Making a Difference

Author: sberhow

K-State celebrates first named college: the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering

Hundreds of purple-clad K-State faculty, students, alumni and friends greeted Carl and Mary Ice at the engineering complex Friday, Oct. 18, to help them celebrate the naming of the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. Greg Willems welcomed the Ices and their family and thanked all the attendees for being there to honor two K-Staters who have set the standard for what it means to inspire through leadership, service and philanthropy.

President Richard Myers thanked Trustees Carl and Mary for their investment, sharing how this investment will benefit the college and K-State. It inspires the K-State family to dream big. It brings prestige to the college and the university and lets future leaders and educators know that alumni and friends believe in the university’s future. “Thank you, Carl and Mary, for your incredible commitment,” Myers said. “You are truly making K-State history today. Your investment will be felt for generations to come, not only in the College of Engineering, but across the university.”

KSU Foundation Trustees think BIG at fall meeting


On a rainy Friday, October 4, KSU Foundation Trustees met for the fall 2019 Board of Trustees meeting. More than 300 trustees attended and learned of many ways K-Staters are thinking big to advance Kansas State University.

Rand Berney, chair of the board of trustees, ran the business meeting in which 54 returning trustees were elected to continue their service on the board. Fifty-two new trustees were approved for the board and 32 trustees were approved for emeritus status. There are 367 members of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

Continue reading “KSU Foundation Trustees think BIG at fall meeting”

Save the Date!

Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming events!

2020 Spring Board of Trustees Meeting
Friday, May 8, 2020
Manhattan, KS

2020 Fall Board of Trustees Meeting
Friday, September 18, 2020
Manhattan, KS

Innovation and Inspiration Finale Celebration
September 18 and 19, 2020
Manhattan, KS
More details to come

Spring Meeting 2019 recap

This year’s spring meeting included celebrations, field trips and more!

Nearly 200 members of KSU Foundation’s Board of Trustees met Friday, May 10, to connect with friends, celebrate K-State successes and get a behind-the-scenes look at philanthropy in action and the College of Veterinary Medicine.

 

Innovation and Inspiration Campaign surpasses $1.4 billion milestone

The day began with the announcement and celebration of Kansas State University’s Innovation and Inspiration campaign having surpassed its $1.4 billion milestone. The campaign will continue to raise funds for K-State priorities until its scheduled end on June 30, 2020. Add the campaign celebration to your calendars; it is planned for September 18-19, 2020. Learn more here.

Greg Willems, president and CEO of KSU Foundation, announced that KSU Foundation Board of Directors has been awarded the 2018-2019 John W. Nason Award for Board Leadership by the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges for demonstrating exceptional leadership and initiative.

Two iconic K-Staters

Coach Bill Snyder and retiring Vice President for Student Life Dr. Pat Bosco were celebrated by trustees for the transformational leadership.

Continue reading “Spring Meeting 2019 recap”

Lee Borck and Jackie Hartman Borck awarded K-State Medal of Excellence

At the spring KSU Foundation Board of Trustees meeting, trustees Lee Borck and Jackie Hartman Borck, Manhattan, Kansas, were awarded the Kansas State University Medal of Excellence, which recognizes those who have advanced K-State through exceptional service, leadership and philanthropic contributions. Continue reading “Lee Borck and Jackie Hartman Borck awarded K-State Medal of Excellence”

Innovation and Inspiration Campaign surpasses $1.3 billion milestone

Kansas State University’s Innovation and Inspiration Campaign surpassed the $1.3 billion mark in December.

“The Innovation and Inspiration Campaign’s continued success is rooted in the generosity of the K-State family and its belief in the future of Kansas State University,” K-State President Richard Myers said. “We are thankful to the many alumni and friends who have invested in K-State faculty, students and programs. Your support is key to the university’s success, now and in the future.”

