2024 RESOURCE GUIDE
THE K-STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Then. Now. Forever.
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear K-Staters,
Thisis a big year for the K-State Alumni Association. We’re celebrating our 150th anniversary in 2024. Since the very beginning the Alumni Association has advocated for and served K-Staters worldwide, as well as the university.
The first meeting of the Alumni Association took place on Wednesday, June 24, 1874, at Manhattan’s Presbyterian Church. That meeting was a springboard that led to the organization we have today and the many programs and services we offer to our greater Wildcat Community.
Through coordination of our many programs and events, we champion a lifelong connection to K-State for our alumni, students and friends. We are committed to celebrating our K-State achievements and work to REACH, CONNECT and SERVE all members of our K-State community.
K-State alumni are among the most loyal in the nation, and the Association is proud to rank No. 1 in the Big 12 Conference and among the Top 10 nationally for the percentage of graduates who are members.
The Association has built an outstanding legacy, and many people over the course of 150 years have elevated our stature of excellence. This includes our campus partners; volunteers across the state of Kansas and world; the many leaders who have served as members of our board of directors; our dedicated staff members both past and present; and of course, our loyal and passionate students, alumni and friends.
We view this year as a celebration not only for our organization, but also for everyone who identifies as a K-Stater. Please visit www.k-state.com/150 throughout the year to learn more about our history, and to embrace our future as an organization committed to enhancing our great university THEN, NOW and FOREVER.
Thank you for your support and for making us the best Alumni Association.
Dr. Adam Walker ’04, ’09
K-State Alumni Association President/CEO
The Walker family Adam ‘04, ‘09, Rebecca ‘08, Addison and Landree
OUR HISTORY
It was commencement week at Kansas State Agricultural College. Against the wishes of President John Anderson, alumni of the school met at Manhattan’s Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, June 24, 1874. The meeting established the Alumni Association of Kansas State Agricultural College. Records indicate a large crowd was in attendance and a gift presentation of silver items were given to Joseph Denison, the college’s first president.
“There was the best feeling throughout the evening,” a correspondent wrote in the Nationalist, a local paper at the time. “The music was good, especially the genuine College song.”
Thus begins our history.
150th Anniversary
The K-State Alumni Association is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2024. Since the very beginning the Alumni Association has advocated for and served K-Staters worldwide, as well as the university.
The graduating class of 1879 was responsible for taking steps to formalize the Association, electing officers, developing a charter and constitution. In doing so the objective of the Association was “the promotion of interests of the College and of acquaintance of its graduates.”
“The latter point has been well attained, not only by means of triennial reunions but by the more informal ones held the intervening years, which are to many even more enjoyable than the triennials and nearly if not quite as well attended,” writes Professor J.D. Walters, author of the 1909 History of Kansas State Agricultural College.
According to the 1940 History of Kansas State College of Agriculture and Applied Science by Professor Julius T. Willard the class took on the burden of planning reunions, alumni dinners and other activities. These triennial reunions took place from 1890 to 1908, at each reunion an alumnus gave an address to those in attendance. Among the speakers include Marion F. Leasure, class of 1887; Nellie Sawyer Kedzie Jones, class of 1876; and Ernest F. Nichols, class of 1888.
As early as 1912 the Association began producing bound volumes of alumni records. Willard writes the first volume was 308 pages and included a brief history of each graduate and some 30 pages of school history prepared by Willard himself. Additionally, the Association raised funds to have portraits of several KSAC presidents to be painted, worked on student recruitment projects and launched a loyalty fund to finance projects that would promote welfare of the college.
As the number of graduates increased, so did the number of programs the Alumni Association directed. The group developed membership benefits. One program was sending copies of the school newspaper, The Industrialist, to graduates. The Alumni Association created formal structures with office space, full-time staff and elected board members. The staff contacted legislators to explain the needs of the college and to seek support for higher education, which is still an important role Alumni Association plays today.
By the 1950s, the organization looked more like today’s K-State Alumni Association. The K-Stater magazine was first published in 1951. The first Alumni Medallion was presented in 1969, leading the way for many other student, alumni and faculty awards.
Hollis House
The Alumni Association office moved from Anderson Hall in 1970 to Hollis House (located where Throckmorton Hall is today), sharing space with the Endowment Association (later known as the Kansas State University Foundation). About the same time, the Alumni Association launched the Traveling Wildcats program and established the Tradition Founders fund. By the end of the decade, the Alumni Association reinvigorated K-State Homecoming traditions and established the Student Ambassadors program, allowing two elected students to represent the student body at Alumni Association events throughout Kansas and at university events. Homecoming and Student Ambassadors
The 1980s and 1990s also were important years for program development, including Alumni Fellows, Student Alumni Board, student recruitment, multicultural alumni programs, a website and the K-State License Plate program. Alumni staff offices also moved to the KSU Foundation Center on Anderson Avenue.
In 1994, Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86, became the Association’s president and CEO. She was the first female alumni director in the Big Eight and later Big 12 conference. Her influence helped shape the Association into what it is today.
