May 13, 2016
A letter from Gen. Richard Myers: Congratulations on a successful academic year
Submitted by Gen. Richard Myers
Dear Faculty and Staff,
As I complete the first couple of weeks as your interim president, I wish you the best as the semester comes to a close. This is a busy time with final exams and commencement exercises and I congratulate all those who helped our students earn degrees and move forward in life. What a wonderful time for the K-State family.
My initial time in the interim position has been filled with learning about the depth and breadth of opportunities at Kansas State University. While I have been very involved in recent years with outgoing President Kirk Schulz and the KSU Foundation, it is very rewarding to see how the institution continues to advance. As President Schulz bids farewell, let’s all take a moment to reflect on the achievements made during his term as president. Truly, there has been no greater time to be a Wildcat.
As we look forward to the summer sessions and upcoming fall semester there are several issues our shared governance groups and administration will be addressing. Foremost in many minds is the budget situation and how to continue momentum for K-State 2025 in a time of constrained resources. Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason leads the budget advisory committee and they have been charged with developing fiscal scenarios to guide our decisions. Tuition proposals have been submitted to the Kansas Board of Regents and will be considered for approval at the June meeting.
Enrollment is the lifeblood of the university and all of us can assist with recruiting and retention efforts. The strategic enrollment management task force report will be delivered soon, giving us the opportunity to collaboratively plan for the future of this great university. Pat Bosco, vice president for student life, continues to work tirelessly with his team to grow the K-State family and ensure our success.
Lastly, we remain on pace with the Inspiration & Innovation campaign to meet our aspirational fundraising goal of $1 billion. KSU Foundation President Greg Willems and his staff provide exceptional leadership in this endeavor. We are grateful for the tremendous support our donors provide, representing their faith in the people who work here and the future of the institution.
During this time of transition, my goal is to maintain our positive momentum across the board and set the stage for our next president. It is an honor to serve as your interim president.
With Wildcat Pride,
Gen. Richard Myers