The K-State Gardens are commemorating their 150th anniversary in 2025 with a year-long celebration. Celebrations kicked off with a luncheon over the weekend at the K-State Alumni Center. University President Richard Linton announced a $150,000 donation to the gardens, highlighting their importance to campus and community life.

Horticulturist Karl Gercens III, keynote speaker, showcased the year-round beauty of gardens nationwide through a visual presentation. A Longwood Gardens conservatory manager, Gercens emphasized the gardens’ transformative power and their role in enhancing college campuses. He described inspiring trips to botanical destinations, from Honolulu’s Foster Botanical Garden in January to New England’s autumn foliage in October.

The celebration aims to enhance awareness and appreciation of the gardens, inspiring further community involvement and positioning them as a draw for visitors to Manhattan, Kansas, and beyond.