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Media Relations
Kansas State University
9 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506
785-532-6415
media@k-state.edu
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Sources: Susan Addington, 31-828-7483, Susan.addington@fmkfoundation.org;
Theresa Johnson, 316-828-7369, Theresa.Johnson@kochind.com; and
Myra Gordon, 785-532-6276, mygordon@k-state.edu

Thursday, Feb. 14, 2008

FRED C. AND MARY R. KOCH FOUNDATION AND KOCH INDUSTRIES TO DONATE $400,000 TO SUPPORT DIVERSITY AT K-STATE

MANHATTAN -- The Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation and Koch Industries Inc. have announced donations totaling $400,000 to the Kansas State University office of diversity to increase enrollment of multicultural students and help them succeed in college.

The grants will support Project IMPACT to provide recruiting and mentoring programs, scholarships and a diversity faculty fellowship in the K-State department of accounting. The Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation's contribution of $220,000 will fund a College for a Day program at K-State for high school and community college students. Koch Industries will donate $180,000 for programming that focuses on student scholarships, mentoring and retention.

"Our goal is to change the way our students think about their lives," said Liz Koch, president of the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation. "We want to help young people envision the possibilities open to them and what more they can achieve if they will pursue a college education. The opportunities are endless."

"Koch companies are committed to fostering a diverse work force and creating opportunities for students of all backgrounds," said Dale Gibbens, vice president, human resources for Koch Industries Inc. "We are pleased to partner with K-State to help minority students prepare for successful careers whether at Koch or other companies."

Myra Gordon, K-State's associate provost for diversity and dual career development, said more African-American and Hispanic students are graduating from high school than ever before, but many are not going to college. In addition, many who start college don't stay to graduate.

"For many multicultural students, the problem is often lack of exposure and academic under-preparedness," Gordon said. "For others, the problem may be cultural or financial. But whatever the reason, we need to be aggressive about fixing the problems."

The four-year commitment to Project IMPACT includes:

* Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation College for a Day Institutes. One-day, on-campus programs for high school and community college students to immerse them in the fields of business and engineering and show how those disciplines connect to careers. Seven annual institute sessions will serve 75 students each.

* Project IMPACT Relationship Recruiting. A program of enhanced, personalized connections, including scholarship support, to recruit minority students with an interest in obtaining accounting or finance degrees at K-State.

* Project IMPACT Retention. A program focused on retaining multicultural students in business and ensuring their success. This program has a number of components, including a faculty member selected to serve as the Koch Diversity Faculty Fellow at K-State.

Koch Industries partners with a number of organizations that mentor minority youth, such as Urban League, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Boys and Girls Clubs and Youth Entrepreneurs Kansas. The company will work with these and other groups to foster statewide participation in Project IMPACT.

"The Fred and Mary Koch Foundation and Koch Industries invest in accordance with their goals, objectives and philosophies," Gordon said. "These investments already include diversity. They support programs which develop leadership, academic excellence and an appreciation of market-based free enterprise among young people all across Kansas."

For more information on Project IMPACT, contact Susan Addington, community relations manager, Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation, at 316-828-7483 or susan.addington@fmkfoundation.org; Theresa Johnson, director, communication, Koch Industries, Inc., at 316-828-7369 or Theresa.Johnson@kochind.com; or Myra Gordon, K-State associate provost for diversity and dual career development, at 785-532-6276 or mygordon@k-state.edu

Established in 1953, the Fred C. and Mary R. Koch Foundation focuses on non-profit organizations that enhance the quality of life in Kansas. The Foundation directs its support toward organizations involved with the arts and art education, environmental stewardship, human services, and enabling at-risk youth. Fred and Mary Koch, the donors for whom the foundation is named, shared a passion for education and a love of the outdoors. Mary Koch (1907–1990), a 1929 graduate of Wellesley College, was widely recognized and known for her contributions to the arts. Fred Koch (1900–1967), graduated from MIT in 1922 and co-founded what is now Koch Industries, Inc. in 1940. More information is available at http://www.fmkfoundation.org

Based in Wichita, Kan., Koch Industries, Inc. owns a diverse group of companies involved in refining and chemicals; process and pollution control equipment and technologies; minerals and fertilizers; fibers and polymers; commodity and financial trading and services; and forest and consumer products. Koch companies have a presence in nearly 60 countries and employ about 80,000 people. With more than $90 billion dollars in revenues, Koch Industries is the largest private company in America according to Forbes magazine. More information on Koch Industries is available at http://www.kochind.com