Class leaders: Support for and from K-State faculty
Changing lives by: donors recognizing the need for the best faculty, and faculty giving back to the university
Doris Wright Carroll
Small things add up: Doris Wright Carroll, a K-State College of Education faculty member since 1999, established the G. Wright Multicultural Scholarship in 2001 to honor her father, a retired Santa Fe human resources manager.
“I started making smaller contributions through payroll deductions,” Doris said. “It was painless and allowed me to make consistent contributions — I couldn’t do it any other way.”
What people are saying: “Scholarships have given me the wonderful opportunity of attending college and receiving a quality education,” said Conolley Jan August, recipient of the Wright scholarship. “Thanks to the Wright family and other donors, I have been given the chance to pursue my aspirations to become a teacher.”
Paul and Sandra Edgerley
The need to support faculty: KSU Foundation trustees Paul and Sandra Edgerley, Brookline, Mass., were among the first donors to create faculty chairs under the Kansas Faculty of Distinction Program.
“Faculty salaries are valuable in making certain that K-State gains and keeps the highest quality faculty, which raises the quality of education our students receive,” Paul said.
What people are saying: “Annual gifts and endowments provide the resources to reward our faculty for excellence in their teaching, research and service,” said Jeff Katz, K-State assistant dean and director of graduate studies and professor of management who holds the Edgerley Family Chair in the College of Business Administration. “I hope my enthusiasm for education will help K-State students share my belief that lifelong learning is necessary for a better world."
Reigner Family
Professors from across the globe: The family of Victor L. Reigner established the Victor L. Reigner Traveling Chair, which brings nationally and internationally recognized architects to teach at K-State's College of Architecture, Planning and Design every year.
What people are saying: “The Regnier Traveling Chair program significantly enriches the Kansas State University architecture program,” said David Sachs, architecture department head. “It helps to expand the horizons of students and faculty members by allowing them the opportunity to work closely with an eminent architect who practices in a less familiar context.”
Howard Erickson
The greatest need: For people like Howard Erickson, professor of anatomy and physiology for the College of Veterinary Medicine, supporting K-State is a way to help meet those needs and inspire others to do the same.
“State support for higher education continues to decrease, and tuition continues to increase,” Howard said. “Faculty members are often the first to recognize the needs at K-State and therefore can set an example for alumni and others to contribute.”
Why he gave: Howard, a member of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees, said the students motivate him to give.