K-Staters in the news — September 2017
Some of the top stories mentioning Kansas State University are posted below. Download an Excel file (xls) with all of this month's news stories.
Thursday, Sept. 28 2017
National/international
A Newer Education for Our Era
9/27/17 The Chronicle of Higher Education
At Kansas State University, the anthropologist Michael Wesch teaches "The Anthropology of Aging: Digital Anthropology." The goal of this class is for students to create an educational video game that allows the player to think about decisions that one must face near the end of life, whether for an aging parent or for oneself. Students read widely and deeply in the cross-cultural scholarship of what aging means, how societies treat their elderly, and how policy is shaped by cultural assumptions, in fields as disparate as pharmacology and neurobiology. They also learn game design and the aesthetics of game narrative, and computer-science students in the group learn the notably complex coding languages required for successful game design. There is one more feature, though, that truly distinguishes this course: Students leave their dorms for a term and actually move into a retirement community. There, they learn about aging from housekeepers and other staff members, as well as from their next-door neighbors — senior citizens for whom making actual life decisions is anything but a game.
Bergen: Saudi women driving a sign bigger change is coming
9/27/17 CNN
Nadia Oweidat, an assistant professor at Kansas State University and fellow at New America who tracks social media in the Arab world, says that within minutes of the news on Tuesday, "the Arabic hashtag #The_King_Supports_Women_Driving was trending. Not long after though, the hashtag #The_People_Refuse_Women_Driving also appeared ... full of Wahhabi sheikhs predicting [that] this is the end of Saudi."
State/regional
Bergen: Saudi women driving a sign bigger change is coming
9/27/17 KAKE
Nadia Oweidat, an assistant professor at Kansas State University and fellow at New America who tracks social media in the Arab world, says that within minutes of the news on Tuesday, "the Arabic hashtag #The_King_Supports_Women_Driving was trending. Not long after though, the hashtag #The_People_Refuse_Women_Driving also appeared ... full of Wahhabi sheikhs predicting [that] this is the end of Saudi."
Local
*Bonnie Rush named interim dean of College of Veterinary Medicine9/27/17 Junction City Post
Bonnie Rush has been named interim dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University, effective immediately. Rush, who is currently serving as acting dean, will continue to lead the college while a national search is conducted to find a new dean.
Wednesday, Sept. 27 2017
National/international
*With mock space capsule, researchers partner with NASA to study astronaut fitness
9/26/17 Phys.org
A mock space capsule has landed in Kansas State University's Ice Hall. In this built-to-scale model of the Orion spacecraft, "astronauts" practice emergency escape maneuvers while a university kinesiology team studies their health and fitness levels.
American Soybean Association: Dicamba issue not going away
9/26/17 AgDAILY
We continue to strongly support independent research underway at several land grant universities and coordinated by the national soybean checkoff to find answers. This includes research at the University of Arkansas, University of Illinois, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, the University of Kentucky, University of Missouri, Mississippi State University, the University of Nebraska, North Dakota State University, The Ohio State University, Purdue University, Southern Illinois University, the University of Tennessee, and University of Wisconsin.
State/regional
KU announces winners of Higuchi Awards for ‘scholarly excellence’
9/26/17 Lawrence Journal World
• Vara Prasad, professor in Kansas State University’s department of agronomy, winner of the Irvin E. Youngberg Award in Applied Sciences.
• Bharat Ratra, professor at K-State’s department of physics, winner of the Olin K. Petefish Award in Basic Sciences.
Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2017
National/international
Alligators versus sharks: Who wins this ultimate showdown?
9/25/17 New Scientist
James Nifong at Kansas State University has studied American alligators in marine habitats for the past decade. ... Nifong searched the scientific and historical literature, and consulted experts on alligators and sharks.
State/regional
*Kansas colleges sign agreements to launch DirectLink
9/25/17 GB Tribune
Kansas State University and the state’s community colleges have joined to improve the success of transfer students through the creation of DirectLink. ... “We are excited about this initiative as it will help community college students complete a bachelor’s degree at Kansas State University even more efficiently,” said K-State President Richard Myers.
