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APPLAUSE ]
GOOD AFTERNOON.
I AM DON BOGGS, ASSOCIATE DEAN 
OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE.
WELCOME TO THE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE SPRING COMMENCEMENT 
CEREMONY.
I WISH TO THANK OUR BAG PIPER, 
TERRY FERGUSON, K-STATE ALUMNUS,
AND OUR ORGANIST, RACHAEL GROS, 
GRADUATE STUDENT IN MUSIC, FOR 
THE PROCESSIONAL MUSIC.
IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO 
INTRODUCE DANIELLE COMSTOCK, 
GRADUATING SENIOR IN 
AGRICULTURAL COMMUNICATIONS AND 
JOURNALISM FROM FALL RIVER, 
KANSAS, AND HANNAH FRY, 
GRADUATING SENIOR IN 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION FROM 
HIATTVILLE, KANSAS, TO SING OUR 
NATIONAL ANTHEM.
THROUGHOUT HER TIME AT K-STATE, 
DANIELLE COMSTOCK SERVED IN 
LEADERSHIP ROLES IN THE COLLEGE 
OF AGRICULTURE COUNCIL, ALPHA OF
CLOVIA COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP 
SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE, AND STUDENT 
GOVERNING 
ASSOCIATION.
SHE HAS ALSO BEEN AN ACTIVE 
MEMBER OF THE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE AMBASSADORS AND FOOD
FOR THOUGHT, AND SERVED AS THE 
ADVERTISING MANAGER FOR THE 
AGRICULTURIST MAGAZINE.
SHE COMPLETED INTERNSHIPS WITH 
CARGILL, MONSANTO, KANSAS STATE 
UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRONOMY, AND KANSAS SOYBEAN 
ASSOCIATION.
AFTER GRADUATION, DANIELLE WILL 
SERVE AS A COMMUNICATIONS 
ASSOCIATE FOR 
TEXTRON'S LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
PROGRAM IN WILLIAMSPORT, 
PENNSYLVANIA.
HANNAH FRY SERVED IN LEADERSHIP 
ROLES IN THE AGRICULTURAL 
EDUCATION CLUB, ALPHA OF CLOVIA 
COOPERATIVE LEADERSHIP 
SCHOLARSHIP HOUSE, NATIONAL 
SOCIETY OF COLLEGIATE SCHOLARS, 
AND MEAT SCIENCE ASSOCIATION.
SHE COMPETED ON THE KSU MEATS 
JUDGING TEAM, SERVED ON 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION'S TASK 
FORCE, PARTICIPATED
MISSION VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL, AND 
ALSO GAINED WORK EXPERIENCE WITH
THE KANSAS FFA ASSOCIATION, 
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY 
RECREATIONAL SERVICES, AND ROCK 
SPRINGS 4-H CENTER.
SHE WILL BE TEACHING 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION AT 
DONIPHAN WEST HIGH SCHOOL 
FOLLOWING  IN COLLEGIATE 4-H.
SHE COMPLETED HER GRADUATION.
PLEASE STAND AS 
DANIELLE AND HANNAH SING OUR 
NATIONAL ANTHEM.
O SAY CAN YOU SEE, BY THE DAWN'S
EARLY
DANIELLE AND HANNAH SING OUR 
NATIONAL ANTHEM.
O SAY CAN YOU SEE, LIGHT, WHAT 
SO PROUDLY
WE HAILED AT THE TWILIGHT'S 
LAST GLEAMING, WHOSE BROAD 
STRIPES
AND BRIGHT STARS
THROUGH THE PERILOUS FIGHT, O'ER
THE RAMPARTS
WE WATCHED, WERE SO GALLANTLY 
SPRING AT 
STREAMING.
AND THE ROCKETS' 
RED GLARE, THE BOMBS BURSTING IN
AIR, GAVE PROOF
THROUGH THE NIGHT
THAT OUR FLAG WAS 
STILL THERE; O SAY DOES THAT 
STAR-SPANGLED BANNER YET WAVE
O'ER THE LAND OF THE FREE
AND THE HOME OF THE BRAVE.
WOW. 
tDEAN KLAHR, GRADUATING SENIOR 
IN ANIMAL SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY 
WITH A MINOR IN AGRICULTURAL 
ECONOMICS, FROM HOLTON, KANSAS, 
HAS BEEN SELECTED TO SHARE 
REFLECTIONS.
WHILE AT K-STATE, 
tDEAN KLAHR, GRADUATING SENIOR 
IN ANIMAL SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY 
WITH A MINOR IN DEAN HAS BEEN 
ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN THE COLLEGE
OF AGRICULTURE AMBASSADORS 
ORGANIZATION AND ALPHA GAMMA RHO
FRATERNITY.
HE COMPETED ON THE RESERVE 
NATIONAL CHAMPION LIVESTOCK AND 
AQHA WORLD CHAMPION 
INTERCOLLEGIATE HORSE JUDGING 
TEAMS, AS WELL AS THE MEAT 
ANIMAL EVALUATION 
TEAM.
HE ALSO SERVED AS A STUDENT 
SENATOR AND KANSAS FFA SECRETARY
DURING HIS TIME IN THE COLLEGE 
OF AGRICULTURE, AND PARTICIPATED
IN AN ANIMAL SCIENCE STUDY TOUR 
OF AUSTRALIA.
DEAN COMPLETED UNDERGRADUATE 
RESEARCH IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
ANIMAL SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY, AS
WELL AS INTERNSHIPS WITH 
NATIONAL CATTLEMEN'S BEEF 
ASSOCIATION, THE NOW BE SEATED.
KANSAS DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRICULTURE, HILL'S PET 
NUTRITION, BACA COUNTY FEED 
YARD, AND LORTSCHER ANIMAL 
NUTRITION.
DEAN WILL BE CONTINUING HIS 
EDUCATION AT KANSAS STATE 
UNIVERSITY AFTER GRADUATION, 
PURSUING A GRADUATE DEGREE IN 
THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL 
SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING DEAN
KLAHR TO THE 
PODIUM.
GOOD AFTERNOON, IT IS WITH MUCH 
APPRECIATION I HAVE THE PLEASURE
OF STANDING BEFORE YOU TODAY TO 
REFLECT UPON OUR TIME, HERE AT 
THE GREATEST LAND GRANT 
UNIVERSITY; AND I SAY ﾓGREATESTﾔ
BECAUSE OF THE FRIENDS, FAMILY, 
ALUMNI, FACULTY, AND STAFF WHO 
HAVE SUPPORTED US.
TO YOU, WE SAY 
THANK YOU.
IT'S HARD TO BELIEVE HOW OUR 
UNDERGRADUATE YEARS HAVE FLOWN 
BY.
REFLECTING BACK WE QUICKLY THINK
OF TIMES MEETING NEW FRIENDS, 
HANGING OUT WITH OLD, LATE 
NIGHTS CRAMMING FOR AN EXAM, AND
TIMES SPENT CHEERING ON THE CATS
IN BILL SYNDER FAMILY STADIUM.
ALL OF OUR JOURNEYS LOOK A 
LITTLE DIFFERENT, BUT WHEN WE 
REFLECT ON THE MEMORIES MADE AND
RELATIONSHIPS BUILT WE EACH 
CAN'T HELP BUT SMILE AT WHAT OUR
K-STATE FAMILY MEANS TO EACH OF 
US.
WHEN WE FIRST STEPPED FOOT ON 
CAMPUS AS A STUDENT SOME OF US 
KNEW EXACTLY WHAT WE WHAT WE 
WANTED TO ACCOMPLISH AND OTHERS 
A LITTLE MORE UNCERTAIN, YOU CAN
JUST ASK MY ADVISOR, DR. JONES, 
AND SHE WILL PROBABLY CHUCKLE, 
REACH OVER TO HER FILE CABINET 
AND PULL OUT THE 5 OR MAYBE EVEN
6 FOUR-YEAR PLANS WE DREW UP.
WHETHER WE CHANGED OUR MAJOR 3 
TIMES OR NEVER AT ALL, WE EACH 
CAME HERE WITH A GOAL OF FINDING
A PLACE IN THIS WORLD WHERE WE 
CAN LIVE OUT OUR PASSION SERVING
THE AGRICULTURE 
INDUSTRY.
