The Tuesday Letter
Agricultural Experiment Station & Cooperative Extension Service
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
(Vol. 18 No. 23)
IN THIS ISSUE...
WORD FROM THE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - EXTENSION AND APPLIED RESEARCH
This week Kansas State University is undergoing its accreditation process with a site visit by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). An executive committee, steering committee and several sub-committees have been working on the development of a self-study document that was recently completed for use with the HLC. To better understand the process, a website was developed, http://www.k-state.edu/hlcstudy/. A final report to the HLC can be found at http://www.k-state.edu/hlcstudy/selfstudy/.
How does this all impact K-State Research and Extension? The integrated nature of the Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service with Kansas State University make us a vital component of the mission, vision, and plans for Kansas State University. Therefore, several of us have been involved in development of the document and will be meeting with members of the HLC review team. One section of the final document provides a glimpse of the work at Kansas State University that is viewed as engagement and service. As you would look at criterion 5, you'll see that K-State Research and Extension is one of several examples of how Kansas State University fulfills its overall mission of engagement with external audiences. From the work of KSRE, Continuing Education, Service Learning, Advanced Manufacturing, Center for Engagement and Community Development, Ft. Riley and military engagement, it becomes evident that K-State does indeed have a strong external focus. That focus can and will be further strengthened through this process and learning that takes place.
The final report is a very brief summary and captures a very few highlights of our comprehensive programs and initiatives. A more comprehensive set of resources were made available to the review team in preparation for their visit. We will look forward to the eventual report from the team reflecting on ways in which Kansas State University can better fulfill its mission, responsibilities, and obligations.
Have a great week! --Daryl Buchholz dbuchhol@ksu.edu
ENTOMOLOGY DEPARTMENT HEAD INTERVIEW
This is to remind everyone that the second candidate for the Department Head of Entomology will be in town on Thursday and Friday, April 12 and 13. The candidate is David Stanley, USDA/Agricultural Research Center, Columbia, MO. His seminar will be held in Waters 137 on Thursday, April 12, from 10:30 - 12:00, so please mark your calendars to attend. If you need any further information, please contact Dorothy Doan, 532-7137; or Maria Sweet, 532-6147. --Dorothy Doan ddoan@ksu.edu
"PURPLE UP FOR MILITARY KIDS" - FRIDAY, APRIL 13
April marks the nation’s “Month of the Military Child,” a time to honor youth impacted by deployment. In celebration, Kansas Operation: Military Kids (OMK), part of the 4-H Youth Development program of K-State Research and Extension, invites you to join us for “Purple Up! For Military Kids.”
We are encouraging everyone across the state of Kansas to wear purple on Friday, April 13, as a visible way to show support and thank military children for their strength and sacrifices. Purple is the color that symbolizes all branches of the military, as it is the combination of Army green, Coast Guard blue, Air Force blue, Marine red and Navy blue. OMK hopes everyone will take this opportunity to appreciate and celebrate these young heroes.
Be creative….the goal is for military youth to actually see the support of their community! Need some ideas to get you started?
• Ask local, regional, and state officials to wear purple on April 13
• Spread the word by inviting newspaper and media outlets to feature a story about Purple Up! For Military Kids
• Involve area schools, sports teams, youth organizations and clubs, afterschool programs, recreation departments
• Engage the Chamber of Commerce, fraternal organizations, social clubs, and Rotary groups
• Request local businesses post a Purple Up! Message on their roadside signs, and ask their employees to wear purple
• Ask stores and restaurants to offer a discount to all patrons who wear purple
• Invite coworkers, members of your spiritual community, exercise class, or golf league to join you in showing support for the military youth in your town.
Remember to send us your photos to post on the Kansas OMK website, where military youth and families from across the state will see them. For more information, contact Kansas OMK Project Coordinator Ann Domsch at 785-532-5833 or adomsch@ksu.edu.
Operation Military Kids is a partnership of Army Child, Youth and School Services, 4-H National Headquarters/USDA, and K-State Research and Extension. Operation: Military Kids-KS is supported by the 4-H/Army Youth Development Project under Kansas State University special project number 2007-48661-03868. --Ann Domsch
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