Kansas State University

search

Arts and Sciences Student Newsletter

SPOTLIGHT

Arts and Sciences Student Research Awardees selected

Thirty-six College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate students are receiving research awards from the college for spring 2024. They will do faculty-mentored, semester-long research and creative projects and receive $1,000 scholarships.

The college is committed to providing a research opportunity to every Arts and Sciences student who wants one. These awards are offered in spring, summer and fall. Applications for this summer and fall are due March 1 and May 1, respectively.

read more

 

Johnson Cancer Research Center presents student awards

Photo of Cancer Research Awardees posing in an office

K-State’s Johnson Cancer Research Center selected 32 students from across the university to receive Cancer Research Awards for 2023-2024.

read more

 

Biology doctoral student receives Natural Resources and Environmental Sciences fellowship

Photo of Aleah QuernsAleah Querns, doctoral student in biology, was one of three K-State graduate students awarded fellowships for the spring 2024 semester by the natural resources and environmental sciences secondary major program.

read more

 

Chemistry Undergraduate Research Fellowships awarded

chemistry student research fellowship awardees and their faculty mentorsChemistry students Carson Cole and Prabhleen Kaur received $5,000 inaugural K-State Taylor Chair of Chemistry Undergraduate Summer Research Fellowships to do full-time research this summer! Congrats to them and their faculty mentors, Drs. Sues and Higgins!

 

Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research grantees selected

More than 30 students received fall 2023 travel and research grants through K-State’s Office of Scholar Development and Undergraduate Research. 

read more

 

Social science writing contest winners announced 

graphic showing words "social science writing contest"

Congrats to Sawyer Shutts, senior in political science and international studies; Katey West, sophomore in political science, pre-law, with a minor in Middle East studies; and Max Wellbrock-Talley, senior in social science and minoring in political science and economics on winning the Live Ideas Social Science Writing Contest last fall! They won $200, $100 and $50 prizes.

read more

 

K-State chemist receives $1.1M NIH grant for research on ion atmospheres in biological systems

photo of Dr. Paul SmithK-State chemistry professor Paul Smith and team have received a $1.1 million NIH grant to develop a better strategy for studying ion atmospheres, which play a critical role in modulating interactions between biomolecules like proteins, DNA, RNA and lipids.

read more

GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN

Dr. Chris CulbertsonDear ArtSci Students,

It’s hard to believe it’s almost time for final exams and Fall 2023 Commencement!

We enjoyed getting to meet many of you at events like our Week of Welcome Coffee Break and Aggieville Adventure, the Lunches with the Deans, the ArtSci Education Abroad Fair and the Health and Helping Professions Networking Nights. And it was especially fulfilling to witness your many talents as you showcased your scholarly work and creative activities at research exhibits, stage performances and more. We look forward to seeing more of you next semester! (Be sure to join our Civil Rights Teach-In Jan. 24, during K-State’s Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance Week!)

For those of you graduating and moving on to the next phase of your life, congratulations! Earning a degree is a lot of work and you should be proud of your achievement. We look forward to seeing all that you accomplish and hope you’ll stay in touch (and consider serving as a mentor to students in the ArtSci Mentorship Program).

We look forward to celebrating our graduates at the Commencement ceremonies December 8 (graduate) and 9 (undergraduate), and to seeing the rest of you back in January!

On behalf of the ArtSci Dean’s Office, good luck on finals and have a great Winter Break!

Chris Culbertson
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Chemistry

NEED-TO-KNOW

New FAFSA due to launch this month

purple dollar signThe Free Application for Federal Student Aid is undergoing major changes. It is supposed to launch by Dec. 31, but no date has been announced as of the writing of this newsletter. Keep an eye on K-State’s FAFSA page.

