A message from President Linton
Dear K-State Community,
With tremendous gratitude for my time at Kansas State University and excitement for what lies ahead, I want to share that I have accepted the opportunity to serve as president of my alma mater, Virginia Tech. Having earned all three of my degrees from Virginia Tech, this opportunity brings my professional journey full circle. Returning to the university that helped shape who I am and gave me the foundation for my career makes this next chapter especially meaningful. I will finish the fall semester at K-State and start my new role January 11, 2027.
Serving as president of Kansas State University has been one of the greatest honors and joys of my professional life. From the beginning, I have been inspired by the people connected to this amazing university. The exceptional students, dedicated faculty and staff, engaged alumni, and communities within Kansas are unlike any others I have experienced.
I am proud of what we have worked to accomplish together, and I remain confident and excited about K-State’s future. Since launching our next-generation land-grant strategic plan, we have achieved consecutive years of enrollment growth, increased research expenditures significantly, generated nearly $1.2 billion in cumulative philanthropic support and secured $428 million in state and federal funding — the largest investment in K-State’s history. We also completed a visionary facilities master plan.
These achievements are not by chance. They are the result of a shared vision, a clear strategic plan and the collective commitment of our faculty, staff, students, alumni and partners across Kansas and beyond. Together, we accomplished a lot and laid a strong foundation for K-State’s continued success.
I will work closely with the Kansas Board of Regents and university leadership to ensure a smooth leadership transition, maintain continuity in our priorities, and provide the next leader with a strong foundation on which to build.
Although my professional responsibilities will take me elsewhere, my appreciation for Kansas State University and the people of Kansas will endure for a lifetime. Thank you for your trust, your partnership and the privilege of serving this remarkable university.
With gratitude and respect – Go ‘Cats!
Richard Linton
President