“It was very rewarding to see what can happen when you can spend fulltime on something that we could see really, really grow,” Button Renz told K-Stater magazine in 2023. “Becoming the top in the Big 12 and top 10 in the power five conferences I think that was very rewarding. And we needed that financially to help us grow, to be able to put the money and the resources into the K-Stater magazine, to put it into our chapter and club events. And I think it helped me grow as a professional.”
The dawn of a new millennium saw the launch of the Alumni Association’s e-newsletter, At K-State, which now brings K-State news to more than 117,000 Wildcats around the world. K-State Alumni CenterAlso, a successful fundraising campaign allowed the Alumni Association to build the K-State Alumni Center next to Memorial Stadium in 2002. This new building designated a space for the Memorabilia Room, which allows visitors to take a walk through K-State history by viewing nostalgic artifacts, vintage clothing and uniforms, university and athletic photos and much more.
The Alumni Center is a welcoming place for alumni, university and community events, as well as a stage where the Alumni Association has continued to grow, including the establishment of the Wildcats Forever student alumni association in 2002 and — thanks to the success of the K-State License Plate program (with more than 13,000 plates in four states)— the launch of the Legacy Scholarship program in 2009. The Alumni Association’s reach also extends beyond domestic borders; there are 98 K-State alumni-related clubs in the U.S., and we have alumni connections in 15 international locations.
The Alumni Association is ever-changing and yet continues to be the keeper of K-Stater traditions. It is certain the future will hold more exciting changes and programs for Wildcats everywhere.
The Alumni Association will share more history as the year progresses. Stay tuned for more, k-state.com/150.
Milestones in our history
1874 June 24, Kansas State Agricultural College graduates meet to form what will become the K-State Alumni Association.
1890 The first reunion is held.
1915 Oct. 23, first K-State Homecoming (against the University of Kansas)
1916 First Alumni Association dues established at $1 annually or $20 for a life membership.
1951 First K-Stater magazine is published.
1969 The first Alumni Medallion was awarded.
1969 The Tradition Founders fund was established as the Association’s annual giving fund.
1969 The Traveling Wildcats program is established.
1970 The Alumni Association moves from Anderson Hall to Hollis House.
1977 The first K-State Student Ambassadors are elected.
1981 Student Alumni Board is formed to involve students in Association activities and recruit prospective students to K-State.
1982 The Alumni Association helps coordinate K-Staters’ travel to the Independence Bowl, K-State’s first bowl game.
1983 The Alumni Fellows program is established.
1986 The Alumni Association, with Intrust Bank, establishes a credit card program.
1989 The Alumni Association hosts its first Senior Sendoff. The event would later be renamed Grad Bash.
1991 The Alumni Association relocates from Hollis House to the KSU Foundation Center, now known as the Unger Complex.
1992 The Alumni Association hires a staff member dedicated to diversity and inclusion efforts.
1995 The Alumni Association establishes its Internet presence with a web page -www.ksu.edu/alumni
1996 The K-State License Plate program is established.
1996 The Alumni Association establishes the Multicultural Alumni Council. The Council is later renamed the Council for Alumni Belonging.
1998 Anderson Senior Awards and Multicultural Student Awards (later renamed the Robinson Family Multicultural Leadership Awards) are established.
1998 The Alumni Association launches a website: www.k-state.com.
2002 Construction of the K-State Alumni Center is completed.
2002 The Alumni Association unveils a new logo, the K-Block.
2002 The Alumni Association launches At K-State enewsletter.
2003 First Wichita Wine Dinner. Proceeds support the Wichita Area K-State Alumni Club’s scholarship fund.
2007 The Alumni Association celebrates the first Wabash CannonBall gala in Kansas City. The event has expanded to include Colorado, Houston, Texas and the North Texas-area.
2008 The Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Awards were established.
2008 The Alumni Association creates its first social media account (Facebook).
2009 The K-State Legacy Scholarship is established.
2010 The Graduate Student Awards are launched.
2011 The Wildcat Pride Award for faculty/staff is established. The award would later be endowed as the Flinchbaugh Family Wildcat Pride Award.
2013 Distinguished Young Alumni Award is established.
2014 The Tony Jurich Community Commitment and Leadership Student Awards were established.
2015 K-State and the Alumni Association celebrate 100 years of Homecoming.
2015 The Alumni Association launches the International Leadership Award.
2017 Alumni Excellence Award is established.
2020 The K-State Alumni Association hosts Wildcat Chats, a series of virtual events to engage with alumni during the coronavirus pandemic.
2022 The Alumni Association hosts the first North Texas Boots and BBQ in the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
2022 LGBTQ+ Leadership Award is established.
2023 The K-State Alumni Association raises more than $7 million through the K-State License Plate program for student scholarships and recognition.
2024 K-State Alumni Association celebrates 150 years of service to the K-State community.
to Reach, Connect and Serve: STRATEGIC PRIORITIES
CONNECT ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
✓ Maintain and celebrate the rich history and tradition of our great university.
✓ Continue to welcome all people and strive towards creating a sense of belonging in all we do.
