Archive for June 2005

06/30/05 — Strawn commits funds for K-State beef cattle research

M. Sandra Strawn, Nevada, Mo., has made a commitment of $30,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Al and Sandra Strawn Beef Cattle Research Fund.

The purpose of the fund is to provide financial assistance for beef cattle research in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry in the College of Agriculture at Kansas State University.

Al Strawn graduated from Kansas State University in 1962 with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture economics. He was a member of Delta Sigma Phi. Throughout his career, he worked as a feed salesman and nutrition consultant for Cargill. Al Strawn died in 2001. Sandra Strawn is a 1962 graduate of Kansas State University. She volunteers for the Council on Families in Crisis, serves on the Nevada Library Board, has assisted the Nevada Habitat for Humanity group, and is an instructor at Crowder College in Neosho, Mo., on the Nevada campus.

Sandra Strawn is a member of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State.

“Within Al Strawn’s last year of life and work with Cargill Animal Nutrition, he was the recipient of awards for the promotion of beef cattle feeds,” Strawn said. “All his working years involved livestock, and he particularly appreciated the association with cattlemen and women. His agriculture degree from KSU truly made his life’s work possible. It is with this in mind that I desire to share with the university that so enriched our lives.”

“On behalf of the faculty in the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, I would like to express sincere gratitude to Sandra Strawn for this generous gift to support our efforts in beef cattle research,” said Janice Swanson, interim department head. “Beef production is one of Kansas’ premier agricultural industries and a major source of our economic vitality. Our mission is to provide timely and progressive information and technology to the industry to keep Kansas positioned as a leader in beef cattle production and its allied food industry. This gift will help us to continue our mission.”

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06/30/05 — KSU construction science grad and wife pledge scholarship and enhancement funds

Chris and Kimberly Hess, Carlsbad, Calif., have made a commitment of $100,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Chris and Kimberly Hess Construction Science Scholarship and Chris and Kimberly Hess Architectural Engineering and Construction Science Department Education Enhancement Fund.

The construction science scholarship will be open to students enrolled in the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science who are majoring in construction science. Preference will be given to a student with acceptable academic performance who exemplifies industry leadership potential. The departmental enhancement fund will be used to promote excellence in academic programs through financial support of faculty and student enrichment, and leadership opportunities.

Chris Hess is a native of Burlington, Kan. He is a 1984 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in construction science. While in college, he was a member of Steel Ring. Kimberly Hess is a Boulder, Colo., native. She earned a bachelor’s degree in finance at California State University, Long Beach, in 1990.

The Hesses are members of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State.

“Kimberly and I are fortunate to be able to give back to K-State, which provided a springboard for my career path and our life together in San Diego,” Hess said. “We look forward to assisting the future students in the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science who will become leaders in our industry.”

“The commitment that Chris and Kimberly have made to the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science goes much deeper than their donation,” department Head David Fritchen said. “They are truly dedicated to excellence in engineering and construction education and both give generously of their time and resources to support the profession. The Hesses understand the important role that education plays in creating future opportunities for our students and we sincerely appreciate their continued support.”

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06/30/05 — California company puts together construction science scholarship at K-State

Lusardi Construction Company, San Marcos, Calif., has made a gift of $25,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Lusardi Construction Company Scholarship. The recipient of this scholarship will be a student in the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science who is majoring in construction science in the College of Engineering at K-State.

Lusardi Construction is a full-service general contracting company based in California. It is an accomplished builder of commercial, office, research and development, manufacturing, biotech, medical, educational, religious, civic, entertainment and performing arts projects, as well as high-end custom private residences. Cumulative construction exceeds 35 million square feet, and awarded contracts are in excess of $1.7 billion. Lusardi is fully skilled in concrete, steel, masonry and wood construction; where practical, it does its own grading, site concrete, building concrete, and rough and finished carpentry.

“We have enjoyed other KSU graduates over the years, and continue to do so, because we have always found them to be honest and enthused about the construction industry,” said Chris Hess, vice president of operations for Lusardi and 1988 K-State construction science graduate. “K-State provides the tools and reinforces the moral character that has always made up the foundation of Lusardi Construction Company.”

“We sincerely appreciate the commitment of Lusardi Construction Company to construction education through this scholarship,” said David Fritchen, head of the Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science. “Lusardi Construction Company is a quality company and employs many of our talented construction science and management graduates. This scholarship is a reflection of its continued commitment to excellence in construction education, the department and its future employees.”

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06/30/05 — KSU Foundation names Murrell, Hund and Broce to development staff

Thaddeus Murrell, Junction City, Kan.; Aaron Hund, Leavenworth, Kan.; and Bruce Broce, Manhattan, Kan., have been appointed to the development team at the Kansas State University Foundation.