Funds raised through the campaign will be used to support students, faculty, facility enhancements and programs and will advance the university toward becoming a top 50 public research university by 2025. Three signature drivers have helped to build momentum during the campaign’s extension period, which will continue through June 30, 2020: Continue reading “Innovation and Inspiration Campaign surpasses $1.3 billion milestone”

KSU Foundation phone numbers change Jan. 22

To better serve you and optimize KSU Foundation resources, we will be switching telephone services as of January 22, 2019.

This means our phone service will be more efficient, and you’ll be able to reach your KSU Foundation connections by telephone more quickly, whether they are traveling or at the office.

It also means that the KSU Foundation’s phone numbers will be changing. Here is a list of new staff phone numbers, which will be active on January 22. Please bookmark this page and make note of the KSU Foundation numbers you call frequently.

Following the service change, call 785-775-2000 to reach the  foundation reception desk.

Please note these often-called numbers:

Jennifer Fabrizius, director of trustee relations: 785-775-2015

RSVP hotline: 785-775-2040.

We appreciate your partnership as K-State’s premier advocates, ambassadors and investors.

 

K-State Student Foundation update

With 2018 behind us, Student Foundation is happy to share some updates on our activities!

Professional development

Starting in the summer, some of our members traveled to Louisville, Kentucky, for the CASE Affiliated Student Advancement Programs National Conference. Student Foundation gave two presentations and gained valuable ideas from other universities around the nation. Both of our presentations received outstanding evaluations from participating students and sponsors.

At the end of October, our campaign planning team met with Ambassador Nancy G. Brinker, the founder of Susan G. Komen, about how to grow our philanthropy and continue the mission of K-State Proud. We are so excited to apply some of the takeaways from her insightful experiences. Continue reading “K-State Student Foundation update”

Strategic enrollment management update

In December, K-State President Richard Myers, along with Provost and Executive Vice President Chuck Taber and Vice President for Student Life and Dean of Students Pat Bosco, announced key components for a new strategic enrollment management organizational structure/framework for K-State, to be put in place by July 1, 2019.

This new structural framework does not require any new senior administrative positions, but makes strategic use of those vacancies currently in the Provost’s office. It allows the university to begin building our SEM leadership and expertise.

Read the full story here.

A look back at the spring meeting

More than 200 members of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees gathered on Friday, April 20 for a day full of updates, celebrations and action!

In the morning, attendees received an update on the State of the Organization, an update from K-State President Richard Myers and a presentation from the Huron Group. Thanks to your contributions to the Trustees Excellence Fund, K-State was able to engage this strategic enrollment management consulting group to study enrollment trends.

You can download copies of the morning presentations here: Continue reading “A look back at the spring meeting”

Medal of Excellence: Celebrating Dan and Beth Bird

At the spring meeting, trustees Dan and Beth Bird, Manhattan, Kansas, were awarded the K-State Medal of Excellence, which recognizes those who have advanced Kansas State University through exceptional service, leadership and philanthropic contributions.

Dan received his degree in animal sciences and industry from K-State in 1962. Beth earned her degree in business administration from K-State in 1961.

The Birds have served as past members of the Alumni Association Board of Directors. They are lifetime members of the Alumni Association and  Continue reading “Medal of Excellence: Celebrating Dan and Beth Bird”

Trustees at work: Engagement Suite success!

The spring meeting featured a new way for Trustees to get involved and make a difference through the Trustee Engagement Suites.

Trustees attended three suites that highlighted ways to get involved and action items to advance the K-State family though student recruitment, governmental advocacy and donor stewardship.

Collectively, trustees wrote 535 thank you notes to K-State donors, and captured more than 100 videos that were sent to top prospective students and generous donors through our ThankView system.

Click “continue reading” to see the results!

Continue reading “Trustees at work: Engagement Suite success!”

