News from Kansas State University Olathe
February 2016
Study finds growing produce in high tunnels reduces losses, extends shelf life

Researchers at Kansas State University Olathe are reporting reduced losses and longer shelf life in produce grown in high tunnels, compared to open fields. 

  
New graduate certificates focused on team science and professional skills for managers in STEM fields

Kansas State University Olathe is offering two new graduate certificates for professionals wanting to increase their leadership and technical science skills as they pursue career advancement.
Microsoft, Olathe partner to bring DigiGirlz to Kansas City students

On March 22, Kansas State University Olathe and Microsoft Corp. are partnering to host a Microsoft DigiGirlz event for girls grades 8-12. DigiGirlz is part of Microsoft's efforts to spotlight women in technology and encourage high school aged girls to think about careers in technology. The sessions connect students with Microsoft employees and has them participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops. Additionally, a "Shark Tank" activity will have girls competing for ideas in wearable health technology.  The event is part of Kansas State Olathe's efforts to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, careers and K-12 education. More information. 
Upcoming events
  • Info sessions for academic programs -- Thinking about going back to school? Join
    K-State Olathe at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 24, or 6 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, for a short information session about our academic programs.
    Register or get more information.
  • Discover the veterinary medicine profession -- K-State Olathe and K-State's College of Veterinary Medicine are hosting the "Careers and Cases in Veterinary Medicine" lecture series. The series is an opportunity for high school students and community members to learn about careers and research in veterinary medicine. The series is free. See a list of the upcoming sessions and register for a session.
  • Presidential Social, 5:30 p.m., March 23 -- K-State President Kirk Schulz and Dr. Ralph Richardson will host a social hour. Hear updates about K-State and K-State Olathe, including key initiatives. The event is free. RSVP by March 16. Register now.
  • Open House, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., April 16 -- K-State Olathe is inviting you and your friends and family to celebrate being "rooted in purple" during our Open House in the spring. It's a day to celebrate K-State with a range of activities that include a wearable gadgets design workshop, a station to make homemade pet treats, a Willie and the Beanstalk contest for K-12 students, a free Cajun lunch, tomato plant giveaways and more. K-State Olathe also will be the source for a live broadcast by a local sports radio morning show. We hope to see you there!
     
  • Petfood Innovation Workshop, April 18 - The global Petfood Forum is April 18-20 in Kansas City. As part of the forum, K-State Olathe is hosting the Petfood Innovation Workshop: Meat and Novel Proteins on April 18. The workshop will feature hands-on learning and activities, using the test kitchens in the Food Innovation Accelerator at K-State Olathe to showcase the use novel protein products in pet foods and treats. More information to come. 
     
  • Urban Food Systems Symposium, June 22-25 -- K-State Olathe is hosting the 2016 Urban Food Systems Symposium on June 22-25. The international conference focuses on urban agricultural production, local food systems distribution, urban farmer education, urban ag. policy, planning and development, food access and justice and food sovereignty.
 
Mark Sorell
     
Eric Racki
New hires

In February, Kansas State University Olathe was excited to welcome two new members to the family. 

Eric Racki  joined the Olathe campus as the IT support specialist. In this role, he will provide IT support for classes and meetings as well as support the IT needs of faculty and staff. He specializes in troubleshooting, configuring, repairing and upgrading Mac and PC hardware and software as well as information networks.

Mark Sorell , graduate faculty associate in Kansas State University's statistics department, began teaching STAT 703: An Introduction to Statistical Methods for the Sciences course at the Kansas State University Olathe campus in spring 2016. Sorell is an applied statistician with more than 27 years of experience in private industry and government. He has instructed hundreds of students, technicians, engineers and managers in many different statistics courses.

Around the campus

The score said it all: K-State Olathe's watch party for the K-State vs West Virginia on Jan. 26 was a blowout success! A total of 110 fans turned out to show their purple pride and cheer on the 'Cats. Willie the Wildcat hyped up the crowd, signed autographs and helped draw names for prizes, including a signed basketball and tickets to the upcoming K-State vs KU men's game.


On Feb. 9, K-State Olathe hosted the BioKansas board meeting and BioBreak, which was an informal networking opportunity for stakeholders in bioscience-oriented businesses and organizations. 


Bryan Severns, manager of Food Programs and Services at K-State Olathe and a trained chef, helped Extension Master Food Volunteers sharpen their skills in the kitchen with a hands-on knife handling workshop in the campus' Food Innovation Accelerator. Participants learned knife handling techniques and safety, different cuts and practiced their newfound knowledge on potatoes, oranges and onions. 

Several classrooms and conference rooms at 
K-State Olathe were updated with new technology to improve classroom learning for distance students, video conferencing capabilities and enhance the experience for corporate groups that hold meetings on campus. Additions include ceiling microphones, new projectors and better screen sharing technology. 
Kansas State University Olathe
913-541-1220 | [email protected]
22201 W. Innovation Drive, Olathe, Kansas 66061
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