Murrell joins the foundation as director of development for Diversity and International Programs at Kansas State University. He was previously employed as a management and marketing consultant with T.P. Marketing in Junction City. Prior to that, he was the national marketing director for T.S.I. in Junction City.

Murrell earned a bachelor’s degree in general management and entrepreneurship at K-State in 2003. He completed an MBA at K-State in 2005. Murrell was a Willie Davis and Dow Scholar. While in college, he was the president of the Multicultural Business Student Association, assistant to the director of multicultural programs and conference coordinator for the Big 12 Conference on Black Student Government for the 2003-2004 school year. Murrell created, organized and chaired the Diversity in Action conference held March 11, 2005, which featured a diversity panel discussion, workshop, multicultural awareness fair, spoken word entertainment and a guest lecture by Kwame Jackson of “The Apprentice.”

Hund has been named director of development for the Livestock and Meat Industry Council (LMIC) and Animal Sciences and Industry (ASI). He will be working directly with the College of Agriculture at K-State. He was previously employed in customer service and sales with Heritage Trading Company of Kansas City, Mo. Prior to that, Hund was an account specialist for Land O’Lakes Purina Feed, serving local cooperatives and independent dealers in the state of Kansas. He is the former chair of the Leavenworth County Extension Board. Hund earned a bachelor’s degree in animal science at K-State in 1996.

Broce has been named director of development for the College of Architecture, Planning, and Design. Broce has been working on a dissertation on cultural anthropology at Temple University, Philadelphia, based largely on his experience as executive director of the anthropology department for the Truth Commission of Panama from 2001 to 2002. Prior to that, he has served as adjunct faculty at the University of Vermont, Burlington, and as an anthropology instructor at Temple University.

Broce earned a bachelor’s degree in anthropology at K-State in 1994. He earned a master’s in anthropology at Temple University in 2000.

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06/27/05 — Kansas Bar Association honors KSU Foundation for annual seminar

The Kansas State University Foundation was recognized today with a resolution of gratitude from the Kansas Bar Association (KBA) by its president, Richard F. Hayse. This resolution is believed to be the first of its kind to any outside organization not specifically affiliated with the Kansas Bar. The resolution recognizes the foundation for its support and sponsorship of continuing legal education (CLE) programs.

The foundation organizes an event, the Annual CLE “Slam Dunk” seminar, which is considered as the bar’s most anticipated and popular CLE program in the state of Kansas, according to the resolution. Additionally, it receives some of the highest ratings of any conference in Kansas for its programming, professionalism and the cordial reception by its hosts. The popularity of the seminar is enhanced by being held in conjunction with the annual KSU-vs-KU mens’ basketball game held in Manhattan, hence the name “Slam Dunk.” The seminar provides continuing education in many areas including estate planning, criminal, civil litigation, corporations and ethics. Past speakers have included Kansas Supreme Court and Federal District judges, representatives from the offices of Senator Pat Roberts and U.S. Representatives Dennis Moore and Jerry Moran, and other leading experts in their fields.

The KBA was founded in 1882 as a voluntary association for dedicated legal professionals and has approximately 6,500 members, including lawyers, judges, law students and legal assistants. The KBA is dedicated to: advancing the professionalism and legal skills of lawyers, promoting the interests of the legal profession, providing services to its members, advocating positions on law-related issues, encouraging public understanding of the law, and promoting the effective administration of our system of justice. For more information about the Kansas Bar Association, call (785) 234-5696 or e-mail info@ksbar.org. (Web site: http://www.ksbar.org/)

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06/24/05 — Moores establish three scholarships at K-State

Norman K. “Sam” and deAnn Moore, Mission Hills, Kan., have made commitments totaling $630,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Norman K. “Sam” Moore Scholarship, deAnn Johnston Moore Kappa Delta Scholarship and Norman K. “Sam” Moore Kappa Sigma Scholarship, as well as to support Friends of the Beach Museum of Art, College of Business Administration, Ahearn Athletic Scholarship Fund, Friends of the Library, and several other programs at Kansas State University.

The recipients of the Norman K. “Sam” Moore Scholarship will be one male and one female graduate of Holton ( Kan.) High School properly enrolled in any curriculum at K-State. The recipient of the deAnn Johnston Moore Kappa Delta Scholarship will be any initiated member of the Kappa Delta sorority in the Sigma Gamma chapter who is properly enrolled in any curriculum at K-State. The recipient of the Norman K. “Sam” Moore Kappa Sigma Scholarship will be any initiated member of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity in the Gamma Chi Chapter who is properly enrolled in any curriculum at K-State.

