K-Statement

 

STATE AND NATION RELY ON BIOSECURITY CENTER Since it was established in 2002, the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center has worked with a variety of state and federal agencies to examine how well the agricultural and law enforcement sectors would work together in case of an animal disease outbreak. This work has involved the Kansas Animal Health Department, which would lead state response in case of such an outbreak. "The reality is that the introduction of a highly infectious animal disease, whether accidental or intentional, could cause economic chaos in Kansas," said Marty Vanier, director of operations of the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center. The center has organized preparedness exercises to test how well ranchers, veterinarians, law enforcement and governmental agencies would work together. In all, the center's expertise has been tapped for 13 exercises at the local, state, and national level. They have addressed scenarios from radiological contamination of the water supply to a nationwide outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.   NOTEWORTHY   X. Susan Sun will present the Keynote address, "Surface Active and Interactive Soy Protein Polymers," at the 15th annual BioEnvironmental Polymer Society meeting, Oct. 7-10, Nashua N.H. More Noteworthy   On Campus - Sept. - Oct.   Sept. 25 Comics talk "From Highbrow Comics to Lowbrow Art: The Shifting Contexts of the Comics Art Object," is a lecture by Bart Beaty, a comics scholar at the University of Calgary. Part of the Arts Above the Arch series; 5:30 p.m., Beach Museum of Art. 'Sweeney Todd' The winner in 2006 of two Tonys and four Drama Desk Awards comes to McCain Auditorium, 7:30 p.m. Call 532-6428 for ticket information. Sept. 27 Museum open house Family Day Open House takes place 1-3 p.m., Beach Museum of Art. Refreshments provided. Sept. 30 Forum on energy "The Energy Problem: Choices for an Uncertain Future" is the topic of a 7-9 p.m. forum at K-State at Salina. Part of a series sponsored by the Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy abd the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Abilene. Oct. 1 Classified Senate Meeting takes place at 12:45 p.m., Staterooms 1 and 2, K-State Student Union. Oct. 2 Benefits Expo Learn about retirement and insurance options. Sessions start at 9 a.m., K-State Student Union. Children's lit lecture "Minders of Make-Believe: A History of Children's Book Publishing," by Leonard Marcus, biographer and expert on American children's books. 4 p.m., Hemisphere Room, Hale Library. Guest artist Violist Margaret Miller will give a concert, 7:30 p.m., All Faiths Chapel. Oct. 2-4, 9-12 'The Laramie Project' K-State's student-run Purple Masque Theater presents a story based on the kidnapping and death of Matthew Shepard. 7:30 p.m., East Stadium. Tickets are $4-$7 at the McCain Box Office, the Little Theater Box Office or by calling 532-6428. Directed by Ariane Chapman. Oct. 3 Claremont Trio Hailed as "deft, exhilarating, and imaginative" by Strings magazine, this young trio was the first recipient of the Kalichstein-Laredo-Robinson International Trio Award. 7:30 p.m., McCain Auditorium. Ticket information at 532-6428. Oct. 7 All Faiths concert Thomas Labadorf, clarinet, and Slawomir Dobrzanski, piano, will perform at 7:30 p.m., All Faiths Chapel.

State of the University

Reflecting on the leaps and bounds made since he took the helm at 22 years ago, Jon Wefald delivered his valedictory State of the University address Friday Sept. 12. Read more

 

Progress and possibilities at K-State

The experience, expertise, creativity and eagerness of K-State's faculty and administrators have prepared a venerable land-grant university for its 21st century role as a center for innovation, Provost Duane Nellis said during his State of the University presentation Sept. 12. Read more

 

UP CLOSE

Winning habits

Craig Brown, K-State forensics coach, likes to joke that it's his job to turn his students into people. Read more

 

PLAUDITS

 

NELSON GOFF IS INTERIM DIRECTOR OF ASSESSMENT

Briana Nelson Goff, associate professor of marriage and family therapy, has been named interim director of assessment. She will serve through Aug. 3, 2009, when Cia Verschelden, the current director, will return from her leave of absence as a visiting scholar with the Higher Learning Commission.

