August 5, 2011
K-State alumni and friends turn out in record numbers
Enthusiasm for Kansas State University is more apparent than ever as the K-State Alumni Association reported a record 12 percent increase in alumni engagement for the recently completed fiscal year. From July 1, 2010, to June 30, 2011, the association reached more than 63,000 alumni, friends and prospective students through events and activities.
The association's tagline ― "Your link for life" ― is demonstrated year-round as events are hosted across the country, and more recently around the globe, to keep K-Staters connected to their alma mater. Events range from annual alumni/student dinners and Catbacker events co-sponsored with K-State athletics, to out-of-state socials featuring university President Kirk Schulz, to international gatherings with traveling faculty.
"President Schulz's willingness and excitement to meet with alumni across the country has energized our alumni base nationwide and internationally," said Audrey Mross, alumni volunteer from Dallas, Texas, and immediate past chair of the association's board of directors. "K-Staters who perhaps have not had the opportunity to come back to campus or attend an event are reconnecting with their purple pride and spreading that pride in their communities."
The generosity of alumni and friends is evident at events when local students receive scholarship awards from their hometown K-State club. This past fiscal year the association awarded approximately $200,000 in scholarships to students at club events in Kansas and around the nation, at Kansas City's Wabash CannonBall gala and through the Legacy Scholarship Program, funded by the K-State license plate.
"We are grateful for the tremendous loyalty and passion our alumni and friends have for K-State," said Schulz. "This continued support from the Wildcat family will greatly assist the university's efforts to be recognized among the top 50 public research universities by 2025. I also appreciate the efforts of the alumni association staff and volunteers for their leadership and dedication in helping us connect so successfully with K-Staters."
The K-State Alumni Association also engages alumni through its membership program which is ranked No. 1 in the Big 12 for the percentage of graduates who are members of their respective alumni associations for the 15th consecutive year. More than 38,500 alumni and friends support K-State through membership that helps support diverse programming from student recruitment to career services and alumni relations.
"We greatly appreciate all K-State graduates, former students and friends who choose to be a member of the alumni association," said Amy Button Renz, president and CEO of the K-State Alumni Association. "The revenue generated from membership dues helps provide quality programming for our alumni and allows us to assist the university in recruiting the best students to K-State."
Wildcats Forever, the K-State Student Alumni Association, also had another record year with more than 2,000 members participating. One of the largest, fastest-growing organizations on campus, Wildcats Forever is open to all K-State students and helps establish a link that keeps them connected to the university.
With the fall athletics season quickly approaching, there are many opportunities for alumni and friends to gather with fellow K-Staters in their area. Visit www.K-State.com/clubs to find a local club, or find association events posted at www.K-State.com/calendar.
Established in 1874, the K-State Alumni Association is committed to providing lifelong connections to the university for more than 38,500 members and all others in the Wildcat family. Guided by a diverse and accomplished volunteer board of directors, staff administers programming beginning with newborns just entering the K-State family to prospective students, current students, alumni and friends.
These activities include reunions, student recruitment, career services, legislative advocacy, student scholarships, awards programs, pregame events, travel opportunities, promotion and preservation of K-State traditions, administration of the Alumni Center, management of the university's database and other activities and events for K-Staters worldwide. For more information, visit the Alumni Association website at www.K-State.com or call 800-600-ALUM (2586) or 532-6260.