Board
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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” Greetings! I’m pleased to share that the K-State Alumni Association has retained the No. 1 ranking for the percentage of graduates who are members for the 16th year in a row! This is an outstanding accomplishment and I want to recognize Kelly Law ’01, who directs the program, the entire staff and volunteer leaders as this would not be possible without you. I also want to welcome Linda Cook ’77, and Andrew Zender ’05 to the staff. Linda joined us as assistant vice president for communications in May, and Andrew, effective July 10, replaced Tim Lindemuth ’77, as editor of the K-Stater. Tim retired June 30
following 19 years with the Association and a total of 37 years at K-State. As board chair, Kent Bradley ’88, shares in his column, we certainly have much to celebrate! It is so exciting to witness the growth in programs campus-wide, and we want to thank you for your ongoing commitment. I look forward to seeing you at a future event and hope you can join us in October as we celebrate the Alumni Center 10-year Anniversary! Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86 President and CEO
PRESIDENT SCHULZ PRESENTS GOALS FOR K-STATE
SUMMER 2012
set the 2012 Leadership Conference for Sept. 7-8. We are researching new signage for our alumni clubs, and planning for a Denver scholarship gala for January 2014 is under way. In June, the regents approved a 5.5 percent tuition and fees increase for the Manhattan and Salina campuses. This equates to approximately $8.49 million in new revenue. Rising health care costs, KPERS rate increases, classified staff longevity bonuses, increased fringe benefits costs and utility costs will absorb $3.45 million of these funds. An additional $1.98 million is designated toward faculty promotion salary increases, fees for instructional costs, faculty retention and funding to add course sections to keep pace with enrollment. The remaining funds will be used to support student financial aid costs, expansion of student retention
programs, laboratory equipment, supplies for undergraduate courses and funding for the Division of Continuing Education. The university also welcomes Richard Potter as the first director of Corporate Engagement, as well as deans Ali Malekzedah, business administration; Peter Dorhout, arts and sciences; John Floros, agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension; Debbie Mercer ’84, ’88, ’96, ’99, education; and Verna Fitzsimmons, CEO and dean of K-State Salina. Memorandums of understanding also have been signed with the University of Queensland in Brisbane and the University of Western Australia. The MOUs include student exchange agreements, which will allow K-State students to spend one or two semesters at these institutions. K-State Alumni Association archives
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une 15 marked the three-year anniversary of Kirk H. Schulz’s term as president of Kansas State University. A visionary leader, President Schulz and his leadership team continue to challenge the Wildcat family to achieve at the highest levels. In April, President Schulz presented his goals for this fiscal year to the Kansas Board of Regents. Included in this plan were four goals relating to the Alumni Association: • Increase international alumni events from 10 to 20 in fiscal year 2012-13. • Continue to further define the K-State Alumni Association “link for life” brand with the alumni clubs. Develop signage for all alumni clubs and plan an alumni leadership conference for fall 2012. • Increase event attendance by 5 percent more than 2011-12 numbers. • Continue to research scholarship fundraising opportunities for out-ofstate alumni clubs and explore adding a gala in Denver (similar to Wabash CannonBall) in fiscal year 2013-14. Association staff is working to successfully achieve each goal. We are working with several campus representatives who travel internationally to enhance our engagement efforts with alumni and friends living abroad, and we have
Dates
David Mayes ‘96, K-State Alumni Association
CALL TO ORDER: In March, the boards of directors for the Kansas
to Note
State University Foundation and K-State Alumni Association
K-State Day at the Kansas State Fair
gathered for their first-ever joint meeting.
Sept. 9, 2012
Latino Reunion Weekend Sept. 14-16, 2012
K-STATE ALUMNI CENTER 1 0 T H A N N I V E R S A RY
K-State Alumni Center 10-Year Anniversary Celebration
Traditions Founders update The Association was able to raise a record-setting high of more than $412,000 last fiscal year for the Tradition Founders fund. The annual fund helps provide funding for alumni events in the US and around the world, the K-Stater magazine, student scholarships, multicultural programming and much more! With 82 contributions of $1,000 or more, the Association’s Founders
Circle also reached new heights. Founders Circle donors are recognized on the Association’s website, kiosk and invited to a donor recognition event each year. Beginning fall 2012, Founders Circle members will also be listed in the K-Stater magazine. The 2012-2013 campaign will kick off in October, so watch for your mailing at that time, and thanks for your support!
