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HomeNewsAt K-StateOctober 2021

At K-State

October 2021

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General

Dr. Kyle Goerl

Lafene Health Center medical director named grand marshal for 2021 Homecoming Parade

The arrival of COVID-19 changed our world forever — and the situation continues to change, seemingly every day. 

Dr. Kyle Goerl has helped Kansas State University navigate these many changes through his role as medical director of Lafene Health Center. 

“We talk a lot about family at K-State, and I am so grateful that through the most difficult time in my career, I had my Lafene family to lean against and draw strength from as we battled against what felt at times like impossible odds,” he said.

In recognition of his contributions to K-State and the health care community, Dr. Goerl has been named the 2021 Homecoming Parade grand marshal by the K-State Student Homecoming Committee and the K-State Alumni Association.

“I’m incredibly humbled and grateful that the students would consider me for this, and I am absolutely honored to represent our university,” Goerl said. “These last couple of years have been challenging to say the least for everyone on campus. That is certainly true for our team at Lafene, so to be chosen from a group of so many hard-working, caring and deserving folks is truly appreciated.”

In addition to his work with Lafene, Goerl serves as the K-State team physician chair of the Big 12 Conference Medical Aspect of Sport Advisory Committee. He also is part of a collaborative team providing research-based guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic. He is the co-author of a publication that was one of many considered by the CDC for its update that provided shortened options for quarantine. His contribution to the research on COVID-19 transmission and quarantine periods assisted higher education and collegiate athletic programs in developing plans to safely resume sports.

“Since this is a new virus, what we learn about it is constantly changing,” Goerl said. “This results in changes to recommendations, new information to share with patients about testing, vaccines and treatments, and trying to consistently provide the safest and most up-to-date recommendations to campus.”

He is proud of the work accomplished at Lafene throughout the pandemic.

 “I know none of us here thought we would be playing this critical of a role for anything on campus at any time, but we found ourselves amid the response and I firmly believe that my colleagues here more than rose to the occasion,” he said. “It is important to remember that we have been here the entire time. Remote work and time away are not options for medical workers in the middle of a pandemic, so despite the unknown and concerning times, fatigue, illnesses and medical problems of our own, we have pressed on, continuing to show up for each other and our campus.”

He believes that one of the key factors that makes K-State so special is the commitment Wildcats have to care for each other.

“This place not only bleeds purple, but also compassion and kindness,” he said. “Those connections are what I love the most, both my colleagues and the students we care for at Lafene. I want to ensure that every student on this campus is seen and feels like they have a place to thrive at this university. It will be exciting to see how we can reignite the work we have already started to improve not only the physical health, but overall well-being of every single person on campus.”

Learn more about Homecoming 2021

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COVID-19 research

K-State virologists to use $3.7 million grant for researching COVID-19 treatment

As the COVID-19 vaccine becomes more widely available, researchers also continue to investigate effective treatment options for people who do contract the virus. 

Kyeong-Ok “KC” Chang, a virologist at the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, is the principal investigator for a project whose goal is to complete development of a drug for preclinical studies, ultimately leading to a COVID-19-specific antiviral therapeutic treatment. The project recently received a $3.7 million, five-year grant from the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

“There is currently an urgent and unmet need for the discovery and development of antiviral therapeutics for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2, the causative agent of COVID-19,” said Chang, who has been working on antiviral drug development against both human and animal coronaviruses for more than a decade.

K-State virologist Yunjeong Kim serves as co-principal investigator on the project, along with William C. Groutas, a medicinal chemist at Wichita State University; Stanley Perlman, a professor of microbiology and immunology from the University of Iowa; and Scott Lovell, a structural biologist at the University of Kansas.

The research being performed is complex and detailed, and Joe Montgomery ’84, director of communications for the College of Veterinary Medicine, helps sheds some light on how this project will impact the fight against COVID-19.

The researchers will be testing a series of chemical compounds on molecules to see how each compound affects the growth and/or replication of the virus. The other collaborators at KU, Wichita State and the University of Iowa each are responsible for a different part of the overall project, such as producing the different compounds and running the tests. These tests are considered “preclinical” because they are not being tested on people.

