A local family full of Kansas State University alumni was recognized during Family Day at the university’s football game Sept. 15 against the University of North Texas. Quentin and Shari Morford and their children, Lindsey, Katie, and Matthew – all K-State graduates – of Hillsboro joined relatives from St. John and Stafford as the “Family of the Year.”

The family’s K-State connections began with Lolene Morrison Hildebrand of Stafford in 1947. Family members Kent Hildebrand of St. John and Shari Morford of Hillsboro nominated the family for consideration. Family members have been involved with the university in many ways, including serving as Willie the Wildcat at a bowl game, student ambassadors, on the equestrian team, writing for the K-State Collegian newspaper, in service honoraries, undergraduate research, athletic training, academic counseling, admissions, and on the Student Alumni Board and K-State Alumni Association.

Family members have represented K-State across the world, teaching South African children how to dance to the “Wabash Cannonball,” studying abroad in Brazil and the United Kingdom, done mission work in Papua New Guinea, East Asia, Europe, and Africa, and working construction in Abu Dhabi. Mike and Katie Hildebrand and family of Stafford were unable to attend Family Day because they are currently living abroad in Qatar.