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Archive for November 2004

Seismic Micro-Technology gives software to KSU geology department

Ruggles family creates KSU scholarship for freshmen from smaller Kansas schools

11/17/04 — Seismic Micro-Technology gives software to KSU geology department

Seismic Micro-Technology Inc. (SMT), Houston, Texas, has made a gift of geoscience software worth $383,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation for the Department of Geology within the College of Arts and Sciences.

This software consists of the KINGDOM geoscience solution package, a PC Windows™ application including: 2d/3dPAK, EarthPAK, VuPAK, SynPAK, TracePAK and ModPAK. KINGDOM’s tight integration is designed to make geoscience interpretation more efficient and thorough. SMT has also agreed to provide software technical support and maintenance.

SMT has provided computer technology to the geoscience industry since 1984. SMT’s goal is to produce, provide and maintain quality PC interpretation software at a reasonable cost and the company is committed to a philosophy of excellence, flexibility and personal assistance.

“We’re pleased to provide KINGDOM software to Kansas State’s Department of Geology,” said Dr. Thomas A. Smith, president and founder of SMT. “SMT’s Educational Grant Program was introduced in 2001 and feedback from participating universities around the world has been quite positive. Many students who’ve used KINGDOM software through this program have communicated that they find the geophysical and geological tools easy to learn and logical to use, and that conducting actual projects with the same tools used by industry professionals has better prepared them to start their careers. We sincerely hope that the students at KSU benefit in this same way.”

“This generous gift will allow us to teach geoscience students state-of-the-art methodology that is widely used in industry,” said Mary Hubbard, head of the geology department. “Students will be able to view three-dimensional geophysical and geologic data in ways that enhance their understanding of the subsurface of our Earth’s crust. A further benefit is that these students will enter the job market with a running start using industry software.”

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11/10/04 — Ruggles family creates KSU scholarship for freshmen from smaller Kansas schools

Lee and Lea Ruggles, Manhattan, have made a commitment of $280,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Lee and Lea Ruggles Memorial Scholarship at Kansas State University.

The recipients of this scholarship will be incoming freshmen enrolled in any curriculum at Kansas State University, who are graduates of Kansas High Schools with a class size of less than 100 students. Eligibility is based on being in the top one-third of a graduating class, based on grade point average. Further consideration is given to students who participate in activities and demonstrate leadership.

A 30-year career Air Force officer, Col. Lee Ruggles first came to K-State, after graduating from the Air War College, to head the Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFROTC) program from 1964 to 1968. This program had great success, producing five Air Force general officers including Gen. Richard B. Myers (mechanical engineering, 1965), chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Lt. Gen. Ronald Keys (entomology, 1967) was designated as the top AFROTC cadet in the nation during his senior year.

During their Manhattan residence in the 1960s, Lee and Lea Ruggles developed strong ties and affection for K-State and Manhattan. Their five children all attended K-State, as well as two grandsons who are K-State graduates. In 1972, Col. Ruggles retired from the Air Force and returned to K-State as the director of Employee Relations until retiring from the university in 1985.

Both Lee and Lea Ruggles are 1942 graduates of Iowa State University, Ames. They are members of the K‑State Alumni Association, Beach Museum of Art, Director’s Club of the Mike Ahearn Scholarship Fund, Landon Lecture Patrons Program and Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State. Lee Ruggles has been a member of the Manhattan Rotary Club since 1964.

In the summer of 1994, Lee and Lea Ruggles sought out Pat Bosco, associate vice president for institutional advancement and dean of student life, who helped identify where there was a real need for new or additional scholarships. They discovered that many small Kansas high schools do not have adequate faculty resources in subjects like math and science, hindering their graduates in competition for scholarships. “We learned that many of these small high school students, when they finally enrolled here, did quite well and blossomed to find their potential at K-State,” said the Ruggles. “As we have a lot of confidence and respect for Dr. Pat Bosco and our enthusiasm and affection for K-State, we decided to establish the Lee and Lea Ruggles Memorial Scholarship at Kansas State University.”

“The Ruggles are a great K-State family who have found a very special way to help our university,” Bosco said. “We make it one of our highest priorities to recruit the best and brightest students from within our state. Students from smaller high schools don’t always have the best access to scholarship support. The Ruggles scholarship meets this need by ensuring that qualified students receive the opportunities they deserve.”

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