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Arts and Sciences Faculty/Staff Newsletter

Author: marcia

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

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Commencement ceremonies

Photo of young woman holding diploma cover and hugging a professorGraduate School Commencement
Fri., May 16 | 1 p.m.
Bramlage Coliseum 

Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
Sat., May 17 | 8:30-10 a.m.
Bramlage Coliseum

Students line up at 7:30 a.m.

 

AI Symposium: Humans and the Machine – Submit a proposal!

purple techy graphic that says K-State AI Symposium

Oct. 14-16, 2025
Session proposals due June 1.

Learn all about artificial intelligence at this free, three-day event featuring a variety of panels, lightning talks and workshops. Sponsored by the modern languages department, K-State Libraries, K-State’s Center for Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, College of Arts and Sciences and departments of computer science and philosophy, as well as the Manhattan Public Library.

 

For your students… (Please share!)

Wellness is Sweet – Ice Cream Social

graphic with info about Wellness is Sweet ice cream social

 

Wed., May 7
11 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
In front of Calvin Hall

College of Arts and Sciences Ambassadors want to give students a sweet summer sendoff and wish them well before break! They’ll give away Call Hall ice cream, wellness resource information and coloring pages at a tent on the lawn in front (east side) of Calvin Hall. 

 

Important Dates

  • Last day of Spring Semester classes – May 9
  • Spring Final Exams – May 12-16
  • Graduate School Commencement – May 16
  • Arts and Sciences Undergrad Commencement – May 17
  • May Intersession begins – May 19
  • Spring 2025 Grades due in KSIS – May 20
  • Memorial Day (campus closed) – May 26
  • First day of Summer Semester – May 27
  • Last day of May Intersession – June 6
  • Juneteenth (campus closed) – June 19
  • Fall 2025 Semester begins – Aug. 25

View full Academic Calendars for ’24-’25 and ’25-’26

STAFFING UPDATES

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Faculty

Congratulations to the following individuals who are taking on new roles! And thanks to the outgoing leaders! More detailed announcements will be shared soon in K-State Today.

Ryan Rafferty, associate professor of chemistry, has been appointed interim director of the Johnson Cancer Research Center, effective immediately. The center’s most recent director, Sherry Fleming, professor of biology, is retiring.

Andrew Orr, professor of history, will be the new chair of the history department, effective June 8. He replaces David Graff, who is stepping down. 

Lisa Melander, professor of criminology and sociology, has been appointed as the college’s first Faculty Fellow for Applied Learning. She has coordinated the sociology and criminology internship program for more than ten years.

Dean’s Office Staff

Angel George has assumed the role of human resources manager. In this expanded role, she has greater responsibility for training and ensuring consistency across departments and she supervises the Dean’s Office H.R. staff. She can be reached at angeldominick14@k-state.edu, 532-0412.

Judy Wiebe is our new human resources analyst. She can be reached at jswiebe@k-state.edu and 532-4955.

Darcy Douglas is a new accountant on our Shared Services team. She can be reached at darcyd@k-state.edu.

Matthew Spears will join K-State Information Technology as the College of Arts and Sciences IT director starting May 27. He has more than two decades of experience in higher education IT, most recently at Corban University, specializing in cybersecurity, IT operations, cloud solutions, disaster recovery and strategic planning.

 

A LOOK BACK AT OPEN HOUSE

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All-University Open Housephoto of lots of people browsing department exhibits at the college's academic expo in the Unioncourtyard

Our deep thanks to everyone who helped show off the college at K-State Open House on April 12! From the Arts and Sciences Expo in the Union to activities in your buildings, we appreciate all the work you did to demonstrate to thousands of community members and prospective students how great K-State and your programs are! Open House is becoming more and more valuable for recruiting!

Visitor statistics (from Office of Recruitment and Admissions):

  • Overall registrations: 1,656 (registration is not required)
  • Select Saturday tour attendees: 434 students and guests
  • For Sophomores Only recruiting event: 140 registered students
  • Over 100,000 impressions on social media April 11-14
  • Over 150 submissions for giveaways via social media
  • Union door traffic: 7,385 (all door-opens)
  • ATA Bus ridership: 271 total passengers, up from 49 in 2024

photo of visitor and volunteers at statistics department table at Open House Photo of visitor at environmental science table at Open House photo of student volunteers drawing at art department table at Open House photo of visitor and volunteers at chemistry table at Open House photo of geology student volunteer costumed like he's riding a dinosaur at Open House photo of people browsing the college expo at Open House photo of Band volunteers at Open House

UPCOMING EVENTS

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K-State Day of Giving

graphic about Day of Giving with photo of powercat mascotWed., April 9 | All day | Everywhere

Special Campus Event
10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Bosco Plaza at the Union
Enjoy free food, K-State trivia competitions and other fun activities, plus giveaways galore and chances to win $250 for your favorite K-State cause!

