By Ryan Duey

Students from around the state and region will gather at a new facility adjacent to the Abilene, Kansas Eisenhower Presidential Library campus designed for IKEducation programs.

Senator J.R. Claeys (R-Salina) funded a matching grant of $5 Million directed to the Eisenhower Foundation for the $14 Million education facility and $1 Million in program support.

Claeys said a new facility will give more students the opportunity to take part in hands-on learning. A presidential library is a tremendous asset to the state and these educational opportunities will continue to draw more visitors to Abilene.

In 2023 over 26,000 students from 36 states and three foreign countries participated in on-site IKEducation programs at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. However, space constraints are preventing the program from growing to serve more students. A new and expanded facility will support both in-person and online programming for K-12 students and teachers.

The Eisenhower Foundation is committed to raising matching funds through a capital campaign to receive state support for the facility. The new building is expected to break ground in 2025 and open in 2026.