Karen Thompson Retires

Karen Thompson Retirement Reception To Be Held June 27

June 18, 2019 — The Department of Housing and Dining Services invites its campus colleagues to a celebration of Karen Thompson's 38 years of service from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, June 27, at the Pittman Foodstores Warehouse. Enter the reception area through the dock area (large garage doors) off Jardine Drive and Mid Campus Drive, across the street to the south of the Veterinary Medicine complex and east of the Davenport Building.

Kansas State University has long benefitted from Thompson's talents. After earning a bachelor's degree in foods and nutrition from K-State and working away from Manhattan for several years, she returned to campus as a purchasing assistant and is ending her tenure after many years as the purchasing systems administrator for dining services. Thompson manages the department's foodstores operation, which is responsible for purchasing food and supplies for the residential campus dining centers and more recently several retail venues. During her career in dining services, one could estimate that Thomspon has been responsible for purchasing, warehousing and distributing food and supplies for nearly 50,000,000 meals. She also regularly speaks to academic classes to give students a real-world view of the relationship between a quality procurement process and the financial success of a foodservice operation.

Thompson has worked closely with campus partners such as the Department of Animal Sciences and Industry for meat purchases and Call Hall milk and dairy products, and with K-State's student-run Willow Lake Farm when they have produce to sell. She also enjoys supporting the Manhattan community when possible by purchasing local bison, lamb and produce.

The embodiment of K-State "Purple Pride," Thompson has supported the mission of our organization, programs and sports, and has demonstrated pride and passion for K-State in her daily living and work. She is looking forward to spending more time with her husband, "The Voice of the Wildcats" Wyatt Thompson, and their grandchildren.