Local
In focus
9/25/17 KMAN
Today’s guests on In Focus were Assistant Professor of Political Science at Kansas State University Dr. Carla Martinez Machain and Assistant Professor Tim Shaffer.
Monday, Sept. 25, 2017
National/international
*Kansas veterinarians warn dog owners of diseased raccoons
9/22/17 U.S. News & World Report
Kansas State University's Veterinary Health Center is warning dog owners to be careful amid a recent outbreak of a highly contagious disease among raccoons.
State/regional
Kansas Board of Regents’ top priority: restoration of Brownback’s $24 million cut
9/24/17 Topeka Capital Journal
The long-range list also included $900,000 for a science education initiative at Washburn University, $10 million for an agriculture extension building at Kansas State University and $20 million for deferred building maintenance throughout the higher education system.
*$700,000 grant for investigating swine diseases, influenza B virus
9/25/17 Kansas Ag Connection
A Kansas State University veterinary researcher is taking aim at swine diseases with the help of two major grants.
Local
Broken beauty: K-State student explores art, music, technology
9/23/17 Manhattan Mercury
Carlos Castellanos, an assistant professor in digital experimental media at K-State’s art department, got Bello interested in technological art.
Friday, Sept. 22, 2017
National/international
KSU receives 2,300 acres of farmland
09/21/17 The Journal Record (Associated Press)
A couple from northern Kansas have donated 2,300 acres of farmland for Kansas State University to develop a research farm to study sustainable agricultural practices.
Top tips for keeping your cool during a stressful week
09/21/17 Her Campus
According to a study by Kansas State University, only 21% of American adults eat the daily recommended amount of vegetables. Next time you have the choice to choose between that Pad Thai or veggie stir-fry while eating out with friends, that might be an easy opportunity to slip in your daily recommended amount of veggies. Also, at risk of sounding like your mom, don’t forget to drink plenty of water.
State/regional
Dog owners beware: K-State Veterinary Health Clinic seeing outbreak of raccoons with canine distemper
09/22/17 Topeka Capital-Journal
Kansas State University’s Veterinary Health Center issued a warning this week for dog owners to be on the lookout for raccoons, especially those showing up during the daytime.
Regents focuses on restoration of higher ed funding
09/21/17 Hastings Tribune (Associated Press)
The approved requests will be sent to the Kansas Legislature to be considered for the 2019 fiscal year. It asks for the reversal of a 4 percent cut, about $24 million, that Gov. Sam Brownback made during a budget crisis. It wasn’t immediately clear Thursday how much of that total would go to K-State.
Local
* Kansas State University to Award Honorary Doctorate
09/21/17 Junction City Post
Kansas State University will award an honorary doctorate at fall commencement to a noted Kansas photojournalist.
Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017
National/international
Alligators Attack and Eat Sharks, Study Confirms
9/20/17 National Geographic
It's particularly surprising, says study leader James Nifong, an ecologist at Kansas State University, because alligators are known as freshwater predators.
State/regional
*Five Kansas universities to collaborate on $20M National Science Foundation research grant
9/20/17 Garden City Telegram
The National Science Foundation’s funding to the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University and Haskell Indian Nations University targets the role microbiomes play in agricultural sustainability, water quality, plant productivity, soil fertility and greenhouse gases.
Local
*Someone You Should Know: Sarah Barrett
9/20/17 KSNT
Now 31-years-old and working at K-State as the Clery Act Federal Compliance Coordinator, Barrett has come a long way from her days of struggling to make sure there’s food in her fridge. Because of her passion to help others, she helped open a food pantry on campus to make sure no student at K-State ever has to feel the way she once did, “Just like you might go in to see a tutor if you need to supplement your academics,” she said. “You can go in and utilize the food pantry if you need to supplement your groceries.”
