Sources: Emily Lehning, 785-532-6237, lehning@k-state.edu;
and Brenna Ford, bhford@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.k-state.edu/openhouse
News release prepared by: Megan Molitor, 785-532-1566, molitor@k-state.edu
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Make a connection, expand your social network at All-University Open House
MANHATTAN -- There are few places where you can find mutant beetles and student-designed furniture while enjoying popcorn or pancakes, and Kansas State University's open house is one of them. The All-University Open House gives the public and future students a chance to experience the university firsthand.
The open house will take place Saturday, April 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Manhattan campus and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Salina campus. With a focus on making connections for the future and expanding your social network, this year's open house will offer hands-on demonstrations, entertainment, food, exhibits, tours and more.
"Open house is an excellent opportunity for prospective students, families and the community to sample what K-State has to offer," said Emily Lehning, assistant vice president for student life. "Students, faculty and staff have worked together to combine education and fun through activities and experiences that will be enjoyable for all ages."
For the annual event, each college puts together an assortment of educational demonstrations and activities, many of which are kid-friendly. Open house is free to attend, and no registration is required. Each year, 20,000 people flock to K-State's carnival of academic exhibits and entertainment -- not to mention a little food.
Future students will be able to discuss K-State's more than 250 majors and options with college and program representatives. Walking tours of the campus will leave every half hour from the admissions booth in the K-State Student Union, with tours to be conducted bilingually, in both English and Spanish, at both noon and 1 p.m. The residence halls, Jardine Apartments, scholarship houses and K-State's Greek houses also will have information and tours available throughout the day.
Starting at 10 a.m. the Academic and Career Information Center in 14 Holton Hall will offer a free online career assessment to help evaluate individual strengths and options. Sign up early; the test is limited to eight people an hour.
Activities from different colleges and university units will be available across campus. The College of Arts and Sciences is offering tours of K-State's award-winning newspaper, the Collegian, as well as a demonstration on how mutant beetles help fight cancer. The College of Engineering will celebrate its 90th open house with food, games, music and fun. At 10 a.m., engineering students also will race bicycles powered by grass-trimmer motors in a drag race.
Calvin Hall will be transformed into a board game called "Hallopoly." Collect $200 in College of Business Administration "money" at the front door, and test your skill in contests and games. Watch historical figures come to life in a living wax museum at the College of Education in Bluemont Hall, and see students show off their skills at the Little American Royal Livestock Exposition in Weber Arena, just one of the activities offered by the College of Agriculture.
Attendees at the College of Human Ecology also can learn how an original print is silk-screened onto fabric in Justin Hall's textile lab, as well as watch hotel and restaurant management students transform blocks of ice into beautiful sculptures. In Seaton Hall, home of the College of Architecture, Planning and Design, participate in the Student Planning Association's BOXHattan project by applying for a building permit and creating your addition to the box city. Visit the College of Veterinary Medicine for the exotic animal exhibit and to race through the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract display to see how food is digested.
At the university's Salina campus, use student-built cannons to aim water balloons at your least favorite mascot, see what it's like to fly an aircraft and check out the university's fleet.
Food options will be available across campus, including a free lunch in Calvin Hall, a pancake breakfast in Seaton Hall, pretzel rolling in Shellenberger Hall and healthy snacks in Justin Hall. An all-you-can-eat sandwich bar will also be available at the Derby and Kramer dining centers during lunch for $6.50.
High school sophomores are invited to attend the For Sophomores Only events on Friday evening and Saturday morning, which will include group activities; a social; a college life simulation; and information about admissions, financial aid and scholarships. Contact the K-State Alumni Association at 785-532-6260 for more information. On Saturday, receptions are scheduled for out-of-state, multicultural and transfer students and their families. For more information or to register for these receptions, visit http://www.k-state.edu/openhouse/future.html.
Check out http://www.k-state.edu/openhouse for a complete listing of open house events, activities and a video.