Spread the word! K-State Day of Giving is a one-day celebration when the entire K-State community shows their purple pride and cheers for all things K-State. Join the celebration, engage with K-State social media, support your favorite college/unit, and help them win bonus dollars through the hourly challenges, like the “K-State Pet Photo Challenge” at 1 p.m., and top spots on the leaderboard!

 

K-State Open House

photo of glassblower and flame

Sat., April 12 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Manhattan Campus

Come make new discoveries about our college at K-State’s All-University Open House, an annual carnival attracting thousands from this region and beyond to enjoy academic exhibits, entertainment, food and fun activities!

The college will have an academic expo in the Union Courtyard and our departments will host additional activities around campus. You could see glassblowing, fine arts exhibitions, a critter fair, a physics demo that causes sparks to fly, a broadcast studio tour, and more!

 

Undergraduate Research Symposium

photo of students talking to people in front of their research postersTue., April 15 | 1-3 p.m. and 4-6 p.m.
K-State Student Union, Ballroom and Courtyard

Stop by this campus-wide symposium to support student researchers and hear about the work they’ve been involved in!

 

Wayne Goins to present on creating your legacy

photo of Dr. Wayne Goins playing guitar

Wed., April 16
3:30 p.m.
Hale Library Hemisphere Room (Rm 581)
Part of K-State Libraries Lecture Series

Wayne Goins, university distinguished of music, will present “Begin With the End in Mind: Creating a Legacy You Can Live With.” He’ll highlight ways that K-State faculty members can leave a legacy through a meaningful career that impacts students, faculty, administration and the Manhattan community.

 

Meet the Author: Cameron McCoy, U.S. Cyber Command

graphic with photo of Cameron McCoy and image of his book cover and information about about the event

Thu., April 17 | 6 p.m.
306 Calvin Hall
Sponsored by Institute for Military History

Dr. Cameron McCoy, U.S. Cyber Command, will give a lecture on his book, Contested Valor: African American Marines in the Age of Power, Protest, and Tokenism, as part of the history department’s Meet the Author Series. McCoy earned his doctorate at the University of Texas at Austin, served in the Marine Corps, and has taught at West Point, Brigham Young University, Idaho State University, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.

 

University Support Staff Recognition and Award Ceremony

Mon., April 21 | 11 a.m.-Noon
K-State Student Union Ballroom

 

University Faculty and Professional Staff Retirement Ceremony

Wed., April 23 | 4 p.m.
K-State Alumni Center

 

Graduate Applied Language Teaching Symposium

Fri., April 25
8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
Hale Library
Sponsored by Modern Languages Department

Are you interested in second language teaching or learning (or education in general)? Get personal insights and industry updates on applied language teaching at this free symposium.

Graduate students and teaching professionals from a variety of language backgrounds will give presentations, and Dr. Sara Kearns from K-State Libraries will present, “Libraries and Teachers: Partners in Learning.” The keynote speech, “Applied Learning Beyond the Language Course: Student Engagement with Latine and Mayan Communities for Health Equity,” will be delivered by Dr. Rachel Showstack, of Wichita State University.

 

Kansas Science Festival

Sat., April 26 | 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
Manhattan Public Library

K-State scientists and other science enthusiasts will offer fun, interactive science activities for all ages in Downtown Manhattan! Meet researchers and discover how we all use science every day. Topics range from Mars rovers and mighty microbes to the science behind historical events in Kansas.

 

Arts and Sciences Faculty Meeting

Thu., May 1 | 4-5 p.m.
114 Willard Hall

All faculty and staff are welcome to attend. Faculty may vote.

 

ArtSci Drop-By

black purple and white graphic showing neon pizza and info about the event

Thu., May 1 | 5-6:30 p.m.
Union Station by JP’s

Meet friends and colleagues at this informal social gathering for all ArtSci faculty and staff! Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be provided.

 

College Graduation Celebration – Tell your students!

graphic with photo of students socializing and info about event

Tue., May 6 | Noon-1 p.m.
Purple Masque Theatre Lobby
RSVP by 5 p.m. Fri., May 2

Students who are graduating from the College of Arts and Sciences this spring or summer are invited to celebrate with the deans and take a walk down memory lane while enjoying waffles. Please help spread the word to graduating students.

