Wallace Kidd Memorial Diversity Award

Good work does not go unnoticed. The Wallace Kidd Award recognizes outstanding contributions and accomplishments of K-State faculty, staff and students who support diversity, equity and inclusion. This biennial award is presented to those who have demonstrated a commitment to diversity on the K-State campus or in the community through mentoring, outreach initiatives and other activities which advance the institution’s goal of inclusion.

About Wallace Ray Kidd

Wallace Ray Kidd was born February 21, 1924, in Kansas City, MO, to Prentis Kidd Sr. and Clara Ray Owens. He completed his secondary education in 1941, after which he served in the US Army during World War II until 1945. Kid’s first marriage was to the late Bertha Colleen Ford and together they had five children: Quinton Ray, Meredith Edward, Sr., Gevin Collace, Lezlie Storm and Rosalyn K. In 1997, he married Mary Louise Caudle. They were together until he died in 2004

Following his honorable discharge from the US Army, Kidd enrolled in K-State where he majored in entomology and parasitology and became a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity. After graduating in 1950, Kidd actively supported minority K-State students. According to daughter Lezlie Storm, he even co-signed the loan used to secure a house for the K-State chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi. The house operated for 17 years, and 98 African-American students made it their home while they attended K-State.

As he built his successful pest control business, Kidd became the first African-American to be elected as Riley County commissioner. He served as PTO president at Theodore Roosevelt Elementary School, on the board of directors of the Boy Scouts of America, and as a member of the Manhattan Kiwanis, Manhattan Toastmasters, Kaw Blue Lodge #107, Board of Directors of the Riley County Senior Citizens Center. Kidd remained active in Kappa Alpha Psi throughout his life and was a named a Lifetime Member. To commemorate Mr. Kidd’s commitment to education, the Wallace Kidd Family Scholarship was established in 2000 and the Wallace Kidd Award was created to honor his memory in 2005.

Past Recipients

2023 - Dr. Andrew Barkley, Professor of Agricultural Economics, and Mary Ellen Barkley, Assistant Director of the K-State Career Center and College of Ag Liaison

2021 - Dr. Kevin Donnelly, Department of Agronomy Professor.

2019 – Dr. Ernie Minton, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension.

2019 – Dr. Zelia Wiley, Assistant Dean for Diversity Programs.

2017 – Dr. John Floros, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Director of K-State Research and Extension.

2015 – Dr. Don Boggs, Associate Dean for Academic Programs Office, College of Agriculture.

2013 – Larry Moeder, Assistant Vice President for Student Life, Director of Student Financial Assistance, Director of Admissions.

2011 – Steven Graham, Assistant to the Dean & Director for K-State College of Agriculture and Research and Extension.

2009 – Dr. Reggie McGowan (posthumously), Director of K-State's Office for Educational Opportunity Programs.

2007 – Steve Levin, K-State Union Bookstore Manager.

2005 – Dr. Miles McKee, Animal Sciences and Industry Professor.