November 2015
University co­founded TechAccel wins award for innovative approach to
food solutions A research and development company co­founded by Kansas State University is being recognized as one of the
most promising in the nation.
Technology Acceleration Partners, or TechAccel LLC, is a global food solutions company co­founded by Kansas
State University in partnership with significant Kansas City investors. It recently won the 2015 Excellence in TBED
award as America's Most Promising Technology Based Economic Development Initiative from the State Science and
Technology Institute. The Institute is a national organization focused on enhancing state­level technology­based
economic development for the national good.
According to the award's description, it recognizes organizations that address a specific need in a community or
region identified as an obstacle to growth with an innovative approach in design or implementation. TechAccel, is
helping bridge a gap that exists for university­developed technologies.
TechAccel has a specific interest in advancing discoveries related to food production and quality as well as animal
health. The Kansas State University Institute for Commercialization ­ an organization that works with the public and
private sector to license technologies ­ along with private management and investment created TechAccel to help
advance promising research focused on feeding the world's projected 9.6 billion people by 2050.
"This is a great illustration of how powerful university­business partnerships can be in addressing the global food
system needs for transformational innovation as well as turning research and talent at the university into solutions
that help advance Kansas State University forward to becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025," said
Kirk Schulz, university president and member of TechAccel's board of directors.
Kansas State University introduces polytechnic campus
With a focus on national growth and an aim to meet the needs of tomorrow's careers, Kansas State University Salina
is being renamed Kansas State University Polytechnic Campus.
The polytechnic campus ­ which will focus on teaching theory through hands­on, interdisciplinary and applied
learning ­ is the only campus of its kind in the state of Kansas. While the name is changing, the polytechnic campus
still remains one of the four campuses in the Kansas State University system. The other three campuses include the
Manhattan campus, Olathe campus and Global campus.
"A polytechnic identity not only provides a much­needed niche for Kansas State University in the immediate region,
but also aligns with our teaching and research mission," said Kirk Schulz, Kansas State University president. "The
career­based learning and hands­on research at our polytechnic campus will play a vital role as we strive to become
a Top 50 public research university by 2025."
9th annual Pizza & Politics held
Over 100 K­State students, faculty and staff attended
the 9th annual Pizza & Politics event on October 29
hosted by the K­State Office of Governmental
University launches $1 billion
Innovation and Inspiration
Campaign Relations, Student Governing Association and K­State
Kansas State University announced the most
Alumni Association. The event gives members of the
ambitious fundraising campaign in university history on
K­State community an opportunity to learn about
October 9.
important aspects of state issues, in particular, those
that pertain to higher education. It is also intended to
"The journey toward our 2025 vision takes another
raise awareness about the advocacy efforts occurring
huge step forward tonight with the public launch of the
on behalf of the institution and provides information to
Innovation and Inspiration Campaign," said Kirk
attendees on how they can become involved.
Schulz, university president. "The tremendous
generosity of alumni and friends who believe in
This year's speakers included State Representative
Kansas State University's future is truly the foundation
Steven Johnson, Senator Laura Kelly and Shawn
for our success and the inspiration for this historic
Sullivan, director of the Kansas Division of the Budget.
campaign."
They provided insight about their roles within the
government of Kansas and how K­State faculty, staff
Innovation and Inspiration will raise $1 billion to drive
and students are affected everyday by the decisions
Kansas State University toward its strategic vision to
made at the State Capitol. become a Top 50 public research university by
2025. In the five years leading up to the Oct. 9 public
University nuclear engineering
program uses $1.5M grant to
upgrade reactor equipment Kansas State University's nuclear reactor control
console will be getting a much­needed upgrade,
funded by a $1.5 million Nuclear Engineering
University Partnerships grant from the U.S.
announcement, alumni, friends and corporations have
invested more than $766 million in the university
through the Innovation and Inspiration Campaign. "Because of its land­grant heritage, K­State has a long
history of extraordinary student experiences,
innovative research and academics, plus a solid
record of significant achievements," said Retired Air
Force Gen. Richard Myers, a 1965 K­State graduate,
Department of Energy.
former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and
campaign co­chair.
The entire reactor console will be replaced, including
cabling and neutron detectors used to monitor reactor
The KSU Foundation is leading Innovation and
power. While the core and control rods will remain the
Inspiration: The Campaign for Kansas State
same, plans include replacing some of the auxiliary
University to raise $1 billion in funds for student
monitoring equipment such as conductivity meters and
success, faculty development, facility enhancement
radiation detectors to improve compatibility with the
and programmatic excellence. new console. "Researchers and educators in the College of
Engineering will be able to more easily access data
from the reactor data loggers for use in lab
experiments", said Jeff Geuther, nuclear reactor
facilities manager and principal investigator of the
DID YOU KNOW?
Kansas State University was named the best value
college in Kansas by SmartAsset, a financial data and
technology company. grant. "The reactor console will feature more
redundancy with regard to required safety functions,
which will improve safety and reliability."
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K­State Governmental Relations Staff
Sue Peterson, Director of Governmental Relations
Kristin Holt, Assistant to the Director
Asher Gilliland, Legislative Assistant
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Website
Contact Information
Office of Governmental Relations
110 Anderson Hall
Manhattan, KS 66506­0112
785­532­6227
www.ksu.edu/govrelations