Sam Moore is originally from Holton, Kan. He graduated from Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1959 and is a member of Kappa Sigma fraternity. deAnn Moore, also an alumna of Kansas State University and a member of Kappa Delta sorority grew up in the Kansas City area in Johnson County, Kan. The Moores are currently sales associates with Reece and Nichols Realtors in the Kansas City area. They are Denison Society level members of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State.

“These scholarships are for the betterment of K-State and to provide assistance to future students from deAnn’s sorority, my hometown and my fraternity,” Sam Moore said. “I feel that much of my success in business was due to my education and development at K-State.”

“It is a pleasure to give back to K-State,” de Ann Moore said. “Sam and I met at K-State and we share so many wonderful memories of good times and we have enjoyed lifelong friendships.”

“The Moores are wonderful K-Staters,” said Pat Bosco, dean of student life and associate vice president for institutional advancement. “These scholarship commitments are excellent examples of the kind of interest, passion and care they have for our school. They have found three very distinct ways to create educational opportunities for students at K-State.”

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06/24/05 — Wichita couple funds annual fellowship in molecular biology

Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek, Wichita, Kan., have made a commitment of $400,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to supplement the Alvin and RosaLee Sarachek Predoctoral Honors Fellowship in Molecular Biology, which was established in 2002.

The purpose of the fellowship is to enhance career development of Kansas State University graduate students who are in the terminal portion of their doctoral programs and have given evidence of outstanding scholarly achievement in any field of study relying significantly on application of contemporary molecular biological techniques.

Four students have received this award since 2002: Thomas E. Clarke, Israel Muro, Akiko Sugio and David Hogenkamp.

Alvin Sarachek received his Ph.D. in genetics at Kansas State University in 1957. After postdoctoral study in microbial biochemistry at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology at Rutgers, Piscataway, N.J., he joined K-State professor Val Woodward in founding the Department of Biology at Wichita University (now Wichita State University) in 1958. He served as department chairman for 14 years and retired as a distinguished professor of biological sciences in 1992. Throughout his professional career, Sarachek has served continuously with various private and governmental agencies including the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission, Department of Energy and National Science Foundation.

RosaLee ( Ireland) Sarachek, a native of Leon, Kan., earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in biology and a bachelor’s degree in medical technology, all from WSU. She was a medical technologist at St. Francis Medical Center and St. Joseph Hospital and Rehabilitation Center in Wichita. She also served as the first chairperson of the medical technology program in the then newly formed College of Health Related Professions at WSU.

The Saracheks are members of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State.

“Personal and professional choices immediately following receipt of a Ph.D. can be particularly crucial to the long term career development of a scientist,” Alvin Sarachek said. “We’ve long thought that the sort of special recognition and substantial stipend provided by the honors fellowship can expand the range and freedom of choices for persons who have demonstrated exceptional promise during doctoral studies. The post-award records of the four fellowship awardees to date have borne out those expectations: we've been delighted by the exceptionally fine scholarship, and with the responsible leadership of the KSU administration in instituting and overseeing the fellowship program.”

“Al and RosaLee Sarachek showed great vision by creating this unique fellowship, and even more importantly, they have shown great follow-through by funding the award continuously since 2002,” said Forrest Chumley, associate director for research, K-State Research & Extension. “David is the fourth outstanding young scientist to have been helped in a major way with launching their research careers. We are truly grateful for the Saracheks’ vote of confidence in the future of K-State and the students we are training.”

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06/16/05 — Former Kansan creates federal loan repayment scholarship in KSU College of Engineering

E. Eugene Carter, Washington, D.C., has made an initial gift of $400,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the E. Eugene Carter Engineering Opportunity Award.

The purpose of this gift is to provide repayment of loans under the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program to students receiving an undergraduate degree from the College of Engineering at Kansas State University. The recipient of this scholarship must qualify for and have obtained subsidized student loans through the Federal Stafford Student Loan Program and graduate from the College of Engineering at Kansas State University. The preferred recipient of this award will be a student who is female, an immigrant or a person whose parents were immigrants, an underrepresented minority in the College of Engineering or a first-generation college student. Students may apply for this award through the K-State Office of Student Financial Assistance (http://www.ksu.edu/sfa/). The typical applicant should be a sophomore or junior, and the award is specifically designed to encourage students to complete their education, since the funds for this scholarship can be used for loan repayment only after the recipients’ graduation from the College of Engineering.

