Reno County and Seward County regions

Reno County and Seward County community visits

K-State spent March 5-7, 2024, visiting two county regions: Reno County and Seward County. The visits included several days of activities to engage with, listen to and learn from Kansans in the communities surrounding Hutchinson and Liberal. Read more about the regional community visit initiative.

Access photos from the Reno County and Seward County visits.

Learn about the Connected 'Cats student leaders for the Reno County and Seward County community visits.

Community open forums

All community members in the region were invited to our two keystone events on Wednesday, March 6, 2024. We held a community open forum in Hutchinson and another community open forum in Liberal. See a full schedule of other events below.

Community open forum — Reno County region

Noon-1:15 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2024
The Cosmosphere, Fee Family Learning Center
1100 N. Plum St., Hutchinson


Everyone is invited to attend this community event, where President Richard Linton and K-State students will host a dialogue about university and community connections and the student experience. A focus will be on the future of enhancing the successful partnerships and positive relationships with and between communities in the Reno County region.

Community open forum — Seward County
6-7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 6, 2024
Seward County Activity Center
810 Stadium Ave., Liberal


Everyone is invited to attend this community event, where President Richard Linton and K-State students will host a dialogue about university and community connections and the student experience. A focus will be on the future of enhancing the successful partnerships and positive relationships with and between communities in the Seward County region.

Full list of events

The multiday visit included additional activities with community leaders, organizations and partners in Reno County and Seward County. There were community conversations, events to highlight university partnerships and K-State Research and Extension relationships, and recruitment activities.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024

Economic development session

StartUp Hutch is a catalyst to inspire, educate and connect with local entrepreneurs in Reno County. K-State 105, the Kansas Leadership Center and StartUp Hutch will discuss opportunities to create synergy to support local economic prosperity through a network of resources to build a stronger today and tomorrow in Kansas.

 

Wednesday, March 6, 2024

How growing produce can grow hope within a correctional facility
9:30-11 a.m.
Hutchinson Correctional Facility

High-quality correctional education programs have the potential to change lives and create positive impact within a community. The Hutchinson Correctional Facility will host K-State and community partners to highlight the impact of the K-State Research and Extension Master Gardener program in the facility.

Community open forum — Reno County
Noon-1:15 p.m.
The Cosmosphere, Fee Family Learning Center
1100 N. Plum St., Hutchinson

Everyone is invited to attend this community event, where President Richard Linton and K-State students will host a dialogue about university and community connections and the student experience. A focus will be on the future of enhancing the successful partnerships and positive relationships with and between communities in the Reno County region.

Community open forum — Seward County
6-7:30 p.m.
Seward County Activity Center
810 Stadium Ave., Liberal

Everyone is invited to attend this community event, where President Richard Linton and K-State students will host a dialogue about university and community connections and the student experience. A focus will be on the future of enhancing the successful partnerships and positive relationships with and between communities in the Seward County region.

 

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Creating pathways of support for communities in southwest Kansas
9-10:15 a.m.
Seward County Activity Center
810 Stadium Ave., Liberal

Take part in a facilitated conversation with community stakeholders on ways that higher education institutions, such as K-State, can create an ecosystem of support to better serve the needs of Seward County. Together, we will discuss opportunities and pathways for an impactful partnership in southwest Kansas.

Frances Brown Memoriam: The power of student engagement, guidance and leadership
11 a.m.-noon
Seward County Community College, Room SW 229 Student Union
1801 N. Kansas Ave., Liberal

Student and adult leaders are energized by being able to work together to make a difference. Join K-State and Seward County Community College as we honor the late Frances Brown, an educator who devoted her time to the growth and development of all students. In this session, we will highlight how students are a new generation of diverse leaders and we will acknowledge Frances Brown's lasting impact. Boxed lunches will be provided at this event. Please RSVP for any dietary needs.

Local food systems community roundtable
1-2:30 p.m.
Crosspoint Church, formerly known as First Baptist Church
204 N. Sherman Ave., Liberal

Join K-State Research and Extension to share, listen and learn about what is happening in your community around local food systems. We want to hear from you about what is working well and what challenges your community is facing related to local foods. This event also will give you the opportunity to connect with others in your area who are interested in local foods and to learn about resources available from K-State to help you make progress.

Images at the top of the page provided by Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce and Liberal Chamber of Commerce.