K-State Gets $60M Gift, Largest in School History

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Kansas State University has received a gift of $60 million from the family of Jack Vanier, the largest private donation in school history, to be used for both academics and athletics. The school planned to announce the gift on Friday. Two-thirds of the money will be used on academics, including scholarships and fellowships at the main campus in Manhattan and the technology and aviation campus in Salina. The money will also go toward faculty fellowships and professorships, funding for the Biosecurity Research Institute and facility support for the Kansas State Welcome Center. The remaining $20 million will be used on the third phase of the school's master plan for athletics, including a new academic learning center, football operations office, sports medicine operations and strength and conditioning spaces.