Kansas State University

College Faculty Meeting

Thu., Nov. 13 | 4-5 p.m. | 106 Kedzie

This is rescheduled from Nov. 6. All faculty and staff are welcome. Only faculty members eligible to vote in Faculty Senate elections may vote. The next meeting will be Dec. 4.

International Education Week Nov. 7-21

Nov. 7-21 

Become more internationally and interculturally aware and learn about K-State’s many Education Abroad opportunities. See what a rich, global arena our campus is and the many ways we prepare future leaders for a global and inclusive environment.

Professional and Graduate School Fair

Wed., Nov. 12 | 11 a.m.-3 p.m. | K-State Student Union

Get information about graduate and professional degree programs and opportunities at a variety of schools. Students and alumni from any major or graduation year are encouraged to attend.

Winter Dance Concert

Thu., Fri., Sat., Nov. 13, 14, 15 | 7:30-9 p.m.
Chapman Theatre, Nichols Hall

An annual showcase of K-State dance students performing works by faculty, student and guest choreographers in the Chapman Theatre in Nichols Hall, which offers an intimate setting with the audience on three sides of the stage.

Bilingual Spanish storytime for your little ones

Sat., Nov. 15, Dec. 13 | 2-2:30 p.m.
Manhattan Public Library

The modern languages department and Manhattan Public Library present Cuenta Cuentos, a series of bilingual Spanish-English storytimes! It is suggested for ages 5 and up. More information is on the MPL calendar.

Arts and Sciences Holiday Party

Wed., Dec. 3 | 4-6 p.m.
Union Station by JP’s, K-State Student Union

Mark your calendars for this collegewide faculty and staff social to celebrate the holidays and our community!

Commencement Ceremonies

• Graduate School Commencement
  Fri., Dec. 12 | 1 p.m. | Bramlage Coliseum 
• Undergraduate Commencement for Arts and Sciences, Education, and Architecture, Planning, and Design
  Sat., Dec. 13 | 8:30-11 a.m. | Bramlage Coliseum
  Graduates line up at 7:30 a.m.

View more events on the university event calendar

Important dates

• Nov. 11 – Veterans Day (K-State is open and classes are in session.)
• Nov. 23-30 – Thanksgiving Break: No Classes
• Nov. 27-28 – Thanksgiving Holiday Observed | Campus Closed
• Dec. 1 – Deadline to nominate/apply for college teaching, advising and administrative support awards
• Dec. 12 – Last Day of Classes
• Dec. 12 – Graduate School Commencement
• Dec. 13 – College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
• Dec. 15-19 – Final Examinations
• Dec. 16 – Deadline to Return I-NR Grade
  Dec. 22 – Grades Due by 5 p.m. (4 p.m. if grading in CANVAS)
• Dec. 23 – Grades available in KSIS
• Dec. 25-31 – Winter Break | Campus Closed

View full 2025-2026 Academic Calendar

Dec. 1 deadline for college award nominations

College of Arts and Sciences awards are available for outstanding faculty and staff members! Nominate a colleague or yourself for our Gaches, Stamey and Maggio Awards for teaching, advising and support staff by Dec. 1!

Teaching excellence is a top priority of our college! Each year, we present several awards for exemplary teaching and honor the recipients at a celebration in the spring.

Michele Janette, professor, English, was presented the Ronald N. Gaches Lifetime Teaching Award for tenured faculty members who have taught at K-State for at least five years.

Karin Westman, English department head, said this about Dr. Janette:

“While Michele’s undergraduate pedagogy of radical empathy may begin within the classroom’s walls or Zoom screen or office hours, it expands beyond those bounds to undergraduate curriculum development, peer mentoring, and campus leadership. This outward expansion adds a significant dimension to her life-long contributions to undergraduate education. Michele has helped to make our university community more attentive to diverse perspectives and how we can help each other succeed as teachers and scholars.”

Lillianna Lamagna, senior in English, said:

“Michele is someone who commands creative intelligence and thought-provoking engagement. She is someone who guides students into the best versions of themselves [and whom] you hope to run into in the halls to joke and smile with. She shows a multitude of possibilities. Since I have attended K-State, my academic career has and continues to wonderfully flourish, and I can confidently say that it’s because of Michele Janette.”

Anthropology alum Jordan Thomas ’16 is 2025 National Book Award Finalist

Jordan Thomas, a 2016 anthropology graduate, has been named a 2025 National Book Award finalist in nonfiction for his book, When It All Burns: Fighting Fire in a Transformed World. Thomas is an anthropologist and former Los Padres “Hotshot” wildland firefighter. His book traces the historical, ecological and sociological factors fueling California’s increasingly catastrophic wildfires, woven through the story of one brutal fire season on the crew. He is currently a Chancellor’s Fellow at the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Biochemistry and microbiology alum Vaithish Velazhahan ’18 receives Soros Fellowship for medical school

Vaithish Velazhahan, a 2018 graduate in medical biochemistry and microbiology, recently received a 2025 Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for outstanding immigrants and children of immigrants who are pursuing graduate school in the U.S. The recipients were selected from among 2,600 applicants for their potential to make significant contributions to the U.S. They’ll receive up to $90,000 in funding over two years.

After graduating from K-State, Velazhahan earned a Ph.D. in biological science (structural biology) as a Gates Cambridge Scholar at the University of Cambridge. He is currently pursuing an M.D. at Stanford University with aspirations to practice as a physician-scientist and develop novel therapies for intractable fungal diseases.

While at K-State, Velazhahan did research with Kathrin Schrick, biology, on how dietary flavonoids could help prevent cancer.

Passionate about global health access, Velazhahan has worked with MEDLIFE in Peru and Ecuador and founded the nonprofit We Save in India, which develops technology to connect doctors with underserved patients.

We had a great turnout for our fall ArtSci Drop-By on Oct. 2! It’s always such a pleasure to catch up with fellow Arts and Sciences community members at this informal social. We hope you’ll join us for some good company and free food on Feb. 2 and May 7!