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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu

Information provided by K-State Media Relations, K-State's news service, may be reproduced without permission. The marks and names of Kansas State University are protected trademarks and may not be used in any commercial or private endeavor without the approval of the university.

Sources: Susan Scott, smscott@k-state.edu, 785-532-6085; Bob Shoop, rshoop@k-state.edu, 785-532-5533
Leadership studies on the Web: http://www.k-state.edu/leadership
News release prepared by: Cheryl May, 785-532-6415, may@k-state.edu

Friday, April 4, 2008

Groundbreaking April 18:
K-STATE'S RAPIDLY-GROWING LEADERSHIP STUDIES TO GET NEW HOME

MANHATTAN -- Today's economy demands leaders and Kansas State University students have responded to that need by making leadership studies K-State's largest academic program. Leadership studies has outgrown its modest space three times since its humble beginnings in 1997 and now is getting a new home.

K-State will have a ceremonial groundbreaking for a new three-story building for leadership studies at 3 p.m. Friday, April 18, at Old Campus Road and Mid-Campus Drive, directly across from Shellenberger Hall.

Warren and Mary Lynn Staley, Edina, Minn., contributed the lead gift for the 34,000 square foot facility, which is to be built exclusively with private funds. Warren Staley is the retired CEO of Cargill Inc.

"We are understandably excited," said Mike Holen, dean of K-State's College of Education. "Thanks to the Staley's generosity other supporters can see this dream becoming a reality. I am confident additional contributors will soon step forward to complete our fundraising efforts."

Warren and Mary Lynn Staley said, "In all of history the destiny of societies has been highly impacted by the quality of its leaders. K-State students have evidenced a desire to better their world by assuming roles in leadership. The university has offered them, on the highest of levels, the tools with which to make a positive difference. With pride we support this core value of education and K-State."

M. Duane Nellis, provost and senior vice president, said, "K-State's leadership studies program has gained national recognition for excellence. Now this beautiful new building will give our leadership studies faculty an opportunity to take these efforts to the next level with even more collaborative innovations."

"We have had phenomenal interest in the leaderships studies minor," said Susan Scott, assistant vice president and director of leadership studies and programs. She said no other major or minor at K-State tops the approximately 1,400 students from all K-State's colleges enrolled in leadership studies.

Scott said leadership studies and programs is an interdisciplinary minor designed to complement students' academic major while providing a formal, structured learning experience as part of the total leadership development process. The minor combines a theoretical focus with an emphasis on personal leadership development and practical
experiences.

"Leadership studies and programs has not only become the largest academic offering at K-State but has become a model for other beginning programs across the nation," Scott said.

The program gained national recognition by winning the inaugural national student Leadership Studies Harvard Case Study competition in November 2007.

K-State's was the first comprehensive leadership studies program in the Midwest, said Robert Shoop, director of the Cargill Center for Ethical Leadership. Shoop, with Scott, took the idea proposed by Pat Bosco, associate vice president and dean of student life, and started leadership studies at K-State. Many other schools offer various classes, but do not offer an interdisciplinary minor, Shoop said. In addition to an academic minor, leadership studies and programs also offers an expansive array of leadership programming for students, faculty and the community.

Included in the new building will be a 250-seat lecture hall; three seminar style classrooms; mid-size classrooms seating 50-60 students each; an academic advising center; resource library and study center; faculty offices and more.

Mike Smith, vice president for development at the KSU Foundation, said, "Our sincere thanks go out to Warren and Mary Lynn Staley and each of the very generous donors who have stepped up to support our leadership studies program. Fundraising for the leadership studies building will continue until our goal is achieved and all naming opportunities are claimed." For more information contact Smith at 785-532-7520.

Parking for those attending from off-campus will be available in the parking lot adjacent to Shellenberger on the west side of Mid-Campus Drive.