Source: Dan Richardson, 913-541-1220, dcrichar@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.olathe.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Mary Lou Peter, 913-541-1220 or 913-856-2334 -- ext. 130, mlpeter@k-state.edu

Monday, Dec. 13, 2010

K-STATE OLATHE GRAND OPENING SET FOR APRIL 26

OLATHE -- Kansas State University will have a grand opening celebration for its new K-State Olathe campus April 26, 2011.

K-State Olathe, just east of Kansas Highway 7 on College Boulevard, will bring together the university's expertise in animal health and food safety and security. The first building is the International Animal Health and Food Safety Institute, a $28-million, 108,000-square-foot facility that will house research, education and commercialization programs in its laboratories and classrooms.

The grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting ceremony and an afternoon open house for the public.

"This is an important step for K-State, for Kansans and for the citizens of Johnson County," said K-State President Kirk Schulz. "K-State Olathe brings the university's established expertise in animal health and food safety to students and industry in the Kansas City area, so we can collaborate with businesses in those disciplines and prepare the work force."

Students working on master's and doctoral degrees in animal health, food safety and security, and related areas will work alongside scientists involved in the latest research.

"The Kansas City Animal Health Corridor is important to the state of Kansas. We are pleased that K-State has a presence in Kansas City, supported by Johnson County, to provide graduate and executive education in the animal health and food safety areas," said K-State Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason.

The institute is financed by a portion of a one-eighth cent sales tax approved by Johnson County voters in November 2008.

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

"We are extremely grateful to the citizens of Johnson County, the city of Olathe, faculty and staff at K-State's Manhattan and Salina campuses, and all Kansans who have supported this key link between K-State and the Greater Kansas City area," said K-State Olathe CEO Dan Richardson.

Details about the grand opening will be available in coming months. 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.