The "Manhattan Optimist Club Bulletin" Vol. 2026 #47 8-26-26
VOLUME 2026 AUGUST 26 NUMBER 47
President Kelly Karl welcomed everyone, then gave the reflection, followed by the flag salute.
Bruce McMillian introduced Dr. Alex Wimmer, who spoke on “Moving Forward with KSU Bands.”
Dr. Alex Wimmer, Director of Bands and Director of Athletic Bands at Kansas State University, directs the Wind Ensemble and the Pride of Wildcat Land Marching Band, instructs graduate courses, serves as the faculty sponsor for Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma, and oversees the entire K-State Bands program.
Originally from Gretna, Nebraska, Dr. Wimmer received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Nebraska at Omaha and both his Master of Music degree in Education with an emphasis in Wind Conducting and his Doctorate in Philosophy in Curriculum and Instruction from Kansas State University. Dr. Wimmer was the Director of Bands at Gretna High School and the Assistant Director of Bands at Gretna Middle School. Through his work at Gretna High School, he met Frank Tracz, former director of Bands at KSU, and decided he wanted to study under Dr. Tracz's leadership, learn from him, and earn his Ph.D.
Dr. Wimmer noted they had their first marching band rehearsal yesterday. It was very hot, but they had a successful rehearsal. He also thanked the Optimist for having him speak and for all they do for the youth of the community.
He met Dr. Tracz during a band camp in Omaha, Nebraska and was so impressed with him he decided that he wanted to study under him for his master's degree and worked two years on it. He then decided to do his doctorate degree and completed it over the next three years, plus adding his two children to the family. Due to someone leaving, he had the opportunity to become the Assistant Director of bands in 2017, then the Associate Director of Bands in 2023. Then when Dr. Tracz retired, he had the opportunity to interview for the Director of Bands position. He has been around in the community and with the band for the past 12 years.
There are 425 people in the band: 25% are engineering majors, 25% are architecture, business, vet med, agriculture, and music majors. 50% of the band are in time intensive majors. Students learn if you want to do something, you have to do it for yourself.
Dr. Wimmer emphasized there is nothing wrong with the KSU Band Program; nothing needs any drastic change. If you see the band this season, you will not notice anything different from the last 33 years. They want to maintain the tradition, the excellence, and maintain the expectation of the spectators. The way they rehearse, the structure of the rehearsals, their expectation of the students, and what they do on any given Friday, Saturday, and Sunday is not going to have any major changes. There are small tweaks over time they may make, but no major ones. The values and traditions will remain.
People are very important to the band, including people who have influenced one's life; “We would not be what we are without their influence.” People includes the students who are part of the band and their development into human beings first, musicians second, and leaders third.
They also have developed a scholarship program for band members where every 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th year in the band they get a scholarship of $500 just for being in the marching band which recognizes the time commitment, effort and sacrifice required to be a part of the marching band. There are additional scholarships also available to band members, some for a total of $2,000. They hope to continue to build scholarship opportunities for band members. Freshmen make up 150 members of the marching band and scholarships help retain and reward them for continuing in marching band. He wants to keep the excellence of the band's performance and make everyone proud of the band that represents KSU and the community. He also wants to remain competitive for performances in venues which are invitation only, such as the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.
Dr. Wimmer closed by thanking the Optimist for everything they do for the community.
GUESTS: Mary Phelps, Diana Havenstein, and Rod and Susan Obermeier.
CLUB STUFF/ANNOUNCEMENTS AND UPCOMING EVENTS:
President Karl noted the trap shoot was August 20th at the Tuttle Creek Shooting Park. Brad Calussen, Jim Blanton, Gary Lloyd, Mike Fincham, and himself went out and broke some clays and noted we have some dead shots in the club, and he wasn't one of them, but they had a lot of fun. We will have more social opportunities to come.
The annual Optimist picnic is September 20th is at Optimist Park from 4:00-7:00 pm.
On November 7th the Optimist will be able to manage the parking at the fire station on Denison and receive the revenue. Volunteers will be needed to park cars for that event.
GUESTS: Mary Phelps, Diane Havenstein, and Optmist district officials Rod and Susie Overmeier.
Meeting adjourned with the Optimist Creed.
SAVE THE DATE: October 24th is our 24th annual Chili Crawl.
SEPTEMBER 2 - MORNING MEETING: Program: Elizabeth Wright, Ag Marketing Coordinator, Land of Kansas: Topic: “Land of Kansas Marketing”
SEPTEMBER 9 – NOON MEETING: Program: Tim Gregory/Tonya Roberts, Dance Studio Owner/Instructor: Topic: “Ballroom Dancing”
SEPTEMBER 16 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Karla Hagemeister, Director – Flint Hills Breadbasket: Topic: “Food Insecurity”
SEPTEMBER 23 – NOON MEETING: Program: Stephanie Peterson, Dir. Manhattan Planning & Development: Topic: “Master Plan Development for Manhattan”
SEPTEMBER 30 – MORNING MEETING: Program: Outgoing Presidential Farewell Address: Topic: “Outgoing President Address & Member Recognition”
