passionate about.”

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Puppies help relieve stress during first week of classes EMILY PORTER

THE COLLEGIAN

Mason Swenson| THE COLLEGIAN

Lucas, an Australian shepherd mix, lays down in the Quad as students pet him during the Pet Away Stress event sponsored by Counseling Services and Purple Paws.

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Pet Away Stress kicked off Wednesday morning’s Week of Welcome events as seven energetic dogs waited in the Quad for students to get out of class and come play.

Week of Welcome is a Kansas State series of events to welcome new students to campus with an introduction of organizations, places and services, while welcoming returning students back for another semester.

Pet Away Stress is an event sponsored by Counseling Services where dogs and puppies from the Purple Power Animal Welfare Society, also known as Purple Paws, are brought to campus to interact with students.

“We’ve done this event for three and a half years as stress relief for students,” Wendy Barnes, outreach coordinator for Counseling Services, said.

“For Week of Welcome, we do it simply because students are starting to miss their animals by now.”

While Pet Away Stress is an opportunity for some students to play with a dog while away from home, others students use it to fill the void of not having a dog.

“I just like dogs because they’re so sweet,” Katie Boling, senior in sociology, said. “I don’t have a dog; I just have a cat, so it’s nice that they have this.”

For students who could not attend the event, there are three more opportunities this school year, one of those this semester.

The next Pet Away Stress will be held from 11 a.m. to 1

p.m. on Oct. 12 in the Quad.

“Animals are very soothing,” Barnes said. “It’s a great opportunity for students to blow off some steam, relieve some stress, pet some dogs, meet new people; so it serves as a social activity.”

During these events, donations of food, leashes and pet supplies are accepted by Purple Paws. The dogs brought to campus are typically up for adoption or in need of a foster home.

Other Week of Welcome upcoming events:

THURSDAY

10 a.m. to 3 p.m., PartTime Opportunities Fair, K-State Union Ballroom.

11 a.m. to 1 p.m., College of Arts and Sciences Student Research Opportunities Fair, Coffman Commons.

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Mason Swenson | THE COLLEGIAN

Petting Snoppy, an Australian shepherd mix, Brett Homme, junior in animal science, and Sam Starr, sophomore in biology, participate in the Pet Away Stress event, on Wednesday. The event was held in the Quad and sponsored by K-State Counseling Services.

1-3 p.m., Ice Cream Social, Holen Courtyard in front of Bluemont Hall.

5-6 p.m., Transfer Student Meet and Greet, Student Union room 206.

6-8 p.m., Union Expo and Activities Carnival, K-State Student Union.

6-8 p.m., Wildcat Welcome Day (for new and transfer students), K-State Alumni Center.

8:45-10:30 p.m., Outdoor Film: “The Sandlot,” Bosco Student Plaza. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on during the film.

FRIDAY

1-4 p.m., Engineering Student Organization Fair, Engineering Hall Atrium.

1-4 p.m., Westar Energy Free Slushies and Information, Engineering Plaza, Durland Hall.

7-9 p.m., UPC Film: “Captain America: Civil War,” Forum Hall, K-State

Austin Fuller | THE COLLEGIAN

Kansas State students surround dogs to pet away the stress of the new semester on Wednesday in the Quad on K-State’s campus. Pet Away Stress is sponsored by Counseling Services.

Student Union. $2 admission; $1 discount with K-State or military ID. 7:30-8:30 p.m., After Hours presents REZA Illusionist, McCain Auditorium.

10-11:45 p.m., UPC Film: “Captain America: Civil War,” Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. $2 admission; $1 discount with K-State or military ID.

SATURDAY

8 a.m. to noon, Wildcats Run for Wellness 5K, Chester E. Peters Recreation Center.

7-9 p.m., UPC Film: “Captain America: Civil War,” Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. $3 admission; $1 discount with K-State or military ID. 10-11:45 p.m., UPC Film: “Captain America: Civil War,” Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. $3 admission; $1 discount with K-State or military ID. Mason Swenson | THE COLLEGIAN

Trixie, an Australian shepherd, jumps on Beverly Sterling, Purple Paws volunteer, in the Quad on Wednesday during the Pet Away Stress event.

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University announces draft of revised weapons policy JASON TIDD

THE COLLEGIAN

Kansas State released a draft of revisions to the university’s weapons policy Wednesday. The revisions were made over the summer by the Weapons Advisory Work Group.

No university locations, including classrooms and student residential areas, will permanently prohibit concealed carry. Some locations may temporarily restrict concealed

carry while using “adequate security measures,” according to the K-State Today press release.

Under the revisions, open carry of firearms would remain prohibited on campus.

Those who concealed carry must comply with all laws and keep the handgun concealed at all times.

People living on campus must comply with all applicable rules and laws, including safe and secure storage. The university will not provide

handgun storage devices.

The university will hold an open forum to present and discuss the revised draft weapons policy on Sept. 15 at 2 p.m. in Forum Hall.

The weapons policy will then be submitted to the president for approval in late September, and then to the Kansas Board of Regents in October.

The current exemption for universities to comply with the concealed carry law expires July 1, 2017.

