News release prepared by: Mary Lou Peter, 913-856-2335, mlpeter@ksu.edu

Monday, April 11, 2011

THIRD KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY CAMPUS OPENING ITS DOORS APRIL 26 IN OLATHE

OLATHE -- New opportunities for research, graduate education and more are coming to the Kansas City area with the opening of Kansas State University's newest campus in Olathe. A ribbon-cutting ceremony at K-State Olathe will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, with an open house for the public to follow until 7 p.m.

"By making Olathe a part of our three-campus system, Kansas State University expertise in teaching, research and graduate education is coming to the Kansas City metropolitan area," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "More opportunities for research, business and higher education are now within reach of the Johnson County community and the entire metro. The Greater Kansas City community will be an important part of our effort to become a top 50 public research university by 2025."

The campus, located just east of Kansas Highway 7 on College Boulevard in Olathe, will be home to students working toward master's and doctorate degrees in the biosciences and biotechnology, including animal health and food safety and related areas. They'll have the opportunity to work with scientists involved in research at the campus.

The open house will be at the campus's first building, the International Animal Health and Food Safety Institute. The $28 million, 108,000-square-foot building will house research, education and outreach programs in its laboratories and classrooms. The building is financed by a portion of a one-eighth cent sales tax approved by Johnson County voters in November 2008.

"The people of Johnson County have made this building a reality. We're very appreciative of their support," said April Mason, K-State provost and senior vice president. "We at Kansas State University look forward to the continued partnerships with local industry, the Olathe school district and community members. Kansas State University Olathe will begin offering graduate classes this fall tailored to the needs of the community."

K-State Olathe is part of the Johnson County Education and Research Triangle, or JCERT, initiative. It's a cooperative effort with the University of Kansas, involving KU's Edwards Campus and the KU Medical Center.

In addition to graduate-level classes and research, K-State Olathe plans to work with area companies to provide professional development training for their employees.

"The grand opening of this building marks a momentous occasion for K-State, Johnson County and the citizens of Kansas, but it's just the beginning," said Dan Richardson, chief executive officer of K-State Olathe. "It's the actual product coming out of the building -- education, commercially viable technology and work force development -- that will truly make a difference in the regional economy and the quality of life for citizens."

More information about K-State Olathe is available at http://www.olathe.k-state.edu. Information about K-State, including its academic programs and research, is available at http://www.k-state.edu.