 

Inclement weather guidelines
Photo of Willie the Wildcat mascot in snow
Photo credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

With winter weather here, you should probably brush up on K-State’s inclement weather guidelines. Start by reading this Preparing for Inclement Weather article in K-State Today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Important dates

Dec. 8 – Fall 2023 Application for Graduation Closes
Dec. 8-9 – Manhattan Campus Commencements
Dec. 11-15 – Final Exams
Dec. 12 – Deadline to Return I-NR Grades
Dec. 19 – Fall 2023 Grades Due by 5 p.m.
Dec. 20 – Fall 2023 Grades available in KSIS
Dec. 25-29 – Winter Break: Campus Closed
Dec. 26 – First Day of January Intersession
Jan. 2 – Spring and Summer 2024 Application for Graduation is Open
Jan. 12 – Last Day of January Intersession
Jan. 12 – Spring 2024 Financial Aid Refunds Begin
Jan. 15 – Martin Luther King Jr Day Observed: Campus Closed
Jan. 16 – First Day of Spring 2024 Classes. Late Enrollment Fee ($65).
Jan. 22 – Last Day to ADD Course(s) without Instructor Permission 

View full 2023-2024 Academic Calendar (pdf)

 

Commencement reminders

Congratulations, graduates! You truly have made a great achievement! If you’re participating in undergraduate Commencement, remember to arrive at Bramlage Coliseum in your purple regalia by 7:30 a.m. Sat., Dec. 9, and head to your department’s ceiling sign on the Bramlage concourse. Bring a printout of your Grad Pass (all nice and smooth) and don’t bring personal items that don’t fit under your robe. More tips are on K-State’s Day-Of Ceremony Guide.

Enjoy your moment!
Graphic showing commencement reminders: Arrive at Bramlage by 7:30 a.m. Wear purple regalia. Park in west lot. Print and bring grad pass. Leave all personal items in car.

UPCOMING EVENTS AND PROGRAMS

Finals got you stressed? Pet a puppy!

graphic with info about Pet Away the Stress event 12/5/23Tue., Dec. 5
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
In front of Nichols Hall

Sponsored by School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and T. Russell Reitz Animal Shelter, City of Manhattan

 

 

 

 

 

10th Annual Civil Rights Teach-In

"Save the Date" graphic about the 10th Annual Civil Rights Teach-In Jan. 24, 2024Jan. 24, 2024 | 2:30-5 p.m. 
Leadership Studies Town Hall
K-State Martin Luther King, Jr., Observance Week

Come see presentations that spark powerful discussions regarding teaching and research as it pertains to current social issues and the legacy of activism at K-State and beyond.

Hint: Some professors give extra credit for attending.

 

 

 

ArtSci Mentorship Program restarts in January

The ArtSci Mentorship Program, open to all undergraduate students in the College of Arts and Sciences, pairs students with professionals who provide insight and guidance for career preparation and pathways and help students develop a professional network. It’s facilitated on WildcatLink, where you can activate your account by signing in with your K-State eID. Watch for more information in January. The deadline to sign up is Jan. 29 in order to onboard everyone before the program launches Feb. 5. If you have questions, contact the program coordinator, Zac Malcolm, malcoz@ksu.edu.

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR FINALS! OH, WHERE TO STUDY?

Photo of Dayne Balmer in the Great Room at Hale LibraryWith final exams around the corner, you’ll be spending a lot of time studying, and home might not be the best spot for that. K-State has many great spots for studying!

A favorite study spot for many students, including Dayne Balmer, junior in environmental science, is the Great Room in Hale Library.

In fact, beautiful Hale Library offers a variety of quiet and functional study spaces, from the Great Room and Historic Farrell Library reading rooms to collaboration rooms with large monitors and white boards. Explore them all on Hale’s Study Spaces page.

Tell us your favorite place to study! Email marcia@ksu.edu a photo of yourself in your favorite spot (like our friend Dayne here), along with your name, grade level, major and what to call the spot, for a chance to win an Arts and Sciences swag bag and be in the newsletter!

STUDENT AND FACULTY SPOTLIGHT

English grad student recognized for exemplary teaching

Delaney Sullivan, English graduate studentDelaney Sullivan, master’s student in English, received a Graduate Student Council Award for Graduate Student Teaching Excellence. She wins $500 and will be one of K-State’s nominees for similar regional awards.

read more 

 

 

 

 

 

Three ArtSci students win awards at Model UN conference

Image of flags with words "Model UN"K-State’s Model United Nations team competed against more than 1,400 students from 77 colleges and universities at the American Model UN International Collegiate Conference Nov. 18-21 in Chicago. Topics debated were natural disaster resiliency and financing of clean energy.

