B o a r d M at t e r s A newsletter for current and past members of the K-State Alumni Association Board of Directors “Enhancing our Kansas State University family through lifelong involvement” As I enter my 34th year with the K-State Alumni Association, I continue to experience great appreciation for my alma mater, and the people who share my passion for K-State and contribute so much to enhance the future of this incredible university. This past year brought many changes and opportunities. The 2009-2010 board chair, Jerry Boettcher ’63, made it an initiative to rally the K-State family on behalf of higher education and you eagerly responded. Working closely with the President’s Office, the Association began a more proactive approach to our Legislative Advocacy program and the message of “No More Cuts” was positively heard in Topeka. The realignment of the Big 12 Conference was addressed directly and positively through the outstanding leadership of Dr. Kirk Schulz and Athletic Director John Currie. We look forward to
continuing to work with the other nine members of the conference and thank Dr. Schulz and Mr. Currie for their efforts. Also, it is with great pleasure that I share that the Association remains No. 1 in the Big 12 for the percentage of alumni who are members for the 14th consecutive year! Lastly, I want to extend my personal invitation to each of you to join us Oct. 7 for our board reunion barbecue before the football game against Nebraska. We also will have a luncheon Friday, Oct. 8, where you will learn more about Dr. Schulz’s vision to elevate K-State to a Top 50 public research university. Watch for more information regarding these events to arrive later this summer. Go ’Cats! Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86 President and CEO
TF UPDATE
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Welcomes
Goodbyes
David Brown ’77 Kansas City, Kan.
Gail Antenen ’80 Ness City, Kan.
Duane Cantrell ’78 Chair, KSU Foundation Executive Committee Topeka, Kan.
Jamie Ball ’10 2009-2010 Student Alumni Board President Eureka, Kan.
Mary How Ice ’80, ’88 Westlake, Texas
LeAnn Clark ’69 Hesston, Kan.
Travis Lenkner ’01 New York City, New York
Roger Coulter ’62 Broken Arrow, Okla.
Marcia Dryden Robinson ’81 London, United Kingdom
Lee Harris ’75 Past-chair, KSU Foundation Executive Committee Leawood, Kan.
William Shaw ’75 Ashland, Kan. Kelsie Ball 2010-2011 Student Alumni Board President Eureka, Kan. Danny Unruh 2010-2011 Student Body President Manhattan, Kan. SUMMER 2010
K-State alumni and friends continue to generously support the Association’s programming efforts through annual contributions to the Tradition Founder’s Fund. We are pleased to share that more than $365,000 was contributed to the 2009-2010 campaign. This is an all-time high for contributions received. We also received 61 leadership gifts of $1,000 or more this year, which qualified those donors for Founders Circle recognition. Support of the Association’s annual fund remains vital to our programming efforts as monies raised are designated to the general operating budget.
Jackie Hartman ’80, ’83 Manhattan, Kan. Dalton Henry 2009-2010 Student Body President Manhattan, Kan. Reggie Redetzke ’95, ’96 Dubai, United Arab Emirates
To learn more about the fund or other giving opportunities, please contact Amy Button Renz at (800) 600-2586 or arenz@k-state.com
Programs Focus
Varney’s Bookstore to provide sponsorship As of July 1, 2010, the K-State Alumni Association began a new sponsorship with Varney’s Bookstore. This new program replaces our online merchandise site ShopK-State. The program will provide members a 10 percent discount on K-State apparel and gifts in all of Varney’s Manhattan locations, as well as through their catalog and online. Varney’s will have the opportunity to travel with us to events such as away football pre-games and club events, and they will have a presence in our e-
newsletter, membership pieces and on the Web. In addition, they will now produce an annual Homecoming T-shirt for students and alumni, and will also promote alumni attire to members at special member pricing throughout the year. We are excited about the new partnership and think it’ll be a great benefit to membership and Association events! The Association will continue to sell special merchandise items at www.K-State.com, such as K-State rings, watches, prints, books, ornaments and more.
BOARD MEMBER SPOTLIGHT Get to know a few of the board members better with these Q&As!