 

Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement

photo of people wearing purple caps and gowns and holding a Powercat flagSat., May 17 | 8:30 a.m.
Bramlage Coliseum

The Spring 2025 College of Arts and Sciences undergraduate commencement ceremony will be at 8:30 a.m. Sat., May 17, at Bramlage Coliseum. Graduate student commencement is at 1 p.m. Fri., May 16, at Bramlage Coliseum.

More details are on K-State’s Graduation page.

ARTS AND SCIENCES COMMUNITY LECTURE SERIES GRANTS AVAILABLE

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The College of Arts and Sciences invites applications for funding of $500 to $1,000 to host prominent presenters or performers. Some portion of the presentation must address issues of community, multiculturalism, well-being or belonging in general or in the context of a given discipline. Applications are due April 15. Fall applications will be due Nov. 15.

More information, including past presenters, is on the Arts and Sciences Community Lecture Series page.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FACULTY ENHANCEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS!

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Congratulations to our Faculty Enhancement Program awardees for fiscal year 2025!

  • Raelynne Hale, assistant professor in modern languages, for “Environmental Literary Research in Latin America and Spain.”
  • Madeleine Jansen, assistant professor in the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance, for “Chamber Music Kansas: A Community Concert Series.”
  • Will Stafford, assistant professor in philosophy, for “The Philosophy of Intuitionistic Type Theory.”

This program serves to increase the numbers and proportion of faculty members engaging in research, scholarship and creative activities, particularly those with potential for garnering extramural funding and in disciplines that have not historically had access to substantial start-up packages or extramural funding. Awardees receive up to $10,000 each and mentorship from a senior colleague at K-State or elsewhere.

Tenure-earning faculty members within three years of hire were eligible to apply for funding for summer salary and other research and scholarly support. Applicants identified a project that would enhance their competitiveness for extramural funding.

A LOOK BACK AT OUR AWARDS CELEBRATION

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We were pleased to honor some of our college’s exceptional faculty and staff members at an awards celebration on March 6! We are so grateful for their dedication and excellent work!

Be sure to nominate deserving faculty, advisors and staff members for the next round of awards by November 1!

Congratulations to our 2024-2025 awardees!

Annette Maggio Administrative and Support Staff Award
Kim Coy, Physics

William L. Stamey Award for Undergraduate Teaching
Abigail Langston, Geography & Geospatial Sciences
Stacia Gray, English

William L. Stamey Award for Graduate Teaching Assistants
Garrett Nelson, Mathematics

William L. Stamey Award for Advising
Ben Worcester, Music, Theatre, and Dance

Ronald N. Gaches Undergraduate Teaching Award
Ivan Blank, Mathematics (not pictured)
Sim Jun, Sociology, Anthropology and Social Work (not pictured)

Ronald N. Gaches Lifetime Teaching Award
Michele Janette, English (not pictured)

Keller Family Award for Innovation in Teaching
Jesse Nippert, Biology (not pictured)
Robbie Bear, Biology

Davids-Dunham Award for promoting belonging
Keisha Clark, Social Transformation Studies
Julio Hernandez Pavon, Psychological Sciences

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

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Faculty and Staff Awards Celebration

Thu., March 6 | 5-7 p.m.
Rockin’ K’s meeting room, 1880 Kimball Ave., #100
RSVP by March 4

Join us in honoring some of our college’s outstanding faculty and staff members! Dean Culbertson will present our 2024 awards for excellence in teaching, advising and administrative support. Heavy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar will be available. Please RSVP by March 4. We look forward to celebrating with you!

 

Coffee Collabs

graphic that shows cup of coffee and says Arts and Sciences Coffee Collab

Coffee Collab: Extension Connections with Dr. Gregg Hadley

Wed., March 5 | 10-11:30 a.m.
123 Leadership Studies Building
RSVP encouraged. Please use the form to express interest in this topic even if you can’t attend.

K-State Research and Extension Director Dr. Gregg Hadley will provide information about what KSRE does, how it is organized, and how faculty members can connect with the Extension network across the state. This is a key opportunity for faculty interested in partnering with Kansas communities for research or engagement. The K-State strategic plan emphasizes leveraging the Extension network as a key asset for connecting with communities. Come learn how to build those connections!