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2017
National/international
Kansas State University receives 2,300 acres of farmland
9/19/17 Houston Chronicle
A couple from northern Kansas have donated 2,300 acres of farmland for Kansas State University to develop a research farm to study sustainable agricultural practices.
US Army Research Helping the Development of Autonomous Sight Systems
9/19/17 Photonics.com
Other consortium members include the University of California, Berkeley; Carnegie-Mellon University; the Georgia Institute of Technology; the University of New Mexico; Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Stanford University; Texas A&M University; the University of California, Merced; the University of Delaware; the University of Texas, Austin; Kansas State University; the University of Colorado, Boulder; Bowie State University; and the University of California, San Diego.
State/regional
Five Kansas universities to collaborate on $20M National Science Foundation research grant
9/19/17 Topeka Capital-Journal
The National Science Foundation’s funding to the University of Kansas, Kansas State University, Fort Hays State University, Wichita State University and Haskell Indian Nations University targets the role microbiomes play in agricultural sustainability, water quality, plant productivity, soil fertility and greenhouse gases.
Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2017
National/international
10 of the dirtiest things you touch every day
9/18/17 MSN Lifestyle
Another study [PDF], published a year later, had similar findings. "Towels were the most contaminated of all the contact surfaces we tested," lead study author Dr. Jeannie Sneed, a Kansas State University food safety specialist, told Prevention.
Funding to enhance ELL program
9/18/17 Public Now
Olathe Public Schools is one of the collaborating districts with Kansas State University and the Center for Intercultural and Multilingual Advocacy (CIMA) to implement professional development activities that will improve instruction for English Language Learners (ELLs).
State/regional
K-State gets group's highest rating for free-speech policy
9/18/17 The Topeka Metro News
The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education announced that Kansas State University has earned FIRE’s highest, “green light” rating for free speech.
Monday, Sept. 18, 2017
National/international
Universities struggle to collectively tackle college basketball's most pressing race issue
9/15/17 Forbes
D.J. Johnson spent most of his life on the North Side of St. Louis. Though he was able to attend high school in a nearby suburb, he initially didn’t feel a sense of purpose. That changed during his junior and senior years, when his classmates discussed college applications. Unlike most of his peers, Johnson saw higher education as an escape from the only reality he knew. When Kansas State University—a NCAA Division I basketball college—offered him a scholarship to play on its team, he jumped on the opportunity.
Small Kansas city struggles to keep last grocery store
9/15/17 U.S. News & World Report
About one-fourth of supermarkets in Kansas communities with fewer than 2,000 people have closed since 2007, according to the Center for Engagement and Community Development at Kansas State University. There used to be 213 grocery stores in small Kansas towns; now the number is closer to 160.
State/regional
Abandoned old stone cellars are the next touristy thing in Kansas
9/17/17 Wichita Eagle
Interest in the tours has been fueled largely by a 2016 photography exhibit by Tom Parish, who grew up in the Flint Hills near Manhattan. Parish, while attending graduate school in photography at Kansas State University, began photographing and researching abandoned stone arched cellars.
Local
Racist fliers prompted good use of free speech
9/17/17 Manhattan Mercury
K-State has a terrific free-speech policy and a great way of thinking about these matters, and that’s a credit to its leaders. These incidents only serve to demonstrate the wisdom there. The posters prompted university-wide discussion and condemnation, and self-examination, and that’s exactly what free speech ought to do.
Friday, Sept. 15, 2017
National/international
Does Radon Exposure Cause Lung Cancer?
09/14/17 U.S News & World Report
You can purchase an inexpensive radon test kit at your local hardware store. Or, you can order a test through an online retailer, the National Radon Program Services at Kansas State University or the American Lung Association. You can also hire a professional tester.
State/regional
Purple-clad K-State students denounce white nationalism, decry end of DACA at rally
09/14/17 Kansas City Star
Student organizers at Kansas State University in Manhattan held a rally Thursday night to denounce the rise of white nationalism and decry the end of a program for children born to illegal immigrants of the U.S.
