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Parents play a vital supporting role to their sons and daughters pursuing higher education, but their contributions above and beyond the realms of financial and moral support are seldom formally recognized. Douglas and Kay Sprouse have served architecture and design education at Kansas State University with remarkable and distinguished energy, skill and dedication.

The Sprouse's affiliation with the College of Architecture and Design began in 1989 when their son, Rodger, enrolled as a freshman student. During the proposed reorganization of the College in 1990, their role as parents grew suddenly and dramatically when they made a telephone call to see if and how they could help. Their offer of assistance was met enthusiastically, and almost immediately they were in the forefront of the situation, meeting with University officials, advising College administrators, and seeking and organizing support from other concerned parents. Their tireless efforts had a direct and positive impact on resolving the issue through withdrawal of the reorganization proposal.

In the subsequent years, a very positive outcome in terms of a continuous, meaningful dialogue with parents has been achieved as a result of the Sprouse's inspiring involvement. An advisory board composed of parents of architecture and design students has been established to serve as advocates and to counsel and guide College administrators in many important policy issues affecting both current and prospective students and their parents. Since founding the parent advisory group, the Sprouses have continued serving a key role, bringing a cheerful and humorous yet critically important perspective to the group's on-going work.

Both Douglas and Kay have brought to their involvement with the College a rare combination of personal interests as parents and backgrounds as professional educators. Douglas, who has a master of social work degree and is a licensed social worker, is manager and clinical supervisor at the Family Guidance Center in St. Joseph, Missouri. Kay is a graduate of St. Louis University and has been employed for many years as a mathematics teacher at Central High School in St. Joseph, Missouri. They are involved in many community and church activities as well.

It is with great pleasure that the College takes this special occasion, Rodger's graduation, to also publicly acknowledge and thank Douglas and Kay Sprouse for their dedicated and inspiring leadership and tireless support of the College of Architecture and Design.