President Richard Linton and First Lady Sally Linton hosted Lunch with the Lintons on Sept. 4. The event, hosted on the front lawn of the President’s Residence, provided a free lunch to university faculty and staff to celebrate the beginning of the 2026-27 academic year.

President Richard Linton said one of his goals since taking leadership of K-State was to sponsor events such as Lunch with the Lintons to connect staff and further foster a community within K-State.

“One of the things we’ve been trying to do at K-State for the last several years is to connect and engage people,” President Linton said. “The turnout today is fantastic, and what’s great is that we get to connect with people, thank them and other people get to connect with others they may not often get to.” 

Emphasizing the opportunity to thank every faculty and staff member, Sally Linton said that each individual working for the university is essential to its success.

“This university would not exist without all the people that are right here, doing all the hard work every day and making this place what it is,” Sally Linton said. 

Even in the heat, the turnout was well into the hundreds and attitudes were overwhelmingly positive. Between more than a half dozen food trucks and plenty of drink stations, attendees were well accommodated, a fact reflected in attending staff’s appreciation.

Susan Marshall, student success coordinator of the Department of Entomology, said the event strengthens feelings of connection and community throughout K-State, and is one she looks forward to each year.

“It brings us all together, and it shows that the First Family appreciates us,” Marshall said.

Event organizers seemed equally pleased with the proceedings and outcome. Brett Engleman, events director of the Office of the President, said his favorite part of organizing events such as Lunch with the Lintons is the little things that go toward fostering a more connected K-State community.

“It’s the small things you can do for the community, and this brings the community together,” Engleman said. “It gives an opportunity for faculty and staff to have conversations with others, and for the first lady and president to meet faculty members and staff on campus.” 

The annual Lunch with the Lintons event promoted good morale among the K-State community to kick off the new academic year.

“Nobody is thanked enough, and this gives us the ability, with a personal touch, to invite them into our home and thank them,” Richard Linton said.