Can’t attend the All-University Open House on campus in Manhattan?
Visit our Virtual Open House any time to learn about programs and services for distance students and explore the Kansas State University campus—no matter where you are.
New features at the Virtual Open House include:
Scheduled video chats with student services staff
Distance student guessing game for a chance to win prizes
Giveaway website for free downloadable K-State distance items
You can also take a photo tour of the Manhattan campus, view videos of instructors who teach at a distance and more. Enjoy exploring K-State!
Staff and guests of the K-State Division of Continuing Education raised $500 in donations through a dessert silent auction on Nov. 13 in the College Court building. Desserts were prepared by continuing education staff, with proceeds going toward the division’s distance education student scholarship funds through the All-University Campaign.
“The division is always looking for more scholarship opportunities for distance education students,” said Lynda Spire, assistant dean of continuing education. “This was our way of making a difference together to help support the university and the students we serve.”
The division’s participation in the All-University Campaign is currently at 91 percent, the highest to date.
The K-State Division of Continuing Education’s Virtual Commencement website brings the graduation experience to distance students.
We hope that many of our distance students are able to travel to the K-State campus to celebrate in person, but we know that isn’t always feasible. K-State offers the Virtual Commencement website as a way to honor and celebrate their accomplishment.
K-State faculty, staff, family and friends of graduates can visit the virtual reception area and leave messages of congratulations for the summer and fall 2013 graduates. Leave your messages here.
We’re excited to share with you the winner of our Distance Learning Essay Contest from National Distance Learning Week. Students were asked to answer the question, “How has distance learning at Kansas State University affected the way you are reaching your goals?” We had some amazing responses, and it was so much fun to read everyone’s stories. Kathleen O’Leary was chosen as the grand prize winner, and we hope you’re as inspired by her story as we are!
My name is Kathleen O’Leary. I am a 49-year-old K-State graduate distance learning student pursuing an M.S. in Academic Advising. It’s been 20 years since I completed my B.A. degree, and I am excited to say that I’m more than halfway through my second semester in the master’s in academic advising program. I am learning a tremendous amount about the academic advising profession and am already applying everything I’ve learned. Online learning wasn’t an option when I was an undergraduate, so it’s been a positive learning experience for me. What a great way to earn a degree!
I moved to Montana in 2010 and started working for a small, “grassroots” 2-year college in the Bitterroot Valley. The college was barely two years old, with approximately 100 students and two classrooms. I found myself in new territory and well outside of my comfort zone as far as my skills and background were concerned; however, playing a part in the birth of a brand-new college in a very rural community was and continues to be unbelievably exciting!
Impoverished, homeless, unemployed, single parent, recovering addict, abused, unprepared, elderly; these are common adjectives describing the “non-traditional” students to whom I serve as academic advisor. These are the students who have become my greatest passion. Never in my life have I seen such motivation, perseverance, willingness, invested effort to succeed and hope. These students have earned my greatest respect as well as my commitment to provide them with the highest quality of service and advising that I am able.
Kansas State University’s distance education program is providing me with the quality education, tools, knowledge, confidence and understanding necessary to empower me to be the academic advisor that our students need and deserve for a positive and successful college experience. Best decision I’ve ever made!
The Division of Continuing Education celebrated the third annual National Distance Learning Week (NDLW) November 11-15, 2013. NDLW is sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association, and its purpose is to increase awareness and appreciation for distance learning and how it helps people reach their educational goals.
The week consisted of a series of social media contests and prize packages from Varney’s and GTM Sportswear were given to the following winners:
Willie photo contest on Monday, November 11: Jennifer Haake
K-State song contest on Tuesday, November 12: Jennifer and Hayden Haake
Virtual Scavenger Hunt on Wednesday, November 13: Erica Villarreal
K-State gear photo contest on Thursday, November 14: Anne Pitts
Traveling Willie photo contest on Friday, November 15: Anne Pitts
Our grand prize contest was a Distance Learning Essay Contest. Students were asked to answer this question in 300 words or less: “How has distance learning at Kansas State University affected the way you are reaching your goals?” Kathleen O’Leary, a distance student in the academic advising program, won this year’s essay contest. Kathleen will receive a $150 gift card to Varney’s and her essay will be featured in an upcoming blog post.
