Source: Maj. Jim Porter, 785-532-6754, jporter@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Monday, April 13, 2009

U.S. ARMY STRENGTH DISPLAY PART OF K-STATE'S ALL-UNIVERSITY OPEN HOUSE APRIL 18

MANHATTAN -- Kansas State University will have a variety of activities related to the military at the All-University Open House, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, April 18, on the K-State campus.

K-State's Army ROTC Wildcat Battalion is bringing in the U.S. Army's Strength in Action display, an interactive educational display that includes a robotics obstacle course, advanced flight simulator, dog tag maker and a physical fitness challenge.

The display provides information about opportunities with the Army – whether related to career or education -- and will demonstrate several technological innovations.

"This is a one of a kind attraction that is rarely made available to college campuses," said Maj. Jim Porter, enrollment and scholarship officer for K-State's Army ROTC program. "The Strength in Action Tour is a great addition to our open house. It not only showcases leadership and educational opportunities with K-State's Army ROTC program, but also highlights the tremendous relationship between K-State and the Fort Riley community."

The Strength in Action display will feature:

* A flight simulator that moves up and down and rotates 360 degrees to give students a realistic idea of what it's like to fly an Apache helicopter.

* The chance to remotely guide a Packbot -- a small unmanned ground vehicle -- through an obstacle course.

 * Various physical fitness challenges, including a competition to see if you can do as many pushups in two minutes as an Army solider.

Due to the size of the display, Mid-Campus Drive will be closed in front of Anderson and Eisenhower Halls for open house.

K-State will have representatives on hand to answer questions about the university's programs for military personnel, including tuition assistance. Details about what K-State offers military families also is available at:
http://consider.k-state.edu/admissions/military.htm

A full listing of open house events and activities is online at http://www.consider.k-state.edu/openhouse