Archive for July 2005

07/29/05 — Topeka couple honors parents by establishing funds at K-State

A $20,000 gift has been made to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Robert W. Lukens and Helen L. Lukens Hodler Memorial Scholarship in English and the Robert W. Lukens and Helen L. Lukens Hodler Fund for Sustainable Agriculture.

Marjorie and Lynn Van Buren, Topeka, Kan., have established the funds to honor Marjorie’s parents, Robert W. Lukens and Helen Lukens Hodler. The English scholarship will provide financial assistance to students enrolled in the Department of English in the College of Arts and Sciences at Kansas State University. Preference will go to an undergraduate sophomore, junior or senior student from Mitchell County, Kan., or a graduate of Beloit High School. The agriculture fund will provide financial assistance to the Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE) program in the College of Agriculture to promote the study and teaching of sustainable agriculture practices.

“Both of my parents were very appreciative and supportive of K-State,” Marjorie Van Buren said. “My dad was an innovator and leader in his farming practices, as was Mother in the teaching of writing and literature. I think they’d be pleased to be encouraging the study of English and of sustainable agriculture at K-State.”

The Lukenses farmed in rural Mitchell County, southwest of Beloit, Kan. Robert Lukens graduated from K-State in 1933 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture. He worked closely with Cooperative Extension service faculty both at the county and state level throughout his farming career. He died in 1975. Helen Lukens Hodler graduated from K-State in 1935 with a bachelor’s degree in English. She taught English at Beloit High School and other high schools in Kansas. She died in 2004. The Lukenses were longtime 4-H leaders and members of Hopewell United Presbyterian Church. Marjorie Van Buren earned a master’s degree in English in 1967 from K-State.

“The Robert W. Lukens and Helen L. Lukens Hodler Memorial Scholarship in English will provide much needed support and recognition for outstanding students majoring in English,” said Stephen White, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Marjorie and Lynn Van Buren’s generosity is greatly appreciated.”

“The future of agriculture in Kansas depends not only on production and profitability, but care for the environment and social responsibility,” said Bill Hargrove, director of KCARE. “The gift from the Van Burens will support our efforts to give today’s students the knowledge and skills they need to protect the environment and sustain rural communities while maintaining an economically viable agriculture.”

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07/22/05— Nashville couple commits funds for animal sciences department at K-State

Doug and P.J. Kitchen, Nashville, Tenn., have made a commitment of $100,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Doug and P.J. Kitchen Animal Science and Industry Excellence Fund.

This fund is established for the discretionary use by the Head of the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.

Doug Kitchen is a native of Maple Hill, Kan. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in animal husbandry. While in school, he was a member of block and bridle, Army ROTC and Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He is the managing director for Rosenthal Collins Group LLC in Nashville. Kitchen also serves as vice chairman of the board and lead director of the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool, a large grain-handling company in Canada; vice chairman of the board of National Futures Association; and chairman of the board of the Central Business Improvement District, Nashville.

P.J. Kitchen attended Middle Tennessee State University and serves on the board of directors for the Herb Society of Nashville.

The Kitchens are members of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State. They are also members of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

“A degree from Kansas State University has opened many doors for me, which would have otherwise been inaccessible,” Doug Kitchen said. “I’ve always been very proud of my degree from K-State and have received warm and complimentary responses about the school. Supporting higher education at K-State is one of the more worthy contributions one can make to society.”

“On behalf of the faculty and students I would like to express sincere gratitude to the Kitchens for this generous gift to the department,” said Janice Swanson, interim head for the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry. “The Kitchens are truly partners in our success. We are blessed with having animal sciences and industry alumni who care about maintaining the quality and accessibility of higher education for future generations of K-State students.”

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07/15/05 — Houston company pledges funds for K-State’s National Gas Machinery Laboratory

Universal Compression Inc., Houston, pledged $37,500 to sponsor the Universal Compression National Gas Machinery Laboratory Corporate Partnership.

The purpose of the partnership is to fund the National Gas Machinery Laboratory (NGML) program and research at Kansas State University. The NGML, an institute of the College of Engineering at Kansas State University, helps the pipeline industry supply the country with fuel. Home to the turbocharger test and research facility, the NGML provides the knowledge base and infrastructure to help the natural gas transmission industry develop clean-air technologies for the turbocharged reciprocating engines that power the natural gas pipelines. Comprised primarily of engineering undergraduate and graduate students, many team members accept positions upon graduation with the natural gas transmission industry.

