MANHATTAN, KAS. — Fred A. Cholick, dean of the Kansas State University College of Agriculture, has been named president and chief executive officer of the KSU Foundation, effective Feb. 4. He will succeed Gary Hellebust, who has held the president and c.e.o. position since 1996.

"The mission of the foundation is to provide philanthropic resources to support K-State’s mission of research, teaching, extension and service," Dr. Cholick said. "This position combines the need to optimize traditional fundraising while instituting an entrepreneurial approach to resource development.

"Personally, this is a new career for me and one that will doubtless provide great rewards. I am looking forward to continuing to serve K-State in my new role."

Dr. Cholick has been dean of the College of Agriculture and director of K-State Research and Extension since August of 2004. He oversees eight academic departments with 220 faculty members, 2,050 undergraduate students and 500 graduate students.

"Fred Cholick brings a unique set of skills to the KSU Foundation," said Lee Harris, chairman of the KSU Foundation Executive Committee. "He has extensive knowledge of the university, is well-respected across campus and throughout the Wildcat nation.

"He has been a very effective fundraiser for the College of Agriculture during his tenure as dean, and he is one of the most creative, high-energy people I have ever known."

Dr. Cholick received a bachelor’s degree in agronomy at Oregon State University in Corvallis, a master’s degree in agronomy at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, and a doctoral degree in agronomy, breeding/genetics at Colorado State University. He was a research associate at Oregon State University from 1977 to 1981. He worked in faculty positions at South Dakota State University in Brookings from 1981 to 2004.