College of APDesign receives $8 million gift
The College of Architecture, Planning and Design recently received its largest monetary gift in its history to date — $8 million.
The gift, a part of K-State’s $1 billion Innovation and Inspiration Campaign, was given by an anonymous alum of the college. The funds will be invested into the college with an expected distribution of about $400,000 annually, according to the Little Apple Post.
The annual distribution will support full-ride scholarships for Kansas students that maintain a 3.5 GPA minimum and are in at least their third year with the college. According to the Little Apple Post, the donors also designated a portion of the funds to support the dean’s excellence fund, which is meant to provide “flexibility to the college’s leader to address emerging opportunities and priorities.”
“Our drive toward academic excellence is fueled by alumni and friends,” Tim de Noble, the college’s dean, said to K-State Today. “Our margin of excellence in scholarship, teaching, and facilities will be dramatically advanced by such a transformational gift. We are truly grateful for this investment in the college and the impact it will have now and in the future.”
Award recognizes two employees going above, beyond with students
Two K-State employees were recognized for going the extra mile in their advising, teaching and service to students with the Putting Students First Award.
Recipients of the award are nominated by peers, supervisors and students, according to K-State Today. This year’s winners are Robert Pettay, instructor of kinesiology, and Jason Burngardt, assistant director of Recreational Services.
“This award is an excellent way to say thank you to our most dedicated faculty and staff members,” Pat Bosco, vice president for student life and dean of students, said to K-State Today. “I can think of no better way to say thank you on behalf of our students.”
Pettay has served as instructor, advising coordinator and undergraduate coordinator in the kinesiology department since 1998, according to K-State Today. He is responsible for six to nine hours of courses each semester, in addition to teaching for the K-State First program. In his advising role, Pettay works with about 600–700 undergraduate kinesiology majors and minors.
According to K-State Today, Burngardt has held his role as assistant director of Facilities/Aquatics operations since 2011, in which he manages a 135-student staff. He also teaches American Red Cross courses, assists with the recreation complex expansion projects, oversees a student marketing internship program and advises the Recreational Services Ambassadors.
“I am grateful to these recipients for their work with students,” Carla Jones, assistant vice president and senior associate dean of student life, said to K-State Today. “I am proud of the work they do.”