HUMBOLDT — Ask most folks about Kansas State University, and they’ll inevitably point to the picturesque campus in the heart of Manhattan, or mention the wildly successful KSU sports teams.
“It’s a good time to be a Wildcat,” notes Iola native and K-State senior Brody Nemecek.
But in actuality, Kansas State offers much more, notes Tim Steffensmeier, KSU’s director of outreach, with a physical presence of some form in all 105 Kansas counties.
After all, K-State’s network of Extension offices stretches from border to border. And that’s not to mention the half dozen research centers across the state, as well as K-State’s outreach campuses in Salina and Olathe.
Now, the college hopes to build on those partnerships.
Steffensmeier and a host of other K-State representatives spoke Wednesday at the first of a two-day visit to Allen County as part of the college’s “K-State 105” campaign.
“It’s an opportunity to listen and connect with communities across the state about their challenges, their opportunities and about how K-State can be a partner going forward, particularly with issues related to economic prosperity,” Steffensmeir said.
More in-depth discussions held Thursday centered on A Bolder Humboldt’s economic development ventures; enhancing student engagement in higher education; and how collective efforts can tackle the dearth of affordable, quality housing.
The 90-minute session included comments from the audience of 50 or so, touching on such issues as the difficulty rural America faces in keeping its most productive students in their hometowns after graduation.
THIS YEAR is the second for the K-State regional community visits, with future sessions planned in Barton, Ellis, Norton, Phillis and Smith counties Nov. 7-9, in Jackson County Feb. 6-7 and Reno and Sewerd counties March 5-7.
By the end of year two, the KSU delegation will have visited 18 counties across the state.
It hasn’t taken long to learn that regardless of location, certain themes have developed, Steffensmeier said, particularly when it comes to affordable housing, quality child care and rural health care delivery systems.
“All of those are packaged under the larger workforce development issues,” he said.
Fortunately, K-State’s presence lends to the college becoming an even stronger partner near and far, added Amanda Clasen, a community vitality agent for K-State Research and Extension’s Southwind office in Erie. She pointed to A Bolder Humboldt’s efforts to develop home-grown business opportunities as a prime example of opportunities for K-State partnerships.
Tara Solomon, another K-State Extension agent for the Southwind District, noted KSU’s networking efforts can assist communities working toward grant applications or to get information on child care surveys.
“There are some efforts already underway,” Steffensmeier agreed. “There are some wins we can pick up, and the efforts are not just K-State led. But it’s important to understand we’re in it for the long haul. So much of this is five, 10, 15-year commitments.
“This is not a project for a year or two, where we can pick up and say it’s over.”
THE K-STATE 105 project’s roots date back to 1862, to the college’s designation as a land grant university, which was founded by President Lincoln and Vermont Congressman Justin S. Morrill, to ensure middle class students had access to a quality education.
Up until then, only the most affluent students went to college, Steffensmeier noted.
K-State’s land grant status ensured the college would be a centerpiece for teaching agricultural and mechanical arts to meet the nation’s needs amid the Industrial Revolution.
Fast forward 160 years, and those needs are constantly evolving, Steffensmeier noted.
As such, K-State President Richard Linton has led the charge for the college to partner with communities and counties to become a more effective partner, leading to the regional community visits.