The goal is to produce a therapeutic compound that eventually can be approved for testing in people (which would then be a clinical trial), and ultimately be used to produce and distribute a drug that can be prescribed as a treatment for people who are infected with COVID-19. The clinical trials would have to be run at another university or human hospital that is authorized for running clinical trials. The antiviral compound would not prevent infections, but just be used to treat people who have already become infected and help them get well.

This project is just one example of the way K-State research is making a positive difference in the world at large.

“Drs. Chang and Kim have over 30 years of collective experience investigating coronaviruses and other similar viruses,” said Derek Mosier ’76, ’78, department head of diagnostic medicine and pathobiology in the College of Veterinary Medicine. “They have established a well-deserved international reputation for research excellence and discovery, so their recent success comes as no surprise. Their contributions to the research efforts of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Kansas State University are invaluable.”

Original article by Piper Brandt '20, master’s student in mass communications
https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/2021-08/chang-covid-nih-grant81921.html

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Health care

In Their Own Words: A K-State perspective on health care during COVID-19

We asked some Wildcats in the medical profession to share their thoughts on how they’ve battled the coronavirus pandemic.

Read more

Note: This article originally appeared in the spring 2021 issue of K-Stater magazine.

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In this issue

  • Lafene Health Center medical director named grand marshal for 2021 Homecoming Parade
  • K-State virologists to use $3.7 million grant for researching COVID-19 treatment
  • In Their Own Words: A K-State perspective on health care during COVID-19

More news

  • Join us Oct. 24-30 for K-State Homecoming 
  • Meet our Alumni Association award winners 
  • There's no place like home ... in Manhattan
  • Get a sneak peek at our exclusive 2021 holiday ornament
  • Lasting Wildcat legacy
  • Dedication, drive and discipline

Archive

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More news

Join us Oct. 24-30 for K-State Homecoming 

Homecoming

Lights, Camera, 'Cats!

The K-State Alumni Association is bringing Hollywood to Manhattan with this year's Homecoming theme: Lights, Camera, 'Cats! 

All K-State alumni and friends are invited to join us for another K-State Homecoming. We'd love to have you participate in our events as we celebrate in-person (plus, there are some virtual options too)!

Keep scrolling to check out a few of our featured events this year, or click on the logo below to view our full schedule.

Homecoming

Homecoming

2021 Homecoming Philanthropy 5K Run/Walk

Whether you'd like to join us in-person on Sunday, Oct. 24, here on campus, or participate on your own and log your results virtually, you're invited to run or walk with other Wildcats for our annual Homecoming 5K! This year's event will benefit Pawnee Mental Health Services and is sponsored by WTC Fiber Internet. SIGN UP NOW

Parade

Parade and Pep Rally

You don't want to miss one of our favorite K-State traditions: the big Homecoming parade! The parade begins at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, at Manhattan Town Center and ends at City Park, with a post-parade pep rally starting approx. 6:30 p.m. LEARN MORE

Pregame

Homecoming Tailgate

We're throwing a pregame party packed with food, fun and purple pride! The event starts two hours prior to kickoff on Saturday, Oct. 30, in Cat Town. Cost is $20 for ages 21 and up; $12 for ages 3-20. Advanced registration required by Sunday, Oct. 24. Thank you to BriggsAuto.com and Kansas Lottery for sponsoring this event. SIGN UP NOW

Homecoming

Homcoming Game Day

We can't wait to watch the 'Cats take on TCU at the Homecoming football game Saturday, Oct. 30. Be sure to watch for the announcement of the 2022 K-State Student Ambassadors during halftime. 

Events for Wildcat kids

Events for K-State kids

We have events for every member of the family at Homecoming, including the littlest Wildcats. Mark your calendar:
- Children’s Carnival, K-State Student Union, 6-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27
- Trick-or-Treat in Aggieville, 3-5 p.m. Friday, Oct.  29

Coloring page

Homecoming Coloring Page

Calling all kids (and Wildcats who are still kids at heart): Be sure to download our 2021 Homecoming coloring page. DOWNLOAD NOW

K-State Homecoming, brought to you by the K-State Alumni Association, is a week-long annual tradition that brings together students, alumni and friends of K-State. Learn more

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Meet our Alumni Association award winners 

Jaaxes

Alumni Excellence Award and Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Awards recipients

Dr. Jerry ’70, ’72 and Dr. Nancy Dunn Jaax ’71, ’73 first met at a student mixer during their time at Kansas State University, and ever since that moment, they've been a team, building a life together as well as military careers in veterinary science, biosecurity and infectious disease research.