THIS PAST MARCH I HAD THE 
OPPORTUNITY TO TRAVEL WITH 24 
OTHER COLLEGE OF AG STUDENTS TO 
THE GREAT COUNTRY OF AUSTRALIA.
WHILE THERE WE SPENT 10 DAYS 
VISITING VARIOUS ANIMAL 
AGRICULTURE OPERATIONS ALONG THE
EAST COAST.
ONE DISTINCT ENTERPRISE WE 
VISITED WAS PALGROVE.
THE CEO WAS A VERY HUMBLE MAN BY
THE NAME OF DAVID BONDFIELD.
HE AND HIS WIFE STARTED THE 
OPERATION WITH AND I QUOTE ﾓ50 
REGISTERED COWS, 
750 ACRES AND A LOT OF DEBT.ﾔ
TODAY THE OPERATION RUNS 
APPROXIMATELY 8,000 COWS THAT 
GRAZE OVER 50,000 ACRES BETWEEN 
TWO STATES.
MR. BONDFIELD WAS OBVIOUSLY A 
VERY ACCOMPLISHED BUSINESSMAN 
AND HAD A WEALTH OF KNOWLEDGE TO
SHARE WITH US.
AS WE WERE WRAPPING UP OUR VISIT
HE LEFT US WITH SOME WORDS OF 
WISDOM THAT WILL ALWAYS STICK 
WITH ME.
HE TALKED ABOUT ALL THE 
CHALLENGES THEIR OPERATION FACED
AND ALL THE RISKS THEY TOOK 
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS, AND HE 
SAID TO US ﾓIT'S ONLY A MISTAKE 
IF YOU DO IT A 
SECOND TIME.ﾔ 
WHETHER RETURNING HOME TO THE 
FAMILY BUSINESS, CONTINUING ON 
TO GRADUATE SCHOOL OR ENTERING 
THE INDUSTRY.
WITH THIS DIPLOMA WE TAKE THE 
FIRST STEP IN THE JOURNEY OF OUR
CAREERS.
WE DO SO WITHOUT FEAR OF 
FAILURE, WITHOUT FEAR OF RISK, 
AND WITHOUT FEAR OF MAKING 
MISTAKES.
NOT BECAUSE WE DON'T WANT THOSE 
THINGS, BUT BECAUSE OUR INDUSTRY
DOESN'T LEAVE ROOM FOR SUCH 
THINGS.
I THINK WE CAN ALL AGREE THAT 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURE IS FACING 
MORE CHALLENGES THAN EVER 
BEFORE.
A GLOBAL DISCONNECT FROM 
PRODUCTION AGRICULTURE HAS 
CAUSED A NEGATIVE CHANGE IN 
PERCEPTION TO WHAT MANY OF US 
REFER TO AS A WAY OF LIFE AND 
DISAGREEMENTS IN TRADE LEAVE 
MANY VULNERABLE IN THE 
MARKETPLACE, JUST TO NAME A FEW,
AND YET WITH EVERY CHALLENGE 
COMES OPPORTUNITY.
AN OPPORTUNITY TO CHANGE AND 
ADAPT, TO BRING NEW IDEAS TO THE
TABLE AND IMPROVE THE FUTURE OF 
THE INDUSTRY WE ARE ALL SO 
PASSIONATE ABOUT.
AS YOU REFLECT BACK, I HOPE YOU 
SMILE AT THE PERSON THIS 
UNIVERSITY HAS SHAPED YOU INTO 
AND WALK AWAY FROM THIS SPOT YOU
LOVE FULL WELL, WITH 
DETERMINATION AND PRIDE IN YOUR 
STEP.
MAY YOU USE THE KNOWLEDGE AND 
EXPERIENCES GAINED HERE AT 
KANSAS STATE AND IN THE COLLEGE 
OF AGRICULTURE TO FOLLOW YOUR 
PASSION, WITHOUT FEAR OF 
FAILURE, AND THE WILLPOWER TO 
CREATE AN EVEN BETTER TOMORROW.
GOOD LUCK, GOD BLESS, AND GO 
CATS!
p   AS WE BEGIN THIS PROGRAM, I 
WILL INTRODUCE THE PLATFORM 
PARTY.
I WOULD ASK EACH OF THEM TO 
STAND AS THEY ARE INTRODUCED.
PLEASE HOLD YOUR APPLAUSE UNTIL 
ALL HAVE BEEN 
DR. BOGGS: THANK INTRODUCED.
BEGINNING ON MY IMMEDIATE LEFT 
IS:
DR. ERNIE MINTON, INTERIM DEAN 
OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF K-STATE 
RESEARCH AND EXTENSION r RICHARD
MYERS, KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY 
PRESIDENT p DR. CHARLES TABER, 
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY PROVOST 
AND SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT pRICK 
MALIR, FOUNDER AND CEO OF CITY 
BARBEQUE tDR. SHANNON WASHBURN, 
ASSISTANT DEAN, COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE p   DR. ZELIA WILEY,
ASSISTANT DEAN, COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE DR. MARTY DRAPER, 
INTERIM ASSOCIATE DEAN OF 
RESEARCH AND GRADUATE PROGRAMS 
AND INTERIM DIRECTOR OF 
RESEARCH, K-STATE RESEARCH AND 
REFLECTIONS.
EXTENSION p  IN THE SECOND ROW 
IS:
DR. ALLEN FEATHERSTONE, HEAD, 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURAL 
ECONOMICS p   DR. JASON ELLIS, 
HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF 
COMMUNICATIONS AND AGRICULTURAL 
EDUCATION DR. JOE HARNER, HEAD, 
DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL AND 
AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING p DR. 
MICKEY RANSOM, INTERIM HEAD, 
EXTENSION p  IN THE SECOND ROW 
DEPARTMENT OF AGRONOMY DR. 
SUNGHUN PARK, PROFESSOR, 
DEPARTMENT OF HORTICULTURE AND 
NATURAL RESOURCES
p  DR. GREGG HADLEY, ASSOCIATE 
DIRECTOR, EXTENSION AND APPLIED 
RESEARCH p   CONTINUING ON MY 
IMMEDIATE RIGHT IS:
SANDY KLEIN, ASSISTANT DEAN, 
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE p   
CLAUDIA HISSONG, GRADUATING 
SENIOR, AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS 
tDEAN KLAHR, GRADUATING SENIOR, 
ANIMAL SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY 
DANIELLE COMSTOCK, GRADUATING 
SENIOR, AGRICULTURAL 
COMMUNICATIONS AND JOURNALISM 
tHANNAH FRY, GRADUATING SENIOR, 
AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION vt BE 
SEATED. 
IN THE SECOND ROW IS:
DR. EVAN TITGEMEYER, INTERIM 
HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL 
SCIENCES AND INDUSTRY DR. KAREN 
SCHMIDT, PROFESSOR, FOOD SCIENCE
AND INDUSTRY p  DR. GORDON 
SMITH, HEAD, DEPARTMENT OF GRAIN
SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY t  DR. 
BRIAN 
MCCORNACK, INTERIM HEAD, 
DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY pDR. 
MEGAN KENNELLY, INTERIM HEAD, 
DEPARTMENT OF PLANT PATHOLOGY p 
AMY BUTTON RENZ, PRESIDENT AND 
CEO OF THE K-STATE ALUMNI 
ASSOCIATION v v r  PLEASE HELP 
ME IN THANKING THE 
PLATFORM PARTY.  
[ APPLAUSE ]
WE ARE PLEASED THAT YOU HAVE 
JOINED US FOR THE SPRING 2019 
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
COMMENCEMENT.
TODAY, WE ARE ASSEMBLED TO HONOR
AN EXCELLENT GROUP OF 
AGRICULTURAL GRADUATES FOR THEIR
MANY ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
HOWEVER, WE ALSO WISH TO 
ACKNOWLEDGE SOME OTHER VERY 
IMPORTANT PEOPLE 
WHO MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR OUR 
GRADUATES TO SUCCEED THAT WOULD 
BE THE THE FAMILY MEMBERS 
PRESENT TODAY.
WE HAVE MANY SPOUSES AND 
CHILDREN, PARENTS, SIBLINGS, 
GRANDPARENTS AND GREAT 
GRANDPARENTS WITH US TODAY.
WILL ALL THE FAMILY MEMBERS OF 
OUR GRADUATES PLEASE STAND AND 
BE RECOGNIZED?
GRADUATES, LET'S SHOW THEM A 
NICE ROUND OF APPLAUSE IN 
THANKS.  
