Open House

Special Events

Discover a selection of featured events happening across Open House. These events offer additional opportunities to explore campus, connect with the K-State community and enjoy the day. Beach Museum, McCain Auditorium and K-State Gardens tours require registration at the links below.

Lunch with the Lintons

  • Derby Dining Center
    Noon-1pm

Kansas State University President and First Lady will be making a special walk‑about visit through Derby Dining Center. This is a wonderful opportunity for guests, students, families, and community members to experience K‑State’s leadership engaging directly with our campus community.

Discounted passes will be offered to all guests who dine at Derby between Noon-1pm.

Presidential Engagement Fellows

  • Wildcat Chamber, K‑State Student Union

Presidential Engagement Fellows are distinguished K‑State faculty selected to share their expertise with communities across Kansas. The program highlights the university’s research excellence and land‑grant mission by connecting dynamic presenters with schools, civic organizations, and community groups statewide. Fellows engage audiences on topics ranging from food security and biosecurity to technology, health, and communication—bringing K‑State’s strengths directly to Kansans. All Open House sessions will take place in the Wildcat Chamber, K‑State Student Union

Schedule

  • 9:30-10 a.m. – Brandon Savage
  • 10:15-10:45 a.m. – Darrin Smith
  • 11-11:30 a.m. – Linda Yarrow
  • 11:45 a.m.-12:15 p.m. – Brandon Savage
  • 12:30-1 p.m.– Darrin Smith
  • 1:15-1:45 p.m.– Linda Yarrow

Presentation Information:

Linda Yarrow, School of Health Sciences assistant professor, College of Health and Human Sciences

  • Title: Global Learning Fiesta: Discover K-State in Guatemala
    • Summary of Presentation: Discover how K-State students make a global impact through our Guatemala Service-Learning Program, offered by the College of Health & Human Sciences, where classroom learning comes to life through hands-on, community-driven projects. We chose Guatemala for its rich culture, strong community partnerships, and meaningful opportunities for students to apply interdisciplinary skills in real-world settings. At this session, you will hear about student experiences and projects. You will also experience Guatemalan culture through vibrant textiles, pottery, jewelry, artwork, and savor freshly made salsa as a taste of the communities we proudly work alongside.
    • Activity: making salsa

Darrin Smith, K-State Olathe associate dean of faculty, research and administration, associate professor

  • Title of Presentation: The Chemistry of Sensory: Molecules Behind Tastes and Smells
    • Summary of Presentation: Taste (gustation) and smell (olfaction) begin when everyday food and environmental molecules bind to specialized receptors, and that chemical information is converted into neural signals through transduction. This presentation focuses on the main classes of “flavor molecules” that create the familiar smells and tastes we recognize. By linking molecular families to common foods, we will show how repeated chemical patterns become the categories on a flavor wheel and ultimately shape what we perceive. An optional activity lets attendees test whether they can connect real flavors to the underlying chemistry.
    • Activity: common items (jellybeans, coffee, etc.) will be available to demonstrate the different types of molecular families that are associated with those items.

Brandon Savage, Department of Management instructor, College of Business Administration

  • Title of Presentation: Navigating the AI Frontier: What It Can Do (and How to Use It Well)
    • Summary of Presentation: Generative AI is changing how we learn, work, and create. This session blends live demonstrations with hands-on experimentation using tools like ChatGPT, Copilot, and Gemini. You’ll see how AI can help with writing, brainstorming, explaining concepts, practicing difficult conversations, and more—plus we’ll cover smart habits for accuracy, privacy, and responsible use.
    • Activity: Attendees will be encouraged to use GenAI on their phones (ChatGPT, CoPilot, Gemini) and to explore some of the use cases with voice-only GenAI.

K-State Garden Tour

  • K-State Gardens
    11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

The Gardens at Kansas State University is excited to offer a private group tour at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. as part of a partnership with Kansas State University's Open House for 2026. The tours will be led by experienced docents and volunteers who will give a detailed look at the Gardens, in addition to a behind-the-scenes look at some of the Garden's facilities. Private group tours are limited to 25 spots per tour. Registration is required. The Gardens will have a scavenger hunt option for both children and adults during the day of the event open to all who pass by, as well as Gardens volunteers and Master Gardeners available to answer any gardening questions you may have.

Register now (11 a.m. tour)
Register now (2 p.m. tour)

McCain Private Tour

  • McCain Auditorium
    11:15 a.m.

Have you ever wanted to fly in the main drape? How about operating a real showbiz spotlight? Tour the McCain facilities and get a glimpse into how the magic happens behind the scenes. This private tour is limited to 65 participants. Registration is required.

Register now


Marianna Kistler Beach Museum Tour

  • Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art
    10 a.m.

Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art—the only major art museum dedicated to the art of Kansas and the region—will offer a Museum Director lead private guided tour of the museum and the exhibition, Kansas Triennial, sharing insight into the artists and curatorial vision shaping this landmark presentation. Participation in the tour is limited to 20 individuals. Registration is required. Beginning at 11 a.m., hands-on art activities led by museum education staff will be available to all Open House visitors.

Register now

 

K-State Women's Volleyball Exhibition vs Omaha

  • Morgan Family Arena
    1 p.m.

FREE Entry

Learn More : 2025-26 Volleyball Schedule - Kansas State University Athletics


All Things Kansas

  • K-State Student Union
    All Day

All Things Kansas is a free, interactive tool that features data-driven mapping, reports and insights for all 105 counties of Kansas. Learn more about the platform, which includes access to more than 30,000 data layers and uses more than 120 national, state and local data sources. Kansas State University launched this collaborative project with multiple partners as an economic development resource and a one-stop shop for Kansas data to understand communities across the state.