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K-State Today

June 4, 2012

Couple gifts to Kansas State University Salina to honor outgoing CEO/dean

Submitted by Andrew Zender

Linda (middle) and Robert (right) Haller gifted ,000 to create the Dennis Kuhlman Student Activity Fund. Kuhlman (left) will retire in June after 15 years as CEO and Dean of K-State Salina.

On May 31, administrators, faculty, staff, alumni and friends of Kansas State University Salina gathered to share remarks and recognize the retirement of CEO and Dean Dennis Kuhlman.

What Kuhlman didn't know is that he'd be surprised at the event with the news that Linda and Robert Haller, Eden Prairie, Minn., made a $25,000 gift to K-State Salina to create the Dennis Kuhlman Student Activity Fund, an endowed fund that will be used to support student activities, raise awareness of K-State Salina programs and promote campus and student life at K-State Salina.

"I am very humbled and honored that Linda and Bob created this fund," Kuhlman said. "No matter what it's called, the important thing is that their gift will be used to help the students of K-State Salina and provide opportunities for student organizations' continued success in the years to come."

The Hallers are owners of Haller and Associates, which provides financial and tax planning, bookkeeping and payroll services. They are members of the KSU Foundation’s President's Club and 1863 Circle, philanthropic leadership organizations for friends and alumni of K-State. Linda Haller is also a lifetime member of the K-State Alumni Association.

Linda Haller, a 1994 graduate of K-State, recently shared additional reflections on her history with K-State and the couple's inspiration to honor Kuhlman and his 15 years of service to the university.

How has K-State had an impact on you personally and professionally?

My husband and I followed his career and moved to Manhattan in 1981. We became involved in the athletic program through the foster parent program in place at that time, became season ticket holders in 1981 and still come back for the home games. I went back to school and earned my bachelor’s degree in management in 1994, which has allowed me to meet my career goals of owning my own business. My son, daughter and son-in law all graduated from K-State and my first grandchild will start in 2012.  Even though we no longer live in Manhattan, K-State is still a big part of our lives. 

Talk about your connection with Dean Kuhlman and K-State Salina.

In 1995, my husband's job transferred him to Salina. We knew Dennis and his wife Carol in Manhattan through our church, but it wasn't until he took the position at K-State Salina that we became very good friends. It was exciting to watch him work toward his goals and vision for the college. He was always very excited about what was happening there, and it just pulled us in. K-State Salina is very important and it makes K-State a better university as a whole. People who don't live in Manhattan or can't move there can still get the K-State experience in Salina.

What does it mean to you to honor Dean Kuhlman with this gift?

This is our way of acknowledging his hard work to expand the campus and its programs. It's amazing what he has accomplished in his 15 years there. Anyone who has been a part of K-State Salina has benefitted from his leadership. We hope that our gift will inspire others to contribute to the fund, which will provide the resources needed to help the campus continue to grow and prosper the same way it has under his leadership. Simply put, it's a way to say "thank you."

K-State faculty, staff, alumni, donors, friends or any other parties interested in making additional donations to the fund at K-State Salina are welcomed and encouraged to make an online contribution at www.found.ksu.edu/give/kuhlman.