Archive for June 2004

06/18/04 — Bayer Animal Health Cat Adoption Program established in KSU College of Veterinary Medicine

Bayer Animal Health, Shawnee Mission, Kan., has made a gift to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Bayer Animal Health Cat Adoption Program in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.

The goal of the Bayer Animal Health Cat Adoption Program is to provide homes for cats that have taken part or retired from flea product evaluations and are now flea free and ready for new homes. This adoption program not only finds homes for cats, but also contributes to the education of veterinary students and provides companionship and love. Dr. Michael Dryden, program director and professor of veterinary parasitology, and his technician, Vicki Smith, have placed more than 500 cats in homes over the last 10 years.

The mission of Bayer Animal Health is to protect the health and welfare of animals and benefit people. Bayer has been continuously researching and developing new products for animal health and pest control for more than 100 years, because a responsible relationship between people, companion animals and livestock requires safeguarding the health of animals. Effective health care also involves a healthy environment for man and animal. Bayer delivers specific products for maintaining a healthy environment that prevents diseases that can be transmitted to animals or people by way of pests, such as insects or rodents.

“We are pleased to continue our partnership with Kansas State University and to further advance our joint commitment to animal welfare,” said Blake Whitney, director of marketing, Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division. “The establishment of the Bayer Animal Health Cat Adoption program further exemplifies that commitment.”

“This gift is a great testimony to the opportunities that exist between our college and forward-thinking companies such as Bayer Animal Health,” said Dr. Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “With this gift, Dr. Dryden and his research team will be able to continue conducting cutting-edge research while honoring their commitment to responsible animal care and the prevention of animal suffering. This is a wonderful way for compassionate, socially astute investigators to demonstrate leadership in animal-related research.”

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06/18/04 — KSU Foundation names Weiberg as director of corporate relations

Chad Weiberg, Stillwater, Okla., has been named director of corporate relations at the Kansas State University Foundation. In this position, Weiberg is responsible for the development and implementation of special-interest fund appeals and securing major corporate support for academic programs and projects at Kansas State University.

Weiberg was employed by the Oklahoma State University, serving as director of major gifts for the OSU Athletic Department in 2004 and as director of development for the College of Business Administration from 2002 to 2003. Prior to joining the OSU Foundation, he was senior director of field operations for the OSU Alumni Association.

Weiberg earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1994 and an MBA in 2002 from Oklahoma State.

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06/10/04 — Mertz family makes gift for KSU communications disorders research facility

Harold and Jeanne Mertz, Manhattan, Kan., and Tom and Donna Mertz, Edgerton, Kan., have made a gift to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Mertz Family Research Labs as part of the Speech and Hearing Center at Kansas State University.

The Mertz Family Research Labs will provide a voice research, assisted communication and swallowing laboratory for students involved in the Communication Sciences and Disorders program, which is part of the School of Family Studies and Human Services in K-State’s College of Human Ecology. The new Speech and Hearing Center will also include outpatient care, larger treatment space and expanded research labs. Completion of the facility is expected by late 2004 or early 2005.

Harold and Jeanne Mertz are majority owners in River Creek Farms Inc., a family farm operation in Riley and Wabaunsee Counties. Their son, Tom Mertz, is a 1975 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. While in college, he was a member of student government and Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Tom Mertz is the president and CEO of TradeNet Publishing Inc., Gardner, Kan.

“The ability to speak makes a great difference in a person’s quality of life. Unfortunately many people have difficulties in speaking and swallowing and need professional help,” Jeanne Mertz said. “We believe that research benefits people of all colors, ages and gender who have birth defects, disabilities due to an accident or neurological illnesses.” The Mertz family’s hope is that with this new laboratory facility, Kansas State University will provide leadership in finding solutions and improving the health of those individuals who have communication disorders.

“The School of Family Studies and Human Services is very appreciative to the Mertz family for their various generous gifts toward the construction of the Mertz Family Research Labs,” Director Bill Meredith said. “The labs will allow the Communications Sciences and Disorders Program to conduct research that will have important applied benefits for children and adults with speech disorders.”

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06/04/04 — Kansas Ag Bankers found $100,000 agricultural economics scholarship at K-State

Kansas Ag Bankers has made a gift of $100,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Kansas Ag Bankers Scholarship in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.

This scholarship will be awarded annually to two students enrolled in agricultural economics at K-State, with preference given to Kansas residents. Recipients are required to have a minimum grade point average of 3.2.

The Kansas Ag Bankers help support and donate money to the Kansas FFA, 4-H, the Kansas Agricultural and Rural Leadership (KARL) program, Kansas State agricultural economics’ “Farm Analysis Program” and agriculture in the classroom. Kansas Ag Bankers is an organization that works to understand the ever-changing needs of agriculture so they can better serve their customers.

“The Kansas Ag Bankers are proud to support Kansas agriculture,” Past President Ed Dewey said. “We are excited to donate $100,000 to the KSU Foundation and College of Agriculture for our Kansas Ag Bankers Scholarship to help ensure that Kansas agriculture stays strong. We have saved money for many years from our dues and earnings from our self-funded seminars and conventions to meet this goal of funding a scholarship.”

“We are very grateful for the generosity of the Kansas Ag Bankers in establishing this endowment,” said Dan Bernardo, head of the Department of Agricultural Economics. “Many of our students are interested in careers in lending and finance, and these scholarships will be of great assistance to them as they continue to cope with the rising cost of higher education. I applaud the Kansas Ag Bankers for their commitment to excellence in scholarship and leadership development.”

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