By Alison Rogers
Division of Communications and Marketing
MANHATTAN — The Kansas State University College of Business Administration has announced the adaptation of its accounting department into the Herbel Family School of Accountancy, a new and improved academic experience that more closely aligns with the goals of its strategic plan. This defining step in the school’s evolution was made possible by alumni and longtime K-State advocates Vern and Joan Herbel, who stepped forward in December of 2024 with a lead gift that established critical, long-term sustainable funding, provided the momentum for immediate success and laid a strong foundation of philanthropic support.
The Herbels are members of the KSU Foundation Board of Trustees and life members of the K-State Alumni Association, with Vern sitting on the College of Business Administration’s accounting advisory and dean’s business cdvisory councils as well. He retired as executive vice president and chief administrative officer at Torchmark Corporation, a public financial services holding company specializing in insurance. Vern was inducted into the Accounting Hall of Fame in 2019 and the Distinguished Business Leaders Hall of Fame in 2024.“When students see that K-State and its alumni invest in outstanding programming that prepares them for a successful career, it makes the decision to come to K-State that much easier,” Vern said. “K-State prepared me well for a long and successful business career, and Joan and I are honored to help the university envision and construct a state-of-the-art accounting school for today’s aspiring professionals.”
The Herbel Family School of Accountancy, like the former department, will continue to promote accounting careers to high school and college students and deliver exceptional academic programs, generous scholarship support, international travel opportunities and advanced career readiness. Program enhancements will include formalized strategies to increase industry collaboration and elevated philanthropic efforts will fund innovative teaching and research through support for endowed professorships.