PRIORITY PROJECTS
SCHOLARSHIPS
With the rapid growth in technology-related careers, more students are seeking admission to K-State-Salina. The demand for the College's graduates is at an all-time high. By securing adequate scholarship support, enrollment can continue to increase well past the current level of 1,000 students. Not just enrollment growth, but with scholarship support, the college is able to recruit some of the best and the brightest students. These students raise the level of discussion in the classroom and provide leadership and development to the student life program on campus. As they work with their instructors and interact with their peers, they help to achieve the vision of an academic environment that not only supports success but encourages excellence. Examples of premier scholarships recently established at the College of Technology and Aviation with endowed funds are:
Hardman Scholarship
Cessna Leadership Scholarship
EQUIPMENT SUPPORT
Equipment needs, especially in the technology and aviation areas, continue to present challenges. Technology-based education requires a continuous and substantial investment in the equipment necessary to provide educational opportunities. Annually, equipment requests can amount to more than $780,000 while total state appropriated available funds can cover only about 15 percent of the amount needed. Partnerships with companies are being continually formed to meet some of these needs. There remains, however, an incredible void in the equipment area that poses an extraordinary long-term challenge.
FUND FOR EXCELLENCE
Our students expect and deserve the best possible learning atmosphere. A source of flexible funds is needed to create this environment. State appropriated enhancement funds are limited, making the need for flexible funds critical. A source of flexible funds allows the College to respond to opportunities in a timely manner.
These funds would be available for faculty development. Outstanding faculty members are critical to the attraction and retention of students. The College must invest in faculty development. The cost of this development, however, cannot be covered within existing budgets.
There is obviously a strong economic impact that follows the existence of a strong college. As the Salina campus of K-State grows, so does the economy of Salina and the surrounding area. This Fund for Excellence will provide a source of flexible funds for the growth of the Salina campus. This benefits the students, the College, the community of Salina and the economy of the surrounding area.