✓ Provide quality and meaningful ways to improve and increase our engagement with the K-State community through premier events and experiences.
✓ Raise awareness of our brand by connecting with alumni, friends and current students through innovative outreach and personalized communications efforts.
✓ Be innovative in our processes, engagement tactics and systems.
✓ Elevate the K-State experience. (We bring the FUN!)
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES THAT REACH, CONNECT AND SERVE STUDENTS AND CAMPUS PARTNERS
ENHANCE REVENUE AND RESOURCES TO SUPPORT THE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
✓ Foster greater awareness of the incredible value and assets the Alumni Association creates for Kansas State University and all K-Staters.
✓ Continue to provide/host events and experiences that raise scholarship dollars for prospective K-State students, both in-state and out-of-state.
✓ Enrich and enhance the student experience.
✓ Be valuable campus partners to the university, K-State Athletics and the KSU Foundation.
✓ Champion the independent voice of K-Staters everywhere and serve as a university advocate.
✓ Increase awareness of and the benefits associated with membership to retain and grow our member base.
✓ Increase other revenue sources.
✓ Increase Tradition Founders annual fund gift totals to $1M annually by 2030, a 43% increase from FY24.
✓ Modernize the Alumni Center to make it a premier event venue by 2027.
✓ Substantially increase overall Alumni Association endowment commitments by 2030.
✓ Invest in our staff through our culture/experience and personal/professional development, while rewarding our team for reaching milestones.
BY-LAWS
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
ARTICLE I – CORPORATION
Section 1: Name and Purpose
The name of this nonprofit, self-governing corporation shall be the Kansas State University Alumni Association, hereafter referred to as the “Association,” and its powers, duties and obligations shall be for charitable and educational purposes as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation.
ARTICLE II – MEMBERSHIP
Section 1: Membership Qualifications
All graduates, former students, current students, and friends of Kansas State University are eligible for membership upon payment of dues if applicable as set by the Board of Directors of the Association, hereafter referred to as the “Board.”
Section 2: Membership Categories
Membership in the Association shall consist of Life Members, Annual Members, Honorary Members, and Complimentary Members.
a. Life Members
Any person with the qualifications listed under Article II, Section 1 may become a Life Member upon payment of dues in an amount set by the Board. Membership may be paid in one lump sum or in prescribed installments.
b. Annual Members
Any person with the qualifications listed under Article II, Section 1, may become an Annual Member upon the payment of annual dues in an amount set by the Board.
c. Honorary
Members
Upon the recommendation of the President and CEO of the Association, and with the approval of the Board, an individual may be designated as an Honorary Member. An Honorary Member shall not pay dues and is not eligible to hold office but shall possess all other rights of membership.
d.
Complimentary Members
Complimentary Memberships may be provided to spouses of Life Members who are not graduates of the University. Upon the recommendation of the President and CEO of the Association, and with the approval of the Board, other individuals may be designated as Complimentary Members. A Complimentary Member shall not pay dues and is not eligible to hold office but shall possess all other rights of membership.
ARTICLE III – DIRECTORS AND TERMS OF OFFICE
Section 1: Board of Directors
The Board shall be composed of a Board Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, Treasurer, twenty Elected Directors less the Chair-Elect, and five Standing Directors. Members of the Board have equal voting rights, except the President and CEO of the Association who shall not be a voting member.
Section 2: Qualifications of Directors
All Board members must be members of the Association.
Section 3: Elected Directors
a. Nomination Process
In the fall of each year, the Executive Committee shall review the pool of potential Elected Directors and approve a slate of five new Elected Directors. Prior service as a Standing Director shall not preclude service as an Elected Director.
b. Election Process
After approval by the Executive Committee, the slate of new Elected Directors shall be presented to Association members via publication in the KStater magazine or other means, to allow all Association members the opportunity to ratify the slate and/or to write in candidates. The five candidates receiving the largest number of votes (either by ratification of the slate or write in votes) shall be elected to serve as Elected Directors upon the approval of a majority vote of the Board.
c. Term of
Office
The term of office for Elected Directors shall be four years, with five Directors elected each year. Terms shall begin at the annual meeting of the Association following the Elected Directors’ election or appointment. Elected Directors are limited to one term of office subject to Section 6. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, the Board of Directors may extend the term of any directorship.
Section 4: Standing Directors
a. Appointment
The Board shall appoint as Standing Directors the President of the University, , the President of Student Alumni Board, the University Student Body President, the President and CEO of the Association, and the Chair of the KSU Foundation Board. The President and CEO of the KSU Foundation shall be appointed as an ex-officio member.
b. Term of Office
The term of office for Standing Directors shall be one year, beginning at the annual meeting of the Association following the Standing Directors’ appointment. Standing Directors may be reappointed for more than one term.
Section 5: Employment by University or Association
Other than the Standing Directors, no member of the Board shall be a full-time employee of Kansas State University or of the Association. Clarifications and determinations with respect to this provision shall be made by the Executive Committee.
