President Linton showcases K-State’s momentum at State of Our University
At the annual State of Our University address, President Richard Linton highlighted research breakthroughs, student success and community partnerships driving impact across Kansas and beyond.
Kansas State University President Richard Linton shared the university’s achievements and vision for the future during the 2025 State of Our University address on Sept. 5 in McCain Auditorium.
The annual event brought together faculty, staff, students, alumni and community partners to celebrate accomplishments across K-State’s three campuses and preview upcoming initiatives.
“We change Kansas, meet what Kansans need, and change the world,” Linton said. “Think about the ways that we’re making a difference in people’s lives and how they are then taking that and moving it forward to create and lead for Kansas and lead for the world.”
Student success and educational excellence
Linton highlighted student success stories, including kinesiology student and K-State golfer Carla Bernat, who won the 2025 Augusta National Women’s Amateur, and recent graduate Makenna Kacsir, who was selected for the highly competitive Youth Villages national internship program.
He also recognized the recipients of the 2025 Presidential Awards for Teaching and Department Head and announced an expanded partnership with Garden City Community College to provide bachelor’s degree access in southwest Kansas.
Research growth and innovation
K-State’s research funding grew by 21.55% over the past year, rising from $217 million to $264 million. These investments focus on four key areas: community health and well-being, enabling technologies, global food security and biosecurity, and sustainability.
“We’re now starting to see the difference happening because of our incredible faculty,” Linton said, spotlighting breakthrough research across campuses.
The president recognized the 21 University Outstanding Scholars — prestigious appointments spanning 18 departments and five colleges — along with the significant investments in K-State’s core research facilities, including the Seaton Hall renovation as part of the Biomanufacturing Training and Education Initiative.
K-State’s agricultural technology advancement took a prominent spotlight, with Linton noting how the Agriculture Innovation Initiative will “transform this university, the state of Kansas, agriculture in Kansas and the way in which we do work.”
Community partnerships and legislative support
K-State’s engagement beyond campus boundaries received significant recognition, with Linton thanking legislative leaders present for their support of critical initiatives, including the $128 million Kansas Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, to a total $150.4 million in legislative support, the highest in university history.
“We have an incredible College of Veterinary Medicine, strong with students, strong in education and research. We have an animal science program, one of the best in the country. It’s the fastest-growing and largest department at Kansas State University. Then we have all of these other facilities with the Ag Innovation Initiative. We have a BSL-3 facility, Pat Roberts Hall, and now a USDA BSL-4 facility. The last piece to the puzzle is a veterinary diagnostic laboratory,” Linton said.
Community partnerships were highlighted through K-State Salina, K-State Extension, K-State Gardens, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art and McCain Auditorium.
Alumni impact and philanthropic support
The address featured tributes to distinguished alumni, including Kansas City Design Center Director Lauren Harness.
Her career journey returned her to K-State to help the next generation grow community initiatives statewide.
Linton recognized significant philanthropic contributions, particularly from the Harris family’s support of the College of Education, demonstrating how alum giving creates resources that grow more people.
Looking ahead
The presentation concluded with an ambitious look forward, featuring 3D visions of Campus Master Plan developments across Manhattan, Olathe and Salina campuses. The plan emphasizes creating physical spaces that support growing people through enhanced research facilities, student life amenities and community engagement opportunities.
“A colleague once told me, ‘If you don’t dream it and you don’t plan it, it doesn’t happen.’ At Kansas State University, we have a lot of dreamers who are dreaming every single day. And then we got people that can plan strategically to execute and make things happen,” Linton said. “I ask you to join us on the journey to be the next-generation land grant, the best land-grant university we can be.”
Following the address, attendees gathered in the McCain Auditorium lobby for interactive displays showcasing the university’s future vision and opportunities for continued community engagement.
The complete State of Our University address is available at k-state.edu/our-university.