Media advisory: Media invited to attend open forums, other K-State community visit events from Nov. 7-9
Tuesday, Oct. 31, 2023
Kansas State University continues touring the state as part of the community visit initiative that focuses on building K-State as the university for the people of Kansas.
ANNOUNCEMENT: As part of the Kansas State University presidential community visit initiative, K-State will spend Nov. 7-9 visiting several county regions: Barton County, Ellis County, Norton County, Phillips County and Smith County.
The community visit across five counties includes several days of activities to engage with, listen to and learn from Kansans in the Great Bend, Hays, Norton, Phillipsburg and Smith Center regions. Read the news release with more information.
K-State leaders and Connected 'Cats students will lead several events, including community conversations, recruitment activities and events to highlight university partnerships and K-State Research and Extension relationships.
The Connected 'Cats students for the Barton County and Ellis County portion of the visit include Jocelyn Rigler, sophomore in biology, Hays, and Rachel Sebesta, junior in agricultural education and global food systems leadership, Wilson.
The Connected 'Cats students for the Phillips County, Norton County and Smith County portion of the visit include Kagan Keeten, senior in agribusiness, Glade, and Meg Keeten, senior in communications sciences and disorders, Phillipsburg.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS: View a schedule with full details for the Nov. 7-9 community visit.
Media are invited to attend the two community open forums:
• 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 7, at the Great Bend Events Center, 3111 10th St., Great Bend.
• 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Bullseye Event Center, 118 S. Kansas Ave., Norton.
Both community open forums are free and open to all Kansans: community members, leaders, families, current and future students, and parents. The events also will include free K-State Call Hall ice cream.
Media also are invited to attend other events throughout the multiday community visit:
• Spotlight session: Safe water management for the health of all, 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at the Kansas Wetlands Education Center, 592 NE K 156 Hwy, Great Bend. Join a conversation with local Barton County entities and K-State to learn of current projects and resources to spread awareness of good water practices for locals, the region and generations to come.
• Spotlight session: Child care partnerships across all industries, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, at Thristy's Brew Pub, 2704 Vine Street, Hays. Affordable and quality child care plays a significant role in shaping our communities. Join a conversation with leaders in the Child Care Task Force of Ellis County, Nex-Tech, the Innovation Center and other organizations as they discuss collaborative child care efforts and the significance of industry partnerships to continue making countywide progress.
• Spotlight session: K-State 105; Advancing Kansas communities and businesses, 9-10:15 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at Heaton Building, The Gallery, 112 S. Kansas, Suite 203, Norton. Learn more about K-State 105 initiative and participate in the discussion with the Innovation Center and local business and community leaders. Together, we will brainstorm ways K-State or other key partners can help leverage resources to better serve the region.
• Spotlight session: Cultivating production agriculture partnership for all, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, at the Huck Boyd Community Center, 860 Park St., Phillipsburg. Production agriculture plays a significant role in our communities and the entire state of Kansas. Join a conversation with Amber Wave, K-State and other organizations as they discuss ways to improve agriculture in Kansas.
• Spotlight session: How support for child care can lead to community growth, 2-3 p.m., Srader Building, 119 W. Court Street A, Smith Center. Join K-State and child care advocates from Smith County and the surrounding region for a conversation on how organizations are working to address child care needs in their communities.
Additionally, surprise educator awards will be distributed at area high schools throughout the day. Media members should contact media@k-state.edu to attend these events and to get further details.
ARRANGEMENTS: Media members attending the Nov. 7 and Nov. 8 community open forums should RSVP to media@k-state.edu by noon Monday, Nov. 6. View a schedule with full details for the Nov. 7-9 community visit.
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: A brief media availability with K-State leaders and the Connected 'Cats students will occur shortly after each of the open forums.
QUESTIONS: Please contact staff with K-State News and Communications Services at 785-532-2535 or media@k-state.edu with questions.
ABOUT THE COMMUNITY VISIT INITIATIVE: The K-State community visit initiative focuses on the people of Kansas and their communities. K-State is visiting multiple communities throughout the state to listen to and learn from the Kansans who live there. Learn more about the community visit initiative.
The community visits are an important part of the K-State 105 initiative, which is Kansas State University's answer to the call for a comprehensive economic growth and advancement solution for Kansas. The initiative leverages the statewide K-State Research and Extension network to deliver the full breadth of the university's collective knowledge and solution-driven innovation to every Kansan, right where they live and work. Additionally, K-State 105 forges the connections and partnerships that create access to additional expertise within other state institutions and agencies, nonprofits and corporations — all part of an effort to build additional capacities and strengths in each of the 105 counties in the state.
