In a written announcement posted on K-State Today Wednesday, KSU President Richard Myers said he has accepted the resignation of K-State Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason.
Mason announced her resignation Tuesday, also through a letter posted on K-State Today.
Mason wrote that when former university president Kirk Schulz announced his resignation from KSU in March 2016, she was a finalist for Chancellor at University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She said she withdrew her candidacy from the Nebraska position to stay at K-State to assist an unnamed Interim President and help a yet to be determined new President.
Mason said KSU is in good hands with President Richard Myers, who she said has accepted her resignation.
Myer’s full remarks can be read below:
Dear K-Staters,
As I accept April Mason’s letter of resignation as Kansas State University’s provost and senior vice president, I thank her for valuable leadership in higher education and service to the university since January 2010.
April is passionate about the future of higher education not just at Kansas State University but internationally. She has represented K-State well, serving in many leadership positions with national organizations, such as Association of Chief Academic Officers, an affiliate organization of the American Council on Education, and Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities.
Under April’s guidance and fortitude, Kansas State University has made great strides toward becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025. She was a key influencer in establishing the K-State 2025 themes and maintaining momentum during leadership transitions at the university. Serving under two presidents and many regents, she has helped develop, review and operationalize several policies and goals strengthening Kansas State University’s instruction, research and outreach programs.
April has been responsible for all undergraduate and graduate academic programs on all four of K-State’s campuses, including oversight of the university’s nine academic colleges, many offices and several university services. She has successfully worked with university-affiliated organizations to highlight Kansas State University’s many accomplishments across disciplines.
To recognize and celebrate the work of K-State students and faculty, April helped start many K-State programs, including a reception for newly hired faculty, a recognition event for newly tenured and promoted faculty, an all-university faculty awards reception and an academic convocation ceremony for new students.
As we start the process of appointing a search committee to fill this vacancy, I’m sure the university community will join me in thanking April Mason and wishing her all the best. April has been a tremendous colleague and I’ve very much enjoyed working with her. Her talents and dedication will be missed at Kansas State University.
Sincerely,
Richard B. Myers
President
Kansas State University
Mason’s full remarks from Tuesday can be read below:
Dear Kansas State University family,
I write today to communicate I have decided to resign from Kansas State University on June 30, 2018. This is a decision made after careful thought and consideration. When Kirk Schulz, a great mentor and friend, announced his resignation from Kansas State University in March 2016, I was a finalist for Chancellor at University of Nebraska, Lincoln. I withdrew my candidacy from the Nebraska position to stay at Kansas State University to assist an unnamed Interim President and help onboard a yet to be determined new President. I think this work is nearly complete! The university is well led and on a positive trajectory.
K-State 2025 is going into its second 5-year period and I feel it is a good time to make my announcement allowing President Myers to determine next steps for the position of Provost and Senior Vice President in his Cabinet. President Myers has accepted my resignation. I appreciate his support in this decision.
I interviewed for this position in the fall of 2009. I had never stepped into the state of Kansas before. Now I know the hallowed halls of this limestone university, have interacted with so many wonderful creative faculty and staff, have enjoyed interacting with the leaders of tomorrow — our students, walked and ridden through the Flint Hills, and developed a keen love of wheat fields. I have met alumni and friends of this university who give so much to their alma mater. I have experienced the deafening noise of Bramlage and the roar of Harleys in Bill Snyder Family Stadium. In the end, it will be eight and a half years of hard work and great fun.
I know the next eleven months will give me the opportunity to bring a number of ongoing projects to fruition. I also know these months will fly by! Before the time gets away, I want to be sure you know how much you have helped me, counseled me and been wonderful sounding boards for me. My thanks to Faculty Senate, University Support Staff Senate, and Student Governing Association, my fellow Cabinet members and most especially the members of the Deans Council and Provost’s Staff.
It has been an honor to serve Kansas State University. Purple has always been a favorite color — it holds deep new meaning now.
Full speed ahead until next June 30. We still have a great deal to do!
Thank you for all you do to make Kansas State the outstanding university it is.
April
