Steve Forbes to give first Landon Lecture
K-State’s first Landon Lecture of 2015 will be given by Steve Forbes, chairman and editor-in-chief of Forbes Media, according to a K-State news release.
Under Forbes’ leadership, the company’s flagship publication has become the nation’s leading business magazine. The company has also launched a variety of new publications and businesses both nationally and internationally.
Forbes also campaigned for the Republican nomination for president in 1996 and 2000 with a platform that included a flat tax, medical savings account, new social security system, a strong national budget and others.
“We’re pleased to bring Steve Forbes to Kansas State University and the Landon Lecture Series,” Jackie Hartman, the university’s chief of staff and director of community relations, said in the news release. “His career spans many interests and fields. As a successful businessman, he leads a company that offers a variety of well-known publications and businesses both in the U.S. and internationally. He also is a best-selling author and a former presidential candidate.”
Financial planning students shine in Phoenix
A team of three personal financial planning students earned second place at a national Industry Issues competition sponsored by the Financial Service Professionals in Phoenix, Arizona, according to a K-State news release.
Mariah Bausch, junior in personal financial planning, Cole Foster, junior in personal financial planning, and Andy Rao, graduate student in financial planning, earned $3,000 in scholarships for the personal financial planning program offered through the School of Family Studies. Their coaches were Stuart Heckman and Martin Seay, assistant professors of family studies and human services.
The team analyzed and researched three professional career paths, the skills required to be successful in those careers and the value of peer relationships. The team then submitted a paper titled, “Rapid rise: Growth potential and changing business practices of U.S. financial services professions,” based on their findings.
The three teams with the best manuscripts were invited to present at the competition final.
“We are really proud of this team’s hard work and the manner in which it represented K-State in this national competition,” Heckman said in the news release. “This was our first time participating in this competition so the team’s performance was outstanding and the experience provided the students with national exposure to professionals in our field. We are looking forward to next year’s competition.”
The Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe to close
The Great Mall of the Great Plains in Olathe is scheduled to close in mid-to-late fall, according to a statement released by the mall authorities. The mall had struggled to maintain profitability since its opening in 1997, but changes in consumers’ shopping habits and the negative impact of the economic downturn are compelling them to close.
VanTrust Real Estate, the asset manager for the property, tried to identify uses for the current building but the structure, maintenance costs and layout of the mall would not support the preservation of the building.
“Our focus is on working with the current businesses in the mall to relocate to sites that meet their needs,” Tim McKee, chief executive officer of the Olathe Chamber of Commerce, said in the release. “We appreciate VanTrust’s willingness to work with us and Olathe-area businesses toward a positive outcome. The South Olathe region is rapidly changing, a fact that is evident with Olathe Medical Center’s recent announcement of a $100 million expansion.”