Sources: Tamara Bauer, 785-532-7091, tamara@k-state.edu;
and Kyle Merklein, 785-395-5215, kyle34@k-state.edu;
Photo available. Contact media@k-state.edu or 785-532-6415
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-6415, kmayes@k-state.edu

Thursday, Sept. 24, 2009

MORE THAN SEVEN DECADES OF PURPLE PRIDE NETS IUKA FAMILY K-STATE'S 2009 FAMILY OF THE YEAR TITLE

MANHATTAN -- Twenty Wildcats from four generations have earned the Bob and Janis Moore family the distinction of being Kansas State University's 2009 Family of the Year.

The Moore family will be recognized at the K-State football game against Tennessee Tech, Saturday, Sept. 26, as part of the university's Family Day activities.

"Each family member is a dedicated K-State fan," wrote Blake and Tamara Bauer on their nomination application for the Moore family. Blake Bauer, who works at Intrust Bank in Manhattan, is a grandson of the Moores. His wife, Tamara, is associate coordinator of K-State's new student services.

"At every family gathering the stories shared around the table are always about great memories from K-State or about the latest happening on campus," the Bauers wrote. "From stories in the residence halls, to being little sisters in fraternities, to lavaliering significant others, to the changes in K-State football and basketball wins, each conversation easily turns to life as a Wildcat."

K-State's junior honorary, Chimes, selects the K-State Family of the Year based on three criteria: how the family is affiliated with the university; the way they show their loyalty and pride in K-State; and what role family plays in their lives.

For the Moore family, it all started with Janis Moore's father, Shelby Neelly, who played football for and graduated from K-State in 1933. Then Janis and Bob Moore, who today live in Iuka, went to K-State in the 1950s and married. They had four children who each graduated from the university and went on to get married to other K-Staters. Next came the grandchildren, all of whom have graduated from K-State, are currently enrolled or who plan to be Wildcats in the future.

To keep the family's K-State tradition going, Bob and Janis Moore have purchased each grandchild a lifetime membership to the K-State Alumni Association as their graduation gift.

Many of the Moore clan weren't just students while at K-State -- they took part in sports, belonged to fraternities or sororities and were active on campus.

The Bauers said that combined, the family has attended K-State for a total of 72 years; lived in West, Ford, Goodnow, Moore and Boyd residence halls; and the family's Greek affiliations include FarmHouse, Alpha Delta Pi, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Alpha Tau Omega, Kappa Sigma and Theta Xi.

"The values and principles Bob and Janis learned at K-State are easily seen in any member of the family," the Bauers said. "K-State's way of being friendly, prideful, willing to learn and grow, and having a commitment to excellence are all values this family possesses. When we look at this family it is easy to see that each member has a very strong work ethic; they want to work and be the best they can to represent their family and their heritage."