Section 6: Resignation
Any member of the Board may resign by giving written notice to the Board Chair and the President and CEO of the Association.
Section 7: Vacancy
Any vacancy in the Board may be filled for the unexpired term through approval by the Executive Committee. If the individual selected to fill the vacancy serves less than two years, the individual is eligible for re-election.
Section 8: Removal of a Member of the Board
The Board may remove any member of the Board with cause upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee. Any concerned party should initiate any action of this nature through the Executive Committee.
ARTICLE IV – MANAGEMENT
Section 1: Management and Operations
The management of the Association shall be vested in the Board subject to the Articles of Incorporation
of the Association. The operations of the Association shall be managed by the Board as it relates to the mission and strategic initiatives set forth for the Association. The Board shall determine policy decisions affecting the Association. The Board may delegate duties or exercise any powers to the officers, committees, or its designees as the Board determines.
Section 2: Annual Report
The Board shall make an annual report to the membership, which shall include a financial statement and other information deemed appropriate. The Association will undergo an independent annual financial audit with the results reported to the Board.
Section 3: Officers
The Officers of the Board shall consist of the Board Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer.
a. Chair-Elect
All fourth-year Elected Directors are eligible to run for Chair-Elect. Balloting will be conducted by the Association staff with each voting member of the Board having the opportunity to vote for one candidate. If no candidate receives a simple majority of votes cast, a run-off election will be conducted between the two top candidates. In the case of a tie, the current Board Chair, as chair of the Executive Committee, will cast a second ballot. The term for Chair-Elect shall be one year, commencing at the close of the annual meeting.
In the event none or only one of the fourth year directors shall submit their name into the pool for the election as Chair-Elect by December 1st of any year ahead of elections, third year directors shall be notified and they may submit their name into the pool for election of Chair-Elect, if such submission shall be made by January 1. Should a third year Elected Director be elected a ChairElect, such director shall be ineligible for Chair-Elect for the following year.
b. Board Chair
The Chair-Elect shall assume the office of Board Chair at the annual meeting after having served as Chair-Elect for one year. The term for Board Chair shall be one year commencing at the close of the annual meeting.
c. Immediate Past Chair
The Board Chair shall assume the office of Immediate Past Chair at the annual meeting after having served as Board Chair for one year. The term for Immediate Past Chair shall be one year
commencing at the close of the annual meeting.
d. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall be appointed by the Board Chair upon recommendation from the Executive Committee. The Treasurer shall serve a four-year term, commencing at the close of the annual meeting following the Treasurer’s appointment, and can serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.
e. Secretary
The President and CEO of the Association shall serve as Secretary.
Section 4: Executive Committee
a. Structure
The Executive Committee shall be composed of the Board Chair, Chair-Elect, Immediate Past Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, and two At-Large Members.
b. At-Large Members
The Board Chair shall appoint two Elected Directors to the At-Large positions. The term for the At-Large Members shall be one year, commencing at the close of the annual meeting.
c. Powers
The Executive Committee shall oversee and direct the operations of the Board. This committee acts on matters requiring action when the Board is not in session and is empowered to transact all necessary and essential business of the Association unless otherwise provided in the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The Executive Committee shall report to the Board and seek ratification of any actions taken.
Section 5: President and CEO of the Association
The day-to-day management of the operations of the Association shall be exercised by the President and CEO of the Association acting as general manager under authority of the Board. The Board has the authority to hire and terminate employment of the President and CEO of the Association.
Section 6: Financial Responsibility
The Board shall have oversight and control of all funds and assets of the Association. The fiscal year of the Association shall be from the first day of July each year through the 30th day of June in the succeeding calendar year.
Section 7: Contracts
Except as otherwise provided in these By-Laws, the Board may authorize the President and CEO, or their designee, to enter into any contract or execute and deliver any instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Association, and such authority may be general or confined to a specific instance. A list of new affinity or sponsorship contracts shall be provided to the Executive Committee prior to each Board meeting.
Section 8: Alumni Clubs
Alumni Clubs and similar groups affiliated with the Association shall comply with the Articles of Incorporation and these By-Laws, and with applicable directives and standards set by the Board from time to time.
ARTICLE V – MEETINGS
Section 1: Board of Directors Meetings
The annual meeting shall be held prior to close of the fiscal year on June 30. There shall be a minimum of three meetings per year, including the annual meeting. Directors shall be given 30 days written notice of meetings. Special meetings may be called by the Board Chair with 10 days written notice.
a. Remote Meeting Participation
Members of the Board, or of any of the committees appointed by the Board, may participate and vote in any meeting of the Board or committee by means of a conference telephone or other electronic means where all participants are able to hear all communications and are able to fully participate in the meeting including voting. Participation by telephonic or electronic means shall be subject to the provisions of these By-Laws for notification of members of the Board or committee of such meeting and shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
b. Quorum
A quorum of fifteen voting members of the Board must be present at any duly called meeting, or voting via proxy, in order to conduct business of the Board.
c. Proxy
A vote by proxy may be submitted in writing or by electronic mail or message to the Board Chair.
d. Business Outside of Board Meetings
The Board Chair may submit items of business to the Board outside of a duly called meeting or special meeting, using electronic mail or other electronic or virtual means. The Board may consider and take action on such items by electronic mail or by other electronic or virtual means supervised by the Association staff, unless any member of the Board objects to such action being taken outside of a duly called meeting or special meeting, in which case consideration of the item shall be postponed until the next duly called meeting or special meeting of the Board.
