Kansas State University

Welcome to the spring E-Newsletter.  In this edition we’ll be taking a look at some of our programs within the department that provide outreach to our surrounding communities and global partners.  Finding a way to process data into useful analytical tools, which gives leaders a wider range of tools to accomplish their mission, remains one of our core functions within the department of agricultural economics.

In that light, we’ll be taking a look at the office of local government (OLG).  This unit is led by Dr. John Leatherman.  Leatherman works with his staff of young professionals and student assistants to aggregate fiscal data on the fiscal fitness for local government.  The team then presents the data to local community leaders, giving a deeper insight into the inner workings of their respective organizations.

Continue reading “A Letter from Department Head Allen Featherstone” →

The Office of Local Government(OLG) has become a leader in regional government economic analysis.  OLG executive director, Dr. John Leatherman, founded the unit and continues to guide the program in its present day.  OLG specializes in community finance analysis, but has moved on to other problem areas by giving expert advice on current issues found in local government.

From the beginning OLG has highlighted the benefits of providing fact driven advice to its customers. Leatherman founded the program after seeing a need in communities for more data driven consulting to address a sometimes volatile fiscal environment.  With just a small initial capital investment from the university Leatherman set about to build the large bulk of data used by the program by first copying massive reams of municipal reviews and expenditures all across the state.

Continue reading “Office of Local Government Update” →

Dr. John Leatherman says he finds some of the most rewarding work in educating his student staff.  He calls it “Leatherman University”.   One former “LU” student, Emily Mollohan, was recruited into the OLG program during her freshman year of college, and believes the workplace experience gave her the majority of her professional acumen she uses today.

Mollohan said, “I learned such a wide variety of skills that I have been able to apply them in multiple facets, such as internships and graduate school.”

Continue reading “Leatherman “U”” →

The Center for Risk Management Education and Research (CRMER)continues with great momentum into its fourth year this spring. Since the start of 2016 the Center for Risk Management Education & Research witnessed substantial growth, including welcoming the largest class of Student Fellows in program history.  The new class is comprised of 24 undergraduate and graduate students from across eight different majors. The Center continues to deliver high quality educational experiences as it hosts more than seven industry guest speakers on campus this spring semester and facilitates various industry visits around the country for Student Fellows to learn direct risk management practices from industry leaders.  The current class of Student Fellows is looking forward to a trip to Washington D.C. this May to meet with several risk management experts working in the D.C. metropolitan area.

Continue reading “Center for Risk Managment Education and Research Update” →

Several Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness alumni, recent graduates and current students have been recognized with scholarships, awards and as valued members within their respective organizations on campus.

Jill Arensdorf was selected as this year’s recipient of the Richard E. Mistler Outstanding Blue Key Alumni Award. Arensdorf graduated from K-State with a Bachelors in Agricultural Economics, got her Masters at Texas A&M in Agricultural Education and Leadership and then received her Doctorate from K-State in Curriculum and Instruction. Arensdorf is currently an associate professor at Fort Hays State University and was chosen because she models a true commitment to service, leadership and scholarship and is committed to developing student leaders.

Continue reading “Agricultural Economics Current and Former Students Receive Awards and Scholarships” →