Photographic materials in this collection include images of campus buildings, visitors to campus, students, athletic events, and faculty and staff. There also are images of Manhattan and community locations. Dates range from the 1866 to 2007.
In 2009, Photographic Services became part of the Division of Communications and Marketing at Kansas State University. Previously, it had been part of the News and Editorial Services Department for many years. When Photographic Services started in 1919, it was under the Office of the President. In 1961, the department was first listed as Photographic Services. For many years, the offices for the unit were in the power plant. In 2010, Photographic Services moved to Dole Hall.
F.E. Colburn, who was also a professor of Illustration, was the first College Photographer in 1919. In 1930, Floyd J. Hanna assumed this role until 1966. From 1966 to 1985 David von Reiesen led Photographic Services, and Paul Maginnes led it from 1986 to 1994. Dan Donnert was the head of Photographic Services from 1994 to 2008, and David Mayes has led the unit since 2008 as the Manager of Communications and Marketing Photographic Services.