K-Statement

 

BENSON NAMED 2009-2010 COFFMAN CHAIR For nearly 40 years, K-State's Doug Benson, professor of Spanish, has taught his students about the world around them. In exchange, he's learned a lot about them and himself. In large part, he said, it is because of the diverse kinds of people he's had the privilege of interacting with. It also is why Benson has been active at K-State in helping to create an environment where a diversity of opinions and backgrounds can be shared. Benson has been named K-State's 2009-2010 Coffman Chair for University Distinguished Teaching Scholars. As the Coffman Scholar, Benson will work on the Virtual Tilford Center, a learning resource for students, faculty and staff for enhancing diversity. The center will use the Second Life platform as its basic structure. It will draw on the work of K-State's Tilford Group, which has spent the last 12 years developing a comprehensive diversity curriculum. The Coffman Chair was created in 1995 to highlight K-State's commitment to excellence in undergraduate teaching and learning.   NOTEWORTHY   Elizabeth Davis presented "Determination of Intracellular Cyokines in Equine PBMCs," American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine Forum, June 5, Montreal, Canada. More Noteworthy   On Campus   Ongoing Kemper exhibition "The Wilderness from Yemen to North America" features the work of Robert Weston Breshears, who has traveled to 18 countries and backpacked in more than 30 different locations, capturing the beauty of his travels along the way. On display at the William T. Kemper Art Gallery in the K-State Student Union through June 29. Beach exhibition "Figuring It Out" features work by artist Mike Lyon as well as part of his collection of Ukiyo-e prints. Lyon is interested in pattern and perception. He applies computer programming and industrial equipment to traditional painting, drawing and printmaking methods, attempting to go directly from mind to art object. On display at the Beach Museum of Art through July 19. Beach exhibition "The Circus Comes to Town" consists of 19 works from the museum's permanent collection, featuring acrobats, clowns and circus animals. On display in the Wefald Gallery of the Beach Museum of Art through Sept. 8. This furniturescaping project was built by recent interior architecture and product design master's graduate Tim Sherman, McPherson. The bench is built where the June 11, 2008, tornado downed a tree just south of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. Beach exhibition "Destruction Framed: Photographs of the Chapman/Manhattan Tornado, June 11, 2008" is showing the artwork of four photographers who captured the feel of the aftermath of that tornado. On display at the Beach Museum of Art through Aug. 16. Beach exhibition "Larry Schwarm: Greensburg After the Storm" consists of photos fine art photographer Larry Schwarm took of his hometown, Greensburg, after it was wiped out by a tornado May 4, 2007. On display at the Beach Museum of Art through Aug. 16.

The beginning of a new era

Kirk Schulz, a chemical engineer who speaks with a slight Virginia accent, said he has experienced a most pleasant surprise since the Kansas Board of Regents named him Jon Wefald's replacement Feb. 11. That surprise is the passion students, faculty and staff have for K-State and how much they say they look forward to doing some things differently. It is a rare combination to find, he said. Read more

 

K-Stater's search for Kansas cuisine comes up flat

As rare books librarian at K-State, Roger Adams sees plenty of cuisine in the pages of Hale Library's cookery collection. Out of curiosity, the Kentucky native began asking Kansans about their own signature cuisine. Read more

 

UP CLOSE

Engineering a balance

Noel Schulz is a nationally recognized expert in power systems engineering who researches the use of computers, including intelligent systems, to solve problems in power system design, operations and controls. Read more

 

PLAUDITS

 

K-STATE FACULTY RECEIVE AWARDS AT ASEE CONFERENCE

Three K-Staters were honored at the annual conference of the American Society for Engineering Education, June 14-17, Austin, Texas.

Raju Dandu, professor of engineering technology at K-State at Salina, was named Outstanding Campus Representative for Zone III.

Tom Roberts, assistant dean of K-State's College of Engineering, received the Midwest Section Award for recruiting the most new professional members in 2008-2009.

David Soldan, professor of electrical and computer engineering, won the 2009 ASEE Electrical & Computer Engineering Division Meritorious Service Award.

The American Society for Engineering Education is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. It accomplishes this mission by promoting excellence in instruction, research, public service and practice; exercising worldwide leadership; fostering the technological education of society; and providing quality products and services to members.

Several other faculty made presentations or played a significant role in the conference. Those accomplishments are listed under "Noteworthy."

