As the nation’s first operational land-grant college, Kansas State University has been shaping the future since 1863, committed to providing accessible and impactful education. Under the leadership of President Richard Linton, K-State remains a beacon of opportunity, serving communities in every Kansas county while staying true to its land-grant mission.
"A land-grant university is different from others because it has three key pieces: research, teaching and extension," Linton explains. "The extension piece is what differentiates us from other universities. It’s the connection with communities across the entire state, all 105 counties." This extension component is not just a feature - it’s a core responsibility.
"A land-grant university is the only university in that state that has the mission to serve all of the communities in all of the counties within that state," Linton explains. This approach is rooted in collaboration. “My mission is our mission," he says, underscoring the collective effort required to achieve K-State’s goals.
With extensive experience at Purdue University, Ohio State University and North Carolina State University, Linton brings a strong foundation in life sciences and a deep understanding for research, teaching and extension—key elements of the land-grant model.
Through strategic planning, innovative research and a commitment to community engagement, President Linton and K-State are building a stronger economy and expanding research opportunities, because if they can do good things for Kansas, they can do good things for the world.