Welcome back to campus!

A letter from President Richard Linton.
Monday, Aug. 25, 2025

Dear students, faculty and staff,

Coming back from Ireland, the energy of a new academic year hits me more than ever, reminding me how special it is to live on Kansas soil. There’s something in the air these first days — the nervous excitement of new students navigating campus, the smiles of returning friends reuniting and the voices of faculty welcoming their classes for the first time.

This summer brought some exciting changes. We’ve renovated science labs and brought in several outstanding new faculty members, expanding our research capabilities. But honestly, I’m most excited about seeing how you’ll all use these improvements and opportunities.

For our students — both new and returning — I hope you’ll dive in completely. Yes, your classes matter, but so does everything else: joining the club you’ve been curious about, attending guest lectures, maybe even striking up conversations with professors during office hours. These years go by faster than you think.

To our incredible faculty and staff: thank you for what you do and how you do it. I see the extra time you spend with struggling students, the creative ways you bring complex concepts to life and the genuine care you show for each person who walks through our doors.

We’ve got big plans for this year, which you can see at full display during the 2025 State of Our University at 2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 5, in McCain Auditorium. While I’m excited to share some big moments in K-State’s future, I’m even more looking forward to witnessing the small moments — those “aha!” moments in labs, the late-night studying sessions among students, the connections that last decades. That’s where the real magic happens.

Here’s to making it a great year together.

Go 'Cats!

Richard H. Linton
President, Kansas State University