Local
K-State president names search committee for next provost
09/14/17 Manhattan Mercury
K-State President Richard Myers named a search committee Thursday to find the university’s next provost.
Thursday, Sept. 14, 2017
National/international
Top Master's in Education Releases 2017 Ranking of Best Online Master's in Educational Technology Degrees
9/12/17 NBC Channel 2 -- Fort Myers, Florida
Top Master's in Education, the ultimate guide to every education-related master's degree, has released its new ranking of the 50 Best Online Master's in Educational Technology Degrees for 2017. The complete list of ranked schools in alphabetical order is as follows: . . . Kansas State University.
State/regional
Agricultural issues, techniques to be discussed at expo
9/12/17 The Joplin Globe
Mike Apley, Kansas State University veterinarian, will examine another hot topic, antibiotics in livestock, at 2:15 p.m. The Food and Drug Administration recently issued a ruling at the beginning of the year requiring producers to obtain a "veterinary feed directive" before administering antibiotics to livestock through their feed.
*Raccoon distemper surge creates risk to dogs
9/12/17 The Emporia Gazette
The Veterinary Health Center at Kansas State University is warning the public to be on the lookout for raccoons, especially those showing up in the daytime, as they could be a health threat to dogs.
Local
Kansas Court of Appeals to mark Constitution Day with session at Kansas State University
9/13/17 KMAN
The court will hear cases in two sessions beginning at 9 a.m. and at 1:30 p.m. in Forum Hall of the KSU Student Union.
Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2017
National/international
Winter wheat moving again to Gulf Coast export facilities
9/12/17 Houston Chronicle
Grain export facilities along the Gulf coast suffered little damage from Hurricane Harvey, but the railroad tracks that move wheat to them were more damaged by the storm, said Jay O'Neil, agricultural economist for the International Grains Program at Kansas State University.
State/regional
*‘Crazed raccoons’ may be wandering in your backyard – or not
9/12/17 Wichita Eagle
The Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Manhattan issued a news release Tuesday warning about a surge in raccoons with distemper, which can cause a health threat to dogs and can potentially cause canine distemper or rabies.
Bringing consumers, producers together
9/12/17 McPherson Sentinel
Kansas State University veterinarian, Mike Apley will discuss a recent ruling by the Food and Drug Administration that requires livestock producers to obtain a Veterinary Feed Directive before administering antibiotics to livestock through their feed. Harold Trick, professor of plant pathology at Kansas State University, will provide the facts about GMOs and the work being done with them.
Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017
National/international
Feed the Future and CGIAR partnership promotes agriculture-led growth
9/11/17 CGIAR
In Bangladesh, a new project, led by Kansas State University and the International Rice Research Institute, is aiming to unlock the production potential of low-lying land enclosed by embankments and surrounded by tidal rivers, areas known as polders, through improved resource use efficiency and diversified cropping systems.
Long Ranch capitalizes on booming farmers market trend
9/11/17 Agriculture.com
“Our pork to your fork.” That’s the motto of Long Ranch, a Manteca, California, small-scale hog operation that is capitalizing on the national farm-to-fork trend. ... Long feeds six different rations, using Kansas State University formulas. A nearby feed mill custom-mixes and delivers the Midwestern-grown corn-soy rations.
State/regional
Farmers urged to control wheat streak mosaic virus now; W. Kansas was hard hit
9/11/17 Hays Post
Kansas State University officials are joining in on a group effort to help Kansas farmers stop the spread of a destructive wheat disease that took a strong foothold in the state’s fields this year. ... Kansas State University wheat disease specialist Erick DeWolf said the virus was particularly harsh in areas of west-central Kansas.
Local
Neighborhood ready for official North Town District Designation
9/11/17 Salina Journal
Greg Stephens, secretary of North Salina Community Development, presented to commissioners the results of a project his organization collaborated on with Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus. K-State business and social work students surveyed residents and businesspeople about what they would like to see in the district. “The group is always moving forward and building on successes,” Stephens said.