Coffee Collab: Improving your writing practice

Thu., March 27 | 9:30-11 a.m. (rescheduled)
113 Leadership Studies Building
RSVP encouraged

Led by Theresa Merrick, assistant director of K-State’s Writing Center, this session will focus on strategies, habits and tools to improve writing productivity and help writers feel more confident tackling research and workplace writing tasks. Participants will have the opportunity to develop a writing plan and interact with fellow writers. Participants are encouraged to bring a writing sample and laptop.

 

Sherlock & Co.: A Year of Mystery

graphic showing drawings of a hand holding a magnifying glass, a pipe, a hat.

Friday, March 28 | 3:30-4:30 p.m.
Union Wildcat Chamber and Zoom

A panel of faculty members and students will give lightning talks on the origins and legacy of Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes. Visit the English department’s event calendar for more info on the presentations.

 

Math Circle Seminar 15-Year Celebration

graphic showing fireworks and text that says Math Circle Seminar at K-State 15 years!

Sat., March 29 | 1-3 p.m.
Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art

Celebrate art and math and the 15th anniversary of K-State’s Math Circle Seminar! Enjoy activities for all ages, a math and art tour, and more!

The Math Circle Seminar offers first- through eighth-grade students a friendly environment to explore challenging mathematical topics not typically taught in school. Participants solve complex problems, prepare for math contests and play math-inspired games.

 

ArtSci Drop-By

black graphic with purple and white text that says ArtSci Drop-By and a purple neon pizza sliceThu., April 3 | 5-6:30 p.m.
Union Station by JP’s, Harvest Section

Enjoy this laidback opportunity to socialize with friends and colleagues from around the college! All Arts and Sciences staff and faculty are welcome. An hors d’oeuvre buffet will be provided.

 

Tell your graduate students! — Grad Student Appreciation Pizza Party

Purplish graphic with info about the pizza party and an underlying photo of pizzas

Tue., April 8 | 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Union Station by JP’s
RSVP by 3 p.m. Fri., April 4

We will celebrate Arts and Sciences graduate students with a free pizza party during Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 7-11! One lucky grad student will win a $500 prize for academic or conference expenses!

 

GOOD TO KNOW

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Human Resources — New time and leave process coming

A new, universitywide time and leave process is expected to launch this spring. Training will be provided for all faculty/staff, supervisors and timekeepers. More information, including answers to frequently asked questions, is on the K-State Human Resources Time and Leave System page.

 

Summer Camps — Website updates requested, new registration process launched

Updates are requested for the university’s summer camps webpage. If your unit has camp information to update or add, please email marketing@k-state.edu with “summer camps website update” in the subject line by March 28.

Also, please be aware of the new online registration process for camps and other activities involving minors.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

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Nominate a graduating student for an Alumni Association award

graphic that says "nominate a student" and photos of student awardeesEach year, the K-State Alumni Association recognizes graduating students for their accomplishments in leadership, service and academics. Let’s make sure Arts and Sciences students get recognized! Nominations are due March 9.

 

Attend or present at Posters, Pinot and Partnerships events

Graphic with various research-related photos and info about Posters, Pinot and Partnerships event on March 13, 2025

Thu., March 13 | 4-6 p.m.
Hale Library, Hemisphere Room, 5th Floor

The Office of the Vice President for Research is hosting this series of networking events designed to bring scholars together, spark interdisciplinary connections and celebrate the breadth of creativity and inquiry at K-State. Faculty and staff are invited to attend and present posters. View March 13 event info.

 

Noontime Yoga at K-State

Willie the Wildcat seated in prayer poseK-State’s Noontime Yoga (and Pilates) can help you focus on your mental and physical well-being in a friendly, non-competitive environment. This volunteer-based program is free, and students, staff, faculty and community members of all levels and abilities are welcome.  

Classes meet from 12:05-12:50 p.m. every day, Monday-Friday, at various locations on campus. View each day’s teacher and location on the full schedule and join the group’s email listserv to receive updates. (The International Student Center will soon be unavailable, so watch for updates.)

Noontime Yoga started in 2002 as a part of K-State’s Campaign for Nonviolence.

 

Walk Kansas — Registration opens March 4

Photo of people walking in a 5K wearing Walk Kansas t-shirtsWalk Kansas is an eight-week, team-based challenge, presented by K-State Research and Extension, that encourages people to walk, run, roll, bike, swim, or do whatever activity they enjoy to live more healthfully. Solo participants are also welcome. The initiative includes challenges related to nutrition and other healthful lifestyle habits as well. Participants get helpful information, recipes, a t-shirt and more, and can track their activities through an app. The program will take place March 30-May 24. Registration opens March 4.