ALISON ROGERS
KSU Foundation
Kansas State University's Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation will be renamed the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center in honor of J.J. Vanier by the next generation of families, following approval from the Kansas Board of Regents at its Feb. 11 meeting.
The name is a nod to the Western Star Mill, which began as a struggling flour mill purchased by J.J. Vanier in 1925. After Joe and Joyce Vanier Hale married in 1951, Joe joined the Vanier family business, Western Star Mill Co., as vice president. Archer Daniels Midland acquired Western Star in the early ’70s, and Joe was named president of ADM Milling not long after. He became company chairman in 1989 and retired in 1996, but not before transforming ADM into a global leader in the flour and grain milling industry.
The families have built expansive agricultural and business enterprises. They are known not only for innovation in their business endeavors but also for their generosity.
"Today, we celebrate a legacy that not only shaped global agriculture but also continues to energize our land-grant mission of innovation and impact," said K-State President Richard Linton. "Renaming the Global Center for Grain and Food Innovation to the Western Star Global Grain and Food Center honors the visionary leadership of the Vanier and Hale families. Their enduring commitment to Kansas State University reflects a shared belief: that discovery and education are powerful tools to meet global challenges and cultivate a thriving, sustainable future."