Dec. 4, 2002

MANHATTAN, Kan. - Kansas State's second-oldest letterwinner, Ida Augusta (Conrow) McGehee, died Nov. 30 in Hesston, Kan., at the age of 103. She was a longtime resident of Manhattan, from 1907 until earlier this year, and was a 1926 graduate of Kansas State in home economics.

While a student at Kansas State she lettered in five different sports, including hockey, basketball, baseball and track, and was also a member of both the Women's "K" Fraternity and the Women's Athletic Association.

McGehee was embraced by the women's rowing team as a pioneer in women's athletics, helping to pave the way for the many opportunities young women are afforded today. In 2001, the team expressed their appreciation to her by naming the varsity racing shell in her honor with a dedication at the 2001 Sunflower Showdown in Manhattan on Nov. 3.

Funeral services were held Wednesday morning in Manhattan. Memorial contributions may be made to the First Congregational Church or the Kansas State University Foundation for rowing team scholarships.

--ksu--