Section 2: Executive Committee Meetings
The Executive Committee may meet at times when the Board is not in session. The Board Chair or the President and CEO of the Association may call these meetings.
ARTICLE VI – COMMITTEES
Section 1: Committees
The Board Chair, in consultation with the President and CEO of the Association, may create and appoint committees deemed necessary for the operation and management of the Association, and may eliminate or reduce the size of committees. Committees shall report directly to the Board and shall perform their designated duties under its direction.
Section 2: Committee Members
Appointees to committees may be current Directors, past Directors, alumni, faculty and current students of the University. The President and CEO of the Association will assign staff liaisons to each committee.
Section 3: Terms
Each member of a committee will serve a one-year term. The Board Chair may re-appoint members to committees.
Section 4: Councils
The Board Chair, in consultation with the President and CEO of the Association, may create and appoint councils or similar groups to advise on matters related to the operation and management of the Association. Such groups shall be advisory only; shall report to the Board Chair, the President and CEO of the Association, and/or the Executive Committee; and shall not have the power to conduct Association business.
Section
The Board Chair, in consultation with the President and CEO of the Association, shall appoint individuals as requested to represent the Alumni Association on university committees and bodies. Appointees may be current Directors, past Directors, alumni, faculty and current students of the University.
ARTICLE VII – PROCEDURE
The current edition of Robert’s Rules of Order shall be the guide on all points of parliamentary law.
ARTICLE VIII – AMENDMENTS
The Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws may be amended or revoked by a two-thirds vote of the Board present at any duly called meeting or voting via proxy, provided that written notice of proposed amendments or revocation has been given to each Director at least one month in advance of the meeting.
ARTICLE IX – INDEMNIFICATION
The Board shall indemnify each Employee, Officer or Director, to the extent that such indemnification is permitted pursuant to the provisions set forth in the Association’s insurance policy as it presently exists and as it may be amended from time to time, in addition to any other indemnification that is granted to such Employees, Officers, or Directors by any other provision of law or governmental regulation pertaining thereto; and this indemnification shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled under any By-Law, agreement, vote of members or disinterested Directors, or otherwise, both as to action in their official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be an Employee, Officer or, Director, and inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors, and administrators of such person.
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP
2023-PRESENT
Dr. Adam G. Walker President and CEO
1994-2023
Amy Button Renz President and CEO
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP
1988-1994
Fred Thibodeau President
1978-1988
Larry Weigel Executive Director
1961-1978
H. Dean Hess Director of Alumni Relations
1928-1961
Kenney Ford Executive Secretary
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION LEADERSHIP
1924-1928
Ralph L. Foster Executive Secretary
1922-1924
Oley W. Weaver Executive Secretary
1920-1922
Clifton J. Stratton Executive Secretary
K-STATE ALUMNI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Alumni Association is governed by the board of directors. Board members are chosen through a slate approval process by the Alumni Association membership. A ballot is presented in the spring K-Stater magazine, which is mailed to all members of the Alumni Association.
In addition to elected members, the board comprises standing directors to include the university president, the student body president, the Student Alumni Board president, a representative of the KSU Foundation, a treasurer and a secretary.
Newly elected members serve four-year terms. Officers of the board include the board chair, chair-elect, past chair, treasurer, secretary and two members-at-large.
As the governing body for the Alumni Association, members of the board of directors adopts and approve our mission to “REACH, CONNECT and SERVE all members of our K-State community” and establish our strategic plan that will enhance the future of our Association. The board also oversees the financial matters and investments of the Alumni Association and Alumni Center.
The executive committee selects potential board members from a pool of candidates, which includes more than 200 prospects. Candidates are slated based on criteria including geographic location, professional and personal skills, education, gender, ethnicity and age. Strong consideration is given to candidates who have been involved with the Alumni Association and university.
PAST CHAIRS
FIRST NAME LAST NAME GRAD YEAR YEARS AS CHAIR DECEASED
Albert
William
Nellie S.
G.H.
W.J.
Emma
Julius T.
E. Ada
S. Wendall
Ben
W.E.
Sam
William
W.E.
Emma R.J.
Robert H.C.
Albert
George C.
Julius T.
Jacob
Robert J.
H.C.
H.W.
Walter J.
Albert
Harry J.
Floyd B.
Waldo E.
