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Division of Facilities News

About Me…

Joy KnutsonJoy Knutson is an Accountant I at the Customer Service Desk. She has worked for K-State for nine and a half years. She likes that K-State has a sense of community. At work she likes the fact that she learns something new every day and that it is very rewarding. Joy’s favorite project or work order to complete at her job is any that shows that the Facilities department has a great staff.  Her hometown is Leeville, Louisiana. Her favorite foods are crawfish or fajitas. She really enjoys camping, games, skeet shooting, and watersports. When asked what her favorite vacation spot is she said the Cayman Islands. Many people might be surprised to learn that Joy has been an ordained reverend for 17 years. Joy is currently reading Journeys magazine and her favorite websites are Sephora and Pinterest.

Larry McGee
Larry McGee
is the Director of Administration and Finance, which includes Employee Services, Finance, Procurement, Training & Safety, Motor Pool, and the Garage. He has worked for K-State for three years and about four months. Larry’s hometown is Smith Center, Kansas, however he would call Manhattan his hometown because he has lived here more than half his life. When asked what his favorite food is, he said, “Calories and Carbohydrates”. He really enjoys chasing his grandkids around and watching them play football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and track. The most unique place that he has visited is Checkpoint Charlie in East Berlin. The thing he likes most about K-State is the main campus and its historical beauty. He thinks that people would be surprised to know that he loves music. When asked what he is reading currently he said, “I usually read the back of my eyelids about 10:00 pm every evening.” Larry’s favorite website is att.net because it includes email, news, sports, entertainment, and games.

Family Day 2015

By Loleta Sump

Facilities Family Day was held on Friday, July 31, 2015 with a crowd of about 200 employees and their family members in attendance.  Jay Gilmore, facilities electronic control technician and event emcee, filled the air with music spanning several decades.  Balloon animals created by our very own Sun Johnson, Facilities Vet Med custodian, provided a festive ambiance to the event.  Children ran around with Batman masks, hearts, alligators, rainbows, a kitty or some other decoration painted on their faces…and even their arms…by Victoria L’Ecuyer, administrative specialist in Campus Planning.  The kids also had an opportunity to participate in a potato race, a cake walk and an egg hunt while the older “kids” played Bingo, cards or participated in a washer tournament.  And wouldn’t you know…right in the middle of the festivities, Willie the Wildcat made an appearance!  After the event, those that wanted to cool off went swimming in the natatorium.  Overall comments indicated that everyone had a good time!

The Division of Facilities extends a huge “thank you” to the following university departments that contributed to the success of the day:  Animal Science Meat Lab, K-State Athletics and Recreational Services.  Your support allowed us to show our facilities employees how much we appreciate them.

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Larry McGee helping kids prepare for the potato race.
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Pat Boss (left) and Jay Gilmore (right) at the DJ table.
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Victoria L’Ecuyer at the face painting station.
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Having fun with Willie!
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Sun Johnson creating balloon animals.
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Willie with the Waters crew.
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Heath Larson and Brent Kolterman 1st Place winners of the washer tournament.
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Terri Wyrick’s granddaughter with her hearts!
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Josh Ricker and family.

 

Retirement News

Andy Bunel is recognized for his 20 years of service to Kansas State University. A party was held on July 30, 2015 to celebrate his service. Cake, peanuts, punch, and tea were served. Congratulations Andy!
Andy Bunel
Andy Bunel (History at KSU)
May 8, 1995 (Started)
July 31, 2015 (Last Day)
20yrs 2 months, 22 days

August Birthdays

2) Kim Lucky 12) Jason Glessner
2) Josh Webb 13) Paul Woodyard
3) Barbara McNutt 15) Rene Smalldridge
3) Greg Fief 16) Rollin Coberly
4) Steve Greinke 16) Larry McGee
4) Gayla Anderson 17) Patrick Hodgson
5) Kevin Minihan 17) Scott West
6) Wade Simnitt 23) Jim Chacon
6) Morris Olson 24) Thomas Terzi
6) Joy Knutson 25) Rob Learned
8) Nathan Sumners 25) Carol Wendland
8) Delmar Westover 26) Don Nanninga
9) Sun Johnson 26) Michael Paph
10) Dale Rivett 28) Phil Davis
10) Mike Dixon 29) David Stuhlsatz
12) Larry Rush 30) Ralph Ritchie

New Hires

Welcome to the Facilities Team!