The story of their groundbreaking work during the Reston, Virginia, Ebola outbreak in the late 1980s was featured in the bestselling nonfiction book The Hot Zone by Richard Preston, and more recently in a National Geographic miniseries of the same name, starring Julianna Margulies and Noah Emmerich.

In honor of their distinguished careers, Jerry and Nancy Jaax are being honored with the Alumni Excellence Award from the K-State Alumni Association. The award is made possible by the generosity of the Curt ’73 and Sherry ’73 Frasier family of Beloit, Kansas.

"Once we completed our specialty training in Laboratory Animal Medicine (ACLAM) and Veterinary Pathology (ACVP), we were able to work in complimentary roles in biodefense and chemical defense research programs," Jerry said. "We’ve never been anything but a team and it’s worked great for us. We’ve always been together." 

JaaxesThe Jaaxes joined the military after earning their veterinary medicine degrees from K-State. During their time in the military, they were part of a team of first responders in 1989 to a suspected Ebola outbreak among primates in a research facility about 15 miles outside of Washington, D.C.

According to the World Health Organization, the Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The average Ebola case fatality rate is around 50%, with fatality rates varying from 25% to 90% in past outbreaks. 

As a veterinary pathologist, Nancy was already doing Filovirus research (Ebola and Marburg virus) long before the Reston event. The disease may not have been well-known at the time, but that didn’t make it any less dangerous to work with.

“The work is often brutally exacting and tedious,” Nancy said. “Researchers can’t save the world in one day as you sometimes see in the movies. If you cut a glove or get a needle stick, the consequences can be dire.”

Although the particular strain discovered in the Reston outbreak turned out to be nonlethal to humans, the event proved to be valuable for the infectious disease community and for establishing training procedures for infectious disease response.

“The event demonstrated what veterinarians can contribute to the discussion surrounding zoonotic disease,” Nancy said. “We have been able to show the role vets play in international and national public health.”

Want to learn more about the Jaaxes and their careers? Be sure to watch for a full-length article in the winter 2021 issue of our member-exclusive K-Stater magazine. Not yet a member of the K-State Alumni Association? Sign up by Oct. 22 to make sure you get this issue:

Join today

Honoring excellence in K-State faculty

Each year, the K-State Alumni Association provides two $5,000 awards for K-State faculty to honor outstanding teaching and research at the university. These awards are endowed by Dr. Ron ’62, ’70, ’73 and Rae Iman of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Learn more about our 2021 Iman Award winners:

Mike Tokach

Outstanding Faculty Award for Research

Mike Tokach, Ph.D. '88

University Distinguished Professor
College of Agriculture
Department of Animal Sciences and Industry

Tokach focuses on transferring information to swine producers, conducting practical nutrition research, and serves as a member of a highly productive Applied Swine Nutrition Team. He and his colleagues have generated more than $21 million in grants and gifts to K-State to support swine research. He also was named one of the 50 people that have made the greatest impact on the swine industry in the last 50 years by the National Hog Farmer magazine.

What are your thoughts on receiving this award? 
I am thrilled and humbled to receive the Iman Award for Research. The list of previous winners is quite impressive and it is an honor to be included with them. I would like to thank Dr. Ron and Rae Iman for sponsoring the prestigious awards.

What do you enjoy most about working at K-State? 
I am quite fortunate to be working with a fantastic team of faculty in our Applied Swine Nutrition group with Drs. Bob Goodband '86, '89, Joel DeRouchey '99, '01, Jason Woodworth '97, '99, '02 and Jordan Gebhardt '19, '20. Their dedication to improving the swine industry is inspiring and they make my job fun. I am proud of the tremendous graduate students that we have been able to attract and train at K-State. Watching these students grow while conducting research that is critical for the swine industry is where I get my greatest joy.

Watch video

Julia Keen

Oustanding Faculty Award for Teaching

Julia Keen, Ph.D. '98, '05, '10

Professor
Carl R. Ice College of Engineering
GE Johnson Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science

Keen is a licensed Mechanical Professional Engineer in Kansas and Iowa, and holds the High-Performance Building Design Professional (HBDP) ASHRAE Certification. As a professor of architectural engineering and construction science, she was granted the Bob and Betty Tointon Engineering Endowed Chair and was recognized as the 2020 Coffman University Distinguished Teaching Scholar. She also received the 2018 ASHRAE E.K. Campbell Teaching Award.

