Archive for October 2004

10/21/04 — Texan supports arts and sciences scholarships and fellowship at K-State

Mark A. Chapman, Sealy, Texas, has made a commitment of $81,500 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish three academic funds in the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University: Mark and Cheryl Chapman Fine Arts Scholarship, Mark A. Chapman Scholarship Fund and Colonel Peter Cullen Military History Fellowship.

The Mark and Cheryl Chapman Fine Arts Scholarship will be offered in the Department of Art for eligible students with a concentration in a fine arts area and who have completed the Concentration Admission Review process after the fourth semester. Preference for the Mark A. Chapman Scholarship Fund will be given to students majoring in history or political science and/or are graduates of Clay County Community High School, Clay Center, Kan. Recipients of the Colonel Peter Cullen Military History Fellowship must be graduate students who are enrolled in the Department of History and are studying military history. Preference will be given to students who are beginning their doctoral dissertation in military history.

Mark Chapman is a native of Clay Center, Kan. He graduated from K-State in 1965 with a dual bachelor’s degree in history and political science. While in college he lettered in football, track and softball, and was a member of Army ROTC and Acacia fraternity. A retired registered nurse, Cheryl Chapman is passionately interested in her new foundation, Prevent Unwanted Pets (PUPS), which assists in funding spaying and neutering of cats and dogs. In addition, she also attends to her oil interest and Mark Chapman’s oil and gas royalties. Retired Army Col. Peter Cullen was a 1965 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in history. While in college, he was in Army ROTC. Cullen earned a master’s degree in history at K-State in 1975. He died in June 2002.

“I love giving all types of scholarships because they help the recipients carve out a better life and solve the future problems in this unpredictable world,” Mark Chapman said. “In addition, a well-rounded education gives a broad view that we’re all in this together.”

“The Department of History has been genuinely touched by Mark’s gesture in establishing the graduate fellowship, not only because his generosity allows outstanding doctoral students to complete the research for their dissertations, but even more significantly, because of whom it honors,” said Sue Zschoche, chair of the history department. “Col. Peter Cullen is fondly remembered by our faculty as a talented, warm and generous man, and we are proud and deeply honored to offer this fellowship in his name.”

“The Mark and Cheryl Chapman Fine Arts Scholarship is unique in that it addresses an important stage in the education of talented students,” said Art Department Head Duane Noblett. “Financial support during the last four semesters of study greatly increases career choice opportunities while serving as a testimony to the value of visual art in society.”

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10/07/04 — Kansas State University ranks No. 1 in percentage of alumni giving

Kansas State University ’s recent domination of the Big 12 conference is not limited to athletics or academics. Based on just-released data, K-State’s 32 percent alumni support rate was eight points better than the second place Big 12 university and nearly twice the conference average. K-State’s alumni participation also ranked No. 1 nationally among public research/doctoral colleges and universities, edging out second place College of William and Mary with 31.53 percent.

According to the latest Council for Aid to Education report, K-State recorded 33,754 donors from among the 105,470 alumni solicited during the 2002-2003 academic year. K-State has been among the conference leaders since the Big 12 was formed, but has never ranked No. 1. For more than a decade, K-State alumni have ranked among the Top 10 nationally, based on percent participation of solicited alumni.

In the Big 12, the University of Kansas placed second at 24 percent (37,263 alumni donors and 155,208 alumni solicited) and the University of Texas was third with 23.34 percent (37,116 and 159,000). Eight of the conference universities received support from 20 percent or less of solicited alumni.

One of the keys to K-State’s alumni support is Telefund, the world’s largest all-volunteer telephone campaign for higher education. More than 1,500 student callers participated in Telefund 2004, and recorded pledges from more than 20,000 alumni. Gifts to Telefund 2004 totaled $1.6 million on pledges of $1.4 million, a 114 percent fulfillment rate.

“K-State has had a strong tradition of caring alumni who consistently support the university,” said Gary Hellebust, president and CEO of the KSU Foundation. “This No. 1 ranking presents a unique opportunity for us to acknowledge and thank these K-Staters for all that they do. Our alumni help K-State achieve levels of academic and athletic excellence that would otherwise not be possible.”

Kansas State University alumni and friends contributed a record $54.2 million to the KSU Foundation in the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2004. Donors committed an additional $16.7 million through pledges, bequests and other planned giving vehicles, bringing the total gift activity to $70.9 million.

Alumni participation at all Big 12 universities

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