[ APPLAUSE ]
IN ADDITION TO OUR GREAT 
STUDENTS, WE ARE FORTUNATE AT 
K-STATE TO HAVE AN OUTSTANDING 
GROUP OF FACULTY IN THE COLLEGE 
OF AGRICULTURE WHO HAVE 
DISTINGUISHED THEMSELVES THROUGH
EXCELLENCE IN TEACHING, 
ADVISING, EXTENSION AND RESEARCH
ACTIVITIES THIS YEAR.
THEIR NAMES AND AWARDS ARE 
LISTED ON PAGES 54-55 OF THE 
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM.
WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR 
FACULTY FOR THEIR COMMITMENT AND
SUPPORT OF OUR STUDENTS.
WOULD ALL OF THE 
FACULTY PRESENT TODAY PLEASE 
STAND TO BE RECOGNIZED?
CONGRATULATIONS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL RECOGNIZE 
AND CONGRATULATE THOSE STUDENTS 
WHO ARE GRADUATING WITH 
UNIVERSITY ACADEMIC HONORS.
p  SHANNON WASHBURN, ASSISTANT 
DEAN FOR THE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE, WILL INTRODUCE OUR 
HONORS GRADUATES.
STUDENTS, AS I READ YOUR NAMES, 
PLEASE STAND AT YOUR LOCATION 
AND REMAIN STANDING UNTIL ALL IN
YOUR GROUP HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED.
STUDENTS GRADUATING WITH AN 
OVERALL GPA OF 3.75 AND ABOVE ON
AT LEAST 60 K-STATE
CREDITS ARE DESIGNATED CUM 
LAUDE.
THE CUM LAUDE GRADUATES ARE:
tDEAN ADCOCK CODY BODEN DANIELLE
COMSTOCK SYDNEY CULLISON GRACE 
DAVIS GONZALO DORIA 
ZUBIZARRETA KEALEY DWYER BROOKE 
FALK HANNAH FRY LAUREN GABRIEL 
GABRYELLE GILLIAM PAUL GLOVER 
JULIE HESLOP REBECCA KARNS DEAN 
KLAHR TAYLOR BELLE MATHENY LUCAS
MOEDER LEAH PARSONS JACOB 
PETTIGREW SHILO SCHAAKE MICHELLE
VOEGELI WHITNEY WHITAKER
CONOR WILLIAMS BRIANNA YATES p  
PLEASE JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING
OUR CUM LAUDE GRADUATES.
[ APPLAUSE ]
PLEASE BE SEATED.
GRADUATES WHO HAVE ATTAINED AN 
OVERALL GPA OF 3.85 OR ABOVE ON 
AT LEAST 60 K-STATE CREDITS ARE 
DESIGNATED MAGNA CUM LAUDE.
OUR MAGNA CUM LAUDE GRADUATES 
ARE:
COLBE AUSTIN RACHEL BELLAR 
AMANDA CLAWSON TREVOR DEHAAN 
WYATT DURST MEAGAN FORTIN 
CHADRON KOEHN ERIN MANVILLE 
AARON MEYER SARAH MOYER SHAYNE 
MYERS RACHEL REITH JAYLIN RIECK 
MOLLY ROACH REED SAGE KELLI 
SCHRAG STERLING STEPP KARL 
WILHELM EMILY WRIGHT p  PLEASE 
JOIN ME IN CONGRATULATING OUR 
MAGNA CUM LAUDE GRADUATES.
[ APPLAUSE ]
PLEASE BE SEATED.
GRADUATES WHO HAVE ATTAINED AN 
OVERALL GPA OF 3.95 OR ABOVE ON 
AT LEAST 60 K-STATE
CREDITS ARE DESIGNATED SUMMA CUM
LAUDE.
OUR SUMMA CUM LAUDE GRADUATES 
ARE:
tJUSTIN BINA AMY COLLINS TAYLOR 
DUFF KAYLIN FINK HALEY FIRKINS 
ABIGAIL HARBERT MEGAN HARESNAPE 
CLAUDIA HISSONG ERIC KOEHLMOOS 
ADAM KOSTNER MELINA NISTICO 
BAILEY PETERSON GWYNETH SCHULER 
EMILY ZWICK p  PLEASE JOIN ME IN
CONGRATULATING OUR SUMMA CUM 
LAUDE
GRADUATES.
PLEASE BE SEATED.
WE HAVE TWO GRADUATES WHO HAVE 
COMPLETED THE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE SCHOLARS PROGRAM.
THESE GRADUATES HAVE COMPLETED A
PROJECT UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF
A FACULTY MEMBER AND HAVE 
COMPLETED ADVANCED COURSE WORK 
TO EARN THE DISTINCTION OF 
SCHOLARS PROGRAM GRADUATE.
AT THIS TIME, WE WILL RECOGNIZE 
OUR SCHOLARS PROGRAM GRADUATES.
PLEASE STAND AS I READ YOUR 
NAMES:
ERIC KOEHLMOOS MELINA NISTICO
p  PLEASE JOIN ME IN 
CONGRATULATING OUR SCHOLARS 
PROGRAM GRADUATES.
[ APPLAUSE ]
DR. BOGGS? 
THANK YOU, DR. 
WASHBURN.
p  IT IS MY PLEASURE TO NOW 
INTRODUCE RICK MALIR AS OUR 
COMMENCEMENT SPEAKER.
CITY BARBEQUE FOUNDER AND CEO 
RICK MALIR GREW UP ON A FARM 
SOUTH OF WILSON, KANSAS, AND 
LATER GRADUATED CUM LAUDE FROM 
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY WITH A 
BACHELOR'S OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN 
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS.
IN 1999, HE LEFT A PROMISING 
CAREER WITH JOHN 
DEERE, TEAMED UP WITH A 
COMPETITION BARBEQUE TEAM, 
BOUGHT AN OLD DOUGHNUT SHOP IN 
OHIO, AND OPENED THE FIRST CITY 
BARBEQUE.
TWENTY YEARS LATER, CITY 
BARBEQUE HAS RESTAURANTS IN 
SEVEN STATES, MORE THAN 1,400 
TEAM MEMBERS, AND SERVES MORE 
THAN NINE MILLION POUNDS OF MEAT
A YEAR.
AS FOUNDER AND CEO, RICK GUIDES 
THE COMPANY'S VALUES.
HIS FIRST PRIORITY IS TO TAKE 
CARE OF HIS TEAM, WHICH CALLS 
FOR INDUSTRY-LEADING PAY, 
EVER-IMPROVING BENEFITS, 
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, AND 
MORE.
CITY BARBEQUE'S TEAMS SERVE 
THEIR LOCAL COMMUNITIES BY 
GIVING BACK PRE-TAX PROFITS TO 
LOCAL CHARITIES AND NON-PROFITS;
DONATING FOOD BOTH TO COMMUNITY 
EVENTS AND TO FOOD-INSECURE 
FAMILIES VIA FOOD RESCUE; AND 
RAISING FUNDS FOR ORGANIZATIONS 
SUCH AS THE AMERICAN CANCER 
SOCIETY, THE RESURRECTING LIVES 
FOUNDATION, AND THE FFA, AS WELL
AS THOUSANDS OF LOCAL CHARITIES 
AND NONPROFITS.
UNDER RICK'S LEADERSHIP, THE 
COMPANY HAS BEEN AWARD HONORS 
DATING BACK TWO DECADES.
CITY BARBEQUE HAS BEEN 
RECOGNIZED FOR ITS SCRATCH-MADE 
FOOD, EXPERT CATERING, 
LONGSTANDING COMMUNITY 
INVOLVEMENT, AND 
INDUSTRY-LEADING PEOPLE 
SERVICES.
THE FOUNDATION OF CITY 
BARBEQUE'S SUCCESS IS DERIVED 
LARGELY FROM THE CULTURE RICK 
HAS CREATED AND NOURISHED.
WE ARE PLEASED TO WELCOME RICK 
MALIR TO THE PODIUM FOR HIS 
REMARKS.
RICK? 
CK?  
[ APPLAUSE ]
ALL RIGHT.  THANK YOU, DR. 
BOGGS.  
I'M JUST HONORED TO BE HERE.  
DEAN MINTON AND PRESIDENT MEYERS
AND ALL THE PARENTS AND OTHERS, 
THE GRADUATES, THOSE THAT 
HAPPENED TO BE HERE TO GET OUT 
OF THE RAIN.
