ENERGY COMPETITION TO PIT K-STATE, MANHATTAN AGAINST KU, LAWRENCE
K-State will be teaming up in 2011 with the city of Manhattan to try to beat the University of Kansas and Lawrence in a nine-month energy conservation competition.
The competition is part of the 2011 Take Charge Challenge organized by the Climate and Energy Project, http://www.takechargekansas.org.
The competition reward is $100,000 for energy efficiency or renewable energy investments.
The city of Manhattan formally joined the competition at the Nov. 2 City Commission meeting. K-State and city officials are currently building a leadership team and hiring a coordinator for the team's efforts. The competition will run from Jan. 1 to Sept. 30, 2011.
FOOD FOR THOUGHT LECTURE SERIES HONORS DAN UPSON
The student group Food for Thought is launching a new lecture series in honor of Dan Upson, K-State professor emeritus of anatomy and physiology.
The lecture series will focus on bringing information about agriculture and food production to a broad audience, said Chelsea Good, a member of the group.
The new lecture series was announced prior to the Nov. 9 presentation at K-State by Temple Grandin, a world-renowned animal behaviorist and a person with high-functioning autism. Grandin was introduced as the first Upson Lecture speaker.
Upson taught at K-State's College of Veterinary medicine for 35 years before retiring in 1994. He received numerous awards for his dedication to classroom teaching and the veterinary profession.
"When a person thinks of K-State's history in agriculture and veterinary medicine, nobody has had a bigger impact on teaching students than Dr. Dan Upson," said Dan Thomson, director of K-State's Beef Cattle Institute and Food for Thought faculty adviser. "Dr. Upson has made numerous contributions teaching on our campus and continues to work with the beef industry and veterinary profession in the state and beyond.
"As I travel across our state, almost always someone asks, 'How is Dr. Upson getting along? You know, I thought he was the best teacher. Give him my regards.' That is what it is all about as an educator: motivation for lifelong learning," Thomson said.
Upson was Food for Thought's first speaker in February, addressing a standing-room only crowd in the College of Veterinary Medicine's Frick Auditorium about efficient use of the earth's resources and providing food for the world's people.
Food for Thought also is launching a 500 for $500 fundraising campaign to ensure the growth of the Upson Lecture series. Donations may be sent to Food for Thought, 1D Trotter, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506.
Food for Thought is a grassroots group of K-Staters who seek to bridge the gap between agriculture and consumers. The group includes undergraduate, graduate and veterinary students, as well as young alumni. More information about Food For Thought is available at the group's blog, http://bloggingfoodforthogh.blogspot.com; on Facebook; or on Twitter at http://twitter.com/fftgroup.
BEACH MUSEUM ORGANIZES HOLIDAY-THEMED ART WORKSHOP
Student Friends of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art will sponsor a holiday-themed art workshop from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 5.
Children and parents can create ornaments, cards and holiday-related artwork at the event.
"These workshops are a great chance for families to get together and create," said Kathrine Schlageck, senior educator at the Beach Museum.
No reservations are required for the workshop, but a $5 registration fee per child is requested. The fee is half price for families with family memberships to the museum. Each child must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments will be provided.
For more information, contact Martha Scott, Beach Museum of Art, at 785-532-7718; visit http://www.beach.k-state.edu; or drop by the museum on the southeast corner of the K-State campus at 14th Street and Anderson Avenue. Free visitor parking is available next to the building.
Normal museum hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The museum is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
EIGHTH ANNUAL K-STATE TEACHING RETREAT
How can we inspire students to encourage and challenge each other? How can we engender a sense of community in our classes and on our campus? If we don't, are we failing to teach effectively? If you have answers or questions that might lead to answers, we invite you to share your wisdom by presenting at the eighth annual K-State Teaching Retreat.
The retreat, "Leading a Community of Learners," will take place 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 13, in the Leadership Studies Building.
Don't miss the opportunity to become an active participant in this annual gathering on teaching and learning. Submit a proposal for either a concurrent paper session or a poster session. Submission procedures are easy and quick. Faculty, staff, graduate students and individuals in leadership positions are encouraged to submit. Presenters will be notified Monday, Nov. 22.
Ideas for possible paper and poster topics as well as the procedures for submitting proposals can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/catl/fete/ or http://www.facebook.com/faculty.exchange.teaching.excellence.
Registration for the retreat will be announced soon.
HOLIDAY RECEPTIONS AT THE PRESIDENT'S HOME
Holiday receptions for K-State faculty and staff will take place Dec. 13-17. The receptions will be at the president's home at 100 Wilson Court.
The schedule is as follows:
* Classified employees with last names beginning with letters A-M: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 13.
* Classified employees with last names beginning with letters N-Z: Noon to 1:30 p.m., Dec. 14.
* Unclassified faculty, staff and administrators with last names beginning with the letters A-M: 4-5 p.m., Dec. 16.
* Unclassified faculty, staff and administrators with last names beginning with the letters N-Z: 4-5 p.m., Dec. 17.
FACULTY SENATE HAPPENINGS
Faculty senate minutes for the Oct. 12 meeting have been posted to the faculty senate website, http://www.k-state.edu/facsen/facsenate/2011/minutes.htm.
Here are the highlights from the meeting on Nov. 9:
* Photos of faculty senate were taken prior to the regular meeting, and these will be posted in the near future on the faculty senate website.
Standing committee reports:
* Academic Affairs: The K-State 8 assessment proposal was passed. Various course and curriculum changes were approved, including a new minor in African studies, which will be forwarded to the BOR for approval. A minor in military science was dropped.
* Faculty Affairs: Revisions to Appendix G in the university handbook and the university policy flowchart are still in progress.
* FSCOT: iTUNES U is still under discussion. Again, iSIS will be down during Thanksgiving break for an update to the system.
* FSCOUP: Met on Oct. 21 with Casey Lauer and Bruce Shubert and discussed the university's energy efficiency plans. Also, a memo was sent to President Kirk Schulz from FSCOUP regarding the K-State 2025 themes and subgroups.
* Student Senate: Discussed the city/university funds committee, enhanced classroom experience committee, and a recent trip to Baylor. Students expressed appreciation for the open communication between our faculty and student governing bodies here at K-State.
Announcements:
* Faculty senate has a president-elect vacancy and will be holding an election at the December meeting.
* Sue Peterson is involved with the Brownback campaign in various avenues.
For the Good of the University:
* Senator Fallin encouraged faculty to attend the Coffman Commons Dedication Nov. 11.
* Senator Potts discussed the AAUP and their efforts.
* Senator Gould reported on the All-University Campaign.
* Senator Sump reminded senators of the WWII Reveal taking place Nov. 10.