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Community Development Academy
Hutchinson, KS March 26-27 and April 23-24, 2012

"Engagement is a form of research, teaching or service in which collaborative efforts between university and community stakeholders result in scholarly activity and community benefit around a public issue."

David E. Procter, Director of CECD

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Rural Grocery Summit III. Strengthening Our Stores. Strengthening Our Communities.

We will host the third national Rural Grocery Summit in Manhattan, Kansas on June 5-6, 2012. In 2010, over 200 participants from 13 different states attended this important conference. Continue reading »


Winners Announced for K-State Excellence in Engagement Awards

The Office of the Provost and the Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD) are pleased to announce the winners of the K-State Excellence in Engagement Awards. Continue reading » (Word Document)

CECD Engages Kansas

Natural Learning Symposium

The Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning and the Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD) at Kansas State University are pleased to announce the 2012 Engagement Symposium will take place on April 26, 2012. This year's symposium is titled Day of Learning: Communities Engaging Landscape. The engagement symposium will be held from noon to 5 p.m. in the K-State Student Union in the Flinthills and 212 rooms. The event is free of charge and is open to students, faculty, and community members who are interested in learning how communities are engaging landscape and learning.

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Graduate Students Design Community Plan

An exemplary example of student and university engagement can be found in the Department of Landscape Architecture/Regional and Community Planning at Kansas State University. Two graduate level classes are currently involved with assisting the city of Lindsborg, Kan. in updating its comprehensive community plan. "Lindsborg is a good example of engagement because it is a small town that is surviving against the odds, many, if not most, rural Kansas towns are losing wealth and population but Lindsborg appears to be holding its own," said Keller.

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Several Initiatives Recognized for Outstanding Engagement

The Office of the Provost and the Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD) at Kansas State University recently announced the winners of the 2012 Excellence in Engagement Awards. The winning partnerships include Earthworms Across Kansas (EAK) and K-State's Adult Education Program Engagement with the U.S. Army's Command and General Staff College at Ft. Leavenworth (CGSC). Three finalists were also recognized including the Get It-Do It! program, Advancing Child Nutrition Programs in Kansas, and International Grains Program (IGP). All of these initiatives demonstrate an active engagement at the local and national level.

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The Winning Partnerships Receive 2012 Engagement Awards

The two partnerships were chosen for their successful engagement endeavors in the community. Both collaborations will receive a plaque, $2500 for their partnership, and recognition at the 2012 Engagement Symposium on April 26. Additionally, the partnerships will have the opportunity to be entered into the Association of Public Land Grant Universities' C. Peter Magrath Engagement Award competition.

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Third National Rural Grocery Summit to Be Hosted

The Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD) and Kansas State University will host the third national Rural Grocery Summit. The summit will take place in Manhattan, Kan. on June 5 and 6, 2012 at the Hilton Garden Inn. This year's summit will address the challenges and opportunities that rural grocery stores are facing. The Rural Grocery Summit is an extension of CECD's Rural Grocery Initiative (RGI). RGI works to strengthen rural stores and communities nationwide.

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New Media Center in Greensburg, KS

When the EF5 tornado hit the town of Greensburg in 2007, leveling 95% of the town, the staff and faculty at Kansas State University knew they needed to help. Shortly after the tornado destroyed Greensburg, the Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD) called a meeting of over 30 individuals from K-State to see what could be done to aid the devastated town. Several faculty teams stepped forward to help Greensburg.

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Loss of Rural Grocery Stores Draws National Attention

The Center for Engagement and Community Development's (CECD) director, David Procter traveled to Washington DC on December 1, 2011. Procter briefed the US Senate Hunger Caucus on the loss of grocery stores in rural communities and its devastating impact on the town. Procter's presentation focused on the closing of rural grocery stores as an economic development issue, as well as a nutrition and community health issue. The preservation of a rural grocery store has significant benefits. However, high operational costs, limited labor force, and owner burnout are significant factors that influence the closing of rural grocery stores.

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League of Kansas Municipalities Holds Annual Conference in Wichita, Kan.