I'M VERY EXCITED TO BE HERE, BUT
I'M A VERY POWERFUL MAN.
I'M VERY POWERFUL BECAUSE I'M 
ONE OF THE LAST OBSTACLES 
BETWEEN YOU AND r   YOURR 
DIPLOMA AND THE TAPPING OF THE 
KEG.  THAT JUST ENSURED I WILL 
NEVER GET BACK.  MY LAST TWO 
YEARS AT THE UNIVERSITY, THE 
FOOTBALL TEAM WENT 0-21 AND ONE.
THAT FALL THEY HIRED A YOUNG 
COACH NAMED p   BILL SNYDER, AND
tTHE REST IS HISTORY.  I 
GRADUATED JUST IN TIME NOT TO 
ENJOY prprtrpTHE BILLL SNYDER 
AREA.
MY DAD, 87 YEARS YOUNG, IS 
SITTING OVER THERE.  HE'S A 
KANSAS STATE GRAD. 
AND, OBVIOUSLY, MY PARTNER, BEST
FRIEND, AND WIFE, BONNIE IS 
SITTING UP THERE AS WELL.
I JUST WANT TO RECOGNIZE THEM AS
WELL.  
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU, BONNIE, FOR BELIEVING
IN ME.  THANKS, DAD, FOR A GOOD 
WORK ETHICC AND SPIRITUAL FAITH.
GRADUATES, WHEN I p   WAS IN MY 
30s, I THOUGHT I KNEW EVENING.  
WHEN I WAS IN MY 40s I REALIZED 
I DIDN'T KNOW ANYTHING.  
WHEN I WAS IN MY 50s, I REALIZED
NOBODY ELSE KNEW p   ANYTHING 
EITHER.  
GIVEN MY CREDENTIALS, I DON'T 
KNOW WHAT I CAN TELL YOU.  I'M 
GOING TO SHARE TWO STORIES.
I'M GOING TO GIVE p t  YOU A FEW
TAKEAWAYS.  THESE STORIES ARE 
BROKEN UP INTO TWO PARTS. 
GRADUATES, SIT BACK, ENJOY, 
THINK ABOUT THE REST OF THE DAY.
THE FIRST STORY IS FOR THE HIGH 
SCHOOL STUDENTS AND THE 
UNDERGRADUATES IN THE CROWD.  
WHERE ARE YOU?    CLAP.  I t 
GREWEW UP IN WILSON, KANSAS.  I 
WAS IN WILSON HIGH SCHOOL.
I WAS A MEDIOCRE STUDENT AT 
BEST.  I    MANAGED TO FLUNK p  
ALGEBRA 2.  I WAS NOT A GOOD 
STUDENT AND DIDN'T HAVE A GOOD 
CHARACTER.  
BUT FFA WAS THE SAVING GRACE I 
HAD AND GOT ME ON THE RIGHT 
TRACK.  
WHAT HAPPENED IS I RECEIVED A 
LOT OF WELL-MEANING ADVICE p   
AND   AND COUNSEL FROM SO-CALLED
EXPERTS. 
THEY SAID, RICK, BASED ON YOUR 
GRADES IN HIGH SCHOOL, YOU 
SHOULD EXPECT Cs AND A BOT OF Bs
IN COLLEGE, AND YOU SHOULD 
PROBABLY GO TO A JUNIOR COLLEGE 
TO LEARN HOW TO STUDY.
I DIDN'T WANT ANYTHING TO DO 
WITH THAT.  WHEN MY FOLKS TOOK 
ME TO SEE SEE ROLANDO BLACKMAN 
TO PLAY BASKETBALLL OR I SAW THE
FIELD HOUSE, ANDERSON HALL, 
THESE WERE SKY SCRAPER TO A KID 
FROM WILSON, KANSAS.  I WANTED 
TO BE A PART OF IT, EVEN THOUGH 
I PROBABLY DIDN'T pDESERVE TO BE
HERE.
I ENROLLED AND TOOK AG 
ECONOMICS.  WHY?
IT SOUNDED LIKE MONEY.  I LIKED 
MONEY.  
p   I ENROLLED IN AG ECONOMICS 
BECAUSE I COULDN'T THINK OF 
ANYTHING ELSE TO DO.  I KNEW I 
HAD TO SURROUND MYSELF WITH GOOD
FOLKS IF I WAS GOING TO GET 
ANYWHERE.  I DID HAVE THAT GOOD 
SENSE.  
I JOINED THE FRATERNITY, TALKED 
MY WAY IN.  I DON'T KNOW HOW I 
DID IT. 
I   I JOINED THE FRATERNITY THAT
WAS HIGHLY ACADEMIC.  
I WAS ABLE TO GET THERE AND 
SURROUND MYSELF WITH FOLKS. 
I'VE HAD BAD trpGRADES, LOW, LOW
S.A.T. 
SCORES.  
I WAS SCARED.  I FELT LIKE AN 
OUT CAST.  
YOU KNOW, I KIND OF FEELFEEL 
LIKE AN OUTCAST TODAY.  
THE REASON THAT IS IS BECAUSE I 
HAVE NOT SEEN A SINGLE EPISODE 
OF "GAME OF THRONES."  
I HAVEN'T SEEN A SINGLE EPISODE.
ALL I KNOW IS SUNDAY NIGHT, 
TOMORROW NIGHT, IS THE FINAL 
EPISODE, AND I'M GOING TO BE 
REALLY GLAD WHEN ALL MY FRIENDS 
QUIT TALKING ABOUT IT.  
BUT I DIGRESS.  
SO I WAS SCARED TO DEATH.  
I WAS IN COLLEGE.  
I STRUGGLED THE FIRSTST TWO 
YEARS, I DID.  I WAS TERRIBLE IN
CHEMISTRY.  
TERRIBLE IN BIOLOGY.  ANY AG 
CLASS THAT HAD SCIENCE BEHIND 
IT, rp   I STRUGGLED IN.  
BUT I WORKED HARD. 
I GREW.  
I TOOK A YEAR OFF TO TRAVEL WITH
THE FFA ORGANIZATION.  
WHEN I CAME BACK, I WAS SO BOLD 
TO ASK MY ADVISER AT THE pTIME, 
HEY, I REALLY LOVE ECONOMICS AND
BUSINESS.  COULD I TAKEKE 
HIGHER-LEVEL ECONr  ECONp  ECON 
COURSES?  AND NOT TAKE ALL THE 
SCIENCE COURSES?  
HE SAID, YEAH, I WILL LET YOU DO
THAT.  I FLOURISHED IN COLLEGE 
MY LAST TWO YEARS AND LOVED 
EVERY MINUTE OF IT.
p I ALSOO SURROUNDED MYSELF WITH
A BUNCH OF OTHER FOLKS WHEN I 
CAME BACK AFTER THOSE TWO YEARS.
WE LIVED IN A HOUSE ON HUMBOLDT 
STREET.
WE NAMED IT OUR OWN
FRATERNITY,,, THE DOGHOUSE.  WE 
ALSO HAD A HOUSE MANAGER WHO WAS
VERY INSPIRATIONAL.  
BOBBY WAS A MANNEQUIN THAT STOOD
IN THE CORNER.  VERY HANDY tpt  
TO PUT MY MOTORCYCLE HELMET ON 
TO STORE IT.  
xvI  I FLOURISHED AT KANSAS 
STATE.  WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?  
  HERE IS THE TAKE AWAY?  
IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR FUTURE, 
LOOK AT YOUR FRIENDS.  
I'M GOING TO REPEAT.
THAT IF YOU WANT TO SEE YOUR 
FUTURE, LOOK AT YOUR FRIENDS.  
THE SECOND IS: 
STUDY WHAT YOU LOVE.  
AND THE THIRD, WHICH MAY BE THE 
MOST IMPORTANT FOR HIGH SCHOOL 
STUDENTS THAT MAY BE STRUGGLING 
A BIT OROR UNDERGRADUATES 
STRUGGLING A LITTLE BIT.  YOUR 
PAST DOES NOT MATTER.  
IF IT'S WHERE YOU START TODAY 
AND YOUR DESIRE TO MOVE FORWARD 
THAT TRUMPS THAT.  BY THE WAY, I
NEVER HAD A C IN COLLEGE.  SO I
SO I DEFIEDp  DEFIED rp  MY 
ADVISERS WHEN I WAS IN COLLEGE. 
