News and Events

 

Past K-State First Book Events

Recorded past lectures and events can be found on the Past Books page.

News

Help K-State First Book select the common reading book for 2027

We started with "The Hunger Games" in 2010, we met "The Other Wes Moore" in 2015, we learned from George Takei with "They Called Us Enemy" in 2023, and we built community and became Better "Together" in 2025: What will be the common read in 2027?

K-State First celebrates annual award winners

Each year, K-State First aims to create an outstanding student experience for first-year Wildcats through programming centered on community-building and connection.

In gratitude to the faculty, staff and students who invest in the program's mission, K-State First has bestowed the following awards: First-Year Advocate, K-State First Book, K-State First Bosco Family Scholarship and K-State First Special Recognition Career Achievement. Read more here.

Building community from day one

From peer conversations to reimagined housing, K-State is reshaping the first-year experience through connection and collaboration. Learn more about our collaborative efforts across the university for our Better Together event.

K-State First hires Cosette O'Brien as our new learning assistant coordinator

After a national search, the Division of Academic Success and Student Affairs has named Cosette O'Brien as the learning assistant coordinator for K-State First.

O'Brien has served as a graduate teaching assistant in the department of English at Kansas State University. She worked closely with students as an instructor and mentor. O'Brien will continue to use their experience in teaching and communications in the new position. Welcome to the team, Cosette!

All Wildcats welcome at Better Together: Building Community One Story at a Time

If loneliness is the epidemic of our time, we have to get better together.

Data from the U.S. Surgeon General, Gallup and the World Health Organization shows reported loneliness is at an all-time high across the United States. Despite being more connected than ever through technology, many people feel less connected than ever.

The 2025 K-State common read, "Together" by U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, explores why connection is essential for health, happiness and success. Murthy explains how loneliness has become one of today’s biggest challenges, and how friendships, kindness and community can help people thrive. Learn more about the event and where to attend.

Nyle DiMarco engages K-State students with insights from "Deaf Utopia"

Nyle DiMarco, a renowned Deaf actor, producer, advocate, and author, captivated audiences at Kansas State University on Wednesday, Oct. 16, with a lecture centered around his memoir, "Deaf Utopia." Read more here.

Submit your proposal for a new learning community and/or first-year seminar!

We're looking for faculty/staff and departments who would like to offer new learning communities or first-year seminars for the 2025-2026 school year. Learn more here and submit your proposals to Dr. Brie Heidbreder by October 9 at heidbr@ksu.edu.

Create belonging at Wildcat Dialogues on Sept. 18

Mark your calendars for 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18! Wildcat Dialogues is an intercultural learning and leadership event designed for all first-year K-State students. This evening provides an opportunity for meaningful dialogue and building connections, as we work to create a community of belonging for all.

K-State First hires Pete Loganbill as our new learning assistant coordinator

Loganbill has served as a graduate teaching assistant in the department of English and the Welcome Center assistant at the Office of Recruitment and Admissions at Kansas State University. He has worked closely with students in both of these roles in the areas of mentorship and support. Loganbill will continue to use his experience in teaching and communications in his new position. Learn more here. Welcome to the team, Pete!

K-State to host Nyle DiMarco, author of 2024 common book 'Deaf Utopia'

Nyle DiMarco — a prominent Deaf actor, producer, advocate, model and author of the 2024 K-State common read "Deaf Utopia" — will give a public lecture about his book at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 16, at McCain Auditorium.

The hourlong lecture, which is free to the public, will explore DiMarco's memoir, which is an insight to his life and upbringing as a deaf person and a member of the Deaf community. Learn more here.

K-State First announces Deaf Utopia as the 2024 K-State First Book!

The critically acclaimed memoir of DiMarco — a Deaf actor, producer, advocate and model — will serve as a common point of academic discussion, programming and engagement for first-year students, as well as the university community at large, during the 2024-25 school year. Read more here.

Eiselein receives nation's top award for first-year student advocacy

In recognition of his career and relentless work to improve the first-year student experience, the National Resource Center for The First-Year Experience and Students in Transition this spring named Eiselein a 2024 Outstanding First-Year Student Advocate Award recipient. Read more here.

First-year students serve community, expand learning

Chance Lee, faculty instructor, wrote the following reflection about the work in his fall 2023 Leadership and Service CAT Community.