Archive for November 2005

11/11/05 — Topeka home economics leader establishes scholarship at K-State

The estate of Anita K. Laurent, founding member of the Topeka ( Kan.) Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, has made a gift of $200,000 to the Kansas State University Foundation Changing Lives Campaign to establish the Anita K. Laurent Scholarship in Human Ecology.

The purpose of the scholarship at K-State is to provide financial assistance to deserving full-time students enrolled in the College of Human Ecology. To be eligible to apply for the scholarship, students must have earned academic standing of sophomore or above and maintained a B or better grade average.

Beginning in fall 1974, and continuing through spring 2005, the Topeka Association of Family and Consumer Sciences had administered the scholarship trust and awarded more than $400,000 to students at Kansas State University and Pittsburg State University. In 2004, members in the association voted to divide the remaining assets — which had grown to more than $400,000 — to honor Anita K. Laurent’s legacy with an endowed scholarship in her name at each university.

Laurent was a long-time resident of Topeka. In 1909, she began teaching at the Harrison School in Topeka. In 1911, she took a leave of absence to study home economics at Kansas State College at Pittsburg, Kan. In 1912, she returned to Topeka to teach at the Lafayette School and continued teaching home economics in the Topeka school system for 34 years, retiring in 1944.

Laurent was highly respected in the Topeka community and a consummate home economist. She died April 5, 1973 in Topeka. A friend remembered her by saying, “Anita was always extremely proud of her heritage and well known for being outspoken and standing up for her principles, which were generally right.”

“The Anita K. Laurent Scholarship in Human Ecology will provide important financial support for deserving students,” said Carol Kellett, dean of the College of Human Ecology. “We are proud to honor the legacy of Anita Laurent as an outstanding professional and pay tribute to her leadership by awarding this scholarship to students who are fulfilling their goal of a college degree.”

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11/08/05 — New Jersey couple commits $1 million to K-State College of Veterinary Medicine

Steve and Colleen Hodes, Rockaway, N.J., have made a commitment of $1 million to the Kansas State University Foundation Changing Lives Campaign to establish the Steven and Colleen Hodes Faculty Distinction Award.

The recipient of this professorship will be a faculty member in the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University. This professorship will be part of the faculty of distinction program established by the Kansas Legislature in 2000 to encourage gifts by private donors to enhance the ability of state educational institutions to attract and retain faculty of distinction. The state acts as a partner, providing supplemental funding to the income earnings of each qualifying gift.

Steve Hodes earned a DVM from Kansas State University in 1979. He established the Hodes Veterinary Group and Mobile Veterinary Service in Mine Hill, N.J., in 1980. Hodes received the 2005 Alumni Recognition Award from the College of Veterinary Medicine, recognizing time and effort he has devoted to advancing veterinary medicine and for being an exemplary role model for future veterinarians.

Colleen Hodes graduated from Kansas State University in 1978 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education. While in school, she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She serves as CEO of Hodes Veterinary Group and is a student recruitment volunteer for K-State.

The Hodeses 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.

“To quote K-State Head Football Coach Bill Snyder, it has taken ‘good people, trust, discipline and hard work,’ for Colleen and I to be in a position to assist K-State,” Steve Hodes said.

“Dr. and Mrs. Hodes have given back to their alma mater in a way that will have a positive influence on thousands of future veterinary students,” said Ralph Richardson, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. “Without excellent faculty, we would not be able to maintain the high quality of teaching, research and service that has long been the hallmark of Kansas State University. Particularly in these times of reduced state support for higher education, this gift makes a major impact. We are deeply appreciative to Steve and Colleen for their support of K-State and vision for excellence.”

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11/04/05 — KSU Foundation names Worcester to development staff

Jake Worcester, Manhattan, Kan., has been named director of development for leadership studies for the Kansas State University Foundation. Worcester was previously employed as executive director for the Kansas FFA Foundation in Manhattan. Prior to that, he was program coordinator for Agriculture Future of America, Kansas City, Mo.

Worcester, a native of Hill City, Kan., earned a bachelor’s degree in agriculture from Kansas State University in 2001. He was the KSU student body president for the 2000-2001 school year.

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