Archive for February 2005

02/18/05 — KSU microbiology grad establishes scholarship in honor of former professor

Gail A. and Kevin M. Schinze, St. Joseph, Mo., have made a gift of $20,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Professor James E. Urban Award of Excellence in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.

The purpose of this award is to honor James E. Urban, a longtime KSU microbiology professor, and also provide financial assistance to students majoring in food or animal science in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry at K-State. Recipients must hold a minimum 3.0 grade point average and show a demonstrated interest in meat science and/or meat microbiology and safety. Second preference will be given to students in the science option of food or animal science studies.

Urban joined KSU’s Division of Biology in 1970, where his research efforts focused on mechanisms of bacteria growth, its regulation and environmental coping mechanisms. He employed numerous undergraduate and graduate students to work in his laboratory, including the scholarship donor, Kevin Schinze. Urban graduated from the University of Texas, Austin, with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology in 1965 and a doctorate in 1968.

Kevin Schinze earned a bachelor’s degree in microbiology at K-State in 1977. He is the president and chief operating officer of Phoenix Scientific Inc., the United States’ leader in differentiated generic animal health pharmaceutical products. Gail Schinze had careers at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health and Marion Laboratories. She retired from Marion to raise her four children and be a housewife. The Schinzes’ son, Jerrold C. Schinze, graduated from K-State in May 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in history.

“Life is like evolution and as individuals we evolve continuously,” Schinze said. “I was very blessed while at Kansas State to have Dr. Urban as my advisor. He was so many things to me as a young man that at the time I could not fully recognize and surely never thanked him enough. He shared his knowledge and wisdom with all of his students for the asking. He had tremendous ability to bring out questions and instill an excitement in the education process. He very much wanted you to leave K-State with the right tools to be successful in your career and also your life. For that, I will always be grateful.”

“Over the years Kevin has been an outstanding and selfless student, entrepreneur and friend, so his and Mrs. Schinze’s donation of this generous scholarship for worthy students is not really surprising,” Urban said. “What is a surprise, albeit an exceedingly gratifying one, is the fact that he made the award in my name. Knowing students like Kevin are the true reward of teaching.”

“We are honored to have the Schinzes establish a scholarship in the name of Professor Urban,” said Janice Swanson, interim head of the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. “Throughout his years of service to K-State, our animal and food science students have received the benefit of Professor Urban’s excellence in teaching and expertise in microbiology. The Schinzes’ emphasis on supporting a student in the area of meat science, meat microbiology and safety is timely and meaningful to our mission of assuring a healthful food supply, and a tribute to Professor Urban’s caring attitude toward our students.”

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02/03/05 — Technology company gives software to KSU apparel, textile and interior design department

Lectra USA Inc., Marietta, Ga., has made an in-kind gift of apparel and textile industry-specific software valued at $1.36 million to the Kansas State University Foundation for use by the Department of Apparel, Textiles and Interior Design (ATID) in the College of Human Ecology at Kansas State University.

The Lectra software package provides a variety of technology solutions in apparel design, product design, textile design, pattern making, markers, product development, sourcing and fabric design. The software solutions will be utilized in ATID’s curriculum and computer-aided design (CAD) lab. Nearly 300 students are enrolled in ATID at K-State.

Lectra is a world leader in providing a comprehensive range of high-technology solutions and related services to the major industrial users of textiles, leather and other soft materials. Through its Educational Partners Program, Lectra provides industry-leading technology to colleges and universities throughout North America. To meet the employment needs of its 17,000 customers worldwide, Lectra seeks to provide innovative technology and services to prepare students for career success in a competitive global marketplace. More than 100 educational institutions use Lectra technology in their classrooms to educate and train students. Lectra’s world headquarters is in Paris.

“We are proud to partner with Kansas State University because of the institution’s reputation and the administration’s commitment to preparing students for future success in industry,” said Tim Copeland, Lectra’s vice president of marketing in North America. “I have had the pleasure to work with Gwen O’Neal in her capacity as ATID department head and in her role as president of the International Textile and Apparel Association (ITAA). She is a tireless advocate for students and Kansas State University.”

“This software solution package from Lectra means the difference between our students having a very good education and an excellent education,” said Gwendolyn S. O’Neal, ATID department head. “This will help us prepare our students for a smooth transition from academe to industry, especially after having been trained with the latest industry technology. Lectra is indeed outstanding in its support of higher education, and we appreciate having the opportunity to be one of their educational partners.”

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