NOW, FOR THE GRADUATES, I WANT 
THE PARENTS TO STAND UP AGAIN.  
PARENTS, STAND UP. 
COME ON, DO IT.  
GIVE THEM A HAND.  
[ APPLAUSE ]
NOW,, GRADUATES, YOU NEED TO 
STAND UP AND APPLAUD ALL OF 
THOSE PARENTS.  GET LOUD.  WHAT 
THEY ALL DID FOR YOU, PARENTS, 
CONGRATULATIONS.  
THEY'RE OFF THE PAYROLL.  ALSO, 
I BET A FRIEND BACK HOME I 
COULDN'T GET A STANDING OVATION,
SO THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  
GRADUATES, CONGRATULATIONS, YOUR
DIPLOMA IS SIMPLY A LICENSE TO 
LEARN.  ALSO, THE ONLY GUARANTEE
I CAN MAKE YOU IS THE JOB OR 
COMPANY YOU START TODAY IS GOING
TO BE VERY DIFFERENT FIVE YEARS 
FROM NOW.  SO   WHEN I GRADUATED
FROM COLLEGE, FROM KANSAS STATE,
I THOUGHT I WAS A HOT SHOT.  I 
HAD MY t  DEGREE IN ECONOMICS.  
I WENT OUT AND GOT A JOBvr p  AT
JOHN DEERE.  I HAD A COMPANY 
CAR. 
I HAD ALL THE TRAPPINGS OF WHAT 
A YOUNG MAN WOULD ENJOY DOING, 
AND I WAS OUT THERE.  AND IT WAS
AN AMAZING COMPANY.  FOR 10 
YEARS I WORKED HARD, BUT THERE 
WAS JUST SOMETHING WRONG WITH 
THAT.  
IT WAS A GREAT COMPANY.  IT WAS 
GREAT PEOPLE.  I DIDN'T LOVE IT.
I JUST DIDN'T LOVE r  IT.  I 
DIDN'T THINK ABOUT IT ALL THE 
TIME.  SOMETHING WAS EATING AT 
ME.  
ACTUALLY, I WAS UP FOR A 
PROMOTION I THOUGHT I DESERVED.
MY BOSS CAME IN AND SAID, HEY, 
RICK, A prtrp  GUY NAMED STAN IS
GOING TO GET THAT PROMOTION 
YOU'RE HOPING FOR.  I HOPE 
YOU'RE OKAY WITH THAT.
I WAS FRUSTRATED.  
I DIDN'T LIKE IT.  
I DIDN'T FEEL LIKE LIFE WAS 
FAIR, AND I WAS STUCK.  IT WAS 
THEN THAT I REALIZED MAYBE I 
SHOULD TRY THIS BARBECUE THING 
THAT I HAD BEEN THINKING ABOUT. 
MAYBE I SHOULD TRY THAT AND 
MAYBE I SHOULD FOLLOW THAT DREAM
BECAUSE SOMETHING CONTINUED TO 
EAT AT ME.  BY NOT GETTING THAT 
PROMOTION, IT KIND OF GAVE ME 
THAT KNOWLEDGE TO DO THAT.  SO I
DID.
WHAT WAS INTERESTING ABOUT IT 
WAS I HAD A LOT OF WELL-MEANING 
FRIENDS AGAIN TO TRY TO GIVE ME 
ADVICE AND TRY TO TALK ME OUT OF
IT. 
THANK GOODNESS BONNIE BELIEVED 
IN ME, AND WE GAVE IT tvxv A  
SHOT.  THEY WOULD SAY, WHY WOULD
YOU GIVE UP ALL THOSE BENEFITS 
AND DO ALL OF THAT TO START A 
BARBECUE JOINT?  I WANTED TO DO 
THAT. 
I WAS SCARED.  I WAS VERY 
SCARED.  
WE DOUBLE MORTGAGED OUR HOUSE 
AND PUT OUR LIFE SAVINGS ON THE 
p  THE LINE, AMONGST EVERYTHING 
ELSE WE r HAD TO START A 
BARBECUE JOINT.  IF WE FAILED, 
WE WOULD START OVER AT 36.  
BUT IT WAS A PASSION I HAD.  SO 
I GAVE IT A SHOT.  
WE WANTED TO START A A VIRTUOUS 
COMPANY.
BARBECUE IS A PRETTY SIMPLE 
THING, RIGHT?  
WE'RE NOT OUT CURING CANCER.
WE'RE NOT OUT TRYING TO BUILD A 
ROCKET SHIP, BUT WHAT WE WANTED 
TO DO IS IF YOU'RE SUFFERING 
FROM CANCER, MAYBE YOU CAN COME 
IN AND EXPERIENCE OUR RESTAURANT
AND HAVE p  A BETTER DAY.  OR IF
YOU'RE AN 
EMPLOYEE AT CITY  -- CITY 
BARBEQUE, tvrp   MAYBE IT WILL 
BE A GREAT JOB.  OUR PURPOSE IS 
PURPOSE IS SIMPLY TO SERVE AND 
CREATE HAPPINESS.  IT WASN'T 
EASY.  WE LIVED PAYROLL TO 
PAYROLL FOR A LOT OF YEARS.  
HOWEVER, TODAY, WE HAVEVE 1,472 
EMPLOYEES rWITH, I HOPE, A 
BETTER LIFE BECAUSE OF A SINGLE 
IDEA.  
SO WHAT ARE THE TAKEAWAYS FROM 
THAT?  WELL, FIRST OF ALL, 
GRADUATES, LIFE IS NOT FAIR.  
AND THAT IS A GOOD THING.  BY 
THE WAY, THANK YOU, STAN.  
rIF I WOULD HAVE GOTTEN THAT 
PROMOTION THAT I THOUGHT I SO 
DESERVED, CITY BARBEQUE WOULD 
NOT EXIST TODAY.  SO IT IS A 
WINDING ROAD. 
LIFE IS NOT FAIR, AND THAT IS A 
GOOD THING.  
THE SECOND IS THAT NOT EVERYONE 
WILL LOVE YOU.  NOT EVERYONE 
WILL BELIEVE IN YOU.  
THE MORE YOU DO, THE MORE 
CRITICS YOU CAN HAVE.  
THERE'S PROBABLY FOLKS RIGHT NOW
THAT HATE THIS SPEECH, BUT YOU 
HAVE TO FOLLOW YOUR HEART AND 
SIMPLY BE WHO YOU ARE.  
AND THE LAST IS SO IMPORTANT.  
BET ON YOURSELF.  ONLY YOU KNOW 
WHAT THAT BET IS.  IT'S IN YOUR 
HEART.  FOLLOW IT. 
BECAUSE ADVICE FROM OTHERS IS 
JUST SIMPLY THAT.  IT'S ADVICE. 
ONLY YOU KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR 
HEART.  
I WANT TO TALK ABOUT ONE THING 
VERY QUICKLY BEFORE THEY PLAY 
THE MUSIC ONN ME.  I DON'T KNOW 
WHETHER YOU'RE MILLENNIALS OR 
GEN Z OR GEN X.  
PERSONALLY, I THINK THAT'S HOW 
CONSULTANTS MAKE A LOT OF MONEY,
BY IDENTIFYING YOU.  
ALL I KNOW IS YOU'RE WEIRD.  
YOU'RE DIFFERENT.  
YOU HAVE STRANGE IDEAS.  DO YOU 
KNOW WHY?  BECAUSE YOU'RE 30 
YEARS YOUNGER THAN I AM. 
WHEN I WAS YOUR AGE, I WAS 
WEIRD, DIFFERENT.  AND I HAD 
STRANGE IDEAS. 
WHEN YOU'RE PARENTS, GUESS WHAT.
YOUR KIDS ARE GOING TO BE WEIRD,
DIFFERENT, AND THEY'RE GOING TO 
HAVE STRANGE IDEAS.
THAT'S A BEAUTIFUL THING, BUT I 
WILL TELL YOU WE'RE IN VERY, 
VERY GOOD HANDS.
I'M CONFIDENT OF THAT.  WHEN I 
LOOK AT THE TEAMMATES IN OUR 
COMPANY, CITY BARBEQUE, AND I 
LOOK AT YOU, I KNOW p WE'RE IN 
VERY GOOD HANDS.  THERE'S 
COMPANIES OUT THERE THAT ARE ALL
STARTED AND LED TODAY BY MEN AND
WOMEN UNDER 30 YEARSS OF AGE.  
