A longtime K-Stater is taking her purple pride across town, to help spread the word for the crimson and blue.

Trudy Rice, director of K-State Research & Extension in Douglas County since 1999, is leaving later this month to become a program manager for KU Continuing Education, where she will work to organize some of Kansas University’s outreach efforts throughout the state.

At K-State Research & Extension, Rice has overseen efforts that run 4-H programs, handle the Douglas County Fair and provide professional, expert advice on a variety of topics, from crops to gardening and healthy living in general.

Rice is a graduate of Kansas State University and received a master’s degree from Baker University. She has worked with the extension service for 23 years.

A public reception honoring her service is set for 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Union Pacific Depot in North Lawrence.

Taking over for Rice will be Bill Wood, who is agriculture agent for the extension service in Douglas County. He will serve as interim director.

Doug Gaston, chairman of the extension service’s executive committee in Douglas County, said there were no immediate plans to pursue hiring a full-time replacement for Rice. The operation has a budget of $819,000 for 2009, down from $863,000 for this year.