On October 8 & 9, 2011, the League of Kansas Municipalities held its annual conference in Wichita, Kan. Those that attended the conference included mayors, commissioners, and city managers. The Institute for Civic Discourse and Democracy's (ICDD) director, David Procter and facilitation associate, Dan Kahl, had the opportunity to present to the League of Kansas Municipalities. Their presentation, "Engaging the Public in Important Issues," was designed to emphasize that citizens are a city's most important resource.

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The Advanced Manufacturing Institute Recognized Nationally for Efforts

The Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI) is a part of the Kansas State University College of Engineering. The organization provides engineering and business services. One of the services AMI offers is economic development. These services help companies identify business growth opportunities including new business ventures, products and services to increase competitiveness in the marketplace. In addition to working with businesses, AMI also supports entrepreneurs, university research, and economic development agencies.

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Announcement: ICDD and CECD 2011 Undergrad Interns

The Center for Engagement and Community Development as well as the Institue for Civic Discourse and Democracy announce this years undergrad interns. Jenna Surprenant is a junior majoring in Communication Studies and is a returning intern to ICDD and CECD. Brock Ingmire is a senior in Communication Studies with a minor in Political Science and is in charge of creating a comprehensive portfolio and narrative illustration regarding ICDD's history. Lauren Swirbul is a junior majoring in Public Relations with a minor in Leadership Studies. She is a returning intern to ICDD and CECD and will continue her role as media intern. Amanda Meinhardt is a senior in Psychology and Dance with an Equine Certificate. As a first year intern at ICDD and CECD, Amanda will be in charge of running yOUR Campaign and Kids Voting, Riley County.

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Junction City, Kan. Holds Two Roundtables on Budget Instability

Junction City, Kan. held two Community Values Roundtables on June 1 and 2, 2011 to discuss the city's issue of budget instability. The city is nearing a declining statutory debt limit and is facing a serious crisis. Over 150 participants attended the roundtables to discuss this pressing issue. Those present at the roundtables included local citizens, Junction City Commissioners, Geary County Commissioners, city staff, and individuals from neighboring communities. The majority of the participants had a personal stake in Junction City. Many citizens have lived there for over 20 years.

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Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership Develops Climate Education Programs

The Central Great Plains Climate Education Partnership has been working over the past year to develop climate education programs for the region. The partnership includes organizations from Kansas and Nebraska as well as agricultural, community, and rural education stakeholders. The grant will help agricultural producers and rural communities identify ways to manage future climate changes. It will also increase resources and provide new strategies for communities to learn about the climate. Educational materials that are developed through the grant will assist teachers and educators in teaching students about climate variability from a scientific basis.

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Second Annual yOUR Campaign Highlights Campus-Community Partnerships

The Center for Engagement and Community Development (CECD), in conjunction with the School of Leadership Studies, hosted the second annual yOUR Campaign. The campaign highlights campus-community partnerships between students and Kansas State University by recognizing the efforts of organizations that are engaging the local community.

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Human Ecology Professor Awarded Faculty Extension Excellence Award

The College of Human Ecology awarded the Faculty Extension Excellence Award and $2,500 to Elaine Johannes, for her work with the "Get It-Do It" program. Johannes is currently an assistant professor and Extension specialist and coordinator of the youth development master's program in the School of Family Studies and Human Services at Kansas State University. The College of Human Ecology developed the Faculty Extension Excellence Award for a faculty member who develops and implements Extension work with a single theme that benefits the state of Kansas. The College of Human Ecology Foundation Funds gives the $2,500 to the winner.

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More CECD News

Technology, the Economy, and the Workplace

  • Patents. K-State patents, corporate patent sites, country patent databases, federal patent resources, fee-based patent resources, and more.
  • Technology Development. Development resources at K-State including the Commercialization Leadership Council, K-State Research Foundation, Advanced Manufacturing Institute, and more.
  • Technology Transfer. Technology transfer office at K-State, other universities, the state of Kansas, and more.
  • Business Development. Resources available to Kansas, including KTEC, Wichita State Center for Entrepreneurship, Kauffman eVenturing and more.