SO LITERALLY, THE FUTURE IS WHAT
WE CREATE.  SO I WANT YOU TO 
FIND WHAT YOU LOVE.  DON'T QUIT 
UNTIL YOU FIND IT.  AND USE YOUR
GIFTS.
WHEN YOU DO, YOU WILL BE DOING 
prprpt  SOMETHING MEANINGFULUL 
BECAUSE pr FAILURE IS NOT GIVING
UP ON YOUR DREAMS. S.  SIMPLY DO
THIS FOR ME.  GO HOME, TAP THE 
KEG, AND THEN GO FEED THE WORLD.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.  
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU, RICK.
CLAUDIA HISSONG, A GRADUATING 
SENIOR FROM GREENCASTLE, 
PENNSYLVANIA, HAS BEEN SELECTED 
TO DELIVER THE GRADUATE ADDRESS.
CLAUDIA WILL GRADUATE WITH A 
MAJOR IN 
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU, RICK.
CLAUDIA HISSONG, A GRADUATING 
SENIOR FROM AGRICULTURAL 
ECONOMICS AND A SECONDARY MAJOR 
IN GLOBAL FOOD SYSTEMS 
LEADERSHIP.
DURING HER TIME AT K-STATE, SHE 
SERVED AS PRESIDENT OF THE 
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
AMBASSADORS, STUDENT FELLOW FOR 
THE CENTER FOR RISK MANAGEMENT 
EDUCATION AND RESEARCH, AND 
ACTIVE MEMBER OF BLOCK AND 
BRIDLE.
CLAUDIA ALSO COMPLETED TWO 
UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH PROJECTS 
COMBINING HER INTERESTS IN 
ECONOMICS AND THE LIVESTOCK 
INDUSTRY, AND PARTICIPATED IN A 
FOOD SCIENCE STUDY ABROAD TOUR 
OF ITALY.
SHE WAS SELECTED AS THE 
2018-2019 COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE
STUDENT OF THE YEAR.
CLAUDIA COMPLETED INTERNSHIPS 
WITH CARGILL FEED AND NUTRITION 
AND THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE 
ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. 
SHE ALSO SERVED AS A LEARNING 
ASSISTANT FOR THE LEADERSHIP FOR
AGRICULTURAL ADVOCACY COURSE 
THROUGH K-STATE FIRST.
NEXT, CLAUDIA WILL BE ATTENDING 
GRADUATE SCHOOL AT KANSAS STATE 
UNIVERSITY IN THE DEPARTMENT OF 
AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS.
PLEASE JOIN ME IN WELCOMING 
CLAUDIA HISSONG TO THE PODIUM 
FOR THE GRADUATE ADDRESS.
[ APPLAUSE ]
GOOD AFTERNOON FELLOW GRADUATES,
TODAY IS A PIVOTAL DAY IN OUR 
LIVES.
A DAY WE RECOGNIZE ALL WE HAVE 
ACCOMPLISHED DURING OUR TIME AS 
STUDENTS HERE.
A DAY WE EMBARK ON A FUTURE THAT
WILL BE FILLED WITH SURPRISES 
AND CHALLENGES, BUT EXCITING, 
NONE THE LESS.
WE ARE AT A CROSSROADS IN OUR 
LIVES WHERE OUR HARD WORK, 
PARALLELED WITH THE DEDICATION 
OF FACULTY AND STAFF OF KANSAS 
STATE UNIVERSITY MEETS THE 
OPPORTUNITY THAT WE HAVE BEEN 
YEARNING FOR.
AS WE GO INTO OUR FUTURES, LET 
US REMEMBER WHERE WE CAME FROM, 
REFLECT ON ALL WE ENDURED, AND 
PREPARE FOR WHATEVER LIFE HOLDS 
BEFORE US.
TODAY, WE HAVE EARNED THE 
ABILITY TO PROUDLY SAY, ﾓI AM AN
ALUMNUS OF KANSAS 
STATE UNIVERSITY,ﾔ IF WE FLASH 
BACK TO OUR FIRST SEMESTER AS 
STUDENTS, THIS DAY SEEMED A 
LIFETIME AWAY.
WE WERE MORE FOCUSED ON LEARNING
TO NAVIGATE CAMPUS, DEVELOPING 
FRIENDSHIPS WITH THOSE IN OUR 
CLASSES, AND ANXIOUSLY ATTENDING
THE WATERMELON FEED IN SEARCH OF
AN ORGANIZATION TO INVEST OUR 
TIME.
THE FIRST SEMESTER QUICKLY 
TURNED INTO OUR FINAL SEMESTER, 
WHERE OUR FOCUS SHIFTED TOWARDS 
NAVIGATING LIFE AFTER COLLEGE, 
PREPARING FOR OUR FINAL 
PRESENTATION AS UNDERGRADUATES, 
AND THE SAD REALIZATION THAT 
THIS MAY BE THE LAST TIME LIVING
IN THE SAME TOWN AS OUR CLOSEST 
FRIENDS.
AS ALUMNI OF THE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE AT KANSAS STATE 
UNIVERSITY WE JOIN A COMMUNITY 
OF FORWARD THINKERS AND 
ACHIEVERS WHO ARE BONDED OVER A 
LOVE OF PURPLE.
WE ARE ALUMNI OF THE FIRST LAND 
GRANT INSTITUTION, FOUNDED IN 
1863.
FOUNDED DURING A TIME OF TURMOIL
IN THE MIDST OF THE CIVIL WAR.
EVEN THROUGH DARK TIMES, THE 
PEOPLE OF KANSAS AND KANSAS 
STATE TRIUMPHED TOWARDS A BETTER
FUTURE.
MAY WE EMBODY THE RESILIENCE OF 
OUR UNIVERSITY AND REFLECT ON 
ALL THE GREAT ACCOLADES THAT 
WERE MADE POSSIBLE THROUGH A 
COMMITMENT TO THE LAND GRANT 
MISSION.
AS STUDENTS, WE LIVED THE 
MISSION OUR OF UNIVERSITY AND 
THE WILDCAT WAY EVERYDAY THROUGH
SHARING OUR K-STATE STORY TO 
PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS, BEING 
SOMEONE A FELLOW K-STATER COULD 
COUNT ON IN A TIME OF NEED, AND 
PUSHING OURSELVES TO THINK 
DEEPER.
WILDCATS, AS WE 
PREPARE TO LEAVE KANSAS STATE, 
CONTINUE TO LIVE THE WILDCAT WAY
EVERY DAY.
KNOW THAT YOU HAVE A FAMILY 
WITHIN KANSAS STATE.
BE CONFIDENT THAT THE PEOPLE OF 
KANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY HAVE 
YOUR BACK NOW AND 
FOREVER.
HAVE THE COURAGE TO TAKE RISKS, 
RECOVER FROM DEFEAT AND WIN WITH
HUMILITY.
MOST IMPORTANTLY, REMEMBER WHY 
WE CHOSE TO BE WILDCATS, AND 
ALWAYS CHOOSE TO BE PURPLE AND 
ALL THAT IT 
REPRESENTS.
K-STATE HAS A POWERFUL TRADITION
OF LIVING THE WILDCAT WAY, AND 
NOW IT IS OUR TURN TO UPHOLD 
THAT TRADITION.
IN OUR FUTURES, WE WILL FACE 
DIFFICULTIES, BUT MAY WE LOOK AT
THESE CHALLENGES AND FEEL 
ENSURED THAT WE CAN HANDLE THEM,
BECAUSE WE ARE WILDCATS.
WE'VE BEEN TAUGHT BY EXPERTS IN 
THEIR FIELD, WE'VE CONDUCTED OUR
OWN RESEARCH PROJECTS, WE'VE 
TRAVELED TO OTHER COUNTRIES TO 
SEE AGRICULTURE IN A NEW LIGHT, 
WE'VE COMPETED ON NATIONALLY 
RANKED JUDGING TEAMS, AND WE'VE 
BEEN LEADERS ON CAMPUS THROUGH 
ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTS OF 
SERVICE.
OUR EXPERIENCES HAVE PREPARED US
FOR A PATH OF SUCCESS, THAT NO 
DIFFICULTY CAN DETER US FROM.
