Kansas State’s College of Engineering will be the university’s first named academic college, after Carl R. Ice.
Darren Dawson, dean of engineering, and university president Richard B. Myers proposed the name, and the Kansas Board of Regents approved the decision Wednesday. President and CEO of the KSU Foundation Greg Willems wrote in an email that formal celebrations will occur during the Seaton Society annual dinner in the spring and campus celebrations in the fall.
The college’s website has already been update to reflect the change.
Willems also wrote that the Ice family recently committed a “substantial gift” to K-State that will support the College of Engineering, McCain Auditorium and K-State Athletics.
The naming recognizes the Ice family’s financial support and professional achievement.
“They are among this institution’s most committed ambassadors, advocates and investors,” Willems wrote. “Carl’s professional accomplishments, civic leadership and community stature represent the highest standards of service and success. Kansas State University is very grateful for this affiliation and proud to publicly acknowledge Carl and Mary Ice’s contributions.”
Ice, a 1979 alum, graduated with a degree in industrial engineering. Currently, he is the president and CEO of BNSF Railway. Ice and his wife, who is also a K-State alumna, donate funds to multiple scholarships and serve on the Foundation’s board of trustees.