Coming soon! Spring Trustee Meeting 2018

The Spring 2018 Board of Trustees Meeting is coming soon! We hope you plan to join us on Friday, April 20, for an action-packed day with your K-State family. Your full invitation will arrive in the mail soon, but a number of you have already begun to make your plans. Here are some key start times to keep in mind:

Board of Trustees Meeting
Friday, April 20, 2018

8 a.m.: Coffee, pastries and social time
Courtyard, K-State Student Union

9 a.m.: Morning sessions begin
Forum Hall, K-State Student Union

Noon: Trustees luncheon/2018 Medal of Excellence recipients recognized
Ballroom, K-State Student Union

1:15-3:30 p.m.: Trustees-in-Action Engagement Activities (New this year! See your invitation for more details).
2nd Floor Concourse, K-State Student Union

4 p.m.: Board of Trustees Reception
KSU Foundation, 1800 Kimball Ave.
Continue reading “Coming soon! Spring Trustee Meeting 2018”

It’s K-State PROUD week!

On Monday, the Student Foundation kicked off their Spring 2018 K-State Proud Campaign Week! As they have for more than a decade, members of K-State Student Foundation and K-State Proud volunteers can be found in the Student Union collecting donations and distributing this year’s Proud T-shirts to be worn to the K-State Men’s Basketball game against Iowa State on Saturday! Continue reading “It’s K-State PROUD week!”

Trustees in action: Trustee-Student Foundation Mentor Program

The KSU Foundation was excited to host Trustee Diane Patrick, a 1970 graduate in political science, and her Student Foundation mentee, Tori Thomas, a junior in biological systems engineering and Spanish, at our January All-Staff meeting. The pair shared the story of their incredible mentor/mentee relationship. We will share their story and more at the Spring Meeting of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees on Friday, April 20!

Staffing update: Leadership changes in KSU Foundation Development Division

Chris Spooner will serve as the key leader for corporate and foundation engagement as the Associate Vice President of Development. Chris will work closely with campus entities to expand our partnership opportunities with industry. His focus on this area will help evolve our relationship with industry to be more holistic in nature and respond to the changing needs of our industry investors. Chris will continue his leadership to both the University Programs and Gift Planning teams.

Sheila Walker has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Development. Sheila will provide leadership to our Manhattan campus collegiate fundraising teams. As she has done so successfully in her role with the College of Arts and Sciences, Sheila will coach and mentor our collegiate fundraising staff while continuing to build and maintain collaborative relationships with our deans and academic leaders.

Eric Holderness has been promoted to Associate Vice President of Development. In this new role, Eric will provide leadership to the annual giving, universitywide fundraising teams along with supervising our development staff for K-State Polytechnic. With the impending evolution of our annual giving program, Eric will provide strategy and leadership as we focus on lead generation and expanding our donor base. In addition to coaching and developing these teams, Eric will remain an active fundraiser, working closely with colleagues.

Kent Sedlacek will serve as Sr. Director of Gift, Estate & Trust Planning and will provide essential oversight to the administration and process of structuring, documenting and administering deferred gifts. He will continue to serve in an advisory capacity to donors on complex transactions and collaborate with development staff across the enterprise. Capitalizing on his expertise and communication skills, Kent will lead estate planning outreach activities and education opportunities to prospective donors, volunteers and staff.

Ben Johnson has been promoted to Sr. Director of Planned Giving. Reporting to Chris Spooner, Ben will provide direct supervision to the gift planning officers while continuing to serve as a frontline officer.

 

Welcome new trustees!

The Board of Trustees welcomed 40 new members at the Fall Meeting and elected five to terms on the Board of Directors. The foundation now has 315 trustees serving as the university’s premier advocates, ambassadors and investors.

“Our KSU Foundation trustees and directors personify an outstanding commitment to boldly advance the K-State family,” said Greg Willems, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation. “We thank our trustees — new and returning — for their leadership and dedication to K-State.” Continue reading “Welcome new trustees!”

Follow up: Attend a screening of Farmer, Rancher, Fisherman at K-State

Join the Department of Agronomy November 16 at 6 p.m. in Engineering Hall 1109 to watch Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman.

The film stars K-State Agronomy alumnus, Justin Knopf, who spoke at the fall meeting with Dr. Chuck Rice, university distinguished professor of agronomy and recipient of the Mary L. Vanier University Professorship.

Continue reading “Follow up: Attend a screening of Farmer, Rancher, Fisherman at K-State”