MANHATTAN, Kan. — The 4th annual George Washington Carver Symposium and Awards dinner will be held at the K-State Alumni Center on September 29, focusing on critical water issues in the Great Plains Region.
K-State alumnus Armogen ‘Tre’ Walker II, a former linebacker for the Wildcats, will present the evening’s keynote address on ‘The 21st Century Impact of George Washington Carver.’ The event begins at 3 p.m. and is free to the public.
To kick off the symposium, faculty members from K-State’s College of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension will speak on a number of issues related to water quality and water conservation in the Great Plains region. Topics include how rural and urban communities in Kansas are working together to improve water quality, regional successes for water conservation efforts and work on water issues with Native American communities.
“Water affects this region in so many ways,” said Daniel Devlin, director of the Kansas Center for Agricultural Resources and the Environment (KCARE) and one of the symposium’s speakers. “Depleting aquifers, changing land use and an uncertain climate means that we have to use every tool available to ensure that this resource continues to sustain us through the next generations.”
The awards portion of the evening will recognize individuals for their outstanding work in areas readily associated with George Washington Carver; these can include wide-ranging subjects such as agriculture, art, nature, science, spiritual matters and textiles. All student awardees attend Carver Legacy Schools: Iowa State University, Kansas State University, Lincoln University, Simpson College and Tuskegee University.
“These award-winners are amazing people, whose service and leadership demonstrate the traits and characteristics that made George Washington Carver a successful educator, scientist, leader and humanitarian,” said Zelia Wiley, assistant dean and director of K-State’s Diversity Programs Office.
The event is sponsored by the Diversity Program Office, KCARE, and the Carver Birthplace Association. Those interested in attending can register at https://bit.ly/2khUCwk. Registration closes September 25.
— K-State Research and Extension
For more news from Kansas, click here.