Todd Uhlrich Kedzie Failyer Griffin Haines Bowen Willard Little Williston Skinner Whaley Kimball
Uhlrich Smith
Haines Bowen Brock Barnett Rushmore
Dickens Wheeler Willard Lund Barnett Rushmore
Avery Burtis Dickens Umberger Nichols Grimes
1882-83 1883-84 1884-87 1887-88 1888-89 1889-90 1890-91 1891-92 1892-93 1893-94 1894-95 1895-96 1896-97 1897-98 1898-99 1899-1900 1900-01 1901-03 1903-05 1906-07 1907-08 1908-09 1909-11 1914-15 1915-16 1916-17 1917-21 1921-23 1923-24 1924-26
PAST CHAIRS
FIRST NAME LAST NAME GRAD YEAR YEARS AS CHAIR DECEASED
R.A.
Ralph Mamie
Robert J.
E.A.
A.T.
H.W.
Gaylord
Harold W.
Harvey Wayne
John W.
William Carlton
H. Otis
Alfred G.
Joseph A.
L.W.
Leonard E.
Dr. Jay
William G.
Harry E.
R.M.
Richard J.
Walter C.
Merrill H.
Patricia
Joseph D.
Francis W.
John W.
Lawrence D.
Don A.
Seaton Snyder Boyd Barnett Allen Kinsley Rogler Munson Luhnow Rogler Ballard Hall Garth Aldridge Bogue
Newcomer Garrison Reynolds Kelly Miller Sears Harman Pierce Werts
Beezley Morris
Smerchek
Boyd Jr. Frazier Morgan McNeal
1926-28 1928-30 1930-32 1932-34 1934-36 1936-37 1937-39 1939-41 1941-43 1943-44 1944-45 1945-46 1946-47 1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 1950-51 1951-52 1952-53 1953-54 1954-55 1955-56 1956-57 1957-58 1958-59 1959-60 1960-61 1961-62 1963-63 1963-65
PAST CHAIRS
Ben A.
Ralph E.
Dan W.
Raymond J.
James C.
Thomas M.
Linton C.
Beverly A.
Dean H.
C. James
Nelson D.
Jerry K.
Elizabeth M.
Roger P.
Richard A.
Earl D.
Stephen R.
Donald F.
Janet S.
Phillip S.
Gary O.
Lee H.
Patricia A.
Curtis A.
Jerry B.
Michael D.
Jerry T.
James L.
Sharon K.
Sellers
Skoog
Upson Doll
Richards
Potter
Lull
Torrens Bradley
Becker
Balderson
Galle
Exline
Mackintosh Oswald
Reitz
Renfro
McVicker Morris
Hoffman
Sprang Ayres
Shrack
Rumsey
Borck
Clark
Frasier
McKee
Relihan
Katlin
Tadtman
Evers
1973-75 1975-77 1977-79 1979-81 1981-82 1982-83 1983-84 1984-85 1985-86 1986-87 1987-88 1988-89 1989-90 1990-91 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-01 2001-02
PAST CHAIRS
Herbert N.
Shelly K.
Charles H.
Tara S.
G. Rhea
Randall K.
Jackie L.
Jarold W.
Audrey E.
Todd D.
Kent R.
Aaron A.
Roger E.
Travis D.
Dan C.
Alan L.
Sylvia
S. Kendal
Nabeeha
Candy
Tim
Chancy
Jeff
Whitney
Dicken Prichard
Claar
Cupps
Serpan
Rathbun
Hartman Borck
Boettcher
Mross
Johnson Bradley Otto
McClellan
Lenkner
Yunk
Fankhauser
White Robinson
Frazier
Kazi Hutchins
Hart Duncan
Oswalt
Montera Love
Ellison
2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-12 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20 2020-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26
MEET OUR BOARD
BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS
ORGANIZATION CHART
Senior vice president and COO
Alumni
Alumni programs assistant
ADMINISTRATION
ALUMNI CENTER
Erin Depperschmidt
designer
INFORMATION SERVICES
PROGRAMS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE
We bring people together. We generate purple pride, fellowship and connection. That is true in the context of our work with alumni, friends and fans, facilitating connection between them and K-State.
We represent tradition from the founding to the future. We exist to serve and service takes countless forms. It can be as simple as listening, being genuinely responsive and following through on commitments large and small. Ultimately, it means always taking the extra step and extending the hand of human kindness toward everyone we serve.
MEMBERSHIP
We can’t be us without you! All Kansas State University alumni, friends and fans are encouraged to join the K-State Alumni Association.
Join more than 36,000 loyal members to stay engaged, informed and connected to K-State by becoming a member today.
YOUR MEMBERSHIP HELPS SUPPORT:
• Student recruitment
• Scholarships
• Alumni events
• And much more!
ENJOY MEMBER-ONLY BENEFITS:
• K-Stater quarterly magazine
• Annual wall calendar
• Membership decal
• Plus, many discounts nationwide
• Alumni and friends
• Recent Grad Discount Pricing
BECOME A MEMBER
TRADITION FOUNDERS ANNUAL FUND
Through Tradition Founders, gifts from alumni and friends of K-State help support the K-State Alumni Association’s annual operating budget. Your generosity helps make the following programs and activities possible!
