K-Statement

 

K-STATEMENT GOING ONLINE Starting July 2009, K-Statement will go digital. "State agencies in Kansas, including K-State, are facing budget cuts," said Cheryl May, assistant vice president for university relations and director of media relations. "Cutting back is necessary to meet the financial challenges we are facing." May said the decision to eliminate paper copies of K-Statement was not made lightly. "Over the years, I've resisted taking K-Statement exclusively online because I felt that employees without easy access to e-mail or the Internet at work would be disenfranchised," she said. "K-Statement is for every employee, not just those who have computer access." Halting the publication of K-Statement will also take income from printing services, which will have a financial impact on that unit. Because the contract to print K-Statement is pre-paid through the end of the fiscal year, the publication will continue in hard copy form until the end of June. Keep an eye out for further details about how to access K-Statement come July.   NOTEWORTHY   Cynthia Harris published "A Spot of Tea and Huckleberry Bread," EYE on Kansas online magazine, Winter 2009. More Noteworthy   On Campus - February   April 5 Sandbar and Trees in River "Sandbar and Trees in River" is on display through April 5 in the Wefald Gallery at K-State's Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. The watercolor with graphite was done by former K-State professor Roy Langford around 1950 and is one of more than 70 pieces recently donated to the museum by Langford's family. Photo courtesy of the Beach Museum of Art. Feb. 13-14 'Intimate Apparel' K-State Theater joins with Ebony Theater for a production of Lynn Nottage's critically acclaimed, "Intimate Apparel." The story, set in Manhattan in 1905, revolves around Esther who sews intimate apparel for a variety of clients. She hopes to one day open a beauty parlor. When she searches for a love of her own, she finds it long-distance with a stranger who compromises her dreams. 7:30 p.m., Nichols Theater. Call 532-6428 for ticket information. Feb. 18 'BaadAsssss Cinema: A Bold Look at '70s Blaxploitation Films' As part of the Black History Month film series, filmmaker Isaac Julien explores the enduring cult appeal of blaxploitation films, pulling footage from films like "Shaft" and "Superfly" and featuring interviews with Pam Grier and Richard Roundtree. 12:30 p.m., Dow Multicultural Resource Center, Hale Library. Feb. 20 'Aquila Theatre: Comedy of Errors' As part of the McCain Performance Series, the Aquila Theatre Company will present an imaginative and exuberant production of Shakespeare's classic comedy. 7:30 p.m., McCain Auditorium. Call 532-6428 for ticket information. Feb. 23 'Change How You See, Not How You Look.' As part of the 2009 Season of Nonviolence, Woody Winfree, founder of the I Am Beautiful Project, will cut through the cultural barbed wire about super-thin bodies and six-pack abs. 7 p.m., Forum Hall, K-State Student Union. Feb. 24 Free yoga class As part of Eating Disorders Awareness Week, a free yoga session will be offered, as well as some quick tips on how to improve body image. 7:30 p.m., Mind/Body Room, Recreation Complex. Feb. 25 'Dave Chappelle: For What it's Worth' As part of the Black History Month film series, Dave Chappelle pushes the envelope, tackling race relations and African-American popular culture. 12:30p.m., Dow Multicultural Resource Center, Hale Library. Feb. 26 IDT Roundtable Series: Second Life Showcase Several K-State professors will share their adventures in teaching with Second Life. 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Room 212, K-State Student Union. Feb. 26-28 'Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead' This parody puts the characters of the Peanuts comic strip in their teenage years, where we see them struggling with the things real life throws at them. A haunting and powerful ending. 7:30 p.m., Feb. 26-28, Purple Masque Theater, East Stadium. Call 532-6428 for ticket information.

K-State collaborates to fight cancer

The complementary nature of the cancer research programs at K-State and the University of Kansas make them ideal partners for fighting cancer. Read more

 

Flowers speak louder than words

Whether it's a dozen red roses, a single carnation or a flowering potted plant, the emotional power of giving flowers on Valentine's Day remains strong, according to Richard Mattson, a K-State professor of horticulture. Read more

 

UP CLOSE

The trappings of turtles

When she holds the small aqua-green turtle dish, Barbara Pearson is taken back to the warm, blue waters of Hawaii. She feels peaceful, relaxed, centered. It takes her back to a trip five years ago she took with her sister, a trip about family, rebirth and renewal. Read more

 

 

PLAUDITS

 

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC HONORS WESCH

Michael Wesch, K-State assistant professor of cultural anthropology and the Carnegie/CASE national professor of the year for research/doctoral universities, is one of the National Geographic Society's "Emerging Explorers" for 2009. The honor, which goes to only 10 people in the world each year, recognizes gifted individuals who have made a significant contribution to world knowledge while still early in their careers.

