K-Statement

 

WEFALD RECEIVES ARMY CIVILIAN SERVICE MEDAL Officials from the U.S. Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth have honored Kansas State University president Jon Wefald with the Department of the Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. The medal recognizes those not employed by the Army for their support. The medal was awarded by Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, deputy commandant of the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth during the commencement ceremony for K-State's Graduate School. "Through his untiring support, the Command and General Staff College and Kansas State University now cooperatively manage master's and doctoral degree programs in security studies, history, adult education and operations research ... President Wefald's service to Fort Leavenworth, the United States Army, the state of Kansas, and the nation reflect great credit on himself and Kansas State University," said the citation. This spring, 40 students received degrees earned through the program, including 29 master's degrees in adult education, nine master's degrees in security studies, one master's degree in history and a doctorate in education.   NOTEWORTHY   Kimberly Kirkpatrick and colleague published "Reward Value Effects on Timing in the Peak Procedure," Learning and Motivation, Vol. 40. More Noteworthy   On Campus May - June   This Thousand Paper Crane display was put together by students in K-State's Japanese Language Program. The paper crane is considered a symbol of peace since the bombings in Hiroshima in 1946. May 26 K-State Zimbra Q and A An open question and answer session will be held for anyone who has questions about switching over to Zimbra e-mail management system. 10:30 a.m. to noon, Little Theatre, K-State Student Union. May 29-31 K-State Zimbra migration The campus e-mail migration to K-State Zimbra begins 6 p.m. Friday, May 29, and ends on Sunday, May 31. After the migration, e-mail will be available at https://webmail.ksu.edu or your e-mail client. June 3 Classified Senate meeting 12:45 p.m., Edwards Hall.

Global understanding

As the work force becomes increasingly global, exposure to international experiences and cultures is becoming a key part of any university education. From advertising to veterinary medicine, faculty at K-State have taken that to heart, working to bring cultures together, foster understanding and literally have an impact in other countries. Read more

 

It's a different world out there

A mysterious island that moves through time. Travelers in search of answers. It sounds something like the science fiction television show "Lost," but it also describes a new approach to teaching earth sciences to high school students. Read more

 

UP CLOSE

A herd of her own

Susan Dillinger's entire life is about education. She's spent 36 years as a public school teacher, married a fellow educator and now, as an instructor of special education, counseling and student affairs at K-State, she's passing on her knowledge to the teachers of tomorrow. Read more

 

 

PLAUDITS

 

K-STATE RESEARCHER NETS $1.48 MILLION GRANT RENEWAL TO CONTINUE WORKING ON THE CORNEA

Gary Conrad, a university distinguished professor with K-State's Division of Biology, has received a four-year grant renewal of $1.48 million from The National Eye Institute of the National Institutes of Health to study the cornea. The grant, which was started in 1971, is the longest continuously funded R01 grant in the state of Kansas.

Conrad's research on embryonic development of the eye has led to knowledge that could possibly improve LASIK surgery. He and his research associates have identified a difference in the connective tissue of normal corneas compared to those that have been cut during LASIK.

LASIK, which stands for laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis, is a surgery using a laser to reshape the cornea as an alternative to wearing corrective eyewear. During the procedure a thin-hinged flap is cut in the front of the cornea and peeled back out of the way to allow the laser to reshape the corneal connective tissue underneath the flap. When the laser is finished the flap is pulled back to its original position.

After LASIK, differences in the structure of sugar molecules made in the cornea prevent cut nerve ends from regenerating, as well as preventing the flap from re-adhering. The grant renewal will enable Conrad's lab group to test a solution that would strengthen the stromal flap and allow it to permanently bind back to the cornea after LASIK, Conrad said. It uses a combination of riboflavin and UVA light to permanently cross-link the connective tissue of the flap to the underlying corneal connective tissue. The treatment is currently in clinical trials in the U.S. for another eye dysfunction known as keratoconus.

 

PICTURE PERFECT Let the sun shine in Kristin McDonnell studies for her environmental geography final in a sunny window in Hale Library.     For creative professional images contact university photographer David Mayes at 785-532-6304 or via e-mail at photo@k-state.edu To see a gallery of Mayes' photos, go to: http://ksuphoto.zenfolio.com

 

 

OH, BY THE WAY

 

K-STATE COLLEGES HONOR FACULTY MEMBERS

Several colleges at K-State have recognized faculty for excellence in teaching, service, research or advising.

The College of Agriculture recognized five faculty members for excellence in teaching and advising for the fall and spring semesters. Andrew Barkley, professor of agricultural economics, and Timothy Rozell, associate professor of animal sciences and industry, have been named the outstanding agriculture faculty for the fall 2008 semester, with Richard Baker, associate professor of communications, and Jeff Whitworth, assistant professor of entomology, recognized as the outstanding agriculture faculty for the spring 2009 semester. Michael Boland, professor of agricultural economics, was named the College of Agriculture's outstanding academic adviser. The college also awarded the David J. Mugler Outstanding Teaching Award to Steve Harbstreit, associate professor of agriculture education.

The College of Architecture, Planning and Design presented its Distinguished Service Award to M. Duane Nellis, K-State provost and senior vice president, and Jonathan Kemper, chairman and chief executive officer of Commerce Bank, Kansas City, Mo., and a K-State supporter. Katie Kingery-Page, assistant professor of landscape architecture, is the recipient of the college's Wayne Hunt McElwee Faculty Teaching Award.

The College of Arts and Sciences presented its 2009 William L. Stamey Teaching Excellence Awards to Daniel Kuester, assistant professor of economics; Amy Lara, assistant professor of philosophy; Kendra McLauchlan, assistant professor of geography; Sumanth Reddy, graduate teaching assistant in geography; and Lisa Tatonetti, assistant professor of English. Kent Kerby, coordinator of advising in the Division of Biology, received the 2009 William L. Stamey Advising Excellence Award.

The College of Business Administration has awarded its Ralph E. Reitz Outstanding Teaching Award to Rodney Vogt, instructor of accounting, while the Kansas State Bank Outstanding Advising Award has been presented to Scott Hendrix, instructor of finance and adviser to the Student Finance Association.

The College of Education recognized David Griffin Sr., associate professor of secondary education and assistant dean, with the Faculty Excellence in Service Award. The recipient of the college's Faculty Excellence in Research/Creative Activities Award is Gail Shroyer, professor of elementary education.

The College of Education's Dan and Cheryl Yunk Excellence in Educational Administration award has been presented to Larry Dixon, a three-time alumnus of K-State. Dixon, the Innovation in Schools and Community liaison/consultant with USD 475 Geary County, has a bachelor's degree in business education, a master's in curriculum and instruction, and a doctorate in school administration, all from K-State.

The College of Human Ecology's Dawley-Scholar Award for Faculty Excellence in Student Development has been presented to Weiqun "George" Wang, associate professor of human nutrition. Delores Chambers, director of the Sensory Analysis Center and associate professor of human nutrition, has received the college's Faculty Research Excellence Award.

Eric Shappee, associate professor of aviation, is the recipient of K-State at Salina's Marchbanks Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence, while Jung Oh, associate professor of arts, sciences and business, has been recognized with the college's Rex and Jean McArthur Family Faculty Fellow Award.

The College of Veterinary Medicine's Carl J. Norden Distinguished Teacher Award recipient is Emily Klocke, clinical assistant professor of small animal surgery, and the college's Pfizer Animal Health Award for Research Excellence has been presented to David Renter, assistant professor of veterinary epidemiology.

 

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.