Archive for April 2004

04/27/04 — Manhattan alumni pledge $100,000 for cancer research fund at K-State

Margaret and Phil Howe, Manhattan, Kan., have made a commitment of $100,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Phil and Margaret Howe Cancer Research Fund. Previously they have made more than $50,000 in contributions to Kansas State University for the cancer center, scholarships, K-State Alumni Association, College of Business Administration, Beach Museum of Art, KSU Athletics, and many other programs.

The purpose of this new fund is to support the research conducted by the faculty scientists affiliated with the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research at Kansas State University.

Margaret (Griffith) Howe graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1954. She was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. Phil Howe earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration at K-State in 1954. While in college he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He is the CEO of the Kansas State Bank.

The Howes are members of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State. Phil Howe is a member of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees and the Executive Committee.

“The cancer center has pledged the first $25,000 of the Howes’ gift as part of the K-State match for a grant proposal to the National Science Foundation,” said Rob Denell, director of the Terry C. Johnson Center for Basic Cancer Research. “If successful, this grant will provide our cancer scientists with over $400,000 in state-of-the-art equipment to enhance their capabilities in the area of molecular biology. In this way, the Howes’ generous gift can be leveraged to make an even greater impact on our fight against cancer.”

Top

04/16/04 — Clay Center family commemorates patriarch with scholarship gift to K-State

Jean K. Oberhelman and family, Manhattan, Kan., have made a gift of $10,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Dean L. Oberhelman Memorial Scholarship in Education.

The recipients of this scholarship must be enrolled in the College of Education at Kansas State University. Preference will be given to eligible students from Clay County, Kan.

The Oberhelmans lived in Clay Center, Kan., from 1966 to 1997, where Dean Oberhelman was the assistant school superintendent for USD 379 for 16 years. He was born in Concordia, Kan., grew up in Barnes, Kan., and graduated from Barnes High School in 1942. Oberhelman was a 1948 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in education. While in college he was a member of Phi Kappa Phi and Phi Delta Kappa fraternities. Oberhelman earned a master’s degree in guidance and counseling at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, in 1961, and a specialist’s degree in administration at K-State in 1965. He began his teaching career in White City, Kan., and later taught at Chapman, Kan., and Salina, Kan. The Oberhelmans have two children: Dr. Bruce Oberhelman, Manhattan, and Kathy Funk, Concordia.

“Dean’s life was very involved in education,” Jean Oberhelman said. “He was really interested in seeing students going into education and he wanted to help them become teachers.”

“Dean Oberhelman was well-known and respected among Kansas educators,” said Michael Holen, dean of the College of Education. “We are honored that the Oberhelman family has made such a significant contribution to the future of education with this scholarship gift. Dean’s career serves as an excellent success story for our college and role model for our students.”

Top

04/01/04 — Wichita construction firm names room in KSU West Seaton Hall Key Construction Inc., Wichita, Kan., has made a commitment of $25,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Key Construction Inc. Student Project Room as part of the West Seaton Renovation Campaign.

West Seaton Hall is being renovated to provide more room and resources for the Departments of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science, and Biological and Agricultural Engineering in the College of Engineering. The renovation project will provide additional laboratories, classrooms and faculty offices. The project should be completed in late 2004.

Key Construction Inc. was founded in 1978. It has offices in three states and has completed projects around the country. The company focuses on a variety of construction areas including high-tech, communication, historical renovation, industrial, medical, recreational and educational facilities.

“K-State has proven to be a leader in the development of quality young construction professionals,” said Rick McCafferty, executive vice president of Key Construction Inc. “Our gift demonstrates not only our long-term partnership with KSU, but also our investment in the future of the construction industry.”

“We sincerely appreciate the commitment of Key Construction Inc. to construction education through its support of this project,” said David Fritchen, head of the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science. “Key Construction Inc. is a quality company and employs many of our talented construction science and management graduates. Its support of this project reflects its commitment to excellence in construction education, the department and its future employees.”

Top