Dear ArtSci Alumni and Friends,
We’re excited to be back in touch with you! We have news about our reinvigorated alumni-to-student mentorship program, new degree offerings, and special events for students and others. And we have plenty of ways for you to be involved!
We are working to connect Arts and Sciences students and alumni. One way is through our reinvigorated ArtSci Mentorship Program on WildcatLink. We’re seeking professionals to serve as mentors to help students transition to careers. We invite alums from all areas, but there is special interest in biology, chemistry, data science, economics, law/legal and health.
As a mentor, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge and skills with students who are interested in a career similar to yours. You can also help shape the future of your industry by supporting young professionals and making lasting connections with current Wildcats.
To become a mentor, apply by Sept. 4. The fall ’23 program will begin Sept. 11 and end in early December. Join by creating a WildcatLink account and requesting membership in the ArtSci Mentorship Program. Once approved, you’ll receive email communications through the WildcatLink platform regarding orientation and next steps.
For more information, contact the program coordinator Zac Malcolm at malcoz@ksu.edu.
Chris Culbertson is the dean. He was selected to fill the position permanently in May, having served as interim dean for a year. Before that, he was associate dean for research for three years. He’s been at K-State for 21 years and hails from the chemistry department, where he was a member of the analytical division and served as lead advisor for 10 years. His research is focused on developing devices for the early diagnosis of diseases, especially cancers. He collaborates with other researchers to overcome biomolecule separation, detection and quantitation challenges in complex biological matrices.
Scott Tanona is the associate dean for academic affairs. He has served in this role since June 2020. He is also an associate professor of philosophy, specializing in the history and philosophy of physics, science in society, and ethics and values in science.
Kimathi Choma is the assistant dean for diversity, recruitment and retention, a position he’s held since 2016, after serving as interim dean for a year and a half. Before that, he was in K-State’s College of Veterinary Medicine, where he served as director of undergraduate public health programs and as the experience facilitator for the Master of Public Health program.
Melinda Cro is the assistant dean for student success and engagement. She’s been in that role since June 2022. She is also a professor of French and Italian in the modern languages department. She started as a French Language Program coordinator in 2010 and has served as director of graduate studies and department head. She teaches courses from beginner language and culture to advanced undergraduate and graduate seminars in early modern studies (1500-1800), pedagogy, and digital humanities.
Ben Stark was appointed interim assistant dean for research and facilities in March 2023. He is a professor of theatre and associate director of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance. He is the technical director for theatre and he advises the school’s marketing and management efforts. He teaches classes in technical design and professional development.
Our departments continuously offer new degrees and programs to meet the needs of today’s students and employers. Recent additions include:
Bachelor’s degrees
Online certificates
Accelerated bachelor’s/master’s degree (4+1 years)
K-State’s Wildcat 91.9, KSDB-FM, the Best College/University Radio Station for schools with more than 10,000 students and the Abraham and Borst Award for Best Overall College Station in the Nation!
“It was only because I was working with this group of super talented, super committed multi-platform content creators that we won Best College Station in the Nation… This was their achievement. Students are learning on five different levels, the community is engaged and K-State’s reputation as one of the premiere media schools in the country is growing.” —Ian Punnett, the station’s chief operator and faculty advisor. read more
K-State Marching Band students get to enjoy their new home in World War I Memorial Stadium this fall! Tracz Family Band Hall is complete and already better serving the needs of the band. Members no longer have to trek from McCain to Memorial Stadium in the extreme heat of summer for rehearsals, and they have much easier access to cold drinking water and bathrooms. They also now have a kitchen and an instrument repair room.
“They’re just going to be blown away by this,” said Frank Tracz, director of bands. “It’s absolutely fantastic.”
The hall will be officially dedicated Sept. 8.
The story of the creation of “the world’s largest belt buckle” is a quintessentially Kansan tale, and it traces back to Julie Roller Weeks ’06 and her deep roots in rural and small-town Kansas. read more
John Grice, a 2012 political science grad and a 2023 Distinguished Young Alumni Award recipient, has dedicated his life and career to promoting the power of philanthropy and currently serves as the annual giving manager for the Barack Obama Foundation. read more
Political Science alumna in Paraguay co-creates next-gen health and nutrition appValeria Rodriguez, a 2015 political science grad, and another K-State grad, are developing a next-generation health app called MorFit that interfaces with an AI “coach.” read more
Email Marcia Locke, marcia@ksu.edu.
K-State Orchestra’s String Leadership Institute is a new music camp experience for high school orchestra students. It’s rooted in the belief that leadership begins with connection to others. Campers get to explore activities aimed at providing musical and leadership experiences that are meaningful and inspiring.
Physics entertained and educated a local summer day-camp with one of their most popular demonstrations! When a bottle of liquid nitrogen is dropped into a barrel of water, the nitrogen expands in volume by a factor of 1,000 as it boils from liquid to gas, creating a big bubble that splashes water all over with a big bang.
K-State Bands’ Leadership and Auxiliary Camp was July 9–12. High school drum majors, section leaders, percussionists and color guard members were on campus to learn drum major conducting, leadership skills, and percussion and color guard techniques. Seventy-seven students came from 23 high schools in Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and North Dakota.
Shakespeare Camp, by K-State Theatre, is an affordable on-campus summer theatre program for high school students. Professional teaching artists introduce young actors to Shakespeare’s language, stories, characters, and ideas in imaginative and playful ways. On the final day, students create a performance piece to share with family and friends.
Young Writers Workshop participants, in grades 8-10, worked with experienced teachers, dug into their imaginations, and commanded the language to create original, inventive works of writing. This camp is put on by the English department in partnership with the Beach Museum of Art.
Homecoming Philanthropy 5K | Sun., Oct. 22
Children’s Carnival | Wed., Oct. 25
Homecoming Parade | Fri., Oct. 27
Pep Rally | Fri., Oct. 27
Football game vs. Houston | Sat., Oct. 28
View more Homecoming activities
Olathe-area teens can visit K-State Olathe to see a showcase of K-State degree and certificate programs in computer science, digital innovation, marketing technology and digital media technology. Attendees will meet digital industry reps and get AI and AR/VR digital experiences, as well as experiential learning opportunities in social media, digital advertising and website development. More information is coming soon from the A.Q. Miller School of Media and Communication and partners.
Modern Languages, in collaboration with K-State’s Hale Library and Center for AI and Data Science as well as the Manhattan Public Library, will host the free symposium, “A.I. and the Future: Exploring the intersection of Language(s), Science and Ethics,” Oct. 16-19 at Hale Library. The project director is Raelynne Hale, raehale@ksu.edu.
Students get free Bluestem Bistro coffee and Varsity donuts.
Tue., Aug. 22 | 9-11am | Calvin Hall Front Lawn
Students explore Aggieville in an action-packed scavenger hunt and receive free caffeine and prizes.
Wed., Aug. 23 | 4-6pm | Calvin Hall Front Lawn
Each month, students are invited to a Lunch with the Deans. Freshmen get to go first.
Wed., Sept. 13 | Noon-1pm | 301 Calvin Hall
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We love hearing from alumni! Share your news!
Contact Marcia Locke, marcia@ksu.edu.
College of Arts and Sciences
110 Calvin Hall
802 Mid Campus Drive South, Manhattan, KS 66506‐0500
785-532-6900 785-532-7004 fax asdeans@k-state.edu
