Sources: Charles Reagan, 785-532-6221, reagan@k-state.edu;
and Cheryl Polson, 785-532-5772, cpolson@k-state.edu
Photos available after 5 p.m. today at http://www.ksuphoto.zenfolio.com/leavenworth
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu
Friday, May 15, 2009
K-STATE PRESIDENT JON WEFALD RECEIVES ARMY'S OUTSTANDING CIVILIAN SERVICE MEDAL
MANHATTAN -- Officials from the U.S. Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth honored Kansas State University President Jon Wefald today with the Department of the Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Medal. The medal recognizes those not employed by the Army for their noteworthy support.
The medal was awarded by Brig. Gen. Edward Cardon, deputy commandant of the Command and General Staff College, at commencement for K-State's Graduate School. Wefald received a standing ovation after receiving the honor.
Chris King, dean of academics for the Command and General Staff College, read the Army medal's citation at the ceremony.
"President Jon Wefald has been a major supporter of Fort Leavenworth and the United States Army Combined Arms Center from January 1986 through January 2008," said the citation. "Through his untiring support, the Command and General Staff College and Kansas State University now cooperatively manage master's and doctoral degree programs in security studies, history, adult education and operations research … President Wefald's service to Fort Leavenworth, the United States Army, the state of Kansas and the nation reflect great credit on himself and Kansas State University."
This spring, 40 students will receive degrees earned through the program, including 29 master's degrees in adult education, nine master's degrees in security studies, one master's degree in history and a doctorate in education.
"Our military students have made significant sacrifices to become graduates of Kansas State University," said Cheryl Polson, director of K-State-Leavenworth and associate dean of the Graduate School. "Many began their course work only weeks or months after extended deployments to Iraq or Afghanistan. Each made a conscious decision to obtain a degree from a nationally recognized and respected university that required long hours devoted to graduate work, often at the expense of time with their families."
The partnership between Fort Leavenworth and K-State, which started in 1990, has resulted in more than 450 master's and doctoral degrees.
