Inaugural 1896 Society Class Honored Friday
Sep 11, 2026 | Athletics
MANHATTAN, Kan. - K-State Athletics and the Ahearn Fund will induct 38 members into the department's inaugural class of the 1896 Lifetime Giving Society on Friday.
The ceremony will take place in the Shamrock Zone and celebrate the most dedicated supporters of K-State Athletics whose cumulative philanthropic support have reached $1,896,000 or more. The class will also be recognized during the football game against Washington State on Saturday.
The inaugural class includes:
Established to honor those who have made a transformational impact, the society celebrates a legacy of generosity that has helped build and sustain championship-caliber programs, as well as providing opportunities for student-athletes to succeed on and off the field.
"We have some of the most dedicated and loyal donors in all of college athletics," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "During a time in our industry when increased revenue streams and donor support are at an all-time high, K-Staters continue to step up in support of our student-athletes and programs. The creation of this giving society is something that we feel is important as we recognize those who have contributed significantly over many years in support of all our programs."
The name arises in honor of 1896: the year Kansas State first began competing in intercollegiate athletics, which symbolizes a tradition of excellence that continues to grow with each generation of K-State student-athletes.
For more information, please contact our Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development, Rob Heil at rheil@kstatesports.com
The ceremony will take place in the Shamrock Zone and celebrate the most dedicated supporters of K-State Athletics whose cumulative philanthropic support have reached $1,896,000 or more. The class will also be recognized during the football game against Washington State on Saturday.
The inaugural class includes:
- American Implement - Koster Family
- Rand and Patti Berney
- Lee and Jackie Hartman Borck
- The Bramlage Family Foundation
- Russ and Ilene Briggs
- Zane Burke Family
- John and Ann Buser
- Charlie & Marla Chandler
- The Devlin Family
- The Edgerley Family Foundation
- Ike and Letty Evans
- John and Jennifer Fairleigh Family
- Scott, Brad, Colleen and Greg Foote Family
- Mike and Becky Goss
- Graincraft
- Carl & Mary Ice
- J.R. and Chris Isch Family
- Jim Johnson
- Gary & Jennifer Jones, Steve & Claudia Jones Families
- Bill and Cindy Keller
- KSU Foundation
- David & Sherri Marmie Family
- Cheryl Mellenthin
- Ward and Brenda Morgan Family
- Charlie & Debbie Morrison Family
- Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center
- Ron and Jade Peters Family
- Victor and Terry Rosetta Family
- Duane and Bonnie Saunders
- Shamrock Trading Corporation
- Steel and Pipe Supply
- Steve and Kay Theede
- Bob and Betty Tointon Family
- Jack and Donna Vanier
- John and Kim Vanier
- Marty Vanier
- Mary Vanier
- Chase and Elizabeth Wilson & Family
Established to honor those who have made a transformational impact, the society celebrates a legacy of generosity that has helped build and sustain championship-caliber programs, as well as providing opportunities for student-athletes to succeed on and off the field.
"We have some of the most dedicated and loyal donors in all of college athletics," Athletics Director Gene Taylor said. "During a time in our industry when increased revenue streams and donor support are at an all-time high, K-Staters continue to step up in support of our student-athletes and programs. The creation of this giving society is something that we feel is important as we recognize those who have contributed significantly over many years in support of all our programs."
The name arises in honor of 1896: the year Kansas State first began competing in intercollegiate athletics, which symbolizes a tradition of excellence that continues to grow with each generation of K-State student-athletes.
For more information, please contact our Senior Associate Athletics Director for Development, Rob Heil at rheil@kstatesports.com
Friday, September 11
Friday, September 11
Friday, September 11
Thursday, September 10
