Campus life
Traditions
As a K-Stater, you'll be part of a long line of those proud to wear purple. K-State was founded in 1863, so you'll find lots of traditions here.
Purple Power Play
Go crazy for the football team, watch fireworks and sample local cuisine at the annual Purple Power Play on Poyntz. Manhattan closes downtown's main drag on the Thursday and Friday nights before the first home football game for this citywide rally.
Homecoming
Students compete in various events to generate K-State spirit throughout Homecoming week. Today's activities include designing banners, performing group chants, painting windows in Aggieville and building parade floats.
'Wabash Cannonball'
Get on your feet, clap, bend and twist to this rousing anthem. After a fire destroyed the home of the music department in 1968, the band performed the only music that was left: "The Wabash Cannonball." Now doing "the Wabash" is a rite of passage.
K-State Proud
K-State students show their purple pride by donating to this all-university campaign. In its first five years students raised more than $450,000 to help their fellow students through the K-State Proud awards.
KS letters
High on a hill overlooking Manhattan, they're hard to miss. Engineering students plotted the 80-foot-tall "K" in 1921 and later added the "S" on K-Hill. The "U" was never added, but students still whitewash the letters every year.
Call Hall
Our campus dairy bar offers more than 30 flavors of student-made ice cream, including espresso ecstasy, chocolate brownie delight and a campus staple — purple pride.
Open House
More than 20,000 visitors show up every April to check out majors and campus and life. Experience K-State through performances, eating contests, science experiments and more.
Lean more
See a pdf sample of our viewbook for more information or Request Info online for your own personalized copy!
