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Arts and Sciences Student Newsletter

GREETINGS FROM THE DEAN

Dr. Chris CulbertsonDear Arts and Sciences Students,

Congratulations! You’ve almost finished the semester! As usual, this semester included many great moments and achievements.

We’re pleased that many of you are getting involved in research and creative endeavors, community engagement, and leadership. It has been fulfilling to see your research exhibits, art shows and performances, project presentations, community activities and more.

It has also been our pleasure to meet many of you at events like our Week of Welcome Ice Cream Social, Lunches with the Deans, ArtSci Education Abroad Expo and professional Networking Nights. We look forward to seeing more of you next semester. (Be sure to join in our Civil Rights Teach-In on Jan. 29!)

For those of you graduating and entering your next phase of life, congratulations! Earning a degree is a great achievement and we are proud of you. We’re excited to see how you impact the world, and we hope you’ll stay in touch.

We look forward to celebrating our graduates at the commencement ceremonies and to seeing many of you back in January.

On behalf of the Arts and Sciences Dean’s Office, I wish you good luck on finals and a great Winter Break!

Chris Culbertson
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences
Professor of Chemistry

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Graduation Celebration

Graphic that has a photo of students at a past event and info about the graduation celebrationTue., Dec. 10 | Noon-1 p.m.
Purple Masque Theatre (west side of Memorial Stadium)
301 Calvin Hall (location updated 12/6/24)
RSVP by Dec. 6

Graduating students! Please join us in celebrating your big achievement with waffles and a walk down memory lane at the College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2024 Graduation Celebration! Please RSVP by Dec. 6.

 

Commencement Ceremonies

Photo of young woman holding diploma cover and hugging a professor

  • Graduate School Commencement
    Fri., Dec. 13 | 1 p.m. | Bramlage Coliseum 
  • Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
    Sat., Dec. 14 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Bramlage Coliseum
    Graduates line up at 7:30 a.m.

Reminders to students participating in Arts and Sciences Commencement:

  • Arrive at Bramlage Coliseum in your purple regalia by 7:30 a.m. and head to your department’s ceiling sign on the concourse.
  • Bring a legible, crinkle-free printout of your Grad Pass.
  • Don’t bring any personal items that cannot remain under your gown.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll be standing for long periods and using lots of stairs.
  • More tips are on K-State’s Day-Of Ceremony Guide.
  • Enjoy your moment!

 

Civil Rights Teach-In

purple graphic with textWed., Jan. 29, 2025 | 2:30-5 p.m.
Leadership Studies Building, McVay Family Town Hall

Watch for more information in January.

 

Apply to participate in Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol

Encourage students to apply to present at Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol Feb. 26. Applications due Jan. 28.

 

Important dates

  • Dec. 6 – Fall 2024 Graduation Application Closes
  • Dec. 6 – Last Day of Classes
  • Dec. 9-13 – Final Examinations 
  • Dec. 13 – Graduate School Commencement
  • Dec. 14 – Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
  • Dec. 18 – Grades available in KSIS
  • Dec. 25 – Jan. 1 – Winter Break: Campus Closed
  • Dec. 30 – First Day of January Intersession
  • Jan. 2 – Spring and Summer 2025 Application for Graduation Opens
  • Jan. 17 – Last Day of January Intersession
  • Jan. 17 – Spring 2025 Financial Aid Refunds Begin
  • Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr Day Observed: Campus Closed
  • Jan. 21 – First Day of Spring 2025 Classes. Late Enrollment Fee assessed.
  • Jan. 27 – Last Day to ADD Course(s) without Instructor Permission

View full 2024-2025 Academic Calendar (pdf)

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

History graduate student’s community project wins national award and grant

Photo of Holly Hill and Kim Wescott near a historical marker

Holly Hill (left in photo), graduate student in history and graduate assistant with K-State’s Chapman Center for Rural Studies, is preserving Manhattan history through an internship with the Riley County Genealogical Society.

Holly is working with members of the society, including project leader Charlene Brownson, on a project to place historical markers along Manhattan’s Linear Trail. The project, “Walking Through History on the Linear Trail,” recently won an award and a grant from the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area program.

The project entails creating 10 historical markers and installing them at trailheads along the 9.4-mile trail. Five markers were installed in summer 2024 and five more will be installed in summer 2025. Information about each marker is on the Chapman Center’s website.

The project won the FFNHA’s Judy Billings Most Valuable Project award for best communicating the theme “Shaping the Western Frontier,” as well as a grant to support it.

Pictured here with Holly Hill is Kim Wescott, office manager for both the Chapman Center and the department of sociology, anthropology, and social work.

 

Congrats to our Research and the State award recipients!

Several doctoral students in Arts and Sciences presented research posters at K-State’s Research and the State graduate student poster forum on Oct. 24.

Congrats on receiving an award from the Graduate School and being selected to represent K-State at the Capitol Graduate Research Summit on March 25!

