After more than 45 years of service to Kansas State University, Amy Button Renz ’76, ’86 is retiring at the end of June.
It's impossible to capture in just a few words the breadth of her service and the depth of her purple pride. It would take many, many paragraphs to list the names of all the people whose lives she touched through her years of leadership at K-State.
Her legacy includes the creation of Student Alumni Board and the K-State Student Ambassadors program; the launch of the official K-State License Plate; and the construction of the now-iconic K-State Alumni Center building on campus.
While a simple thank you doesn't seem quite enough, Amy, we are incredibly thankful for you!
We asked several K-State Alumni Association staff members to share their own testimonials and well wishes for Amy's upcoming retirement, to commemorate her time of service.
“Congratulations on your retirement, Amy! Thank you for your friendship and leadership. I’ve learned so much from your mentoring and guidance, just as many other K-Staters have. I couldn’t have guessed going to interview you for a class project would turn into a lifelong friendship. May your time in retirement be filled with laughs and Wildcat victories!”
– Tim Schrag '12, editor, K-Stater magazine
“When I first started at the K-State Alumni Center eight years ago, one of the first things that struck me about Amy was her purple pride. I could tell how deeply she loved Kansas State University, and she has dedicated so much time, energy and heart to help this university succeed. If you spot her on campus, she is always wearing purple! Thank you, Amy, for welcoming me into the K-State community and for all you’ve done. Whenever I hear the phrase ‘Go ’Cats!’ I will always think of you and your school spirit.”
– Ashley Pauls, associate director of communications
“Our friendship began in Southwest Kansas and has continued for more than 30 years through Wisconsin and back to Kansas. I knew when I became involved in the alumni club in Garden City that you were one of a kind and that your passion for the purple was rivaled only by Mr. K-State. The Alumni Association is lucky to have had you at the helm all of these years and I have so enjoyed being able to call this my home for the past five years. Receiving your call to join the board of directors was one of the greatest days of my K-State life and then being able to continue serving as a member of your staff was icing on the cake. I have so enjoyed working with you and have appreciated the calm and experienced manner at which you approach every situation that we seem to find ourselves in. Take some time to relax and enjoy your next chapter, friend.”
– Alan Fankhauser '82, associate director of alumni programs
"Thank you for your leadership, your guidance and support and for always being someone I could turn to as a mentor and friend. It’s hard to believe this day has come, but I wish you nothing but the best as you start your much-deserved retirement. K-State was fortunate to have your leadership and it won’t be the same without you. I wish you all the best and will be forever grateful for the professional opportunities you have given me. Thank you, Amy, for all you’ve done and for the legacy you leave behind. Go 'Cats!"
– Courtney M. Marshall '96, senior development officer
"Amy, it has been a pleasure working with you during my time at the Alumni Association. Thank you for your support and encouragement. Your leadership within the Association, university and Wildcat family has been inspirational. Enjoy your retirement!"
– Ally Brooks '08, administrative and travel coordinator
"Never a day without purple! I love hearing the stories of your grandfather making the first touchdown in Memorial Stadium, the challenges of planning the first bowl game activities and thinking of Hollis House being the home of the Alumni Association compared to the beautiful building we are in today. Thank you for all you’ve done for the alumni of this university!"
– Michelle Elkins '87, associate director of awards and special events
"Congratulations, Amy! You have built a wonderful legacy at the K-State Alumni Association. The decades of passion and dedication you have poured into K-State are something that will benefit K-Staters for a lifetime. Thank you for your leadership, guidance and friendship. Enjoy your retirement!"
– Megan Reichenberger ’11, associate director of membership and marketing
"Congratulations on a fantastic career! I’m in awe of how you’ve put your heart and soul into your work for all these years. You didn’t only make a significant difference, but also touched many lives along the way. Now it is time for you to rest and enjoy your family!"
– Jeanine Lake, senior director of information services
"Congratulations on a long and impressive career, Amy! Your loyalty and commitment to the Association is immeasurable. Wishing you a retirement filled with joy, happiness and relaxation!"
– Crystal Danker (former student), associate director of data management
"I join the countless people who wish you all the best on your WELL earned retirement. I have watched in awe at your seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for all things K-State. I truly do not know how you managed to travel to every part of our country and beyond and to have done it with an always-present smile. Your personal touches putting together the 1993 Copper Bowl travel package turned me from a proud graduate to genuinely feeling part of the K-State alumni family. Now 30 years later, having had the privilege of working for the Alumni Association, I can see how passionate you are about making every person feel special. Thank you for all you have done and forever and always, Go 'Cats!"
– Scarlett Donnert '93, data management assistant
“Congratulations on your retirement, Amy! While I haven’t been here at the Alumni Association but for a few years, you welcomed me into the alumni community with open arms and a smile. I don’t think I have met anyone who has more knowledge of the history of K-State to make the Alumni Association the success that it is. Always in purple with a huge smile, you will be missed! May your retirement be filled with much joy and laughter!”
– Cindy Jones, data management assistant
"Thanks for your vision on building the Alumni Center. Look what it’s become! We still get guests/customers coming in all the time raving about how beautiful the Center is. You set the benchmark for other institutions on how to build and run a successful Center for all to enjoy. Congrats on your retirement!"
– Lauren Chard '08, Alumni Center manager
"During the short amount of time I have worked with Amy, she has always made me feel welcome. One thing that sticks out, is how personable she is. She greets everyone by name and makes you feel like you are a part of the K-State family. Congratulations, Amy, I wish you the best on your retirement!"
– Melissa Krumm '10, data management assistant
"Throughout her career Amy hosted many of our Traveling Wildcats tours. Passengers are always happy to have a K-State host and Amy always went above and beyond to ensure her passengers had a great trip! It was always fun to hear of the adventures afterward and to see her group of frequent travelers grow throughout the years.
"Amy, you have worked tirelessly and your dedication is unmatched. Thank you for all that you have done for the Association and for K-Staters worldwide. Congratulations on your retirement!"
– Terin Walters ’05, assistant vice president of development and communications
"Amy, enjoy your retirement. And enjoy all of the exciting adventures ahead of you!"
– Salena Sauber '09, director of communications
“I had the honor of getting to know Amy and learning from her while I was on Student Alumni Board many years ago. She demonstrated how important it is to remain connected to our alma mater wherever life may take us. I just never dreamed that soon after graduation, I’d be back in Manhattan working for Amy and the Association and that alumni relations would become my career. Amy, your passion and commitment to K-State is unbeatable, and I’m so thankful I got to learn from you firsthand.”
– Andrea Bryant Gladin '02, assistant vice president of alumni programs
"Forty-six years…what a wonderful journey!
"Upon your retirement, I want to let you know what a privilege it has been to work alongside you. Because of you, the Association staff aimed higher, performed better and we became the best Alumni Association in the nation! Thank you for all of that and more.
"As you transition to this next chapter remember that happiness is knowing that you’ve achieved your goals and that your efforts have made the world a better place. It’s with most sincere appreciation that I wish you much happiness always. Thank you for all you’ve done throughout your outstanding career and enjoy every moment moving forward!"
– Lynn Beier, executive assistant to the president and CEO