Kansas State University - Royal Purple Yearbook (Manhattan, KS)

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Jon Wefald met Ruth Ann Joynt at a play. His date was ill and her date went home at intermission. After a short conversation, a young Wefald asked, Would you like to join me for coffee sometime? ' It was the begining of a tong partnership. (Photo by Steven Oearinger) STUDENT LIFE s. , ; • e . it- 1 • 4 . :• e 7. • • • •

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UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT CREDITS SUCCESS TO rum EFFORT Wallsonvfilsb When he arrived in Manhattan, President Jon Wefald was an outsider. Jan. 26, fourteen years later, he became the ultimate insider when Gov. Bill Graves and the Native Sons and Daughters of Kansas presented him with the Distinguished Kansan of the Year Award. Ma someone who came from the state of Minnesota, I am pleasantly stunned to be notified that I would be the recipient, Wefald said. I am not an outsider. it certifies the fact that I am now a Kansan. This is a very special honor for me and my family? The Wefalds moved from Minnesota to Manhattan when Wefald, who had been Chancellor of the Minnesota State University System, accepted the position as K-State president. When we made the decision to move, our friends klt sorry for us, Ruth Ann Wefald. the president ' s wife, said. They thought Kansas was a cultural wasteland. In fact, the Flint Hills arc beautiful. I always enjoy the Kona Prairie. ' When they arrived in Kansas, the Wefalds hit the ground running. They managed to be parents to their two sons, Skip and Andy, and university leaders at the same time. The example that they have set as parents has really led me to try to be that kind of parent to my children? said Andy, the couple ' s youngest son. I didn ' t realize how much they taught me until I had my own kids. My dad works, he works so hard. 1 appreciate that. Many factors played a role in Wefald ' s success, but he said his partnership with his wife and teamwork within the institution stood out the most. When their children moved our and starred their own families, Ruth Ann said she had more time ro dedicate to the areas of campus she felt needed help. I never really felt like I had an empty nest, she said. I was a little relieved because I could work on projects without feeling guilty that I should be with them? The first lady ' s projects concentrated on successful fund-raising for programs such as the Flint Hills Breadbasket and the construction of the Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art. In the past 14 years she served as chairperson and honorary chairperson for countless committees across the campus and the community. Wefald said volunteer work was Ruth Ann ' s part of the Wefald team. I would say ever since we ' ve been married, Ruth Ann has been a full-fledged and equal partner? Wefald said. ' When we came to Kansas you could really see the team at work. She has never held an official position or been paid for anything. She has been a volunteer. She has her heart and soul set on helping the university. She works about as many hours as I do, but it is all volunte er work. , • . • • On their way to the Office of the Presi- dent in Anderson Halt, the Wefalds dis- cuss their busy week. The president ' s house was located at 100 Wilson Court. (Photo by Steven Dearinger) In his presidential suite at KSU Stadium during a football game, Wefald U.S. Senator Pat Roberts. (Photo by Evan Semon) UNSEEN

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confined dame .4 Ruth Ann also helped by recruiting for the university. Wefald said Ruth Ann sat next to the president of a Nigerian flour mill on a plane and used the 65-minute flight to talk him into sending his son to school at K-Srate. In January, the student arrived in Manhattan, and Ruth Ann met him at the airport. He stayed with the Wefalds for the weekend until he was settled into a residence hall. Bringing students to K-State has been important to Wefald since the beginning. In his inaugural address in 1986, Wefald outlined goals that, at the time, seemed impossible to reach. There was a real expectation to turn around the enrollment, said Robert Krause, vice president for institutional advancement. I don ' t think there were two people across the state of Kansas who thought we could increase the numbers. ' Wefald said he did not let the pessimism upset his goals, instead he focused on what was obtainable. When 1 arrived, the attitude was one of demoralization, ' Wefald said. They felt like the problems were so out of control that they could not be solved. For example, when I arrived, the new library was scheduled to be completed in 2010 but we finished it in 1998. During Wefald ' s tenure at K-State, he and Ruth Ann worked together to improve the institution. Through the president ' s efforts, enrollment did reach an all-time high. Wefald also created and improved athletic programs across campus. Scholastic advances in the last 14 years ensured K-State ' s position as one of the top universities in the country. The administration ' s organization helped the president succeed, Krause said. But Ruth Ann said the success was the result of more than just organized structure. He loves K-State, and he loves to win, Ruth Ann said. That gives him the drive to create an institution that is on top. Wefald said he believed K-State ' s success took team effort. The vice presidents and deans are great leaders, and the student senate as well, President Wefald said. Great leaders give us the opportunity to compete as a top university even though we are under-funded. Krause agreed. President Wefald ' s policy is that you And solutions and are proactive, Krause said. With three vice presidents, our individual responsibilities are very well-defined. We are all on one team, though. After so many years of working together there are a lot of side conversations we don ' t have to have. You know each other ' s strengths and weaknesses. There is a trust factor and an understanding that we have the same goals. UNSEEN