STUDENTS
• Scholarships
• Recruitment
ALUMNI
• Clubs
• Reunions
• Homecoming
EVENTS & ACTIVITIES
• Homecoming
• Traveling Wildcats
AWARDS AND SPECIAL PROGRAMMING
• Awards
• The K-Stater magazine
FOUNDERS CIRCLE DONORS LEVEL
ENDOWMENT WALL
The Endowment Wall includes gifts of $10,000 or more to support the Alumni Association or maintenance of the Alumni Center. The Endowment Wall is located inside the west entrance of the Alumni Center.
Founders Circle is a donor society honoring gifts of $1,000 or more to the Tradition Founders annual fund. The success of the K-State Alumni Association would not be possible without the leadership gifts made by our Founders Circle members.
DONORS WILL RECEIVE:
• Special recognition in the K-Stater magazine and on the K-State Alumni Association website
• An exclusive invitation to an annual donor reception with distinguished campus speakers
• Exclusive 5-piece swivel top bamboo cheese board set as our thank you gift to you
Champion Level donors ($10,000+) may receive special invitations to exclusive events such as the President’s Suite for a K-State football game.
YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of our success! The K-State Alumni Association is ranked among the best in the country, and our success is thanks to many generous alumni and friends.
SUPPORT TRADITION FOUNDERS
SCHOLARSHIPS
The Alumni Association provides more than 500 scholarships, totaling $650,000, annually to students at K-State. These funds are raised through the programs listed below:
Wabash Kansas City Scholarship
Wabash Colorado Scholarship
North Texas Boots and BBQ
Wichita Wine and Dinner
Club events
Official K-State License Plates
K-STATER MAGAZINE
The award-winning K-Stater magazine is published for K-State Alumni Association members and is full of news about campus happenings, research, athletics, students, nostalgia and alumni.
It is a trusted source of news and views for alumni and friends of K-State, and readers say the magazine is a major reason why they joined the Alumni Association. The K-Stater is mailed exclusively to members of the K-State Alumni Association four times per year. The online version of the K-Stater also is available to members only.
WEBSITE / SOCIAL MEDIA / PODCAST
Social media is important because it has changed how people interact, learn and participate in the K-State Community. It offers unique opportunities for networking, marketing, and staying culturally connected to our alma mater.
Social media platforms allow people to access information in real time and to connect with K-Staters. At its best, it makes the world more interconnected.
PARTICIPATE
There are so many ways to get involved with K-State and stay connected with your alma mater! Check our calendar for upcoming events, or find out how you can participate:
ALUMNI AND FRIENDS
AWARDS
CAREER SERVICES
CLUBS
COUNCIL FOR ALUMNI BELONGING HOMECOMING
K-STATE GAME DAY PODCASTS
PREGAMES
REUNIONS
SIGNATURE EVENTS
TRAVELING WILDCATS
WATCH PARTIES
WILDCAT CHATS
WILDCATS FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
STUDENTS
AWARDS
GRADUATION
HOMECOMING
K-STATE STUDENT AMBASSADORS SCHOLARSHIPS
STUDENT ALUMNI BOARD
WILDCATS FOREVER
FUTURE WILDCATS
BORN TO BE A WILDCAT JUNIOR WILDCATS CLUB FOR SOPHOMORES ONLY SCHOLARSHIPS
K-STATE ADMISSIONS
WILDCAT READS
RENT THE CENTER
The K-State Alumni Center, which opened in 2002, is home to the K-State Alumni Association. Each year, we host hundreds of events from large-scale conferences, to graduation parties, to weddings. However, the Center is more than a gathering place for alumni, friends and fans of Kansas State University. It’s a place to look at memorabilia, meet the staff of the K-State Alumni Association and find a place to experience the history of our university.
MAP OF THE ALUMNI CENTER
FIRST FLOOR
The Tointon Great Room is an open, comfortable seating area, highlighted by the Frasier family limestone fireplace. Ideal for a casual greeting or waiting area or reception before an event in the Banquet Room. The Amy Button Renz Family Banquet Room can accommodate up to 750 people for a reception, or 400 people with round tables of eight guests per table. The room also can be divided into four quadrants, for more intimate gatherings.
The Barrett Wildcat Den is a casual, open seating area. The Den is ideal as a reception space for events taking place in the Banquet Room or for a luncheon.
SECOND FLOOR
The Tadtman Board Room overlooks Memorial Stadium and can accommodate 40 people in board room-style seating or 72 in dinner-style seating.
THIRD FLOOR
The third floor features two specialty conference rooms. The Purple Pride Room can be set up in a variety of styles to accommodate 15-50 people, and the Lecture Room which is set up with permanent theater-style seating.
DIRECTORS
Little River, Kan.,
DIRECTORS
among the Power Five conferences for the percentage of graduates who are members.
12,500
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
current assets - $1,658,960
investments - $17,787,132
building & land - $6,814,085
other assets - $152,910
total assets - $26,413,087
current liabilities - $644,736
other liabilities - $867,779
total liabilities - $1,512,515
total net assets - $24,900,572
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Cmdr. Tim Oswalt ’93, Little River, Kan., chair
Chancy Montera Love ’07, Denver, Colo., chair-elect
Candace Hart Duncan ’75, Bethesda, Md., past chair
Revenues
total unrestricted reserves - $5,540,403 100+ Alumni
Terms expire in 2024
Dr. Curt Coffman ’90, Phoenix, Ariz.