  • Zahirul Islam Saddam, chemistry
    Developing next generation Li-S battery by tuning the active sites of MoS2/rGA catalysts

Congrats on receiving awards from K-State’s chapter of Sigma Xi in recognition of outstanding presentations!

  • Oluchi Alaribe, microbiology
    Role of cyclic diguanylate monophosphate in Clostridioides difficile physiology and virulence.
  • Vidya Nadar, chemistry
    Maximizing drug transport in cancer and related bacterial infections

Read more about the 2024 forum.

GOOD TO KNOW

Apply for financial aid!

The 2025-2026 Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, form is now available! It must be submitted to apply for federal grants, loans and work-study. It’s easy and you might qualify for more than you think. K-State’s priority date is March 1. Learn more about the FAFSA. 

Inclement weather guidelines
Photo of Willie the Wildcat mascot in snow
Photo credit: Scott Sewell, USA TODAY

Winter weather is here. For information the university’s weather-related decision-making processes and policies, please review K-State’s inclement weather guidelines.

 

 

 

IN THIS ISSUE

  • Upcoming events and important dates
  • Need-to-know info
  • Resources and opportunities, including a $500 re-enrollment prize drawing
  • Impressive new works by two professors
  • Congrats to advisor Emily Mann!

UPCOMING EVENTS AND IMPORTANT DATES

Lunch with the Deans: First-Generation Students

graphic about Lunch with the Deans on Nov 4 2024Mon., Nov. 4 | Noon-1 p.m.
301 Calvin Hall
RSVP by 4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1 (extended deadline)

If you are an Arts and Sciences student whose parents/guardians did not graduate from college, you are invited to a free pizza lunch with the deans! Space is limited, so please RSVP here by 4 p.m. Fri., Nov. 1.

 

Arts and Sciences Graduation Celebration 

Graphic that has a photo of students at a past event and info about the graduation celebrationTue., Dec. 10 | Noon-1 p.m.
Purple Masque Theatre (west side of Memorial Stadium)
RSVP by Dec. 6

Graduating students, take a walk down memory lane at the College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2024 Graduation Celebration! There will be waffles for all students who RSVP! We’re excited to celebrate your great accomplishment!

 

Commencement Ceremonies
  • Graduate School Commencement
    Fri., Dec. 13 | 1 p.m. | Bramlage Coliseum 
  • Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
    Sat., Dec. 14 | 8:30-10 a.m. | Bramlage Coliseum
    Graduates line up at 7:30 a.m.

 

Other events around the college and university 

A Year with Frog and Toad

Graphic that shows water and lily pads and text "Frog and Toad"Nov. 1-3 | 7:30 p.m.
Nichols Hall
 

The K-State School of Music, Theatre and Dance presents the interactive and immersive musical “A Year with Frog and Toad” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 1-3 at the Chapman Theatre in Nichols Hall. It is based on the beloved children’s book series, and the show’s director and choreographer, Jerry Jay Cranford, associate professor of theatre, has added a participation element for all ages. Read more 

 

Professional and Graduate School Fair

graphic showing book and purple graduation cap and info about Professional and Graduate School FairWed., Nov. 6 | 11 a.m.–3 p.m.
K-State Student Union, Courtyard and First Floor Concourse 

At the Professional and Graduate School Fair, students can explore a variety of schools that offer opportunities leading to graduate and professional degrees in health, law and more. Students and alumni are encouraged to attend regardless of major or graduation year!

These resources can help you prepare for the event: 

For questions or accommodations, contact Chloe Edger, cnwurst@ksu.edu. 

 

International Education Week

graphic showing that K-State's 2024 International Education Week is Nov 10-22Nov. 10-22 

Take advantage of K-State International Education Week to become more internationally and interculturally aware and learn about K-State’s many Education Abroad opportunities. Several activities will inform about initiatives that make our campus a rich and diverse arena. K-State joins the U.S. Departments of State and Education in celebrating this week to promote programs that prepare future leaders for a global and inclusive environment.

 

KSUnite: Stronger Together

Nov. 13 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
K-State Student Union

We are “One K-State,” unified in meaningful, sustained actions that benefit all Wildcats. Through honest, transparent conversations, we foster a culture where everyone feels they belong.

  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Community Portrait Project with Nate McClendon (interactive activity)
  • 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Cats Cupboard Food Drive Donation Drop-Off
  • 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Kansas State Community Resource Fair
  • Noon-1:15pm | K-State Community Panel
  • 1:15 p.m.-2 p.m. | KSUnite Ice Cream Social

 

Bilingual Spanish storytime for your little loved ones

splashy, colorful graphic that says Cuenta Cuentos Tell Tales Bilingual Storytime and has the logos of Manhattan Public Library and K-State Modern LanguagesSaturdays, Nov. 2, 9, 16, 23 | 11-11:30 a.m.
Manhattan Public Library

The department of modern languages has teamed up with Manhattan Public Library to present Cuenta Cuentos, a weekly bilingual Spanish-English storytime throughout November! It is aimed at children ages 3-8, but all are welcome! Find more information on the MPL event calendar.

