Source: April Mason, 785-532-6224, masona@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Katie Mayes, 785-532-2535, kmayes@k-state.edu

Thursday, Sept. 9, 2010

K-STATE COLLEGES PULL OUT ALL THE STOPS TO PAINT KC PURPLE AT ARROWHEAD SEPT. 18

MANHATTAN – Kansas State University's academic groups will help paint Kansas City purple when the Cats play the Iowa State Cyclones at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 18, at Arrowhead Stadium.

"The game at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium is a prime opportunity for the whole university to support the football team and show off the excellent work going on in each of the university's colleges," said April Mason, K-State provost and senior vice president. "K-State is focused on teaching, research and engagement, so we are bringing interactive displays that will allow people to see some of the very exciting initiatives that are taking place at all three of our campuses."

The event also showcases many of the ways K-State is working to become recognized nationally as a top 50 public research university by 2025.

The College of Engineering is bringing the SAE Formula One Car and team, while K-State Salina is bringing its student-built Baja Car and information about the campus' new unmanned aerial vehicle program.

Free Paint KC Purple T-shirts and Mardi Gras beads will be given away to the first 100 visitors to the displays.

Other display highlights include:

* Students from the College of Architecture, Planning and Design will build structures out of purple-boxed, non-perishable food items. At the end of the day the food will be donated to a local food bank.

* The College of Human Ecology's display focuses on athletic training and will include interactive balance demonstrations and rehabilitation exercises used by athletes.

* The College of Veterinary Medicine is offering tours of the Wildcat Express, a 24-foot motor coach used by the K-State Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. Fans also will be able to take pictures of themselves as "Dr. Willie Wildcat."

* The K-State Libraries display features historical photos; a football, now in the university archives, from the first game at Bill Snyder Family Stadium; and around 30 Royal Purple yearbooks for fans to read. A copy of the book "K-State Football Vault" will be available and open to pages covering the 1963 K-State vs. Iowa State away game, which K-State won. K-State Libraries will have two large cardboard stand-ups with face cutouts that fans can pose with and take pictures. One stand-up features a referee and a football player, and the other includes three cheerleaders and Willie the Wildcat.

Representatives from the Colleges of Agriculture, Arts and Sciences, Business Administration and Education will be on hand to talk about their academic programs and the wide range of career opportunities available to graduates. K-State Olathe will provide details about its new campus, and the Division of Continuing Education will have information about how working adults can continue their education online. The Graduate School will host a beanbag toss where participants can learn about graduate opportunities at K-State.

Admissions representatives will be on hand with information about all of K-State's academic programs.

The K-State Alumni Association will have a booth, in addition to hosting a pre-game tailgate at the Arrowhead Pavilion near Gate F. The event will feature the K-State Marching Band, Willie the Wildcat, K-State cheerleaders and speakers, including Kirk Schulz, K-State president; John Currie, K-State athletic director; and Amy Button Renz, president of the K-State Alumni Association. Admission is $5 for adults and free for those younger than 18. Food will be available for purchase.

All booths will have a little bit of Purple Pride to give away.