July 20, 2015:

Doug Prockish
Douglas Prockish was hired as a Utility Worker. He is working for Joe Myers on the Grounds main campus crew.

 

Adam Shriner
Adam Shriner was hired as an Equipment Mechanic Senior. He is working for Jackie Toburen in Grounds Maintenance.

 

July 27, 2015:

Lori Hayden
Lori Hayden was hired as an Administrative Assistant. She is working for Casey Lauer.

 

July 28, 2015:

Tracie Bobian
Tracie Bobian was hired as a Custodial Specialist. She is working for Steve Greinke at the KDA facility.

 

Campus Planning Construction Project Update

By Diana Hutchison

Construction activities are in full swing this summer and have caused numerous road and side walk closures. You can find the most updated information on closures and pedestrian routes at http://www.k-state.edu/facilities/projects/projects/index.html. This page provides the current and estimated closures as well as links to information on current and proposed campus Capital Improvement Projects. A large map with the current closures and pedestrian routes is also available for viewing in the Customer Service Lobby in Dykstra Hall.

Construction Project Highlight – Chilled Water Plant & Campus Distribution Infrastructure Installation

As part of the 2025 initiative, Kansas State University is expanding the heating and cooling infrastructure for existing buildings while preparing for the expected growth in research facilities on campus. The Chiller Project includes installing chilled water lines throughout campus to create a utility loop and a new Chiller Plant building located next to the KSU Recycling Center north of Claflin Road. The Chiller Plant and utility loop will tie into the existing infrastructure and will allow for repair and maintenance of the system without affecting the surrounding facilities. The project allows for future building renovations to remove existing window air conditioners and link the existing buildings to the chilled water loop. As part of this project, 17th Street from College Heights to Claflin Road and Mid Campus Drive from Butterfly Lane to Old Claflin Road will become pedestrian malls and will be closed to normal vehicular traffic. Installation of infrastructure has been occurring on 17th Street this spring and summer. The 17th Street pedestrian mall paving will be complete prior to classes this fall with landscaping continuing into the fall. Mid-Campus Drive is scheduled to be closed at the end of spring semester 2016 for installation of infrastructure and will reopen as a pedestrian mall in fall of 2016.

Follow the Chiller construction’s twitter @kstate_cup.  #BuildKState Continue reading “Campus Planning Construction Project Update”

July Birthdays

4) Chris Slattery

6) Araminta Washington

7) Allan Leikam

9) Donnie Silva

9) Casey Daugherty

11) Charles Jackson

11) Clifford Anderson

12) Jim Nelson

13) Jill Serrault

14) Joe Brockish

14) Barbara Elliott

17) Bill Bochte

18) Tim Johnson

19) Gypsy Snyder

22) Jeff Fusselman

23) Dan Plummer

23) Kelly Guilfoyle

24) Jim Vesta

26) Derek Macy

27) Maria Thurmond

28) Randy Evans

30) John Harper

30) Beverly Price

30) Chris Hayden

New Hires

June 1, 2015                                                             June 18, 2015

Michael Dixon was hired as a Custodial Specialist. He is working for Araminta Washington at the Vet Med complex.
Michael Dixon was hired as a Custodial Specialist. He is working for Araminta Washington at the Vet Med complex.
Kelvin Atkins was hired as a Custodial Specialist. He is working for Stephanie Brecheisen on the Custodial day crew.
Kelvin Atkins was hired as a Custodial Specialist. He is working for Stephanie Brecheisen on the Custodial day crew.

Facilities Family Day

Food, Fun, Games, Prizes!

Date: July 31, 2015
Location: Ahearn Field House
Time: 11am – 2pm

Don’t miss your chance to win big prizes and enjoy some great food.

Facilities staff and their families are invited to come and enjoy some lunch & fun activities for the afternoon. Facilities will provide water, tea, & Kool-Aid to drink. Staff are welcome to stop by anytime between 11am-2pm. There will be fun for all ages so be sure to bring the family!

Please make sure you sign-up on the attendance sheets provided by the supervisors to let us know who’s planning to come join the fun!

See the attached flyer below for more information.

Family Day 2015