Jeff Ellison ’90, St. Joseph, Mo.
Jody Isch Lancaster ’88, Ottawa, Kan.
Zach Maier ’09, Lake Quivira, Kan.
Suze Brink Parker ’81, ’83, Overland Park, Kan.
Terms expire in 2025
Morgan Fisher ’04, Doha, Qatar
Lydia Peele Kinkade ’09, Overland Park, Kan.
Steve Lacy ’76, ’77, Des Moines, Iowa
John Niemann ’93, Mount Hope, Kan.
Karen Wiley Works ’76, Humbolt, Kan.
Terms expire in 2026
Link Evans ’82, The Woodlands, Texas
Phil Kirk ’82, Oak Grove, Mo.
Tonya Rudolph Barta ’91, Holton, Kan.
Jill Stehley Harrison (fs), Prairie Village, Kan.
Kelly Williams ’03, Kansas City, Kan.
Terms expire in 2027
Dr. Eva Stumpff Gardiner ’81, ’86, ’91, Ashland, Kan.
Mako Blevens Miller ’04, Olathe, Kan.
Greg Musil ’80, Overland Park, Kan.
Alejandro “Alex” Suñé ’08, ’11, Savoy, Ill.
Jake Worcester ’01, Kansas City, Mo.
STANDING DIRECTORS
Richard Linton, Manhattan, Kan., K-State president
Mary Vanier ’89, Manhattan, Kan., chair, board of directors, KSU Foundation
Travis Lenkner ’01, Chicago, Ill., treasurer
Adam Walker ’04, ’09, Manhattan, Kan., secretary
Caleb Stout, Cottonwood Falls, Kan., student body president
Emily Howard, Eudora, Kan., Student Alumni Board president
Greg Willems, Manhattan, Kan., ex officio member, president and CEO, KSU Foundation
(Others not represented on the map)
INTERNATIONAL K-STATE GRADUATES/FRIENDS 4,000+ 2,000-3,999 1,000-1,999 1,000 and under
The Democratic
Moldova, Republic of
(Islamic Republic Of)
Tanzania, United Republic of
Tobago
Turks and Caicos
Islands
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia Zimbabwe
SUPPORT / ENGAGE / GET INVOLVED
BECOME A MEMBER OR RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP
DOWNLOAD OUR LINK FOR LIFE APP
ATTEND AN ALUMNI EVENT
JOIN AN ALUMNI CLUB
CONSIDER MAKING AN ENDOWED GIFT TO THE ASSOCIATION
GO ON A TRAVELING WILDCATS TRIP
DONATE TO OUR SCHOLOARSHIP FUNDS
BECOME A SPONSOR FOR ONE OF OUR EVENTS
UPDATE YOUR INFORMATION
TO LEARN MORE, please contact K-State Alumni president and CEO, Dr. Adam Walker at awalker@k-state.com or 785-532-5050.
K-STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
100 ALUMNI CENTER
1720 ANDERSON AVE.
MANHATTAN, KS 66506-1001
ALUMNI CLUBS
K-Staters across the globe show their school spirit and pride in their alma mater through Alumni and Spirit Clubs. Alumni, Spirit and Catbacker Clubs unite K-Staters and host a variety of events including athletics watch parties, student recruitment activities, picnics, banquets and more!
If there is not already a club in your area, we invite you to learn how you can be a part of the K-State tradition.
14 international
41 across the country 26 in Kansas
Abilene (Dickinson Co)
Atchison
Beloit
Belleville
Colby
Dodge City
Emporia
Garden City (Finney Co)
Great Bend
Hays
Hutchinson (Reno Co)
Jetmore
Junction City
Kansas City
Liberal
Manhattan
Marysville
Medicine Lodge
Ottawa (Franklin Co)
Pratt Salina
Scott City
Seneca (Nemaha Co)
St. Joseph, Missouri
Topeka
Wichita Winfield
Arizona
Phoenix
Arkansas Bentonville
California
Sacremento San Diego San Francisco
Colorado Denver
Colorado Springs
Steamboat Springs
Florida
Emerald Coast
Fort Myers
Orlando
Tampa Bay
Georgia
Atlanta
Hawaii
Honolulu
Illinois Chicago
Indiana Indianapolis
Michigan
Detroit
Minnesota Minneapolis Missouri St. Louis Nebraska Lincoln
Nevada Las Vegas New York New York City North Carolina Charlotte Oklahoma Tulsa Oklahoma City Oregon Portland Pennsylvania Philadelphia Tennessee Nashville Texas Amarillo Austin Dallas/Ft. Worth El Paso Houston San Antonio
Utah Salt Lake City Virginia Lynchburg Richmond Washington Seattle
Washington, D. C. Wisconsin Milwaukee
Wyoming Jackson Hole