Monday, Sept. 11, 2017
National/international
Resolutions for a new academic year
9/5/17 Chronicle of Higher Education
Philip Nel is a professor of English at Kansas State University. His most recent book is Was the Cat in the Hat Black?: The Hidden Racism of Children’s Literature, and the Need for Diverse Books (Oxford University Press, 2017).
Want to be an entrepreneur? Leave politeness at the door
9/9/17 Manila Bulletin
There are more entrepreneurs in countries where ruthless business traits are held in higher esteem — even after controlling for gender, education level, and gross domestic product per capita, according to a review by researchers at Aston Business School in the UK and Kansas State University in the U.S.
State/regional
Uncertain times for last small grocery store in Butler County
9/10/17 Wichita Eagle
About one-fourth of supermarkets in Kansas communities with fewer than 2,000 people have closed since 2007, according to the Center for Engagement and Community Development at Kansas State University. There used to be 213 grocery stores in small Kansas towns; now the number is closer to 160.
Local
K-State, PepsiCo team up on affordable nutrition
9/9/17 Manhattan Mercury
Kansas State University has entered into an agreement with PepsiCo, Inc. to focus on making nutritious food and beverage products more affordable and accessible.
Friday, Sept. 8, 2017
National/international
Evacuating ahead of Irma? Take these key documents with you
09/08/17 CNBC
Priority in an evacuation should be given to your own safety, certified financial planner Ann Coulson, an associate professor at Kansas State University's Institute of Personal Financial Planning, told CNBC earlier this year. While it can help to bring with you harder-to-replace documents (like birth certificates) or ones that can help in the aftermath of a storm (such as your insurance policy), tracking those down shouldn't delay evacuating.
State/regional
Will the tiny pest plague us again? Here’s what we know about this year’s crop of oak mites
09/07/17 Kansas City Star
Raymond Cloyd, an entomologist with Kansas State University, said he’s also not seeing the volume of calls and emails about the mites that he has had in the past.
Local
Students rally in support of DACA
09/07/17 The Collegian
A group of K-State students rallied at the Bosco Student Plaza Wednesday to show support for classmates whose futures are uncertain after President Donald Trump announced Tuesday the end of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program — a program which granted young undocumented immigrants temporary protection from immigration enforcement.
Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017
National/international
*Kansas State University physics department gets $1.5M grant
9/6/17 The Houston Chronicle and The Kansas City Star
The Kansas State University physics department has received a $1.5 million grant to improve an online professional development tool for physics teachers.
State/regional
*K-State calls for swift congressional action on DACA
9/6/17 Hays Post
K-State released a statement Wednesday morning through K-State Today on the Trump administration’s Tuesday announcement on the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
*Kansas State University unveils the Harold and Olympia Lonsinger Sustainability Research Farm
9/6/17 High Plains Journal
On Sept. 20, Kansas State University representatives will officially dedicate the newest research center in the College of Agriculture: the Harold and Olympia Lonsinger Sustainability Research Farm, donated to the Kansas State University Foundation by Harold Lonsinger.
Local
*K-State releases statement on DACA uncertainty
9/6/17 KMAN
K-State released a statement Wednesday morning through K-State Today on the Trump administration’s Tuesday announcement on the status of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017
National/international
Want To Be An Entrepreneur? Leave Politeness At The Door
9/5/17 NDTV.com
There are more entrepreneurs in countries where ruthless business traits are held in higher esteem-even after controlling for gender, education level, and gross domestic product per capita, according to a review by researchers at Aston Business School in the U.K. and Kansas State University in the U.S.
New K-State Publication On The Interaction Between Corn Plant Density and Yield Environment
9/5/17 Farms.com
A new publication, titled “Plant Density and Yield Environment Interaction,” is now available through K-State Research and Extension as a part of the “Corn Fact Sheet Series.”
