Pat Hackenberg also recently received a note of thanks from ACJ student and 2010 Agriculturist co-editor Lacey Altwegg. She says, “Thanks for all your help with the magazine. I don’t know what I would have done without all your support. Thanks for answering my millions of questions and having an open door.”

The department’s wellness committee sends thanks to Sharolyn Jackson for her lunchtime presentation on Feb. 10. The next brownbag lunch speaker is horticulturist Gregg Eyestone, who will talk about how to grow healthy garden foods. Gregg will be here Wednesday, March 10, from noon to 1 p.m. in UM317.

Send ideas for wellness activities in the department to LiveWell@ksre.ksu.edu. Get
current information on activities in the department and around campus by visiting
www.communications.ksu.edu/wellness.

Congratulations to Kris Boone for being accepted into Leadership Kansas, a program sponsored by the Kansas Chamber of Commerce to expose participants to critical issues facing Kansas businesses and government. For more information about the program, visit www.leadershipkansas.org.

IET staff recently saved the day for the Department of Agricultural Economics, which was on schedule to host a national seminar through Adobe Connect. The day before the event, Gerry Snyder discovered a major technical problem with the virtual room they were planning to use. Gerry, Larry Jackson and former department member Kat Burton worked into the evening to test the system until it was functioning properly. The seminar went off without a hitch!

Gamage Dissanayake and Gina Nixon won awards during the university’s IT Awards ceremony on Feb. 25. Gamage won the 2010 IT Innovator Award for applying innovations to existing or emerging technologies. Gina won a meritorious achievement award given to non-IT staff. Others nominated for awards this year were Russ Feldhausen, Gary Kepka, and students Garrett LaRue, Mark Montague,
and Jayson Sharp.

The State Farm Youth Advisory Board presented a grant for $28,935 to Chris Lavergne and students in his AgComm 712 class for a service-learning project aimed at educating Riley County residents on the value of conserving rainwater for lawn and garden maintenance. The students will lead a water conservation workshop on April 25 at Sunset Zoo to educate the community and distribute 300 rain barrels for home use. For more information, contact Chris at lavergne@ksu.edu.

Gerry Snyder made a presentation during the family and consumer sciences agents’ update on Feb. 3. His talk was about an interactive educational program that he is developing on food safety for older adults. The media program is anticipated for release later this year for older audiences in Kansas and, possibly, across the nation.

Dan Donnert recently produced an audio slide show featuring Richard Mattson, professor of horticulture, forestry and recreation resources, and the clients at Big Lakes Development Center in Manhattan. Marsha Landis, Web manager for plant pathology, sent a note saying: “This video is amazing. It is a really touching video that is close to my heart. Richard looks happy in these photos and seems to love what he does. Thank you for putting this together for us.” Her sentiments were echoed by
Mattson, who says, “Amazing work. You have done a great job in blending excellent photos with the narrative. Many thanks for putting this together.”

Congratulations to designer Janie Dunstan and her husband, Elwin, on the arrival of
their new daughter, Evea Louise. Evea was born Feb. 19, weighing 7 lbs., 8 oz. and
measuring 20 inches long. She was welcomed home by big brother Easton.

Deb Sellers, assistant professor and Extension specialist in the School of Family Studies and Human Services, was pleased with the 15-minute “Sound Living” program featuring the TBIoptions project. Sellers says, “Thanks to Jeff Wichman for making us sound so good.” Learn more about this project at www.tbioptions.ksu.edu.

Barry Erlick, an adjunct professor with the National Agricultural Biosecurity Center, sent this note of gratitude regarding publication of the “Classical Swine Fever” guide to Pat Hackenberg and Nancy Zimmerli-Cates: “I reviewed the guide and all fixes were completed as outlined. Finally, you can send it to the CIA for publishing. Through all of these changes generated over time by the various editors, you
guys have been absolutely great. Your professionalism is truly appreciated. You are the best.”

The wellness committee’s next brownbag lunch is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 10 at 12 noon in UM #317. Sharolyn Jackson will talk about what’s planned for Walk Kansas in 2010. All are invited.

Daily tips, events, and more information on wellness are available online at www.communications.ksu.edu/Wellness . You can submit ideas for wellness activities in the department by sending email to LiveWell@ksre.ksu.edu.

Megan Blythe, freshman in Agricultural Communications and Journalism, was awarded the National Cattleman’s Foundation Scholarship. Along with the scholarship she was selected to attend the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Convention as an intern and assisted with the organization of events.

The International Grains Program conference center was a festive location for the department holiday potluck supper on Dec. 11. The Manhattan High School Pops Choir provided entertainment. About 57 department members and their families attended the party. Karen Blakeslee, the department’s most recent Communicator of the Year, also attended. The department also collected $65 for the Red Cross.

Kathleen Ward won the prize for most obnoxious holiday attire (Russ has photos). Certificates and candy were presented to five deserving staff members. Nancy Peterson was honored as “Best Airport Travel Companion” by those who traveled to Michigan with her. Gina Nixon and Donise Osbourn were recognized by Nancy Peterson for their “caring and supportive attitude.” Gamage Dissanayake nominated Gerry Snyder for his “positive work attitude and environmental stewardship.” The entire Publications Unit showed their appreciation to Amy Hartman for her “consistent and timely attention to detail and customer service.”

Those who brought “white elephant” gifts had a chance to select and trade for one-of-a-kind treasures. Dan Donnert was quite a sight as he handed out the gifts wearing an elf hat complete with pointy ears and bells.

Shannon Washburn is part of a team that received a grant for international travel. He will be traveling to Egypt this summer for the official signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the K-State College of Agriculture and El Fayoum University (outside of Cairo).

Marcus Ashlock and Chris Lavergne were part of two K-State teams who recently received grants:

• One team received $4,000 for Infusing and Assessing the Tilford Multicultural Competencies in the Academic Curricula at K-State.
• A second team received $10,778 for a grant that will study the question, “Why Buy Rural When I Can Get It On My Way Home?”

Chris Lavergne received two grants for experiential learning projects in his environmental communications course.

• The first involves creating awareness campaigns and public relations coordination for the Tuttle Creek Watershed Restoration and Protection Strategy group.
• The second is funded by State Farm to develop a community water conservation project marketing rain barrels in Riley County.

He has also received various other grants recently, including:

• Midwest Water Conservation Experiential Learning Grant for $28,936 funded by State Farm Youth Advisory Board;
• A grant for $5,000 from Kansas WaterLINK for the Big Blue/Little Blue RI WRAPS Communication Project;
• $13,650 from the Center for Engagement and Community Development as part of a team project to study Earth Worms Across Kansas; and
• $120,000 grant from USDA-CSREES for the project, Environmental Leadership Interdisciplinary Curriculum to Address Water for $120,000 (with Dan Kahl).

Mary Lou Peter welcomes a new granddaughter. Madison Grace was born Jan. 28. She weighed 8 lbs, 3 oz. and measured 20 inches long.

K-State Research and Extension agent Nancy Schuster of Anderson County sent this note of gratitude to Greg LeValley: “Hey, thanks so much. You delivered our newsletters to us early by four or five days. Thanks so much. They look great! We really appreciate everything you do for us.”