KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The small-town Kansas farmer who made international headlines when he sent New York Governor Andrew Cuomo a mask for a nurse to use last month has been recognized by Kansas State University.
Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly tweeted several photos Tuesday as K-State President Richard Myers conferred a bachelor’s degree degree upon Dennis Ruhnke of Troy, Kansas.
This afternoon I had the pleasure of joining @KState President Richard Myers to confer a bachelor's degree upon Dennis Ruhnke of Troy, Kansas. Dennis recently sent a letter to @NYGovCuomo with an N-95 mask to give to a nurse or doctor in New York. (1/2) pic.twitter.com/jHfDtUtxSQ
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) May 5, 2020
Ruhnke sent a handwritten letter explaining that he wanted to give a spare N95 mask he had to a nurse in New York City, who was treating COVID-19 patients.
New York, both the city and state, have been among the hardest hit by the virus’ outbreak.
Kelly noted that Ruhnke was two credits from receiving a bachelor’s degree in agriculture at K-State in 1971 when he left school after his father died to care for his mother and the family farm.
“Dennis’ kindness and lifelong career in ag make him more than qualified to receive a degree,” Kelly wrote on Twitter.
In 1971, Dennis was two credits away from earning his degree in agriculture when his father passed away. He chose to leave school to take care of his mother and the family farm. Dennis’ kindness and lifelong career in ag make him more than qualified to receive a degree. (2/2)
— Governor Laura Kelly (@GovLauraKelly) May 5, 2020
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