Carter is a native of Wichita, Kan. He has worked in industrial administration and finance, and has been an assistant professor at Harvard Business School; visiting associate professor at MIT’s Sloan School of Management; chair of the finance department at the University of Illinois, Chicago; and professor of finance and associate dean at the University of Maryland College of Business, College Park. Carter and his wife, Rita Rodriguez, co-authored three editions of a textbook on international corporate finance. In 2000, Carter established the Ernest N. Carter Women in Engineering and Science Program (WESP) Scholarship at K-State in honor of his father, as well as his wife and daughter. Carter’s daughter graduated in mathematics from Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, N.Y. and is a graphic design artist in New York City.

“We need more and better engineers at all levels in this country, and I think women can bring a unique perspective to many engineering issues,” Carter said. “Moreover, immigrants have played a tremendous role in the growth of our country’s economy and the development of our culture over the decades. Thus, I would like to assist both groups in their education in a field I care deeply about, and at a major public university.”

“Eugene Carter is making a huge difference for female engineering students at K-State,” said Kimberly Douglas, director of WESP. “Through the years, the Ernest N. Carter Scholarship has supported exceptional engineering students who happen to be women. The E. Eugene Carter Engineering Opportunity Award takes this commitment to K-State students to a much higher level by allowing the recipient to leave K-State with an engineering degree in hand and their Stafford loans repaid. Can you imagine leaving college with your loans washed away?”

“Eugene Carter, who is an engineer at heart, not only touches the lives of our students with this award, but will improve the discipline by bringing a more diverse perspective to engineering,” said Terry King, dean of the College of Engineering. “Through this generous gift, Carter is ensuring that others with a passion for engineering will be able to realize their goals and dreams.”

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06/16/05 — Arkansas couple pledges professorship for K-State engineering college

Dean A. and Sharon Skaer, Little Rock, Ark., have made a commitment of $500,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Dean A. Skaer Engineering Professorship in the College of Engineering at Kansas State University.

The purpose of this chair is to recruit and retain the highest quality faculty in the College of Engineering. This chair will qualify for the Kansas Partnership for the Faculty of Distinction Program, which was enacted by the Kansas Legislature in 2000. The state provides supplemental funding when donors give at least $500,000 for an endowed professorship/chair at one of the state regents institutions.

Dean Skaer is a native of Augusta, Kan. He is a 1960 graduate of Kansas State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. While in college he was a member of Beta Theta Pi fraternity and lettered on the K-State football team. Sharon Skaer is originally from Kirwin, Kan. She attended Kansas State University in 1958 and 1959, and Fort Hayes State in 1959 and 1960. After the death of their original spouses, Dean and Sharon were married Feb. 24, 2004.

The Skaers are members of Presidents Club, a KSU Foundation leadership organization for friends and alumni of K-State.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my years at K-State and a 32-year career with 3M,” Dean Skaer said. “While working, I had the opportunity to realize the value of the high quality education I received. Now it’s payback time. I have been afforded the opportunity to help K-State enhance its reputation of attracting and maintaining outstanding engineering educators. The establishment of this engineering professorship is intended to help accomplish this objective.”

“This type of faculty support will continue to advance our reputation as a first-rate educational institution,” said Terry King, dean of the College of Engineering. “The Skaers’ gift will enable us to say, in a tangible way, to present and future professors: ‘At Kansas State, teaching and research excellence will be recognized and rewarded.’”

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06/02/05 — McKeen family and friends establish memorial scholarship

Charles and Nancy McKeen, Liberal, Kan., along with family and friends have made gifts totaling $50,685 since 2000 to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the William F. McKeen III Memorial Scholarship.

The purpose of this endowment is to honor William McKeen, son of Charles and Nancy McKeen. Preference will be given to juniors or seniors from Seward County, Kan., with a declared major in English.

William McKeen was a native of Liberal, Kan. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1994 with a degree in English. While at K-State, McKeen was a reporter under various news departments and a weekly columnist for the Collegian. He was also a member of the Golden Key Honor Society and Sigma Nu. McKeen continued his schooling at Texas State University, San Marcos, where he was a member of Sigma Tau Delta. He died March 13, 2000. Texas State University awarded him a posthumous master’s degree May 12, 2000.

This summer, Texas State University is publishing a book of McKeen’s poems and journal entries from travels to New Zealand and remembrances from friends and acquaintances. Copies of the book will be given to recipients in the McKeen scholarship programs at Texas State, Seward County Community College, Liberal, and Kansas State University. Additional copies of the book will be available through Mr. and Mrs. McKeen at no charge; they only ask that a donation to one of the scholarships be considered (donation information is in the book).

Three K-State students have received the McKeen scholarship since 2001: Jessie Coleman, senior in biochemistry; Chad Wilson, sophomore in political science; and Paige Tibbetts, senior in mass communications.

“We are so thankful that these scholarships will perpetuate the memory of our son and we thank everyone who has contributed,” Nancy and Charles McKeen said.

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