AS WE REFLECT ON OUR TIME AT 
K-STATE, THINK ABOUT ALL THE 
CHALLENGES WE HAVE 
ALREADY OVERCOME.
TESTS, THAT WE THOUGHT WERE TOO 
DIFFICULT, WE PASSED.
PAPERS, THAT WE DIDN'T THINK WE 
COULD GET TO THE NECESSARY 
LENGTH, ARE WRITTEN, AND THE 
WORRY OF FINDING YOUR PLACE IN A
LARGE UNIVERSITY IS DIMINISHED 
AS YOU SIT HERE WITH OVER 400 
FELLOW GRADUATES THAT HAVE 
TURNED INTO FAMILY.
THOSE CHALLENGES WE ONCE WORRIED
ABOUT SEEM SO MINUSCULE AS WE 
SIT HERE TODAY, BASKING IN THE 
GLORY OF OUR ACHIEVEMENTS.
IT'S NOW OUR TIME TO EMBARK ON 
AN ADVENTURE THAT WILL LAST THE 
REST OF OUR LIVES, AND WE ARE 
THE ONE LEADING THAT ADVENTURE.
EACH DAY IN MIDDLE SCHOOL MY 
PRINCIPAL WOULD SAY, ﾓMAKE IT A 
GREAT DAY OR NOT, 
THAT CHOICE BELONGS TO YOU.ﾔ
FELLOW GRADUATES, IT IS NO 
SURPRISE THAT TODAY IS A GREAT 
DAY, BUT I'M GOING TO CHALLENGE 
YOU TO MAKE IT A GREAT LIFE.
MAKE IT A LIFE FULL OF LEARNING,
KNOWLEDGE SHARING, FRIENDSHIPS, 
AND A GROWING PASSION FOR THE 
AGRICULTURE 
INDUSTRY.
ALTHOUGH, THAT CHOICE BELONGS TO
YOU, TAKE ALL THAT YOU HAVE 
GAINED FROM BEING A STUDENT IN 
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND 
MAKE THE MOST OF IT.
CLASS OF 2019, CONGRATULATIONS 
ON ALL YOU HAVE ACCOMPLISHED AND
ALL YOU WILL ACHIEVE IN YOUR 
FUTURE.
GOOD LUCK TO YOU ALL, GOD BLESS,
AND AS ALWAYS, GO 
CEREMONY, WE ARE PLEASED TO HAVE
AMY BUTTON-RENZ, PRESIDENT AND 
CEO OF THE K-STATE ALUMNI 
ASSOCIATION, BRING SPECIAL 
GREETINGS ON BEHALF OF THE CATS!
THANK YOU, CLAUDIA.
K-STATE ALUMNI ASSOCIATION.
THANK K YOU, DR. 
BOGGS.  I'M PLEASED TO BE PART 
OF YOUR 
SPECIALCIAL IAL DAY.  
TODAY, AS YOU RECEIVE YOUR 
DEGREE, WE'RE EXCITED TO 
CELEBRATE WITH YOU AND YOUR 
FAMILY.  
WE'RE ALSO HERE TO WELCOME YOU 
INTO A NEW RELATIONSHIP r WITH 
YOUR ALMA MATER AS YOU BEGIN 
THIS NEW CHAPTER AS A K-STATE 
GRADUATE.
THE MISSION AT THE ALUMNI 
ASSOCIATION IS TOTO THE DEGREE  
ENCOURAGE LIFE LONG INVOLVEMENT.
I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE THREE 
CORE VALUES THAT GUIDE US IN OUR
MISSION TO HELP YOU STAY 
CONNECTED WITH p  K-STATE.  YOU 
CAN STAY IN TOUCH THROUGH 
HUNDREDS OF ALUMNI ACTIVITIES 
HELD ON CAMPUS, AROUND THE 
COUNTRY, AND INTERNATIONALLY.  
ANOTHER VALUE IS TRADITION.  YOU
WILL LIKELY CELEBRATE A FEW 
TRADITION THIS IS WEEKEND AS YOU
SING THE ALMA MATER OR p TAKE 
KSU PHOTOS ON YOUR FAVORITE 
SPOTS ON CAMPUS.  YOU MAY HAVE 
FOND MEMORIES OF DOING THE 
WABASH OR RUBBING THE NOSE AT 
THE STAT YOU AT THE ALUMNI 
CENTER FOR GOOD LUCK ON A TEST 
OR ENSURE A VICTORY.  WE HOPE 
YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO VISIT THE 
ALUMNI rptrpCENTER TOTO SEE ALL 
THE WONDERFUL THINGS KEPT THERE.
A STAINED GLASS PIECE DESIGNED 
BY pMARCUS GILBERT THAT PAYS 
TRIBUTE TO OUR STATE AND THE 
K-STATE CAMPUS.  
THE THIRD CORE VALUE IS PURPLE. 
FOR K-STATERS, IT'S MORE THAN A 
COLOR.
IT'S A SYMBOL OF PRIDE AND 
FAMILY.  
WHEN YOU SEE SOMEONE SPORTING A 
K-STATE LICENSE PLATE OR WEARING
A RING, YOU WILL RECOGNIZE THAT
FAMILY.  WE'RE COMPLIMENTING YOU
WITH A ONE-YEAR MEMBERSHIP.  WE 
HOPE YOU ENJOY THE MEMBERSHIP 
AND CONTINUE TO BE AN ACTIVE 
MEMBER AFTER YOUR FIRST YEAR.  
OUR ALUMNI IS SOME OF THE MOST 
LOYAL.
WE RANK TOP FIVE IN THE NATION 
AND IN THE BIG 12 FOR GRADUATES 
THAT ARE MEMBERS.  THOSE MEMBERS
HAVE THE SHAME PASSION FOR 
K-STATE AS YOU RECEIVE YOUR 
DEGREE FROM ONE OF THE FINEST 
UNIVERSITIES IN THE NATION.  THE
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION 
ISr  IS PLEASED TO PRESENT YOU 
WITH A WAY TO STAY CONNECTED TO 
YOUR K-STATE FAMILY.  
CONGRATULATIONS 2019 GRADUATES, 
AND GO CATS. 
THANK YOU, AMY.
ALL RIGHT.  WE'RE GETTING DOWN 
TO IT,
GRADUATES. 
WE HAVE A FEW ADDITIONAL 
ANNOUNCEMENTS FOR THE DEGREE 
CEREMONY.
THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE IS 
PLEASED TO PROVIDE A 
COMPLEMENTARY 5" X 7" 
PROFESSIONAL PHOTOGRAPH OF YOUR 
GRADUATION.
ONE PHOTO WILL BE TAKEN ON 
STAGE, AND A SECOND PHOTO WILL 
BE TAKEN BY THE BACKDROP AT THE 
REAR OF THE SEATING AREA.
PLEASE PAUSE AND TURN TOWARD THE
CAMERA TO MAKE SURE YOU ARE 
READY FOR YOUR PHOTOS.
FAMILY MEMBERS, IF YOU WANT TO 
TAKE PICTURES, YOU MAY DO SO 
FROM BEHIND THE ROPED AREA 
AROUND THE EDGE OF THE FLOOR 
SEATING.
PLEASE REFER TO YOUR 
COMMENCEMENT PROGRAM ON PAGES 
55-58 FOR THE ORDER IN WHICH THE
GRADUATES WILL BE RECOGNIZED.
GRADUATES MAJORING IN 
AGRIBUSINESS THROUGH WILDLIFE 
AND OUTDOOR ENTERPRISE 
MANAGEMENT ARE SEATED ON THE 
WEST SIDE AND WILL CROSS THE 
STAGE FROM WEST TO EAST.
THE REMAINING GRADUATES ARE 
SEATED ON THE EAST SIDE AND WILL
CROSS THE STAGE FROM EAST TO 
WEST.
PLEASE PREPARE FOR YOUR PHOTO 
JUST BEFORE YOUR GRADUATE 
APPROACHES THE STAGE, AND THEN 
RETURN TO YOUR SEAT SO OTHERS 
CAN ACCESS THE AREA.
IT IS NOW MY PLEASURE TO 
INTRODUCE DR. ERNIE MINTON, 
INTERIM DEAN OF THE COLLEGE OF 
AGRICULTURE AND INTERIM DIRECTOR
OF K-STATE RESEARCH AND 
EXTENSION AND INVITE HIM TO THE 
PODIUM FOR THE CONFERRAL OF 
DEGREES.
pINTERIM DEAN MINTON
WOULD ALL GRADUATES NOW PLEASE 
RISE FOR THE CONFERRAL OF 
DEGREES?