State/regional
Board games helping to bridge the communication gap
9/5/17 41 Action News
Denise Dias from K-State Research and Extension explains how these games can help bridge the communication gap.
Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017
National/international
Micro-chipped cows are putting Argentinian beef exports back on the map
9/4/17 Independent (UK)
Countries focused on beef exports, such as Australia, have already turned to micro-chipping as Asia’s desire to track steaks all the way back to the ranch increases and world concerns over food safety intensify, said Glynn Tonsor, an associate professor of agricultural economics who specialises in traceability at Kansas State Universit
Want to be an entrepreneur? Leave politeness at the door
9/4/17 Patheos
There are more entrepreneurs in countries where ruthless business traits are held in higher esteem—even after controlling for gender, education level, and gross domestic product per capita, according to a review by researchers at Aston Business School in the U.K. and Kansas State University in the U.S.
Can dust from feed mills indicate the presence of pathogens in feed?
9/4/17 Farms.com
South Dakota State, Pipestone Feed Systems, their applied research group, and Kansas State University are all collaborating in a project that's testing mitigants to add to feed, medium chain fatty acids, formaldehyde, some other compounds that might be economically added to feed that we're going to look to see if they would neutralize any viruses that are in there.
Wheat streak mosaic virus in the U.S. Great Plains
9/4/17 SeedQuest
This year's [2017] outbreak of wheat streak mosaic virus in Kansas was the worst since 2006, according to Kansas State University.
State/regional
University leads research into heat-tolerant crops
9/3/17 High Plains / Midwest Ag Journal
Walia will lead a multidisciplinary team of Nebraska researchers, including Gota Morota, assistant professor of animal science; Toshihiro Obata, assistant professor of biochemistry; Hongfeng Yu, assistant professor of computer science and engineering; Chi Zhang, associate professor of biological sciences; and Qi Zhang, assistant professor of statistics. The team will also collaborate with researchers from Arkansas State University and Kansas State University.
Nolan Keim receives TD Ameritrade scholarship
9/4/17 Sabetha Herald
Nolan Keim, senior in personal financial planning at Kansas State University, was awarded one of 12 NextGen RIA (Registered Investment Advisors) Scholarships from TD Ameritrade. The NextGen RIA Scholarship is valued at $5,000 and is awarded to students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in personal financial planning.
Local
K-State donation drive adds up to 46K pounds of items for hurricane victims
9/4/17 WIBW
The Kansas State University community came together to get a truck-load of supplies to hurricane victims in Texas.
Friday, Sept. 1, 2017
National/international
Are You Feeling Sick? These 3 Tips Will Make Sure Your Business Stays in Good Health While You Take Time Off
08/31/17 Inc.
Turns out researchers at Kansas State University have determined that disconnecting, despite the increasing difficulty, is paramount to our recovery and health. My recommendation to you then would be to pick a time and discipline yourself to turn everything off at that hour, same time everyday.
Couple gives $3 million for Kansas State library renovation
08/31/17 The Journal Record (Associated Press story)
A couple from Florida has donated $3 million for renovation of Kansas State University’s Hale Library.
State/regional
K-State Providing Emergency Response Training For Handling Foreign Animal Disease
08/31/17 High Plains Public Radio
Program fellows Fellows in the transboundary animal diseases training program don scrubs and protective outerwear in a teaching laboratory at the Biosecurity Research Institute at Kansas State University.
North-central Kansas farmer donates land to establish university's Harold and Olympia Lonsinger Sustainability Research Farm
08/31/17 High Plains Journal
Harold Lonsinger, Alton, Kansas, has given a gift of land to the Kansas State University Foundation to establish the Harold and Olympia Lonsinger Sustainability Research Farm.
Local
In Focus08/31/17 KMAN
Today’s guests on In Focus were K-State Police Bradli Millington, Director of Biosecurity Research Institute Stephen Higgs, and K-State Dean of Libraries Lori Goetsch. *Note: Asterisks indicate clips that resulted from recent news releases or pitches from Communications and Marketing.