Three ArtSci students won awards:

  • Andrew Navarro, junior in political science, pre-law, with a minor in Spanish.
  • Jacob Hofman, senior in political science, pre-law, and economics with a minor in statistics.
  • Maria Velazco, freshman in sociology and international studies with a minor in business.

Read more about the conference.

Model United Nations is a simulation of the UN General Assembly and other multilateral bodies. In Model UN, students represent UN member states and debate current issues. K-State’s Model UN competes in annual conferences in Chicago and elsewhere.

 

¡Viva San Fermín!: K-State student visits home of the Running of the Bulls

Madison Quinn's selfie with friends in SpainMadison Quinn, junior in Spanish and advertising and public relations with a minor in marketing, shares her experience studying in Spain as part of a K-State summer abroad program. Read about her visit to Pamplona and the route of the world-famous, centuries-old event in her blog post published by K-State Education Abroad.

 

Professors to know!
Go places with media and communication professor Andrew Smith!

Photo of Andrew Smith and another man holding up a powercat t-shirtDr. Smith was recently chosen from applicants across the country to participate in a faculty and administrative education abroad workshop in Barcelona, Spain, and he regularly teaches photography and digital storytelling courses for the K-State in Italy summer program and has taken students to London to learn mobile journalism (and will again next spring).

read more

 

Get a lesson in chemistry from Dr. Yasmin Patell!

graphic showing photo of Yasmin Patell with text about her being selected as professor of the weekDr. Patell is a popular Chemistry I and II lecturer who impacts well over a thousand undergraduate students a year. She’s known for her highly organized lectures, carefully optimized to help students learn the unique concepts covered in first-year chemistry. This is just one of her many teaching awards.

read more

NEED-TO-KNOW

Arts and Sciences Enrollment Help Days Nov. 8 and 14
Graphic Showing Enrollment Help Days

The Dean’s office advising team will host Enrollment Help Days to help students enroll in spring 2024 courses. The sessions will be from 9 a.m.-noon Wed., Nov. 8, and 1-4 p.m. Tue., Nov. 14, in 318 Calvin Hall. Arts and Sciences students are welcome to drop in but they must have already met with their academic advisor and have an approved course schedule. These sessions are for students who have questions about how to enroll or are having difficulty with the process.

 

Important dates

Nov. 11 | Veteran’s Day Observance but classes are in session  

Nov. 19-26 | Thanksgiving Break: No Classes all week

Dec. 8 | Graduation Application Closes

Dec. 8 | Last Day of Classes

Dec. 9 | Arts and Sciences Commencement

Dec. 11-15 | Final Examinations

Dec. 20 | Grades available in KSIS

 

Financial Assistance: FAFSA delayed

Due to federal delays, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which must be submitted to apply for federal grants, work-study funds and loans, does not open until December. Therefore, K-State has moved its priority deadline to March 1.

Learn more about the FAFSA.

 

Graduation and Commencement

K-State grad cap decorated with Powercat at commencement ceremonyCongratulations to our graduating seniors and graduate students! The Fall 2023 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences will be at 8:30 a.m. Sat., Dec. 9, at Bramlage Coliseum. Graduate Student Commencement is at 1 p.m. Fri., Dec. 8, at Bramlage Coliseum.

Graduating seniors, please note:

  • Wear purple regalia.
  • Arrive by 7:30 a.m. to line up with your department.
  • Park in the west lot.
  • Remember to bring your printed Grad Pass!
  • Place tassels on the right and pin honor cords on the left shoulder.
  • Do not carry in personal items, including purses, cameras, etc.; they will not be permitted on the floor.
  • Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll be standing quite a while and using stairs.
  • More information is in the university’s Day-of-Celebration Guide.

For more details about Commencement, including parking and schedule, visit K-State’s Graduation website.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Lunch with the Deans: First-Generation Students
graphic with info about Lunch with the Deans 11/6/23

Mon., Nov. 6 | noon-1 p.m. | 301 Calvin Hall
Free pizza with the deans! If you didn’t pre-register but want to come, email Kate Williamson, kate89@ksu.edu, before 11:15 a.m. to see if there’s space for you.