Each member of the National Geographic's Emerging Explorers Program, who may be selected from virtually any field, receives a $10,000 award to support research and further exploration.

Wesch said he is honored by the recognition because his curiosity as a researcher started with National Geographic some years ago.

"It was by paging through National Geographic magazines as a child that I first explored the world, so this is really a special honor for me," Wesch said. "It is really a sign of the times that after doing research in some of the most remote regions in the world I would ultimately gain recognition for my explorations of the Web."

Wesch first rose to prominence when a video he created to launch K-State's Digital Ethnography Working Group became a YouTube success. Released Jan. 31, 2007, "Web 2.0 ... The Machine is Us/ing Us" has been viewed nearly 9 million times and translated into more than 10 languages.

PROFESSOR RUSSELL RECEIVES TRANSPORTATION AWARD

Eugene R. Russell Sr., professor of civil engineering at K-State, recently received the 2008 Council of University Transportation Center Award for Distinguished Contribution to University Transportation Education and Research.

The award has been given annually since 1998 to identify individuals who have had a long history of significant and outstanding contribution to university transportation education and research resulting in a lasting contribution to transportation. Russell received the award Jan. 10 in Washington, D.C.

 

PICTURE PERFECT Wild Card A creatively adorned bike wheel outside Willard Hall. Time to update your professional portrait? March 3 and 4 Photo Services is shooting portraits for just $20. E-mail photo@k-state.edu to make your appointment. Also, check out: http://www.k-state.edu/photo for our new look and lower rates.

 

 

OH, BY THE WAY

 

DOCENT TRAINING TO START AT KONZ PRARIE FEB. 21

If you are interested in the tallgrass prairie, would like to learn more about grasslands and think you might enjoy introducing others to the joys of the prairie, K-State's Konza Prairie Biological Station has an opportunity for you.

New Konza Prairie docent orientation will begin Saturday, Feb. 21. The first orientation session, one of 13 sessions in the docent training, runs from 9 a.m. to noon.

Trained docents guide hikes and driving tours for public and school groups visiting the Konza Prairie. Other service opportunities include helping with K-12 student research activities, workdays and special projects. Docents also have the opportunity to attend educational in-service programs and social events.

At the first session, participants will be able to preview program materials, check out the training schedule, meet experienced docents and Konza Prairie staff and view a presentation about the Konza Prairie.

For more information call 785-587-0381, e-mail konzaed@k-state.edu or go to http://www.k-state.edu/konza/keep.

INFORMATION SYSTEMS' REPLACEMENT COMPLETE

The end of the fall semester marked the first semester completely managed with the new student information system, known as iSIS, and the final phase of the system's installation. It was also the final step in completing the LASER Project, K-State's largest ever information technology project.

LASER, which stands for Legacy Application Systems Empowered Replacement, began in 2002. The project's primary objectives were to move from the mainframe computing environment and replace the outdated financial and student information systems with new applications featuring advanced Web-based technologies. This charge had university-wide implications given the numerous business procedures across campus.

The result is a Web-based system available from anywhere at anytime, with information updated on a real-time basis. With the elimination of Social Security numbers as the primary identifier, iSIS also better protects personal information. The new system also is positioned to integrate more easily with other K-State systems, such as K-State Online, to improve the instructor experience in attending to administrative details.

DESIGN PROGRAMS RANKED AMONG BEST IN THE U.S.

A recent survey of architecture and design firms has ranked K-State's bachelor of interior design and interior architecture programs as the best in the nation, with three other architecture degree programs also earning top 10 rankings.

According to the 2009 survey of leading architecture and design professionals published in the journal DesignIntelligence, K-State ranks: First among bachelor of interior design and interior architecture programs; Second among master of interior design and interior architecture programs; Second among bachelor of landscape architecture programs; and Eighth among master of landscape architecture programs. K-State's master of architecture program also was ranked 11th.

For survey purposes, K-State's bachelor's programs in interior design and interior architecture and product design -- which are in different colleges -- are combined.
The annual survey is conducted by DesignIntelligence and the Design Futures Council, in conjunction with the Almanac of Architecture and Design.

 

OPPORTUNITIES CLASSIFIED • A recording of classified job opportunities is available 24 hours a day on the Employment Information Line, 785-532-6271. • A list of employment opportunities is posted at www.k-state.edu/hr/ • For additional information, call 785-532-6277 or come to the Division of Human Resources in 103 Edwards Hall. Applications are accepted 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays. UNCLASSIFIED • A complete listing of vacancies can be seen at www.k-state.edu/affact/ • For additional information, call the office of affirmative action at 785-532-6220 or come by 214 Anderson Hall.