K-State Current - December 4, 2019

K-State Current is a weekly news update for the Kansas Board of Regents to apprise the Regents on a few of the many successes and achievements made by K-State faculty, staff and students.

K-State News

Apparel and textiles program receives national accreditation

The Kansas State University undergraduate program in apparel and textiles in the College of Health and Human Sciences has been granted accreditation by the Textile and Apparel Program Accreditation Commission, also known as TAPAC.

TAPAC is the official accrediting organization for baccalaureate programs in textiles, apparel and related areas. With a vision of ensuring higher education for the advancement of the textile and apparel profession, TAPAC assesses the quality of textile and apparel undergraduate programs throughout the United States. The purpose of TAPAC is the establishment of standards for textile and apparel programs and evaluation of programs through peer review.

Throughout the 2018-2019 academic year, the apparel and textiles program at K-State engaged in TAPAC's accreditation process — including the preparation of an extensive self-study report and participation in an accreditation review site visit.

The apparel and textiles program at K-State is the only four-year fashion program in Kansas, and it is designed to inspire students to envision fresh new approaches to the global challenges facing every aspect of the fashion industry. This accreditation is external affirmation of the quality and reputability of the program. Accreditation of the apparel and textiles undergraduate program was granted in October 2019 and is valid for six years.

Partnership with Hill's Pet Nutrition adds dimensions to K-State veterinary college Third-year student Abby Ostronic brings her dog Leo to work with her for an internship in professional veterinary affairs at Hill's Pet Nutrition offices in Topeka.

Healthy pets and nutrition education are key components of a partnership announced a year ago between the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University and Hill's Pet Nutrition.

One of the highlights of the partnership has included the addition of an internship dedicated to nutritional service and education at the Veterinary Health Center, which serves as the college's veterinary hospital. Part of this internship includes the establishment of an obesity clinic for small animal veterinary patients.

"The objective of the K-State Obesity Clinic is to provide a structured program to help overweight dogs and cats reach their ideal body weight," said Elizabeth Davis, head of the clinical sciences department and interim director for the Veterinary Health Center. "The program offers six-month blocks of enrollment that include regular veterinary consults — rechecks will occur every two to four weeks depending upon rates of weight loss."

Vincent Michels was hired as the Veterinary Health Center's primary care/nutrition intern.

"Dr. Michels will be overseeing the majority of the patients enrolled in the program," Davis said. "For the more challenging cases, he will be able to consult with two of Hill's American College of Veterinary Nutrition board-certified clinical nutritionists who are also adjunct faculty of the Department of Clinical Sciences."

This past summer, Hill's Pet Nutrition hosted a summer internship for current veterinary student Abby Ostronic, who is from Lenexa and is currently in her third year of studies at the College of Veterinary Medicine.

"Hill's was an incredible experience for me as I would recommend it to any other veterinary student in the future," Ostronic said. "I got the ability to see what daily life is like as an industry veterinarian and the immense number of roles that a veterinarian can have whether it is in marketing, education, finance, product development, research or many other areas that we are not exposed to during veterinary school. Even though I was only at the company for three months, I was able to make a big difference in their education protocol as well, as Hill's has forever changed my perspective of possibly working as an industry veterinarian in the future."

"It was my pleasure to have Abby Ostronic as the first Global Professional Veterinary Affairs Summer Intern at Hill's Pet Nutrition," said Dr. Mark Brady, senior manager professional engagement.

Another aspect of the partnership includes the establishment of a new continuing education symposium to be Dec. 7 at Frick Auditorium in Mosier Hall at the K-State College of Veterinary Medicine. This symposium features experts from the college, as well as professionals from the industry who will be lecturing on small animal nutrition. This symposium will include complimentary registration to professionals in the field who are looking to learn more about educating and communicating with pet owners to have healthy animals. Lunch and snacks will be provided.

About the College of Veterinary Medicine: The Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, established in 1905, is dedicated to scholarship through innovation and excellence in teaching, research, and service to promote animal and human health for the public good. We are committed to creating an environment that is fulfilling and rewarding, being recognized for good communication, productive collaboration, mutual respect, diversity, integrity, and honesty. To carry out this mission, the college's nationally recognized instructional and research programs provide the highest standards of professional education.

K-State Faculty Highlights

History professor Jim Sherow wins multiple awards for latest book

Jim Sherow, university distinguished professor in the College of Arts and Sciences' history department, has been honored with multiple awards for his latest book on the famous Chisholm Trail.

Sherow's book, "The Chisholm Trail: Joseph McCoy's Great Gamble," published in 2018, explores the significance of the tiny waystation in Abilene, Kansas, established by Joseph McCoy after the Civil War. The Great Western railroad outlet lured thousands of Texas longhorns to move north to market during the late 19th century. Sherow highlights the significance of the Great Plains in U.S. history by exploring the environmental costs of the cattle drives, changes to the American diet, and national business practices.