BARBARA BACHMAN ’81 Hometown: Centralia, Kan. Degree: Marketing Business Information: Agent, LohmullerBachman, Inc. – Seneca, Kan. Favorite K-State memory: Pillsbury Crossing after Aggieville where I met my husband of 27 years. Being a member of Pi Beta Phi and making lifelong friends. One thing people would be surprised to know about me: My family owns and ran Joyland Amusement Park in Wichita, Kan. for more than 50 years. Also, I grew up in a town of 350,000, and then got married and moved to a town of 500 (which was 100 less than my high school graduating class of 600). I cried for the first five years, but would not trade it for the world now! KELSIE BALL – 2010-2011 Student Alumni Board President Hometown: Eureka, Kan. Majors: Family studies human services, and gerontology/pre-nursing Graduation: May 2012 Greek Affiliation: Alpha Chi Omega What brought me to K-State: I was brought up as a Wildcat from the day I was born as my mom and her two sisters attended K-State. Manhattan quickly became my second home and a place I grew to love as we attended almost every home football game and all the Jr. Wildcat Club events. I have many fond memories of my sister and me attending JWC events, and to this day still have the walls of my room at home covered with KState memorabilia signed by athletes. I always knew in my heart K-State was the school for me and never looked at or visited another school.
SUMMER 2010
JILL GERLACH ’76, ’81 Hometown: Overland Park, Kan. Degrees: B.S. in adult education; master’s in adult and occupational education Business Information: Owner, JF Gerlach Consultants – Overland Park, Kan. Favorite K-State memory: One of my favorite K-State memories was my junior year — K-State men’s basketball vs. Nebraska in Ahearn Field House. Students had been camped out for several days, as they always did, to get a seat at the game. We were down by one with only a couple of seconds left. We put up a shot that did not go in, but our tall, skinny center was in the air and grabbed it and put it in at the buzzer for a 1-point K-State win. Ahearn went nuts, and that was the first time I noticed that tall guy I married. One thing people would be surprised to know about me: I would rather be home than anywhere else. Evenings at home are rare for us, so if we ever have one it’s wonderful. DANNY UNRUH – 2010-2011 Student Body President Hometown: Manhattan, Kan. Majors: Food science and industry/ political science Minor: Leadership studies Graduation: May 2012 Greek Affiliation: Alpha Tau Omega Favorite K-State memory: Sprinting across the parking lots at 5:30 a.m. to get a good spot in line for the KU game my freshman year, waiting in sub 30-degree temperatures all day, and then rushing the court after we won.
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Chair’s Corner
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une 5, 2010 was the day that Jerry Boettcher handed over the gavel and graciously offered to help me in the coming year. Even with thrice-daily jet service between DFW and MHK, I will take Jerry up on his offer to be there when I cannot. Jerry’s kindness and my “remote” Audrey Mross ’80 location in Dallas are two realities that underpin my goal, to tap into our culture of being helpful and to foster a mutually beneficial connection among our alums. When I moved to DFW, I found a sense of community in this faraway and strange place (folks say “y’all” and put jalapenos on their pizza) through the K-State alumni club. Since then, the club evolved from hosting watch parties to engaging in community service, networking, student recruitment, job hunting assistance and inadvertent match-making. Two ‘Cats who met at our 2009 Rangers-Royals game recently announced they are engaged! While what we do as alumni has evolved, the way in which we do it has evolved, too. Increasingly accessible communication, as seen in the social networking boom, bridges the distance between us and makes worldwide connectivity a snap. Now it truly does not matter if you are blessed to be living in Kansas, a nearby state or even Dubai (Hey, Reggie!) ... you can feel at “home” whenever you connect with fellow ‘Cats, and I’d like to see those connections grow. To that end, I would like your help. I’d like to know how K-Staters are being served in your community. Is there an established K-State alumni club? If not, do you know the perfect person to get one started? Are you that person? What activities do you or your club engage in? From the elegant Wabash CannonBall in Kansas City, to having a new couple in town over for dinner, starting a Facebook chat or a multi-player on-line game, there’s no limit to the ways in which to reach out and connect. What is your passion, career choice or special skill and would you be willing to use it to connect to your fellow ‘Cats? As an example, DFW-area ‘Cats in the recruitment business formed the ‘Cat ‘Cruiters team and help ‘Cats find jobs (and get the first look at great talent). Please send your ideas to me at amross@munckcarter.com or give me a call at 972.628.3661. I would love to hear from y’all! With purple pride, Audrey Mross ’80
SUMMER 2010
OCT. 7, 2010
Plan to join us! A special weekend is planned for all past and present board members in conjunction with our fall meeting. We will host a pregame barbecue at CatTown Thursday, Oct. 7 prior to the football game vs. Nebraska. Then, a special luncheon will be held the following day featuring keynote speaker K-State President Kirk H. Schulz! Watch for additional information, including your reservation form, to arrive later this summer.