“We are thrilled that Universal Compression will help us pursue the technological developments and educational programs needed to ensure that natural gas is delivered reliably, safely and with minimal environmental impact throughout the nation,” Kirby Chapman, NGML director and professor, said. “The future of the natural gas industry rests not only with technological advancements, but also with the intellect of tomorrow’s engineers. Through this pledge, Universal Compression demonstrates its long-term commitment to the industry.”

Universal Compression is a leading natural gas compression services company, providing a full range of contract compression, sales, operations, maintenance and fabrication services to natural gas producers, gathering systems, pipelines, refineries and petrochemical operations. Universal Compression is one of the largest compression services providers in the United States, with sales and service locations in every major domestic natural gas producing region, and has a growing presence internationally, with operations in Latin America, Canada and the Asia Pacific region.

“Universal Compression, along with the rest of the industry, has benefited from the efforts of the NGML for years, and we are glad to have the opportunity to better demonstrate our support for the program,” said Gerald Meinecke, Universal Compression's senior vice president of business development for their North America division.

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07/08/05 — Hund commits $400,000 for international agriculture studies

Elizabeth L. Hund, Oakland, Calif., has made a commitment of $400,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the College of Agriculture International Study Scholarship.

The purpose of the scholarship is to provide financial assistance for international study to female undergraduate students in the College of Agriculture. First preference shall be awarded to a female upper-class student with a grade point average of 3.2 or above enrolled in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry and who has not previously studied outside of the United States.

Hund, a native of Shawnee Mission, Kan., graduated from Kansas State University in 1979 with a bachelor’s degree in animal science. While at K-State, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She earned a master of business administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder in 1981.

Hund is the managing director of Rabobank International’s Western U.S. region and is responsible for the bank’s corporate agribusiness marketing efforts. She also serves on K-State’s College of Agriculture, Research and Extension Dean’s Advisory Council.

“Growing up in Kansas, and attending K-State helped me to know who I was, and what I valued,” Hund said. “Seeing other parts of the world, and learning about other cultures helped me to appreciate how small the world is, and how inter-dependent we all are. I feel so fortunate to be able to give back to the university, and I am hopeful that this scholarship program will help to broaden views and open dialogues to better address the challenges that agriculture faces.”

“This gift is critical in creating a greater global awareness for students in the College of Agriculture,” Dean Fred Cholick said. “Expanding the global understanding of our students is one of my personal initiatives for the college, and I greatly appreciate Lizz’s gift, as it will provide our students greater opportunities for employment and lead them to experience cultural differences in the small world we live in today.”

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07/08/05 — Houston couple commits $250,000 for K-State College of Business Administration

Charles D. and Sara B. Emel, Houston, have made a commitment of $250,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Charles D. and Sara B. Emel Endowed Scholarship and the Charles D. and Sara B. Emel Endowed Faculty Enhancement.

The funds were established to provide assistance to students and faculty in either the Department of Marketing or Department of Management in the College of Business Administration at Kansas State University. The recipient of the endowed scholarship is required to have a 2.75 grade point average while working 20 hours per week. The faculty enhancement fund was established to provide financial assistance to a faculty member in either the Department of Marketing or Department of Management.

“The student scholarship and faculty enhancement gifts from the Emels are a critical component in helping us to reward and retain the best and brightest students and faculty in the College of Business,” said Kevin Gwinner, interim head for the Department of Marketing. “The funds will help enable us to continue our role as the top business school in the region.”

“This gift will provide many students with a better opportunity to pursue their studies in management,” said Brian Niehoff, head for the Department of Management. “It will also help us retain the excellent faculty members who put so much effort into their classroom teaching. Mr. and Mrs. Emel are to be commended on their kindness and generosity.”

Charles Emel graduated from Kansas State University in 1967 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. While at K-State, he was a member of Acacia fraternity. After a career in the energy commodity trading business, he retired as a financial consultant with Merrill Lynch. Sara Emel attended K-State and was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

“During the past ten years, Sara and I became active with the Houston area Kansas State University Alumni Association,” Charles Emel said. “Renewing ties with alumni by attending watch parties, playing in the annual golf tournament and serving as board members made us realize the impact our Kansas State education provided us. We are proud of our Kansas State background and pleased our contribution will encourage the promise KSU holds for future graduates.”

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