In lieu of flowers

Instead of sending flowers to Jim Ronen as he recovered from cancer surgery, close friends made a gift to the Johnson Cancer Center in Jim's honor.

It was this introduction to K-State's campuswide approach to cancer research that prompted Jim and his wife, Cibyl Teichman Ronen '60, also a cancer survivor, to consider their own philanthropic legacy.

The Ronens have quietly committed two substantial gifts to K-State. Their generous deferred gifts establish a permanent fund for cancer research and an endowment for general scholarships.

Jim and Cibyl believe an investment in K-State's cancer research programs is far better than sending flowers. "Most people would find it more thrilling to fight the disease itself than to give flowers that will eventually die," Jim said.

Jim graduated from Emporia State Teachers College in 1960. After marrying in 1962, Jim and Cibyl made their home in St. John, Kan., where Jim actively worked in the First National Bank and Trust of St. John for 44 years and was president of the bank before retiring in 1994. Cibyl was then bank travel director for ten years. She served on the board of directors, while Jim was chairman of the board until the bank sold in 2004.

Both Cibyl and Jim now serve on the center's Advisory Council. They encourage all alumni and friends to invest in the cure at K-State in lieu of sending flowers.