What are your thoughts on receiving this award? 
I am honored to be the recipient of the 2021 Dr. Ron and Rae Iman Outstanding Faculty Award for Teaching. The prior recipients of this award are individuals I hold in high esteem. There are many outstanding professors at K-State deserving of this recognition. I especially value this award coming from the Alumni Association, to which I am a life member. My success can be attributed to those faculty that provided the foundation of my education and provided excellence in the classroom during my time as a student at K-State (many years considering all three of my degrees are from K-State). I also think it is important to recognize the foresight of Ron and Rae Iman in establishing this award. Awards such as this reinforce that there is support for faculty that are committed to providing the best education and student experience possible.

What do you enjoy most about working at K-State? 
Being able to contribute back to my alma mater in the long term. Excellence in undergraduate teaching not only attracts students initially but also creates a cycle of sustainability. Faculty's influence in the classroom directly contributes to the success of students as professionals. These alumni contribute positively to the K‐State function and reputation. Alumni become the employers of the next generation of K‐Staters. They also contribute their time and money back to K‐State. These financial investments include encouraging and rewarding faculty through awards and endowed chairs, enabling facility improvements and expansions, promoting and subsidizing the arts and athletics, and the creation of scholarships. These funds allow for a more complete and well‐rounded college experience for students, ultimately attracting the next generation of K-Staters.

Watch video

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There's no place like home ... in Manhattan

Buyle family

Buyle family named K-State Family of the Year

Originally from Detroit, Michigan, Ken ’85 and Kathy Buyle ’86, ’89 moved to Manhattan in 1973 when Ken was stationed at Ft. Riley. Although they had no prior connection to Manhattan, they fell in love with the community. They became avid Wildcats and chose to remain here to raise their family when Ken retired in 1979 as a lieutenant colonel after a 23-year Army career. 

In honor of the family’s long-time purple pride and dedication to the community, the Buyles have been named K-State’s 2021 Family of the Year.

“We could not entertain the thought of leaving our faith community at Seven Dolors, our K-State community or our civic community of Manhattan,” said Ken. “After 48 years, we rejoice in our decision. Our family has grown, matured and thrived, in large part, due to the opportunities made available by Kansas State University. Absent K-State, the Buyles would most likely be residing on the East Coast today — or perhaps, be spread around the country. As it is, five of our six children reside in Kansas. We are so grateful that most of us reside in such close proximity to one another.”

Education has always been a priority for Ken and Kathy; in addition to their status as alumni, five of their six children are K-State alums, five of six daughters/sons-in-law attended K-State, and 10 of their 17 grandchildren are alumni or are enrolled for the fall 2021 semester. Including spouses, a total of 26 K-State degrees across three generations have been awarded to the extended Buyle family, with four more in progress. 

Son Mark Buyle ’88 was elected as one of two 1987 K-State Student Ambassadors; daughter Suzy Buyle Auten ’86, ’05 is director of the Professional MBA Program for K-State’s College of Business Administration; son-in-law Robert Auten ’91 is K-State’s associate registrar; and son Ray Buyle ’84, ’10 is department head of the GE Johnson Department of Architectural Engineering and Construction Science in the Carl R. Ice College of Engineering. After retiring from the Army, Ken accepted a position as the chief financial officer for K-State’s Division of Biology, where he worked for the next 35 years until his retirement in 2014 at age 76. 

Game day“Our most cherished family K-State tradition is our family gatherings at my parents’ home whenever we get together for football games,” Ray said. “I believe our family has been continuous season football ticket holders since 1979. It means so much to our family that K-State and its fans have embraced ‘Family’ as an overarching theme, because we hold that dear to our hearts. Those who haven’t experienced it may think that this is cliché, but K-Staters truly cherish the concept of family and it’s the real deal.”

“As a family, we believe it is our calling to promote holiness, citizenship, competence, strength, generosity and achievement in one another,” Ken said. “We worship together. We celebrate successes together and mourn life’s sorrows together. We entertain one another and enjoy singing songs and playing board games and yard games. We never fully live up to our ideals, of course, but its pursuit is the path to lots of joy.”