Big 12 expansion: Cincinnati, Houston best considerations BRETT ENGLE

THE COLLEGIAN

Rumors have been swirling of late about the expansion of the Big 12 Conference.

Some people want a football power like BYU to join, others prefer to keep it close to home with a school like Colorado State. While both of those schools would benefit the conference, neither are the best options.

At the top of the list are the Cincinnati Bearcats. The location of the school alone makes perfect sense.

This would mostly benefit West Virginia, as it would give them a school closer to travel to, virtually the same distance from Manhattan to dreaded Norman, Oklahoma. On the field, the Bearcats are no slouch either, making it to a bowl game nine out of the last 10 years and have a winning season in each of those years.

What is often overlooked is the talent a school has in basketball. Although men’s basketball doesn’t make as much money as college football, there is still money to be made and popularity to be

gained.

Head basketball coach Mick Cronin has led the Bearcats to the NCAA tournament each of his last six seasons, including an American Athletic Conference championship.

And it’s not like the Bearcats haven’t reached this level of success before, Bob Huggins led his squads to 14 straight tournament appearances in years past.

The next, and final, school the Big 12 should add is another Texas school, the Houston Cougars. Geographically, again, it makes complete sense. Why not play another football game in Texas in early December?

It’s not like the weather is going to be awful, and besides West Virginia, and possibly added Cincinnati, is within close proximity to every other school. Houston also just came in at No. 15 in the AP poll.

Now let me ask you this: Who wouldn’t want the 15th best college football team in the country in their conference? The Cougars, who have been to a bowl game 10 of the last 13 seasons, and currently have a Heisman Trophy contender in Greg Ward Jr.

Ranked, bowl games and a Heisman candidate; sounds like a pretty good team to have in your conference.

On the basketball court, Houston, by any means of the matter, isn’t the best team to have at all, with their record leveling at about .500, give or take a few wins per year.

Some would stop the Houston discussion right there, but look at TCU. Besides stunning KU one time (which I think we all enjoyed), what memorable wins does TCU have in the conference?

Football is where a big chunk of consideration is taken from, and while a basketball situation like Cincinnati’s is always beneficial, it’s not a deal breaker.

So sorry BYU, Justin Timberlake and Memphis and any other school who actually thought they had a legitimate chance to join the conference, but the situations in Cincinnati and Houston are just too good for the conference to pass up.

Brett Engle is a freshman in mass communications. Please send comments to sports@kstatecollegian.com.

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Wildcats finish 3-2 in exhibition games, benefit from international experience AVERY OSEN

THE COLLEGIAN

While many college students spent their final days of summer relaxing, the Kansas State men’s basketball team took a trip overseas to Italy and Switzerland for some sightseeing and five exhibition games against international teams.

The trip didn’t start as expected after Delta Air Lines had a computer glitch that left the team stuck in Atlanta, Georgia, for a night.

“I got a text saying we couldn’t leave and I thought someone was just pulling a prank on me,” head coach Bruce Weber said.

After a long day of traveling, the Wildcats took on LCC International University at the Stella Azzurra Sports Complex in Italy.

The Wildcats stormed back after being down by as many as 18 points in the fourth quarter, but lost 75-82.

K-State senior D.J. Johnson led

the team with 15 points in the game and had a very solid trip, according to Weber. “(Johnson) was probably our most consistent player on the whole trip,” Weber said. “He played very well for us.”

In game two, the Wildcats bounced back for a 97-80 win over BC Silute with sophomores Barry Brown and Kamau Stokes combining for 33 points in the winning effort.

Stokes was coming back from an injury that kept him from finishing last season.

“I was a bit scared at first to make sure I didn’t hurt it again, but my teammates said I can’t play like that,” Stokes said. “I really felt good, especially after that first game and nothing bothered me at all.”

Game three was by far the easiest for K-State as they cruised after gaining a 15 point lead in a 90-55 win over Italian Select.

“It was nice to have this game to do some things, but we like the com-

petitive games,” Weber said. “These trips are to push us and get us better, but our guys played very well against Italian Select.”

In the fourth game, the Wildcats stayed competitive with the Kosovo National Team, but lost 74-85.

“The most important thing is that we will learn from this game,” Weber said. “These are strong men, basketball professionals and we hung in with them very well.”

The trip finished on a positive note as the Wildcats defeated BBC Lausanne 68-47 in Switzerland.

Sophomore Dean Wade led all scorers with 17 points in just three quarters.

Freshman Xavier Sneed was a highlight on the trip as he scored double digits in the first four exhibition games and said he just really enjoyed being on the trip with this team.

“We really got to know each other, and I really fit in well with the all the guys,” Sneed said. “It was a great experience and gets me that much

Photo Courtesy of Tom Gilbert | THE COLLEGIAN

The Wildcats played five games against various teams during their trip, including LCC International University, Italian Select, BC Silute, BBC Lausanne and the Kosovo National Team.

more ready for the season to start.”

Weber said he was impressed with how the team played on the trip and the final game was a great way to finish.

“We have a lot to work on, but our players are excited to get back to Manhattan to start school and get into our workouts to prepare for what should be a fun season,” he said.

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