BY THE AUTHORITY OF THE PEOPLE 
OF KANSAS AND THE KANSAS BOARD 
OF REGENTS, AND UPON 
RECOMMENDATION BY THE FACULTY 
AND UPON COMPLETION OF ALL 
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS, I AM 
PLEASED TO CONFER UPON YOU THE 
RESPECTIVE DEGREES YOU HAVE 
EARNED AT KANSAS STATE 
UNIVERSITY.
GRADUATES, PLEASE MOVE YOUR 
TASSELS TO THE LEFT SIDE OF YOUR
MORTAR BOARD.
[ APPLAUSE ]
THANK YOU.  PLEASE BE 
THANK SEATED. 
AT THIS TIME, COLLEGE 
ADMINISTRATION WILL PREPARE FOR 
THE DIPLOMA COVER PRESENTATION.
THE DEPARTMENT HEADS WILL 
PRESENT DIPLOMA COVERS TO EACH 
GRADUATE AS THEY CROSS THE 
STAGE.
I ALSO INVITE K-STATE PRESIDENT 
RICHARD MYERS AND PROVOST 
CHARLES TABER TO JOIN ME IN 
CONGRATULATING THE GRADUATES AS 
THEY CROSS THE 
STAGE.
THANK YOU, INTERIM DEAN 
STAGE.
THANK YOU, INTERIM
EAN MINTON.   
WE WILL PROCEED IN ORDER.  I 
WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR FACULTY 
MARSHALS
MARSHALS.  
IT IS NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO 
INTRODUCE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF AGRICULTURE OF ECONOMICS WHO 
WILL PRESENT DIPLOMA COVERS TO 
THE 
GRADUATESt GRADUATES.  
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
 [ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
WE WILL NOW PRESENT THOSE 
GRANTING WITH
IN EDUCATION.  
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
NOW I WOULD LIKE TO INTRODUCE 
THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
BIOLOGICAL AND 
AGRICULTURAL 
ENGINEERING.  
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
GRADUATING IN PARK MANAGEMENT 
AND GRADUATES' NAMES ]
WECONSERVATION.  
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF 
NOW
PRESENT
TO
PRESENT TO THOSE GRADUATING WITH
OUTDOOR WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT.   
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
WE
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
WE WILL NOW PAUSE TO CHANGE 
SIDES AND INTRODUCE THE 
REMAINING GRADUATES, STARTING 
WITH THE GRADUATES t  INr IN 
ANIMALS AND SCIENCE AND 
INDUSTRY. 
IT IS NOW MY PRIVILEGE TO 
INTRODUCE THE INTERIM HEAD OF 
THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE
AND INDUSTRY WHO WILL PRESENT TO
GRADUATES RECEIVING DEGREES WITH
MAJORS IN SCIENCE AND INDUSTRY 
AND VETERINARIAN tpt  MEDICINE. 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES 
]GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
[ READING OF 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ]
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
WE'LL NOW PRESENT TO THOSE 
GRADUATING IN SEA SCIENCE AND 
MANAGEMENT.  
[ READING OF GRADUATES' NAMES ] 
rDR. BOGGS, THAT CONCLUDES OUR 
DIPLOMA PRESENTATION.  
[ APPLAUSE ]
HOW ABOUT A ROUND OF APPLAUSE 
FOR ALL OF OUR GRADUATES? 
[ APPLAUSE ]
JUST A FEW FINAL THOUGHTS.  
FIRST, COMMENCEMENT DOES NOT 
MEAN THE END.  
IT'S ABOUT THE BEGINNING.  
BEGINNING OF NEW 
CAREERSCAREERS FOR SOME OF YOU 
ANDtYOU AND NEW FAMILIESr   
FAMILIES FOR OTHERS. 
YOU CAN BE PROUD TO BE A 
GRADUATE OF KANSAS STATE, THE 
FIRST LAND-GRAND UNIVERSITY IN 
THE NATION.
BUT WE DO HAVE A FEW 
EXPECTATIONS OF YOU AS A K-STATE
COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE ALUM.
FIRST, WE EXPECT YOU TO 
CAPITALIZE ON YOUR EDUCATION AND
THE TRAINING YOU HAVE RECEIVED 
TO MAKE VALUABLE CONTRIBUTIONS 
IN YOUR CAREERS AND TO YOUR 
PROFESSIONS, AS WELL AS TO 
CONTINUE YOUR PROFESSIONAL 
DEVELOPMENT AS A LIFELONG 
LEARNER.
SECONDLY, WE EXPECT YOU TO BUILD
UPON THE OUTSTANDING RECORD OF 
CITIZENSHIP, PHILANTHROPY AND 
SERVICE THAT YOU HAVE 
ESTABLISHED AT K-STATE BY 
BECOMING OUTSTANDING MEMBERS OF 
THE COMMUNITIES TO WHICH YOU 
RELOCATE, TO START YOUR CAREERS 
OR CONTINUE YOUR SCHOOLING.
GET INVOLVED AND BE ENGAGED IN 
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, THEY NEED 
YOUR TALENTS AND LEADERSHIP 
SKILLS.
FINALLY, WHAT TRULY MAKES THE 
K-STATE COLLEGE OF AG GREAT IS 
THE INVOLVEMENT AND EXPECTATIONS
OF OUR ALUMNI.
THUS, WE EXPECT YOU TO KEEP 
BLEEDING PURPLE, TO STAY 
INVOLVED WITH K-STATE AND TO 
CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE US TO BE 
THE BEST WE CAN BE.
I AM CONFIDENT THAT
I SPEAK FOR ALL OF OUR FACULTY, 
STAFF AND ADMINISTRATORS WHEN I 
SAY THAT IT HAS TRULY BEEN OUR 
PRIVILEGE TO CONTRIBUTE TO YOUR 
EDUCATION AND BE A PART OF YOUR 
LIVES THESE LAST FEW YEARS.
WE ARE VERY PROUD OF YOU AND WE 
WISH YOU THE VERY 
BEST.
AGAIN, CONGRATULATIONS TO 
OUR GRADUATES. 
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR 
PARTICIPATING IN THIS SPECIAL 
OCCASION FOR OUR GRADUATES.
WE ASK THAT YOU PLEASE REMAIN 
SEATED FOR THE FORMAL 
RECESSIONAL.
THE GRADUATES WILL FOLLOW THE 
STAGE PARTY TO THE REAR OF THE 
FLOOR SEATING AND UP THE FAR OUR
GRADUATES. 
THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR 
PARTICIPATING IN THIS SPECIAL 
OCCASION FOR OUR GRADUATES.
WE ASK THAT YOU NORTH STAIRS TO 
THE CONCOURSE AREA.
WE ASK THAT FAMILIES THEN EXIT 
IMMEDIATELY BEHIND YOUR SECTION 
AND MEET THE GRADUATES ON THE 
UPSTAIRS CONCOURSE.
THIS WILL HELP US CLEAR THE 
FLOOR FOR THE NEXT CEREMONY THAT
FOLLOWS.
THANK YOU ONCE AGAIN TO OUR 
MUSICIANS FOR SHARING YOUR 
MUSICAL TALENTS AND TO DEAN 
KLAHR, RICK MALIR, AND CLAUDIA 
HISSONG FOR SPEAKING AT OUR 
CEREMONY TODAY.
AGAIN, MY CONGRATULATIONS AND 
BEST WISHES TO THE GRADUATES.
FOR OUR ADJOURNMENT, PLEASE RISE
AND JOIN IN AS DANIELLE COMSTOCK
AND HANNAH FRY LEADS US IN 
SINGING THE K-STATE
ALMA MATER.
♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪
ALMA MATER.
♪ [ MUSIC ] ♪ WELL, 'TIS NOT IN 
FOREST NOR YET IN DELL, EVER IT 
HOLDS ME WITH MAGIC SPELL, I 
THINK OF THEE ALMA MATER.
KSU, WE'LL CARRY THE BANNER 
HIGH, KSU LONG, LONG MAY THY 
COLORS FLY. LOYAL YOU TO THEE 
THY CHILDREN WILL SWELL THE CRY.
HAIL, HAIL, HAIL 
ALMA MATER."
[ APPLAUSE ]