We received many great contest entries and thoroughly enjoyed interacting with our distance students. We would like to thank all the students that participated.
Join Kansas State University’s Division of Continuing Education November 11-15, 2013 in celebrating National Distance Learning Week! Watch our video to find out how you can be a part of the fun.
Sponsored by the United States Distance Learning Association (USDLA), National Distance Learning Week helps increase awareness and appreciation for distance learning and how distance learning helps people reach their educational goals.
Connect with us on Facebook and Twitter to participate in daily social media activities during National Distance Learning Week for a chance to win prizes! Remember to tag your posts with #KStateDistance. If you don’t use social media, you can also participate by submitting your entries to us via email at informationdce@k-state.edu.
In addition to social media activities, we will also have a distance learning event booth at the K-State Student Union, an online video chat event, activities for our on-site testers and more! Our grand prize activity is a Distance Learning Essay Contest.
The 2013 Homecoming Parade brought together hundreds of students, faculty, staff and community members to show their K-State pride on Friday, October 25. The parade featured many imaginative floats created by K-State students, with themes ranging from “Back Through the Future” to Dr. Seuss.
The parade started on Poyntz Avenue, in the historic Downtown Manhattan. This area of Manhattan features many locally-owned shops and businesses, and is currently undergoing a lot of growth and renovations.
Each year, K-Staters are chosen to serve as grand marshals. The 2013 Grand Marshals were Warren (’65) and Mary Lynn Staley (’65); they were accompanied by their grandchildren Ella and Bennett Cherveny.
The parade continued through several blocks and ended with a pep rally at the Larry Norvell Band Shell in City Park, one of the oldest parks in the community. The crowd was filled with the K-State spirit thanks to performances by the pep band, cheerleaders, Classy Cats and Willie the Wildcat.
Kansas State University hosted the closing ceremonies for its 150th anniversary on the lawn of Anderson Hall, October 24.
Celebrate 150 Sign
Visitors were treated to the last batch of “Wildcat Birthday 150” ice cream from Call Hall while they listened to the K-State Marching Band and browsed the “artifacts” chosen by each of the university’s colleges to commemorate the 150th year of K-State.
Time Capsule Sign
Division of Continuing Education Archive Items
The ceremony included remarks from Kirk Schulz, university president, and Jackie Hartman, chief of staff and director of community relations.
President Kirk Schulz
Willie the Wildcat listens to Jackie Hartman’s remarks.
Kansas State University kicked off the first football game of the season with the annual Purple Power Play on August 28-29. Due to construction, the festivities were moved from Poyntz Avenue to City Park.
Purple Power Play
The event included two evening pep rallies featuring the K-State coaches, marching band, cheerleaders, Classy Cats and Willie the Wildcat.
Purple Power Play
Leading up to the pep rallies were performances by K-State Tap Dance Studio, Bates Dance Studio, Mikey Needleman Band, Manhattan High School Pop Choir, Washington Dance Studio and David Oak Leaf and The Open Road.
Purple Power Play
More than 80 vendors offered food, beverages, games and prizes. The event concluded with fireworks at sunset on Thursday.
Kansas State University celebrates its 150th birthday this year, and started with a Kickoff on February 14. The Kickoff event took place in Ahearn Field House and was open to the public. K-State celebrated with birthday cupcakes and Call Hall ice cream. An exhibition featured displays from colleges, units, and other campus groups.
K-State’s UFM Community Learning Center will also be celebrating a birthday—its 45th! UFM was started in 1968 by K-State faculty and students who wanted to reach out to the Manhattan community. Originally named University for Man, the moniker was changed in the early 1990s to University for Mankind, and then to UFM Community Learning Center in 1999.
To help celebrate K-State’s sesquicentennial, UFM is offering two classes devoted to K-State history:
150 Years of the People & Places of KSU takes participants on a two-hour trolley ride of some of the historic buildings, homes, and sites of K-State and Manhattan. This class will take place April 26 from 1-3 p.m.
Biscuits, Beef, and Butterscotch Pie: 150 Years of K-State Food Traditions examines K-State’s food heritage and its influence on communities around the world. This class will take place April 4 from 7:30-9 p.m.
