By Marisa Larson
“I know a spot that I love full well.” The first line of Kansas State University’s alma mater reflects what many feel about K-State. People love K-State for several different, personal reasons, but one thing nearly all share is an admiration for the beautiful, historic campus. Our pride of place is deeply felt for this home away from home.
As with any home, our campus must be maintained, renovated and updated to meet the demands of growth and change. In the next 10 years, enrollment at K-State’s main campus is expected to grow some 10 percent. More students mean more faculty and staff, thus a need for more classrooms and office space as well as housing for students. While new buildings are exciting, renovating existing buildings is also critical. Currently, 90 percent of the buildings on campus are at least 25 years old, and 50 percent are more than 50 years old. In order to efficiently house classrooms, laboratories and offices, these buildings must be renovated and upgraded on the inside while maintaining their historic facades.
K-State administrators have a holistic, forward-thinking, strategic plan to address the needs of the campus, and to move us toward becoming a top 50 public research institution by 2025. New buildings will complement the historic look and feel of campus, while beautiful outdoor spaces provide places to relax and reflect. Existing buildings will be updated to be sustainable and to house classrooms with cutting-edge technology, collaborative learning spaces for students and faculty, and high-functioning and efficient laboratories. State-of-the-art facilities help K-State recruit and retain outstanding students, faculty and staff. With your support, K-State’s campus will remain a place students, faculty, staff and alumni are proud to call home.