K-Statement

 

ICE CREAM SOCIAL AUG. 27 TO MARK TORNADO RECOVERY K-State faculty, staff and students are invited to celebrate tornado recovery with an ice cream social at 3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, on the lawn between Hale Library and Waters Hall. "K-State -- Better Than Ever" is the theme for the event hosted by President Jon Wefald, who will offer brief remarks at 3 p.m. The campus community will have an opportunity to celebrate successful clean-up efforts after the tornado that hit campus and the Manhattan area June 11. The last all-university ice cream social was in September 1986. CLASS ROSTERS MOVE TO iSIS Beginning this semester, all class enrollment management will take place in iSIS, the new student information system. Class rosters are available only online, both in iSIS and in K-State Online. Paper rosters will no longer be distributed. Besides improved efficiencies, this change allows K-State to better protect student identities, as the Social Security number no longer is the primary identifier on rosters.The Wildcat ID, or WID, takes its place. Instructions on how to access the class roster may be found on the iSIS faculty help page at http://www.k-state.edu/isishelp/faculty   NOTEWORTHY   Soontae An was among faculty members presenting at the 26th World Congress of the International Association for Media and Communication Research July 20-25 in Stockholm. More Noteworthy   On Campus - August   Aug. 28 McCain Performance Series The Golden Dragon Acrobats open McCain's Performance Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 28. The troupe draws on centuries-old Chinese entertainment traditions. Tickets cost $8-$25; call the box office at 532-6428 or buy online at http://www.k-state.edu/mccain/tickets/order.html Aug. 29 Library gala "A World of Friends," the annual library gala, will take place at 6:30 p.m. in Hale Library's Great Room. Tickets cost $85 for Friends of the K-State Libraries, $100 for non-members. To purchase, call Diane Landoll, 532-7343. Watercolor exhibition "As Big as All Outdoors: Watercolors from the Permanent Collection" runs through Sept. 13 at the Beach Museum of Art. This gathering of works from a range of periods and styles explores how artists such as Charles Marshall, John Steuart Curry and Joan Foth have described urban side streets and rural spots using this easy-to-transport but challenging medium. For museum hours and exhibition details, see the museum's Web site at http://www.k-state.edu/bma/

A time to give

For Cyreathia "Sam" Reyer, one of four co-chairs for the upcoming All-University Campaign for K-State, making a gift to K-State has been an easy decision. Read more

 

Stem cells carry anti-cancer drugs

K-State researchers are working on a method of delivering cancer drugs that promises to increase efficiency and reduce side effects. Read more

 

Professor has high hopes for transgender acceptance

Alley Stoughton is willing to answer questions about life as a transgender person if it will smooth the path for those who follow her. Read more

 

UP CLOSE

The political pet

Ronnie Elmore, associate dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, has some campaign advice for this year's presidential candidates: Put your pets front and center. Read more

 

PLAUDITS

 

DESAI NAMED ASSOCIATE DEAN FOR COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Anand Desai, associate professor and head of the department of finance in the College of Business Administration, will assume the role of associate dean and director of undergraduate programs for the college in early August.

Desai joined the College of Business Administration in 1994. He holds the ConocoPhillips Faculty Fellowship. He was appointed as head of the department of finance in 1998. Desai received his doctorate from the University of Michigan, master's degrees from Oklahoma State University and Iowa State University, and a bachelor's degree from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, India.

As associate dean, Desai will provide leadership and strategic direction to the college's undergraduate program. He will direct the college's efforts in student recruitment, enrollment, advising and retention. He also will oversee administration of the core curriculum in business, the college distance major in general business, the certificate program in international business and merit-based scholarships.

 

SAAK IS ASSISTANT DIRECTOR OF FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

Kim Saak has been promoted to assistant director of the office of student financial assistance. Saak previously served as a financial aid adviser in the office, which she joined in 2006.

In her new position, Saak will administer the Federal Academic Competitiveness Grant and the Federal National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grant. She also will assist with the implementation of the financial aid module for K-State's new student information system, iSIS.

Saak, who was a K-State 2007 classified employee of the year, earned bachelor's degrees in political science and finance and a master's in public administration, all from Iowa State University.

 

 

POINTS OF PRIDE K-State aviation in KC, Wichita Students and staff from K-State at Salina will represent the department of aviation at the Wichita Flight Festival, Aug. 22-24 at Col. James Jabara Airport, and at the Kansas City Aviation Expo, Aug. 23-24 at Wheeler Downtown Airport. The university's Cessna 172 with G1000 glass cockpit avionics and Beechcraft Bonanza will be on display at the Wichita festival. The Cessna also will visit Kansas City, along with a Beechcraft Baron.

 

 

OH, BY THE WAY

 

BOOK TO DOCUMENT HISTORY OF KANSAS BEEF

In anticipation of the state of Kansas' sesquicentennial activities in 2011, Kansas State University is looking ahead to celebrating the history of the Kansas beef industry.

"We are requesting stories, histories and pictures regarding the beef industry in Kansas," said Dan Thomson, associate professor and director of K-State's Beef Cattle Institute.

Thomson and assistant professor Justin Kastner have assembled a group of history, animal science, public health and pre-vet students to help produce a book and online video series to coincide with Kansas' 150th birthday in January 2011.

"We want to tell the stories of many of the people and institutions that have made Kansas beef what it is today," Thomson said. "We would love for ranchers and feedlot owners across Kansas to share their stories."

Thomson, who holds the Jones Professorship of Production Medicine in the College of Veterinary Medicine, invites people to submit stories, personal memories and company histories.

"This will be a student-centered project that will culminate in both a book and an online podcast series," Kastner said. "We have put together a ‘dream team' of graduate students and undergraduates from the Colleges of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, as well as the department of history."

Stories, histories, personal memories and photographs for "150 Years of Kansas Beef" may be submitted to:

Beef Cattle Institute (attn: 150 Years of Kansas Beef); College of Veterinary Medicine; Room 1D, Trotter Hall.

 

VISITORS DAY IS SEPT. 27 AT KONZA PRAIRIE

The opportunity for an up-close look at the Kansas Flint Hills and the tallgrass prairie will come when the Konza Prairie Biological Station holds its biennial Visitors Day, Saturday, Sept. 27.

The Konza Prairie Biological Station is a preeminent center for grassland research. The 8,600-acre native tallgrass prairie preserve is dedicated to a three-fold mission of long-term ecological research, education and prairie conservation.

For Visitors Day, the Konza will open its gates from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., offering guided access to its restricted areas and giving everyone the opportunity to see the bison herd or hike the trail system. Visitors also will see live animal displays and research exhibits at the station headquarters, while learning about tallgrass prairie conservation and management. Researchers, docents and staff will provide information about history of the site, Flint Hills geology, tallgrass prairie flora and fauna, and other natural history.

Other activities include driving tours of the bison enclosure, hay wagon rides, tours of the Hokanson homestead along Kings Creek and guided hikes. Special activities for youth will be at the Hulbert Education Center in the lower level of the ranch house.

"There's something for the whole family," said Valerie Wright, environmental educator for the Konza Prairie.

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES CLASSIFIED • A recording of classified job opportunities is available 24 hours a day on the Employment Information Line, 785-532-6271. • A list of employment opportunities is posted at www.k-state.edu/hr/ • For additional information, call 785-532-6277 or come to the Division of Human Resources in 103 Edwards Hall. Applications are accepted 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays. UNCLASSIFIED • A complete listing of vacancies can be seen at www.k-state.edu/affact/ • For additional information, call the office of affirmative action at 785-532-6220 or come by 214 Anderson Hall.