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These alumni are very important to us. Many of them have played the pivotal role in creating
the multicultural community on the campus. We see it all vibrant and alive now, but back
in the day, these are the individuals who got the ball rolling. They were among the
very first. And they did not have quite the same campus climate that we enjoy today. When
they come back and they see how far we've gone on the foundation that they created I
think it makes them feel fulfilled and happy to have been part of all this. I want them
to be proud of us. That's what I want. I live to see them say "Well done, well done,
we like what we see." Now let's just keep the ball moving, let's keep going further.
When I see our alumni come back and the joy on their faces at being back, I mean I'm
just like all renewed. And I think that's what they do to us, they just renew us, they
respect us, they excite us. Anytime we can get people back to campus to
meet our current students to meet the university administration, different folks, I think they
leave hopefully feeling inspired to see the things that've happened since they were
here. And to look a little bit toward the future and it reminds us all that the reason
we're here is to provide access and opportunity for all Kansans regardless of backgeround,
race, crede, religion any of those sort of things.
I want everybody associated with K-State in anyway, in any fashion any form, to feel proud
of us being around 150 years. I think the fact that we have a reunion like this helps
celebrate diversity on our campus. It's an opportunity to bring people back
to campus, to allow them to connect with our students and see the rich heritage that we
have, but also allows everyone to recognize there's so much more that we can continue
to do. All I kept hearing today was how much the university's grown, that they are very
excited to meet all the students and that's what engagement's all about. I think it's
important that we reach out to our multicultural alumni because it's so important to support
not only our students but our former alumni. Talked a lot of folks today who said they
can't wait to be back here, be involved, and engaged, and help us do even greater things
as an institution. That's alumni involvement, that's what makes 150th really special.