February 4, 2020
Diversity Programs Office Update
Submitted by College of Agriculture Diversity Programs Office
Happy Black History Month! This month has started with a Super Bowl win by the Kansas City Chiefs. It has been 50 years and all are excited. In addition, the groundhog did not see his/her shadow which gives us hope for an early spring and we had a palindrome date of 02022020 or February 2, 2020. So, we are off to a great start!
The Diversity Programs Office (DPO) would like to begin by thanking everyone who attended our 16th Annual College of Agriculture (COA) Diversity Student Leader Reception on January 27. The event was a success with students and faculty/staff from all over campus! Our speaker was Rev. John Williams, Vice President for Topeka Board of Education, USD 501. We would also like to thank everyone who participated in events during the week of observance honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The K-State MANRRS Chapter held their Spring Corporate Showcase on Wednesday, January 29, in conjunction with the K-State Agri-Industry Career Fair. The chapter hosted five corporate sponsors including Cargill, Ardent Mills, Smithfield Foods, Union Pacific, and the Peace Corps. This event offered a great opportunity for students to gain experience and network with industry professionals. The students also expanded their insight into the work force, and potential job opportunities and internships for their future. Thank you to all those that attended. We are grateful to our industry supporters that came to connect with the students. Special thanks to our staff for all of their hard work in making this week’s events a success.
We are grateful to our Dean/Director, Dr. Ernie Minton and other COA administrators who participated in the weeklong events. The laying of the wreaths at Dr. King’s bust at Ahearn Fieldhouse is always meaningful and this year was no exception. There were remarks from Latisha Dawson representing our corporate partner, Cargill; Adrian Rodriquez, Associate VP for Diversity Multicultural Student Affairs; and the university’s Chief Diversity Officer, Dr. Bryan Samuel. Special thanks to the Office of the President, Office of the Provost, K-State Athletics, College of Business Administration, Human Capital Services, Office of General Counsel, College of Arts and Sciences, and Division of Student Life for sponsoring wreaths making the Laying of the Wreaths Ceremony possible. Thanks also to the Kappa Tau Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc for serving as one of the event’s sponsors. The ceremony gives us a moment to pause at the end of an eventful week to reflect and recommit to the mission of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Please continue to look for more diversity news and events as we begin the 2020 spring semester. We appreciate all your support. For more information about upcoming events please contact Dr. Zelia Wiley, Assistant Dean and Director of Diversity Programs, at 785-532-5793 or zwiley@ksu.edu.