•CLOSE-UP: • • • • • KSUKSU FOUNDATION FOUNDATION ••••
• •CLOSE-UP: • • • • KSU FOUNDATION KSU FOUNDATION ••••
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David Mayes ’96, KSU Foundation
“With Alumni Village’s proximity to campus, I envision meeting with students, friends, people from the (Electrical Engineering) department.” — Don Gemaehlich ’83, ’84
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Courtesy photo
Alumni Village Neighbors
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Courtesy photo
BY ALLIE LOUSCH ’90, KSU FOUNDATION
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K-State has been transforming the lives of students, faculty and the Manhattan, Kansas, community since 1863 when classes first met in what was then Kansas State Agricultural College. The transformation continues with the KSU Foundation’s bold investment in the long-term strength of K-State through the development of the Alumni Village neighborhood across from the university’s Berney Family Welcome Center. This future neighborhood offers a unique “K-State home” for alumni and friends who want
1991 Royal Pur
t’s a wonderful feeling when we turn off I-70 at exit 313; we decompress as we turn toward Manhattan and K-State,” said Damon Hininger ’91 when asked why his family plans to join the KSU Foundation’s proposed Alumni Village neighborhood. “Between our love for K-State and obligations to the university, we are in town several times a year. Knowing we will have something we can call our own when we are in town that puts us closer to the heart of the action really resonated with us.”
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Meet some of the people returning to K-State
“We can’t wait to come home and host our families and friends in a place of our own so close to campus.” — Damon Hininger ’91 and Carrie Becker Hininger ’94
to both invest in the university and invest themselves in a community of engaged K-Staters. Damon and Carrie Becker Hininger ’94 have lived in Nashville, Tennessee, for nearly 25 years. They regularly return to the Manhattan community to speak to students, serve on the KSU Foundation’s board of directors, attend campus events and games, and offer their twins their own K-State experiences. Having a home so close to the heart of K-State will add another incentive for the Hiningers to return throughout the years as they serve the university and enjoy the vibrant K-State community. “With the proximity of Alumni Village to campus, I can see our involvement continuing and evolving. We have worked on capital campaigns, served as guest speakers over the years and as trustees for the KSU Foundation,” said Damon. “My brother also is a K-State grad, and we can’t wait to come home and host our families and friends in a place of our own so close to campus.” Alumni Village is designed with the K-Stater in mind. The innovative strategy behind this planned neighborhood will transform a once overlooked campus corner to a place that the K-State family can proudly call home. It is one of many ways the KSU Foundation works to advance K-State family today and for the future.
In addition, the Alumni Village development ensures the campus’ signature character is continued at its front door along Anderson Avenue and across from the Berney Family Welcome Center. Don Gemaehlich ’83, ’84, is another early Alumni Village home owner. He earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in electrical engineering at K-State when computer science was still within the College of Arts and Sciences and housed in Caldwell Hall. When Gemeahlich talks about his K-State experience, he speaks of living in Marlatt Hall, Fridays at Tuttle Creek Lake and basketball games in Ahearn Fieldhouse. He mentions finding lifelong friends among diverse students, which gave him a better understanding of what life in the world outside of his early western Kansas experience was like. “Most of my career I have been working on satellites, computers and radios,” Gemeahlich said. “In the last five years, I’ve overseen a training and mentoring program in General Dynamics. It’s called the Engineering Leadership Program and is for recent college graduates tracking as future industry leaders.” Gemeahlich has been a football season ticket holder for the past 26 years. He serves on the electrical and computer engineering department advisory board, is an active member
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