Another example of Kelly and Marcie’s devotion to others is their involvement with the K-State ASI Family and Friends Reunion. The event is another aspect of K-State that they have grown to love. “The event shines light back on the Livestock and Meat Industry Council, Inc (LMIC). What a tremendous tradition and example of selfless giving,” Kelly adds. “If you take time and learn a little bit about the Livestock and Meat Industry Council, how it came to be and why it came to be, that little group within a group epitomizes what production agriculture and the commitment of K-State alums, and even non-alums that love K-State, are all about.” Marcie agrees with Kelly. “It’s just one of the most amazing events. Our whole family comes. Our kids love it from playing with the trucks and tractors in the corn piles to high-fiving Willie and listening to the marching band and Call Hall Ice Cream and a glass of wine with dear friends and family. From start to finish, it is exactly what K-State is about and we love it.” Beyond their participation in various boards and foundations, together the couple has mentored many individuals, including their own daughters, who have found their own ways of making an impact. Their oldest daughter, Jana, currently serves as a school counselor at the ninth-grade center at Manhattan High. The couple’s middle daughter, Brooke, serves as a vice 6
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCES & INDUSTRY
president at Midwest Veterinary Services in Oakland, Nebraska. Paige, the youngest of the Lechtenberg sisters, is living the dream of owning and operating a vet clinic with her dad at TimberCreek Veterinary Hospital on the outskirts of Manhattan. The family has a willingness to guide and mentor others that compliments their dedication to K-State. “Kelly, Marcie and their children, really, truly are individuals that believe in animal agriculture, but they also believe in making an impact in people’s lives,” says Ron Tessman, DVM, Elanco Animal Health principle research scientist, clinical operations. “I’ve been positively impacted by Kelly, his wife and his family through the friendship and mentorship that they’ve given me, and I see that throughout their family, as well as the entire organization that Kelly has developed.”
RECOGNIZED FOR PASSION Their passion for the institution and building up others are some of the reasons why Kelly and Marcie Lechtenberg, along with their family, are being honored with the 2020 Don L. Good Impact Award. The award, presented annually by LMIC, is named in honor of Good, who is a former head of the K-State ASI department, and recognizes positive impact on the livestock and meat industry or agriculture.
“I’m very humbled that our family has been recognized,” Kelly says. “But it means a lot to me because Don Good was instrumental in helping establish my dual degree program at a time when either the department head of animal sciences or the dean of vet med could have said that doesn’t fit the box.” This recognition represents the priorities that the Lechtenberg family has. “It’s a lovely award and it means a great deal to our family,” Marcie adds. “We’ve always said there’s four things that we are about in life, and it’s family, friends, our faith and K-State.” Many individuals in the industry verify the mark that the family has made on the industry and their qualifications for this award. “I can’t think of a better couple to receive the Don L. Good impact award. Don was an optimist. He was a visionary. He was a hard worker. He believed the best in others,” says Ralph Richardson, former dean of the K-State College of Vet Med. “Those are the earmarks that epitomize Kelly and Marcie, as they are optimists. They’re visionaries. They’re hard workers. They care about others. Don would be proud to have known that Kelly and Marcie received this award in his honor.”