The International Grains Program conference center was a festive location for the department holiday potluck supper on Dec. 11. The Manhattan High School Pops Choir provided entertainment. About 57 department members and their families attended the party. Karen Blakeslee, the department’s most recent Communicator of the Year, also attended. The department also collected $65 for the Red Cross.
Kathleen Ward won the prize for most obnoxious holiday attire (Russ has photos). Certificates and candy were presented to five deserving staff members. Nancy Peterson was honored as “Best Airport Travel Companion” by those who traveled to Michigan with her. Gina Nixon and Donise Osbourn were recognized by Nancy Peterson for their “caring and supportive attitude.” Gamage Dissanayake nominated Gerry Snyder for his “positive work attitude and environmental stewardship.” The entire Publications Unit showed their appreciation to Amy Hartman for her “consistent and timely attention to detail and customer service.
”Those who brought “white elephant” gifts had a chance to select and trade for one-of-a-kind treasures. Dan Donnert was quite a sight as he handed out the gifts wearing an elf hat complete with pointy ears and bells.
Back to the Top
Mary Lou Peter welcomes a new granddaughter. Madison Grace was born Jan. 28. She weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz. and measured 20 inches long.
Back to the Top
The wellness committee’s next brownbag lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 12 noon in UM #317. Sharolyn Jackson will talk about what’s planned for Walk Kansas in 2010. All are invited.
Daily tips, events, and more information on wellness are available online at www.communications.ksu.edu/Wellness. You can submit ideas for wellness activities in the department by sending email to LiveWell@ksre.ksu.edu.
Back to the Top
Megan Blythe, freshman in Agricultural Communications and Journalism, was awarded the National Cattleman’s Foundation Scholarship. Along with the scholarship she was selected to attend the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention as an intern and assisted with the organization of events.
Back to the Top
K-State Research and Extension agent Nancy Schuster of Anderson County sent this note of gratitude to Greg LeValley: “Hey, thanks so much. You delivered our newsletters to us early by four or five days. Thanks so much. They look great! We really appreciate everything you do for us.”
Back to the top
Shannon Washburn is part of a team that received a grant for international travel. He will be traveling to Egypt this summer for the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the K-State College of Agriculture and El Fayoum University (outside of Cairo).
Marcus Ashlock and Chris Lavergne were part of two K-State teams who recently received grants:
- One team received $4,000 for Infusing and Assessing the Tilford Multicultural Competencies in the Academic Curricula at K-State.
- A second team received $10,778 for a grant that will study the question, “Why Buy Rural When I Can Get It On My Way Home?”
Chris Lavergne received two grants for experiential learning projects in his environmental communications course.
- The first involves creating awareness campaigns and public relations coordination for the Tuttle Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy group.
- The second is funded by State Farm to develop a community water conservation project marketing rain barrels in Riley County.
He has also received various other grants recently, including:
- Midwest Water Conservation Experiential Learning Grant for $28,936 funded by State Farm Youth Advisory Board;
- A grant for $5,000 from Kansas WaterLINK for the Big Blue/Little Blue RI WRAPS Communication Project;
- $13,650 from the Center for Engagement and Community Development as part of a team project to study Earth Worms Across Kansas; and
- $120,000 grant from USDA-CSREES for the project, Environmental Leadership Interdisciplinary Curriculum to Address Water for $120,000 (with Dan Kahl).
Back to the top