May 24, 2024
Memorial celebrating the life of Carol VanNahmen
Carol (Gould) VanNahmen passed away peacefully in her home on May 19. VanNahmen's dedication to education, community service and collaboration has left an indelible mark on K-State and the Manhattan community. A memorial/visitation service will be held at her home, 220 Starlight Lane, Manhattan, from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 26.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to support community service programs at Kansas State University.
Read VanNahmen's obituary, which so articulately celebrates her impactful life and the many ways she devoted herself to the advancement of educational opportunities for all.
VanNahmen served K-State as the director of the Community Service Program and the Center for Rural Initiatives before joining the Innovative Digital Education Alliance, or IDEA, formerly Great Plains IDEA, as the executive director in 2009. Over her 15-year tenure at IDEA, she was instrumental in the growth of the alliance and in fostering collaboration across institutions. Under her leadership, IDEA added a new human sciences master's degree and bachelor's degree program, as well as seven agriculture programs. Human sciences program enrollment increased by 51 percent, and agriculture program enrollment increased by 863 percent. In March 2015, VanNahmen was recognized by the IDEA Cabinet with the Distinguished Service Award, the first and only time this honor has been given by the alliance.