"I am thrilled with the reception of this book," Sherow said.

In October 2019, "The Chisholm Trail" won the Award for Outstanding Western Book by West Texas A&M University's Center for the Study of American West, a juried prize recognizing books that demonstrate excellent scholarly or creative insight concerning the American West or some aspect of its history, culture, society or environment.

"This book is perhaps the most complete history of the Chisholm Trail, placing familiar tales such as gunfights and cattle drives into a much wider historical context," said Tim Bowman, professor of history at West Texas A&M University.

Sherow's book was also awarded the Hal K. Rothman Prize by the Western History Association at its annual meeting in October. The Rothman Book Award annually recognizes the best book in western environmental history defined in its broadest sense.

The Western History Association had this to say of "The Chisholm Trail": "Employing a truly ecological approach to the trail, [Sherow] examines human beings as a keystone in species in shaping an ecosystem that stretches from nearly microscopic levels of tick biology all the way to the dinner tables of New York City."

"The Chisholm Trail" was also selected as the second-place winner of the Co-Founders "Best Book" Award by the Westerners International Annual Awards committee with recognition and a cash award. The prize recognizes the best nonfiction books written by a member of Westerners International concerning an aspect of the American West.

In April 2019, "The Chisholm Trail" was selected as a finalist for the Stubbendieck Great Plains Distinguished Book Prize, by the Center for Great Plains Studies in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Sherow is the author of five other books: "Railroad Empire Across the Heartland: Rephotographing Alexander Gardner's Westward Journey," 2014; "Images of America: Manhattan," 2013; "The Grasslands of the United States: An Environmental History," 2007; "A Sense of the American West: An Anthology of Environmental History," 1998; and "Watering the Valley: Development along the High Plains Arkansas River, 1870-1950," 1990.

K-State Student News

Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition recognizes K-State Sales Team with top honors

The Kansas State University Sales Team competed in the Northeast Intercollegiate Sales Competition in Smithfield, Rhode Island, hosted by Bryant University on Oct. 25-26.

The competition had 26 universities and 150 competitors, and offered a tournament-style sales competition with individualized feedback and coaching.

The K-State Sales Team had five students compete in the competition: Lanessa Aurand, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing, Belleville; Kaitlyn Porter, senior in organizational management, Manhattan; Jacqueline Clawson, senior in marketing and agricultural economics, Meade; Katie Horton, junior in marketing and professional strategic selling, and Abbie O'Grady, senior in professional strategic selling and marketing, both from Overland Park.

The team competed against students from other universities in multiple events. The K-State Sales Team was recognized for its efforts by taking home the top honors, receiving first place for the Role Play Scenario Team Award. In the Individual Role Play Scenario, O'Grady placed first, Aurand placed second, and Porter placed fourth overall. Horton made it to the quarterfinals but did not advance to the semifinals.

"We are so proud of the members of this team!" said Dawn Deeter, director of the National Strategic Selling Institute and sales team coach. "They turned in great performances and represented K-State well. I received messages from several coaches from other universities commenting on the professionalism and skills of Lanessa, Jacqueline, Katie, Abbie and Kaitlyn. It's a pleasure to work with such motivated and hard-working students."

The K-State Sales Team is in the College of Business Administration's National Strategic Selling Institute, which has been named one of the top sales programs in the country for eight straight years by the Sales Education Foundation. The team consists of students who are enrolled in the certificate or major in professional strategic selling. Last fall, K-State became just the 19th university in the U.S. to offer a major in professional strategic selling. Students can also earn a certificate in professional strategic selling, which is open to all majors at the university. The professional strategic selling program introduces students to the fundamentals of sales and through the innovative curriculum and sales labs allows students to develop the skills needed to be successful.

The K-State Sales Team will be competing in several competitions throughout the school year across the country. For more information on the National Strategic Selling Institute or the K-State Sales Team, please contact kstatesalesprogram@k-state.edu.

Interior design student receives Horizon Award from professional organization

Jessica Pennington, a senior from Wichita, was named the recipient of the inaugural Horizon Award from the International Interior Design Association Mid-America Chapter.

The Horizon Award recognizes a student in the chapter with a passion for the craft of design and who shows leadership on their campus. Pennington was recognized at the the chapter's Elevate Awards Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 25.

Michael Dudek, associate professor of interior design, had high praise for Pennington.

"Jessica is an ideal recipient for this inaugural IIDAMA Horizon Award," Dudek said. "She is a great student leader and role model for the first- and second-year interior design students. I appreciate IIDA Mid-America's commitment to and support of our interior design students."

International Interior Design Association is the commercial interior design association with global reach. They support design professions, industry affiliates, educators, students, firms and their clients through their network of 15,000-plus members across 58 countries. They advocate for advancement in education, design excellence, legislation, leadership, accreditation, and community outreach to increase the value and understanding of interior design as a profession that enhances business value and positively impacts the health and well-being of people’s lives every day.

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