Nelson Goff, who joined K-State in 1998, will continue her duties as associate dean in the College of Human Ecology.

The office of assessment's mission is to support continuous improvement through facilitation of meaningful assessment of student learning and effective methods for feedback and action in response to assessment results.

An Assessment Showcase planned for Oct. 24 will provide workshops on assessment for new faculty and will highlight best-practice assessment efforts across the university.

 

KUESTER TO LEAD ASSOCIATION FOR ARID LANDS STUDIES

Daniel Kuester, assistant professor of economics, has been named executive director of the Association for Arid Lands Studies, which this year moved its headquarters from Texas Tech to K-State.

The association's next meeting will take place in April 2009 in conjunction with the 51st annual conference of the Western Social Science Association in Albuquerque, N.M.

Kuester, who holds the Roger Trenary Chair in economics, will coordinate the conference. Presentations will include water quantity and quality, business and development, hazardous weather and historical and ethnic issues that affect arid lands.

 

 

POINTS OF PRIDE Cookbook marks milestone A rare cookbook has become the 2 millionth volume acquired by the Kansas State University Libraries. "The Frugal Housewife or Complete Woman Cook" was written in London in 1765 by Susannah Carter. K-State Libraries acquired one of only two known copies of a 1795 North American printing. The book is now the oldest American cookbook in the K-State Libraries' world-class cookery collection, according to Roger Adams, associate professor and rare books librarian. It was purchased with funds donated by the Friends of the K-State Libraries.

 

 

OH, BY THE WAY

 

BENEFITS EXPO TO PROVIDE ANSWERS, ADVICE ADN RETIREMENT PLANNING OCT. 2

The Division of Human Resources is hosting its annual Benefits Expo Oct. 2 in the K-State Student Union.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.In the main ballroom, voluntary and mandatory retirement plan providers, KPERS, health insurance providers, life insurance companies associated with K-State, and many other agencies will be available for questions.

Open enrollment health insurance informational meetings will take place at 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in Forum Hall. The sessions are identical.

This is an opportunity for employees to learn about the new discount for non-tobacco users, to review a new plan provider and get updated information for 2009. This invaluable session can help employees complete the October online open enrollment.

New this year are retirement planning sessions.

At 10:30 a.m. in Forum Hall, Fred Brock, who holds the R.M. Seaton Professional Journalism Chair, will present a session on "Living Well and Retiring Well on Less Than You Think," based on his books. Brock is a former columnist and editor for The New York Times and the Wall Street Journal.

Also new this year is a pre-retirement session for all KPERS employees. At 12:30 p.m., Alan Schuler, KPERS field representative, will present information on KPERS calculations, time in service and retirement dates. Employees within five years of their anticipated retirement will benefit most.

In addition, Mercy Health Center will offer flu shots for $20.

Questions should be addressed to Stephanie Harvey at 532-6277 or e-mailed to BenAdmin@k-state.edu

 

IMPORVEMENTS PLANNED FOR CAMPUS TECHNOLOGY

The consolidation of central information technology units in July 2009 under the leadership of a chief information officer, a new position, is just one of the ways K-State plans to build its information technology services to meet future needs, according to Duane Nellis, provost and senior vice president.

The new central information technology organization will include the current information systems office and information technology services units.

The consolidation and call for a chief information officer are among the 16 recommendations made by the Campus IT Needs Assessment Working Group to the Computing Executive Committee this summer; all of the recommendations were endorsed by the committee.

 

SEARCH IS ON FOR SPECIAL ASSISTANT TO PROVOST

The office of the provost is conducting an internal search for a non-renewable, part-time appointment to the position of special assistant to the provost for spring 2009 to assist with academic issues related to enhancing student retention.

This is an opportunity for individuals considering a move into academic administration to work in a high-profile setting and gain valuable experience. Nominations and applications are encouraged for all qualified individuals.

 

 

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.