MANHATTAN — Nelson and Marilyn Galle of Manhattan, Kansas, have made a financial commitment to name the deanship in Kansas State University’s College of Education.
The gift, which establishes the Nelson and Marilyn Galle Dean in the College of Education position, will strengthen the largest teacher preparation program in Kansas with sustained leadership support, enhanced resources for innovative programs, and greater ability to attract and retain outstanding faculty.
“The Galles’ warmth, kindness and lifelong commitment to empowering others continue to strengthen K-State,” said Debbie Mercer, dean of the College of Education. “Their investment in our college ensures that future generations of educators will carry forward the same spirit of service that has defined their own remarkable lives.”
Nelson earned two degrees from K-State — a bachelor’s in agricultural education (1958) and a master’s in adult and occupational education (1964) — before completing Harvard Business School’s advanced management program. Marilyn is a 1957 K-State graduate with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Both participated in collegiate 4-H, with Nelson also competing on poultry and livestock judging teams and Marilyn competing in the 1956 National Collegiate Poultry Judging Contest as the only woman judge.
The couple credit K-State’s education curriculum for delivering comprehensive preparation for careers that also included roles in business, human resource management and accounting.
“Marilyn and I held a wide variety of positions throughout our careers, and the College of Education equipped us with everything we needed,” Nelson said. “Together, we have three teaching degrees from K-State, and they gave us the base from which to build the success that allows us to give back today. To fund this endowment for Dean Mercer and the College of Education is an honor.”
After teaching high school agriculture classes for six years, Nelson launched a 22-year agribusiness career at Hesston Corporation, ultimately serving as vice president for administration and managing international operations in Europe. Marilyn devoted 30 years to teaching, and her lifelong dedication to youth and service led to her 2014 induction into the National 4-H Hall of Fame in Washington, D.C.
Building upon their combined skills and experiences, the Galles purchased Central Kansas Hatchery in Moundridge upon returning to Kansas after living abroad in Brussels, Belgium. For 10 years the couple operated CKH Inc., which hatched nearly 4 million turkey poults annually and became a valued employer in McPherson County.
Throughout their lives, Nelson and Marilyn have given generously — not just financially, but through service that reflects their deep belief in the power of education. Marilyn offered her leadership and expertise on the Beach Museum Friends Board, the Beach Museum Board of Visitors, the Garden Friends Board and the Kansas 4-H Foundation Board (1984-2016, chairman 2000-2004).
Nelson served on the Kansas Board of Regents (2003-2006, chairman 2007), the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees (1992-2002, chairman 1998-2001) and the Alumni Association Board (1980-1983, chairman 1984) — the first to chair all three boards. He sat on the presidential search committees that hired John Wefald in 1986 and Kirk Schultz in 2008, and on the dean’s advisory council for the College of Business Administration.
“This endowed deanship is a powerful investment in the people and leadership of the College of Education,” said Richard Linton, president of Kansas State University. “We’re grateful to Nelson and Marilyn Galle for strengthening our ability to recruit and support exceptional faculty, accelerate new ideas in teaching and learning, and prepare more educators who will make a difference in Kansas communities and beyond.”
The Galles have lived in Manhattan since retiring in 1999. In addition to their three sons, they’ve enjoyed watching two daughters-in-law and five grandchildren attend K-State.
As Kansas State University’s strategic partner for philanthropy, the KSU Foundation inspires and guides philanthropy toward university priorities to boldly advance K-State.
Visit www.ksufoundation.org/impact/category/release for more information.