 

View all ArtSci events

 

Important dates

  • Nov. 11 – Veterans Day (K-State is open and classes are in session.)
  • Nov. 24-30 – Thanksgiving Break: No Classes all week
  • Nov. 28-29 – Thanksgiving Holiday Observed: Campus Closed
  • Dec. 6 – Fall 2024 Graduation Application Closes
  • Dec. 6Last Day of Classes
  • Dec. 9-13 Final Examinations 
  • Dec. 13 – Graduate School Commencement
  • Dec. 14Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Commencement
  • Dec. 18 Grades available in KSIS

View Full 2024-2025 academic calendar

NEED-TO-KNOW INFO

Financial Assistance: FAFSA opens in December

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, which must be submitted to apply for federal grants, loans and work-study, will open in December, date to be determined. K-State’s priority deadline is March 1. 

Learn more about the FAFSA. 

 

Graduation and Commencement

Congratulations to our graduating seniors and graduate students! The Fall 2024 undergraduate commencement ceremony for the College of Arts and Sciences will be at 8:30 a.m. Sat., Dec. 14, at Bramlage Coliseum. Graduate student commencement will be at 1 p.m. Fri., Dec. 13, at Bramlage Coliseum. 

Graduating seniors, please note: 

  • Undergraduate students arrive by 7:30 a.m. to line up with department. (Graduate students arrive by 12 p.m.)
  • Park in the west lot. 
  • Graduates enter through southwest and southeast doors. Guests enter through northwest and northeast doors. 
  • Remember to bring your printed Grad Pass! 
  • Place tassels on the right and pin honor cords on the left shoulder. 
  • Do not carry in items like purses, cameras or anything you can’t wear under your gown. They will not be permitted on the floor. 
  • Wear comfortable shoes; you’ll be standing a long time and using stairs. 
  • More information is in the university’s Day-of-Celebration Guide. 

Please watch your e-mail for announcements from the college and university. 

More details about commencement, including parking and schedule, are on the Graduation website.

RESOURCES AND OPPORTUNITIES

Re-enrollment scholarship drawing!

purple dollar signThe college is offering $500 scholarships for Spring 2025 tuition for four lucky students! You’ll be automatically entered to win if you meet the below criteria for Spring 2025. Winners will be drawn on Nov. 15 and notified via their K-State email. 

Student must: 

  1. Have advising flag lifted. 
  2. Be enrolled in Arts and Sciences degree-seeking program. 
  3. Be enrolled in at least 12 credit hours by Nov. 13. 
  4. Be in good academic standing.

 

Student jobs available

K-State’s Office of Recruitment and Admissions seeks student workers. These positions have flexible hours, are excellent professional development opportunities, and offer a positive work environment alongside other students and full-time professional staff. Search “Enrollment Management Service Team Member” on Handshake or contact Melissa Glaser at msg@k-state.edu. 

 

Wanted: Arts and Sciences Ambassadors

photo of Kansas State University College of Arts and Sciences Student Ambassadors in October 20024We love our Ambassadors! We’re grateful for all they do to promote Wildcat pride and raise awareness of the College of Arts and Sciences among prospective students, parents, alumni and the public. 

Apply to be an Arts and Sciences Ambassador by Nov. 4! 

 

Funding available to host diversity-related lecture

The College of Arts and Sciences Diversity Committee invites applications for the Arts and Sciences Diversity Lecture Series Grant, due Nov. 15. Awards are typically $500-1,000. 

OUR PROFESSORS IMPRESS!

Political science professor publishes book on America’s culture wars

image of cover of the book, The Gap in God's CountryK-State political science professor Laurie Johnson has released a new book! The Gap in God’s Country argues that America’s culture wars may seem to have erupted in the past couple of decades, but they go back centuries. Learn about the book and upcoming live sessions with Dr. Johnson. 

 

English professor produces documentary on awakening the Kaw language

K-State English professor Lisa Tatonetti partnered with members of the Kaw Nation and others to produce the documentary film “Creator Gives Us Language: A Story of Rematriating Kaáⁿze Íe,” which shows how members of the Kaw Nation are working to awaken their native language. Read about the project or go straight to the video. 

ADVISOR RECOGNIZED WITH AWARD

headshot of Emily MannSome of you might know Emily Mann, academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences. Well, she was selected for K-State’s Staff Spotlight Award in August! This monthly award recognizes university staff members for their service to the K-State community.

Emily’s nominator said that she thinks strategically about each student’s case and does extensive research to help create the most efficient degree plan possible that is mindful of time and money. When students are in a rut, Emily helps them think strategically about new pathways available to them. And she is passionate about continually developing her skills as an advisor to better serve her students.

Way to go, Emily! Thanks for all you do for our students!