Source: Lori Goetsch, 785-532-7492, lgoetsch@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Donna F. Ekart, 785-532-7452, dfe@k-state.edu,

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

HAIL TO A FORMER CHIEF: PROGRAM APRIL 19 TO HONOR PRESIDENT EMERITUS ACKER

MANHATTAN -- An afternoon of events is planned Tuesday, April 19, at Hale Library to honor Duane C. Acker, president emeritus of Kansas State University. All events are free and open to the public.

Sponsors are the K-State Libraries and the office of the president. Beginning at 3 p.m. in Hale Library's Hemisphere Room, events will center on "Two at a Time," Acker's book about his experiences at K-State. Remarks by Acker will be followed by a reception and book signing opportunity. Copies of "Two at a Time" will be available for purchase.

"Two at a Time" is about Acker's life as K-State president and the challenges and satisfactions of the job. The title arises from the two times during his presidency that two new building projects were going on at the same time.

When Acker assumed the presidency of K-State on July 1, 1975, he inherited both a management team and their operating traditions. The average tenure of university presidents was only three and a half years. Acker told his friends his goal was to survive for six years and stay no more than 10. Also during his time at K-State, Acker served for three years as an appointee of President Ronald Reagan on the board for International Food and Agricultural Development.

"We're happy to welcome President Emeritus Acker back to the K-State campus," said Lori A. Goetsch, dean of K-State Libraries. "It will be interesting to learn from his leadership experiences and celebrate the publication of his book."

Acker's career included serving as associate dean of agriculture and director of resident instruction at K-State, 1962 to 1966; then dean of agriculture and biological sciences and director of extension and the experiment station at South Dakota State University, 1966 to 74; and vice chancellor for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, 1974 to 1975. His K-State presidential tenure lasted from 1975 to 1986. Following his K-State years, he held a variety of federal government positions related to agriculture, most recently as the U.S. Department of Agriculture's assistant secretary of agriculture for science and education.

For more information about the event contact Goetsch at lgoetsch@k-state.edu or 785-532-7492, or call K-State's office of the president, 785-532-6221.