Raju Dandu

Tom Roberts

David Soldan

 

 

PICTURE PERFECT   Seal of approval A new angle on Higinbotham gate. For creative professional images contact university photographer David Mayes at 785-532-6304 or photo@k-state.edu A gallery of Mayes' photos can be seen at: http://ksuphoto.zenfolio.com

 

 

OH, BY THE WAY

 

K-STATEMENT GOES DIGITAL IN JULY

 

This is the last print edition of K-Statement.

Starting with the July 15 edition, K-Statement will be landing in your e-mail inboxes instead of on your desk. In addition, it's becoming a weekly publication, scheduled to come out on Wednesdays.

To submit items, or for additional information about the kinds of things published in K-Statement, go to http://www.k-state.edu/media/k-statement

Questions can also be sent to K-Statement editor Katie Mayes at kmayes@k-state.edu or by calling 532-1548.

 

LINEUP FOR LITTLE APPLE JAZZ FESTIVAL ANNOUNCED

 

Swinging solo acts and bluesy bands will take the stage at the ninth annual Little Apple Jazz Festival Saturday, July 18, in Manhattan's City Park.

The festival, which is free and open to the public, is part of the city's Arts in the Park series and is a collaborative effort between Manhattan's Parks and Recreation Department and the K-State Student Union Program Council, in addition to other sponsors.

The performance lineup is as follows:

*4:30 p.m. – 319 United States Army Reserve Jazz Band
*5:15 and 6:45 p.m. – Missouri State University Jazz Combo
*6 p.m. – Will Matthews
*7:30 p.m. – Barefoot Dixieland Band
*8:15 p.m. – Cami Stinson and The Riot
*9 p.m. – Les Lankhorst

The Jazz Festival is not just in City Park. Grand Marquis will perform at 9:30 p.m. Saturday at Auntie Mae's Parlor and other nighttime venues may be available. A jazz brunch on Sunday, July 19, featuring the Missouri State University Jazz Combo, is scheduled from 10 a.m. to noon at Bluestem Bistro.

Les Lankhorst, a K-State graduate from Salina, is this year's headliner. Lankhorst is a well-known jazz solo act who has played at a variety of venues, including cruise ships, concert halls and resorts across the world. For more information about Lankhorst, or other festival acts, go to http://www.k-state.edu/upc/jazzfest.htm

 

MILLER A LEADER IN HARNESSING THE KANSAS WIND

 

Ruth Douglas Miller, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at K-State, recently received an award for Outstanding Leadership in the Application of Wind for Schools from the U.S. Department of Energy's Wind Powering America program.

"The interest from the student body here at K-State and engineering students pursuing careers in renewable energy is big. It's important to the energy industry to increase the number of workers in renewable energies," Miller said.

The Kansas Wind for Schools program provides assistance in financing, siting and installation for elementary and secondary schools in Kansas interested in having a small wind turbine for educational and outreach purposes.

 

INSPIRE BY EXAMPLE AWARDS GIVEN

The K-State Volunteer Center, in conjunction with Community First National Bank, recently presented the Inspire by Example awards for service in the community. The awards recognize the tradition of volunteerism at K-State and the skills displayed by faculty, students and staff to meet community needs.

K-State employees who were recognized for their service were Jacque Gibbons, associate professor of social work, Outstanding Faculty Service Award; and Monica Strathman, special assistant with the School of Leadership Studies, Outstanding Staff Member.

 

K-STATERS INVITED TO PRESTIGIOUS WAKONSE TEACHING CONFERENCE

Seven K-State faculty members and a graduate student were invited to take part in the 20th Wakonse Conference on College Teaching May 21–26 in Stony Lake, Michigan.

The conference, which included 120 faculty and graduate students from 15 colleges and universities, allowed faculty to discuss teaching methods and strategies, renew their commitment to excellence in teaching and contained sessions focused on the balance of living, working in academia, and positive psychology.

Left to right, back row: Doug Benson, modern languages; Lotta Larson, elementary education; Sajid Alavi, grain science and industry; Laci Cornelison, Center on Aging; Steve Stockham, diagnostic medicine and pathobiology. Front row: Chris Bopp, kinesiology; Brian Lindshield, human nutrition; and Jianhan Chen, biochemistry.

 

OPPORTUNITIES CLASSIFIED • A recording of classified job opportunities is available 24 hours a day on the Employment Information Line, 785-532-6271. • A list of employment opportunities is posted at www.k-state.edu/hr/ • For additional information, call 785-532-6277 or come to the Division of Human Resources in 103 Edwards Hall. Applications are accepted 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. weekdays. UNCLASSIFIED • A complete listing of vacancies can be seen at www.k-state.edu/affact/ • For additional information, call the office of affirmative action at 785-532-6220 or come by 214 Anderson Hall.