Kansas State University

MANHATTAN -- There are few places where pancakes, a pet talent show and tightrope-walking rats come together for a fun-filled day, but Kansas State University's All-University Open House is precisely that place. Open house gives the public and future students a chance to experience the university firsthand.

This year's open house will take place Saturday, April 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the Manhattan campus and from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the Salina and Olathe campuses. As in the past, the event will offer hands-on demonstrations, entertainment, food, exhibits, tours and more. A special focus will be the university's 150th celebration. Kansas State University opened in 1863 as the nation's first operational land-grant university.

Emily Lehning, assistant vice president of new student services, said open house is an exciting event that shows off the hard work of many individuals and groups on the university's three campuses.

"We're exploring K-State's exciting future and proud traditions," said Lehning. "Open house is a great opportunity for current and future students, the community, and faculty and staff to enjoy the university and spend a day exploring and learning."

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 the All-University Open House's carnival of academic exhibits and entertainment -- not to mention a little food.

Adrienne Besler, junior in elementary education, Evergreen, Colo., and student coordinator for the open house coordinating committee, said this year's event will be one to remember as the university celebrates 150 years of excellence.

"Our college and student organizations have the opportunity to share their history and provide visitors a glimpse of their future. It's an exciting time to be a Wildcat," Besler said.

Future students will be able to discuss Kansas State University'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 the university's Greek houses also will have information and tours available throughout the day.

Activities from different colleges and university units will be available across campus. The College of Arts and Sciences is offering tours of the university's award-winning newspaper, the Collegian, as well as Wildcat 91.9, the award-winning student radio station. The College of Engineering welcomes visitors to its 91st open house with food, games, music and fun. At 10 a.m., engineering students will race bicycles powered by grass-trimmer motors in a drag race.

The College of Veterinary Medicine will offer many unusual exhibits at the veterinary medicine complex, including an exotic animal booth and a lesson in anatomy featuring the vet med pony. 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 can watch ice-carving demonstrations and receive a free hearing screening. 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. At 1 p.m., take a tour of the International Student Center's rain garden, which was designed and constructed by students and faculty from the department of landscape architecture and regional and community planning.

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. At K-State Olathe's open house festivities, visitors can take part in a consumer research/sensory test or a real-life laboratory experience, and then grab lunch, provided by Jazz Louisiana Kitchen, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Food options will be available across campus, including pork burgers in Mosier Hall, hot dogs in Justin Hall, a barbecue at the Union's Bosco Student Plaza, a pancake breakfast in Seaton Hall and baked goods in Shellenberger Hall. An all-you-can-eat sandwich bar also will 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.