Several people offered congratulations to the new president of Kansas State, Gen. Richard B. Myers.Related:
Gen. Myers chosen by Regents as 14th K-State president
Head football coach Bill Snyder said he supported the Regent’s choice.
“Well I am really pleased,” Snyder said. “I have known Dick for a long time. There is no doubt in my mind that the Board of Regents made the best possible choice that they could, and that is said knowing there were a number of extremely well-qualified, competent and good people on that list. I was pleased that Gen. Myers made that decision to be a candidate for the position because that has not always been his stance. Over a period of time, he has enjoyed his time here as the interim, he has enjoyed the relationships, so I am glad he finally decided to do that and to have his hat in the ring. What I appreciate about it so much is that he is a Kansas State person, he is a Kansas person, and he understands the values and the nature in the people of Kansas State, of the community of Manhattan and of the state of Kansas. I think we are unique in our own right for the right reasons and in the right way, and I think he understands that. He is a product of it and that was important to me. I appreciate (his wife) Mary Jo for giving up her time. They were all prepared to have a life of leisure in retirement and to consent to do this, which is truly a full-time job, was big on her part as well. He is enjoying it. Dick is a people person, and you have heard me say it so many times that Kansas State is about people who truly care about people. He does and that is what makes him special for this University. I cannot put enough emphasis on being an individual that is a Kansas State person that knows and values what Kansas State University is all about.”
Snyder also indicated, as many have including Myers himself, that wasn’t necessarily up for the job earlier this year but as this semester passed the retired general started to change tune with some thanks due to the Wildcat’s head coach.Related:
Giving back: Interim President Myers
“Gen. Myers and I went on a deal out in California earlier this year, this summer and got to spend some quality time together,” Snyder said. “At that particular point in time he was looking forward to his retirement so to speak. I really tried to encourage him to be a candidate for this job, to take the job. I even embarrassed him in front of lots of people about doing that. He was pretty adamant and then over a period of time, I saw his attitude towards it change. Not willing to say, “Ok, I want to do this”, but his attitude tempered on that. So I just saw that progress being made after a period of time and I was really pleased when we came to see me to tell me that he had changed his mind about it. That was a good thing. Then I knew it was going to happen. Like I said, I have great respect for the board of regents and how they went about it and did it in a timely fashion. That’s not an easy task but at the end of the day it became an easier decision then people wanted to think.”
Sen. Jerry Moran released a statement congratulating “the General, his wife Mary Jo and the K-State community.”
“Our nation’s first land-grant university, Kansas State University, is certain to benefit from the continued leadership of Gen. Richard Myers,” the release said. “An esteemed alumnus, he not only served our nation honorably for 40 years, but also held the highest military position one can as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. As a longtime member of my Military and Veterans Advisory Committee, Gen. Myers’ counsel has been uniquely helpful.”
K-State Athletics congratulated Myers on Twitter.
K-State Athletics congratulates General Richard Myers on being selected as the 14th President of Kansas State University. @KState pic.twitter.com/14pJV66jax
— K-State Athletics (@kstatesports) November 15, 2016
Regent Dennis Mullin, Manhattan resident and the head of the search committee, said Myer’s love for K-State was what made him “such a great interim president.”
“It is not the office that makes a leader, it’s the leader who makes the office,” Mullin said.
Jessica Van Ranken, student body president and senior in political science, and Trenton Kennedy, student body vice president and junior in entrepreneurship, said in a statement they “look forward to working alongside Gen. Richard B. Myers to advocate on behalf of students.”
Eric Stonestreet, an actor and K-State alum, congratulated Myers on Twitter.
A great man for a great university.
Congratulations to General Myers and to his wife Mary Jo.
Thank you for your service to Kansas State. https://t.co/Rq2lGcqDSK— Eric Stonestreet (@ericstonestreet) November 15, 2016
John Buckwalter, dean of the College of Human Ecology, said on Twitter that he is glad Myers took the permanent position.
New @KState President, General Myers meeting the campus. We are excited you are here on a permanent basis. pic.twitter.com/Ux77hv1lkt
— John Buckwalter (@JohnBuckwalter1) November 15, 2016
The College of Engineering Twitter account also tweeted about Myers, who graduated from K-State with an engineering degree.
Our 14th President of Kansas State University, General Richard Myers, a #KStateEngg graduate! pic.twitter.com/y6AfqqpPus
— K-State Engineering (@KStateEngg) November 15, 2016
Kevin Lockett, a former K-State and NFL wide receiver, called Myers his friend and said he was a “great choice” on Twitter.
My alma mater @KState just took an incredible leap forward by hiring a dear friend and great leader in General Myers. Great choice!!!
— Kevin Lockett (@klock81) November 15, 2016