 

 

 

CANCELED – Grad Brunch & Pics with Willie – CANCELED

Tue., Dec. 5 | noon-1 p.m. | 301 Calvin Hall

Graduate School Commencement

Fri., Dec. 8 | 1 p.m. | Bramlage Coliseum

Arts and Sciences Commencement

Sat., Dec. 9 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Bramlage Coliseum
Graduates line up at 7:30 a.m.

 

Events around the college
‘Navajo Code Talkers of World War II’ presentation

graphic about Navajo Code Talkers of WWII presentation with old, black and white photo of soldiers posedBy Spintz Harrison, teaching associate professor of American ethnic studies
Wed., Nov. 8 | 6:30 p.m.
13 Leasure Hall

 

 

 

 

 

Winter Dance Concert 2023 – Shifting Landscapes

Image of dancer and text that says Winter Dance Concert 2023Thu., Nov. 9 | 7:30 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 10 | 7:30 p.m
Sat., Nov. 11 | 2:30 p.m
Chapman Theatre, Nichols Hall

Join K-State Dance for this annual show to keep your spirit warm! Featuring original choreography by K-State faculty and guest artists in jazz, modern, and tap styles.

 

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Career Readiness Opportunities
Social Work Career Day event

Thu., Nov. 9 | 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
The social work program, in the department of sociology, anthropology and social work, will host a Social Work Career Day, where you can network with social service agencies and learn about career options. Lunch will be provided. Advance registration is required.

English Alumni Connections event

flyer about English Alumni Connections eventFri., Nov. 10 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Zoom

A panel of English alums will talk about their paths to careers in publishing, librarianship, grant writing, law and academic coaching. This event is open to all students including non-English majors. For more information, email english@ksu.edu.

 

 

 

 

Alumni dish on getting career-ready and being a professional!
Arts and Sciences Career Panel members Trevor Starks ’13, Logan Stacer ’18, Matt Casey ’08, and Lisette Corbeille ’16
ArtSci Alumni Career Panel members Trevor Starks ’13, Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology; Logan Stacer ’18, Communication Studies; Matt Casey ’08, Economics; Lisette Corbeille ’16, Psychology and Women’s Studies

We hosted an Alumni Career Panel and Networking event Oct. 26. Four recent Arts and Sciences alums with impressive careers talked about their college-to-career journeys and gave advice for current students and recent grads. Watch our Facebook Live video.

 

International Education Resources
Celebrate K-State International Education Week Nov. 8-17

graphic showing K-State International Education Week is Nov. 8-17, 2023Take advantage of K-State International Education Week, Nov. 8-17, to become more internationally and interculturally aware and learn about K-State’s many Education Abroad opportunities. Several activities are planned to inform the K-State community about international initiatives that make our campus a rich and diverse global arena. K-State joins the U.S. Departments of State and Education in celebrating this week to promote programs that prepare future leaders for a global and inclusive environment.

 

See what an Education Abroad group trip can be like

screenshot of video showing K-State students in Vietnam

Michael Wesch, professor of anthropology, took a group of students to Vietnam last spring. Although short, the trip allowed them to immerse themselves in the Cao Dai religion. Watch Dr. Wesch’s video on YouTube.

Learn about faculty-led group trips and other education abroad programs.

 

Get funding to host a diversity lecture

The college’s Diversity Committee invites applications for the Arts and Sciences Diversity Lecture Series Grant, due Nov. 15. Awards are typically $500-1,000.

 

First-year students: Join Wildcat Dialogues Nov. 8

All first-year students are encouraged to participate in Wildcat Dialogues, an intercultural learning and leadership event. Plan to attend at 7-9 p.m. Wed., Nov. 8, and help create a community of belonging for all. Reserve your spot by Sun., Nov. 5.

 

Mental health and other support

With final exams coming up in one month, it’s natural to feel stressed out. Know the resources that are available to all students, including you, and don’t be afraid to seek assistance. (Please note: some office names may have recently changed.)

Manhattan Resources Wheel graphic