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K-State Today

September 15, 2011

Department of agricultural economics honoring distinguished alum with banquet; honoree will share experiences in presentation

Submitted by Shannon Krueger

Sister Fran with Zimbabwe Career Development Education Support

Sister Mary Frances Kobets will share experiences from her 40-year career improving health, nutrition and educational opportunities in Africa at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, in the K-State Student Union Little Theater. The presentation is open to the public.

Kobets is being honored as the 2011 Distinguished Alumna for the K-State department of agricultural economics.

“Sister Fran has combined her knowledge of agriculture with her calling to help people,” said David Lambert, head of the department of agricultural economics. “She is one of the many K-State graduates who have made a positive impact on people’s lives.”

In 1969, Kobets became one of the first two women to earn a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics. She continued her studies at K-State, earning a master’s degree in animal sciences in 1980 prior to her African work.

For the past 10 years, she has worked in Zimbabwe in career development education support, helping children orphaned by AIDS victims get an education, acquire life skills and learn to care for their extended families.

“Please join us as Sister Fran shares her experiences of applying the skills she learned at K-State to improve the lives of the thousands of people with whom she has worked,” Lambert said.

The public presentation precedes the department’s annual Student and Alumni Awards Banquet, where Kobets will share her career experiences with students, faculty, alumni and guests.