K-STATE IS COMING TO… Alumni, Spirit and Catbacker club JULY events are in full swing with the 11 Beaver Lake, Ark. Association already sponsoring 43 12 Paola, Kan. events nationwide in May and June. 15 Kansas City, Mo. Upcoming events are to the left. 15 Eureka, Kan. 24 Shawnee Mission, Kan. 29 Eden Prairie, Minn.
AUGUST 3 Ottawa, Kan. 5 McPherson, Kan. 9 Wichita, Kan. 12 Lawrence, Kan. 14 Denver, Colo. 21 Junction City, Kan. 23 Lawrence, Kan. 31 Abilene, Kan. SEPTEMBER 18 Association pregame event at Arrowhead in Kansas City, Mo. 23 Great Bend, Kan. Visit www.K-State.com for additional information. [3]
Kudos & Congrats Did You Know? Terry Matlack ’78, was named the 2010 Alumni Fellow for the College of Business Administration in February. Audrey Mross ’80, was recently recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer and a National Corporate Super Lawyer. This is the first time Mross has received this prestigious distinction from her peers. Martha Cornwell Riddell ’75, assumed the role of president of the Lexington, Ky. chapter of Rotary International for 2010. Aaron Austin ’97, will make a move to Lubbock, Texas this summer to begin his new position as assistant director of residence life with Texas Tech University. Jerry Boettcher ’63, past-chair, was recently honored with the 2010 Alumni Distinguished Service Award from the K-State Greek Affairs office. Todd Johnson ’94, was elected as the 2010-2011 chair-elect of the K-State Alumni Board of Directors. He will assume the role of chair in June 2011. Lots of great things have been happening for our staff too… Welcome to Jessica Elmore ’06, who recently joined the staff as associate director of alumni multicultural programs. Jeana Gibbs, alumni records assistant, married Mike Burton June 5, 2010. Morgan Hanson ’06, associate director of alumni communications, married Tom Roesler ’99, ’04, May 21, 2010. Erin Jeschke ’02, assistant director of alumni communications, married Jacob Kelly ’08, March 20, 2010. Kelly Law ’01, director of membership and marketing, and her husband Justin, welcomed a daughter, Kherington Taylor Law April 26, 2010. Kherington is their first child.
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n fiscal year 2011 the K-State Alumni Association, through its programming and alumni clubs, will provide more than $238,000 in scholarship funds to K-State students, which includes 75 $1,000 scholarships, awarded to children and grandchildren of K-State graduates, through our new Legacy Scholarship program.
In Memoriam It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the recent passing of four former board members. Lloyd Smith ’47, died Dec. 29, 2009 in Newton, Kan. Mr. Smith served on the board from 1969-71. An entrepreneur and innovator, Lloyd formed the S/V Tool Co. in Newton. The company specialized in hand tools for mass consumer markets. Perhaps his most notable invention was a ratchet-handled screwdriver known as the “Screwball”, which was purchased by Sears for its Craftsman line of tools. He is survived by his wife, Sarah, a daughter and two sons. Kenneth Mahoney ’50 of Dorrance, Kan. died Jan. 31, 2010. Ken was a farmer/rancher and basketball equipment inventor. He was inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 2009 for his inventions, which include the snap-back rim designed to prevent the shattering of backboards, and the current design of backboards used today. Ken served on the board from 1957-59 and is survived by his wife, Dorothy, three daughters and two sons. Mary Lee McKee (fs ’45) died March 23, 2010 in Wichita, Kan. A homemaker and civic volunteer, she served on the board from 1967-69. She is survived by her husband, George, three daughters and two sons. Mike Jensen ’81, ’85 died at his home in Mayetta, Kan., June 15, 2010. Mike served as CEO for the Kansas Pork Producers’ Association from 1986-05. He then served as project administrator for the Potawatomi Health Clinic, and was vice-chairman of Prairie Band Entertainment Corporation. He was a member of the board from 2001-04 and is survived by his wife Julie, a stepdaughter and a stepson.
Jackie Hartman ’80, ’83, Audrey Mross ’80 and Jerry Boettcher ’63 do the K-S-U pose in June at the board of directors barbecue at Amy Button Renz’s home.
We would like to mention your good news in a future issue of Board Matters. Please e-mail Lynn Beier at lbeier@k-state.com with items you would like to share.