Greetings, Graduate Alumni!
I recently returned from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia where I completed a program review, presented two lectures and promoted K-State graduate education at the Universiti Putra Malaysia. One of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my trip was getting to network with K-State alumni. A group of 10 alumni who had graduated from Architecture, Business, Chemistry, Civil Education, Engineering, Human Ecology, Plant Pathology and Physics programs attended the first K-State Alumni event in Malaysia. Alumni shared stories about the time when they were in graduate school and spoke fondly about their undergraduate adviser or major professors. They enjoyed seeing photos of the new buildings on campus.
I extend my deepest gratitude to Dr. Ainul Zakiah Abu Bakar ’13 and her spouse. The alumni event wouldn’t have happened without their organization and support.
When I returned to campus, I sent greetings to the students’ mentors and/or department heads and deans. The alumni are looking forward to receiving updates from their programs. The group discussed the idea of forming an official K-State Malaysia Alumni Club, which I encouraged them to do.
To start an official K-State Alumni Club in your country, Jessica Elmore, Associate Director of Diversity Programming at the K-State Alumni Association provides the following advice:
“Kansas State University has graduates from all over the world and we are looking for enthusiastic alumni to serve as international ambassadors. As an international ambassador you will serve as the point of contact for bringing K-Staters together in your country. Official groups will receive a K-State alumni banner, updated contact information about other K-Staters who live in the area, and assistance with planning your K-State alumni events.”
If you or a group of K-Staters are interested in starting an international alumni group please contact Jessica Elmore at jelmore@k-state.com for more information.
I look forward to meeting you during my travels or when you return to campus. Whether you are serving as a mentor to a graduate student, supporting scholarships for graduate students, or providing other financial support for educational initiatives, your support is crucial at this time as we work diligently to become a top 50 research university.
Go Cats’
Carol Shanklin