Meredith Corporation Chairman Steve Lacy, a 1976 graduate of Kansas State University, and Leawood business executive John Ballard, a 1973 graduate of the University of Kansas, today announced the formation of the “Kansans for Higher Education Political Action Committee.”
Ballard said that the new PAC would support higher education in Kansas in general but would have a special focus on Kansas State University and the University of Kansas. He said, “We want to support the incredibly important work these two research institutions are doing in Kansas.”
Lacy said, “K-State and KU are among the most elite research institutions in the country. They are designated by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as R-1 Doctoral Universities. That means that they both have research dollars flowing in that are new investments from federal agencies and out-of-state foundations, corporations and donors.”
Ballard said, “Research dollars fuel start-up companies and jobs.”
He noted that Kansans benefit in other ways as well. “A cancer patient in Kansas has a better chance of surviving because of the advanced research and clinical trials conducted at the National Cancer Institute-designated University of Kansas Cancer Center.”
Lacy emphasized that Kansans benefit from the research undertaken at Kansas State University. He said, “Farmers in Kansas, and the people they serve, benefit from the world-class research in animal health and food safety being conducted at Kansas State University.”
The Co-Chairs said that the PAC would provide financial support to Kansas legislators and legislative candidates who supported the state’s higher education institutions. Lacy said, “A student who attends KU or K-State or an institution of higher education in Kansas is going to get a great education. The PAC will support legislators and candidates who share that view.”
Ballard said, “We believe that KU and K-State should receive adequate state funding. This PAC will provide support for legislators and legislative candidates who agree.”
Lacy and Ballard emphasized that the University of Kansas and Kansas State University were not involved with the PAC. Lacy said, “The people who are raising money and working with the PAC are not employees of KU and K-State.” Ballard said, “This is a PAC that is independent of all Kansas higher education institutions, including KU and K-State. But the people who are helping us with the PAC are strong supporters of higher education in this state.”
Lacy is the Chairman of the Meredith Corporation in Des Moines, Iowa. He graduated from Kansas State University in 1976.
Ballard is a Principal and Vice President of Property Specialists, Inc. in Leawood. He graduated from the University of Kansas in 1973.