The Buyle family was recognized during the university’s 93rd annual Family Weekend at the K-State football game Sept. 18 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The members of Chimes Junior Honorary select the Family of the Year based on their affiliation with K-State, what family means to them and their demonstration of K-State pride. Chimes Junior Honorary is now accepting nominations for the 2022 K-State Family of the Year.

Nominate a family

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Get a sneak peek at our exclusive 2021 holiday ornament

Ornament

Plus, find out how you can get our 2022 member calendar

It's not quite holiday season yet, but we were too excited to wait to show you a sneak peek of our 2021 K-State Alumni Association holiday ornament! 

This year's design features a purple truck with a Powercat wreath, and even a tiny K-State license plate! 

Be sure to watch our Shop Purple page for updates on when the new ornament will be available. You can also order designs from past years.

Shop Purple

Want a copy of our 2022 member calendar?

If you're looking for another way to show off your purple pride in your home or office all year long, make sure you get a copy of our 2022 member calendar!

If you're not currently a member of the K-State Alumni Association, sign up by Oct. 22 to make sure you get your 2022 calendar. 

Join today

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Lasting Wildcat legacy

Brad Heyka

The Brad Heyka Memorial Golf Tournament and scholarships help students succeed while honoring a great Wildcat

Brad Heyka '95 always lit up any place he was in. From his love of golf and K-State football to his countless memories with his TKE fraternity brothers, Brad was never one to turn down a good time. 

“Brad was lucky in that he was able to pull good grades without having to put much into studying,” said Liz (Heyka) Blakely '72, Brad’s mother. “This left him a lot of extra time to enjoy all things K-State. Brad loved bonding with his fraternity brothers over their passion for K-State sports. Some of my most treasured memories are of the many times I hosted him and his friends overnight at our house on their way to an away game for K-State football.”

Brad graduated from K-State in 1995 with a degree in finance. “This degree allowed Brad to gain employment at Koch Industries in Wichita, where he advanced quickly in their finance department,” said Liz.

Upon Brad’s untimely death in 2000, his family wanted to honor him by bringing people together through his biggest passions. Thus, the Brad Heyka Memorial Golf Tournament was created in 2001.

“The reason this annual golf tournament … has continued its tradition every year at Colbert Hills, was the decision made by our family and Brad’s close fraternity brothers and golfing friends who wanted a way to celebrate Brad’s life; his passion for KSU and especially the football program, as well as his deep passion for golf,” said Liz. Read more

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Dedication, drive and discipline

Scholarship

Hard work pays off for Johnson Cancer Research Center scholarship recipients

For Tanner Richie, microbiology graduate student, being a recipient of a Johnson Cancer Research Center (JCRC) scholarship allows her to carry out the center’s vital work in combating and finding a solution to cancer. 

“Receiving the Graduate Cancer Research Award from the Johnson Cancer Research Center was a wonderful opportunity for me to focus on my research and include new experiments for my project,” said Tanner, pictured above at left. “Not only did it take pressure off of me — I didn’t have to worry about funding and the status of my project — it also accelerated my research to be more interdisciplinary and hopefully more meaningful once it is complete.”

The scholarship has alleviated a lot of stress for Tanner. “Because of this scholarship, I was able to solely work on my research by conducting experiments and gathering data, which will ease my load in the fall semester,” Tanner said. “Also, I have met and collaborated with other Johnson Cancer Research Center labs in regard to my research and for mentorship to grow and excel in academia.”

Tanner isn’t the only K-State student to benefit from Johnson Cancer Research Center scholarships. Dryden Baumfalk '16, '18, doctoral student in kinesiology (pictured above at right), is very grateful for the many times the Johnson Cancer Research Center scholarships have assisted him.

“I have received JCRC scholarships a few times now. Each time it has meant the world to me as it allows me to solely focus on my current projects instead of seeking additional employment over the summer,” said Dryden. “This is really impactful for those of us who teach during the academic year because it allows me to conduct whole day experiments that can be very hard to schedule otherwise.” Read more

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More news

  • Join us Oct. 24-30 for K-State Homecoming 
  • Meet our Alumni Association award winners 
  • There's no place like home ... in Manhattan
  • Get a sneak peek at our exclusive 2021 holiday ornament
  • Lasting Wildcat legacy
  • Dedication, drive and discipline

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785-532-6260  •  alumni@k-state.com

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