Oct. 5, 2012
Goodbyes
Alan Fankhauser ’82 Brookfield, Wis.
Linda Cook ’77 Hope, Kan.
Tina Glover ’80, ’84 Mission Viejo, Calif.
Michelle Elkins ’87 Manhattan, Kan.
Oct. 6, 2012
Courtney Riley ’91 Hiawatha, Kan.
Homecoming Week
Holly Roberts ’81 Colorado Springs, Colo.
Mindy Highberger ’12 2011-2012 Student Alumni Board President Westphalia, Kan.
Alumni Board Pregame @ Cat Town
“Wildcat Adventures” Oct. 21-27, 2012
K-State’s sesquicentennial celebration “Generations of Success” February – October 2013
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&
Welcomes
Watch for your invitation to events marking this milestone.
Allan Sicat ’03 Marietta, Ga. Kristy Hawkins Tredway ’05 Towanda, Kan. Rachel King 2012-2013 Student Alumni Board President Wichita, Kan.
Barbara Johnson ’78 Abilene, Kan. Jim Johnson ’84 Colorado Springs, Colo. Terry Matlack ’78 Shawnee Mission, Kan. Audrey Mross ’80 Dallas, Texas SUMMER 2012
Everybody loves a celebration. As K-Staters we have many things to celebrate; academic achievements, successful athletic programs and the dynamic direction of our University under the Kent Bradley ’88 leadership of President Kirk Schulz. The celebrations continue this fall as we recognize 10 years of being in our K-State Alumni Center, the beautiful building that is our Association home. My personal recollections go back to Hollis House and then the old Farm Bureau building, but I am sure many of you remember location of our Association even before those times. Our center is one of the most used buildings on Campus with events going on daily. Look forward to an invitation this fall to a dessert reception honoring the center’s 10-year anniversary. We thank Amy Button Renz, the Association staff and the board members who helped make this dream a reality. This spring will be Kansas State University’s 150th birthday party. The campus community looks forward to the many events commemorating Kansas State and its history. Events will officially kick off in February, but there will be many opportunities to read about K-State’s history and celebrate its accomplishments throughout the year. Kansas State is a very special place. As current and former board members, we realize what truly makes K-State special is its people. Talk to any K-Stater, and what they will recall is the people who made K-State a special experience for them. So as we approach our 10th anniversary of our building and the 150th anniversary of being a University, take a moment to reflect on the people who made your time special and reach out to those folks who are still with us. We look forward to seeing you at our celebration this fall, and I thank you for the time you have committed as a volunteer and your service to our Association and our University. In Purple Pride, — Kent Bradley ’88 SUMMER 2012
K-STATE ATHLETICS SEES SOARING SUCCESS
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-State Athletics continues to experience tremendous success. January brought an appearance in the 2012 AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic in Arlington, Texas. More than 20,000 alumni and fans attended the pep rally, and the official pregame event was a sellout. The summer Catbacker tour is also seeing great attendance as more than 6,000 fans have attended the gatherings through the first week in July. The Wildcat Nation also set a new record of $25.8 million for total gifts to the department, and the Ahearn Fund membership grew by 12 percent to finish the year at an all-time high of 7,866. An operating budget of $58 million has been set for the 2012-2013 fiscal year, which will be the largest in school history and represents a 12.7 percent increase from fiscal year 2012. Our student-athletes impressed both on and off the field, as 202 student-athletes made the 2012 Spring Commissioner’s Honor Roll, Victor Ojeleye of the men’s basketball program was named the 2012 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholar of the Year, and for the second straight year, a K-State student-athlete, David Klaudt of the men’s golf team, was elected to serve as the Big 12 SAAC vice chair. K-State also led the Big 12 Conference in all-sports graduation rate. Your Wildcats have achieved this distinction for four of the past five years. Construction and facility upgrades continue to enhance the student-athlete and fan experience. The new Basketball Training Facility is scheduled to open this fall, and construction on the West Stadium Center at Bill Snyder Family Stadium is under way. More than $53 million toward the total fundraising goal of $75 million has been committed. The facility is scheduled to be completed by Aug. 30, 2013. Also, your alma mater will be well represented at the 2012 summer Olympic Games in London. NCAA outdoor high jump champion Erik Kynard will proudly represent the United States, and Coach Cliff Rovelto tutors all three high jumpers on the U.S. team, a first in U.S. high jump history. In addition, five other Wildcats will compete in the games for their home countries. K-State’s Erik Kynard, NCAA outdoor high jump champion, will represent the United States at the 2012 summer Olympics in London.
