A native Kansan and former U.S. senator for nearly two decades will receive an honorary doctorate from Kansas State University.
Following the approval by the Kansas Board of Regents to receive one of the highest honors K-State can give, Nancy Kassebaum Baker will be recognized with the honorary degree at the Graduate School’s commencement ceremony, where she will also serve as the commencement speaker.
“Nancy Kassebaum Baker’s nearly two decades of leadership as a U.S. senator are evidence of her dedication to service and diplomacy,” said university president Kirk Shulz in a press release from K-State. “We want to honor her distinguished career. Through scholarships and the Landon Lecture Series, Kassebaum Baker and her family have maintained strong ties with Kansas State University. Their support, leadership and example of service play an essential role in helping Kansas State University become a Top 50 public research university by 2025.”
Although Kassebaum Baker received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Kansas and a Master of Arts in diplomatic history from the University of Michigan, her ties to K-State date back to 1966 when the Landon Lecture Series on Public Issues was inaugurated as a tribute to her father, former Kansas Governor Alfred Landon.
Kansas State also offers a Kassebaum Scholarship in her honor to recognize up to five students who aspire to careers in public service annually. Kassebaum Baker will receive the honor on Friday, May 15 at 1 p.m. in Bramlage Coliseum.
