Kansas State University

MANHATTAN — Kansas State University is receiving the Council of College and Military Educators Institution Award for its comprehensive approach to serving military students.

The university is the 2015 recipient of the award, which recognizes a higher education institution that has significantly contributed to the cause of military education.

"K-State is honored to be recognized for our decades of work serving the educational needs of our nation's military," said Art DeGroat, the university's executive director of military and veterans affairs. "We collectively see the mission of educating our military service members as a responsibility. Most significant is the transitional value of K-State degrees in allowing our military to compete in the 21st century workforce after their military service." 

Kansas State University takes a whole-of-university approach to serving military students through its campuses, nearby military installations and online. The university has built a military-inclusive campus culture that has increased military-connected student enrollment from 2.6 percent in 2006 to 13 percent in 2014. 

Cheryl Polson, director of Kansas State University's Fort Leavenworth graduate program and associate dean of the Graduate School, recommended nominating the university for the award because of the exceptional effort Kansas State University has consistently extended to assisting armed forces members pursuing off-duty education. 

"Our faculty and staff provide the quality education expected of a research institution through our Fort Leavenworth graduate programs while recognizing the unique challenges and situations affecting these military officers," Polson said. "The success of these programs derives from the consolidated efforts of countless faculty and staff, distributed across a broad range of colleges and departments within the university. Thus, this award truly belongs to our university as fitting recognition of those integrated institutional efforts." 

David Stewart, associate dean of K-State Global Campus, accepted the award on behalf of the university at the annual Council of College and Military Educators' annual banquet in Anaheim, California.

"K-State serves military personnel and their family members through voluntary education programs on our campuses, online and at Fort Leavenworth and Fort Riley," Stewart said. "These programs are supported by our faculty and an array of academic advising, financial assistance and other students support services at our campuses. The award recognizes the quality of this total team effort. To be selected from the many institutional members of the Council of College and Military Educators makes this truly special."