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K-State Athletics
Chair’s Corner
Kudos & Congrats Aaron Otto ’98 was elected as the 2012-2013 chair-elect of the K-State Alumni Board of Directors. He will assume the role of chair in June 2013. Sharon Evers ’67 accepted an appointment to serve on the KSU Foundation Board of Directors effective March 2012. Curt Frasier ’73 was ratified as chairman of the KSU Foundation Board during the annual trustees meeting in November, and his appointment began in March. Charlie Claar ’74 was selected to Leadership Kansas Class of 2012. Audrey Mross ’80 was recently promoted to senior partner and chair of the Labor and Employment section at Munck Wilson Mandala LLP. Audrey also accepted an appointment to serve on the College of Business Dean’s Advisory Council at K-State. Jackie McClaskey ’93 received the Outstanding Advisor Award at the Blue Key National Conference. Sara Budden Meng ’00 and her husband, Justin Meng ’00, announce the birth of their third daughter, Caroline Bea, in December. Beth Ludlum ’03 is now director of student faith and leadership formation at the United Methodist Church Board of Higher Education & Ministry in Nashville, Tenn. Michelle Elkins ’87 returned home to Manhattan, Kan., in April to begin a new position as assistant director/operations manager with the Office of Admissions at K-State. Aaron Austin ’97 was married on March 31 to Carey Sterrett ’98, and he is now vice president for Student Life at Bethel College in Newton, Kan. Jason Heinrich ’00 and his wife, Karina, welcomed their second child, Skye Olivia, in June.
Did Y You Know?
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ore than 1,500 incoming students and their parents are treated to Call Hall ice cream compliments of the K-State Alumni Association staff during Orientation and Enrollment From: The staff ofWelcome the K-Stateevents Alumni each and Wildcat Association year.
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Linda Cook ’77 was named assistant vice president for communications for the K-State Alumni Association in May. Travis Lenkner ’01 and Erin Delaney are engaged to be married Nov. 17. They are also moving to Chicago, where Travis will join the law department of The Boeing Company as senior counsel and Erin will serve as an assistant professor of law at Northwestern University. Andrea Bryant Gladin ’02, ’09, director of alumni programs, and her husband, Jud Gladin ’06, welcomed their second child, a daughter, Neva Claire, who was born May 24. Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86, president and CEO, celebrated 35 years as a member of the Association staff June 1. Heartfelt thanks to Amy for her leadership and dedication to her alma mater!
In Memoriam It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the recent passing of three former members of the board: Orville Burtis ’41 died Jan. 8, 2012, in Lenexa, Kan. He served on the board from 1966 to 1969. Orville was president and general manager of Z Bar Cattle Company and a member of the Kansas Livestock Association for more than 64 years. Survivors include two daughters, two sons, eight grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. Marjorie (Marge) Setter ’48 passed away June 7, 2012, in Wichita, Kan. Marge served as a member of the board from 1969 to 1971. A well-respected advertising and public relations professional, she owned and operated her own advertising agency, Setter & Associates, from 1969 to 1991. She was widely known in Wichita for her volunteer work with a number of civic, cultural and social service agencies. Robert (Bob) Rousey ’53 died Nov. 8, 2011, in Manhattan, Kan. A member of the board from 1971 to 1974, Bob also was a former member of the men’s basketball and baseball programs. He was a proud member of the 1951 K-State men’s basketball Final Four team. He served as operations manager of the Manhattan Milling Company, Inc. for more than 35 years. Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Lou, two daughters and a son. We would like to mention your news in a future issue of Board Matters. Please email items you would like to share to Lynn Beier at lbeier@k-state.com.