Roar Magazine Vol. 9 / Issue 2 / Spring/Summer 2025 by Fort Hays State University

STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

Meet Carly Marie Odegard

Carly Marie Odegard is an interdisciplinary artist who explores the interwoven relationship between humans and nature. She creates sculptural worlds rooted in memory and transformation, using cast and forged metal and organic materials. Raised in Minnesota by generations of makers, her practice bridges ancestral craft and personal mythology, offering spaces of reflection, reverence, and renewal. She earned her BFA from the University of Minnesota.

Her MFA exhibition, Creatura, unfolded as a mythological ecology across the gallery. The exhibition spanned two rooms: one bright and expansive, the other, dimly lit and contemplative. In the light-filled space, works like Bird’s Eye View, a towering spiral staircase entwined with forged branches, leaves, and flowers, offered a vantage point over the world below. A hand pulling the Earth into another realm (Earthbound and Elsewhere) began a spiral dirt path that led to the staircase’s center, where hollow cast feet with forged root systems sprouted real flowers, as they walked outward (Grounded). In the darker space, cast relics like her cousin’s guitar (See You Next Lifetime) and her grandmother’s metal hangers, both originals and cast replicas (Grandma’s Hands), became sacred offerings to memory and love.

Creatura served as an invitation to remember to root, to bloom, and find stillness in a space where we are reminded of our interconnection to the sacred web of life. Following the completion of her MFA this spring, Carly will continue to evolve her artistic practice. She lives and breathes art, and plans to hold on to that creative spirit, no matter where the wind takes her next.

Creatura served as an invitation to remember to root, to bloom, and find stillness in a space where we are reminded of our interconnection to the sacred web of life.

Distinctive brand image continues to unite Tiger Nation

Q&A with Fort Hays Tech Presidents Eric Burks and Ben Schears

Tiger alums and iconic Kansas sports broadcasters reflect on a 30-year bond

Fort Hays State University Building and Construction Plan

Two historians with FHSU ties help bring PBS documentary to life

Fort Hays State University’s Strategic Affiliation with Northwest and North Central Kansas Technical Colleges

From recreation to respite, a vital FHSU asset

THE COVER: Victor E. Tiger celebrates his birthday during halftime of the February 22 FHSU basketball game. Photo by Will Burns

Dear Friends,

At ROAR Magazine, our mission has always been to connect, engage, and inspire our readers. We aim to strengthen the lifelong bond between Fort Hays State University and the many people who have made it special for more than a century.

Each summer, we highlight Homecoming in our pages — a time to return to Hays and reconnect with your FHSU roots. While Homecoming weekend is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate your Tiger pride, we hope you’ll consider coming back more often — and perhaps even making Hays your home again.

That’s why we’re excited to partner with the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau and Love Kansas in this edition of ROAR. The CVB is your year-round service for everything happening in Hays — from live music and theater to art walks, rodeos, Tiger Athletics, the Encore Series, Larks Baseball, Wild West Festival, and the Ellis County Fair. These events are a big part of what makes life vibrant in our corner of the High Plains.

And if a weekend back in Hays stirs something in you, why not stay? Love Kansas is a statewide initiative aimed at encouraging former Kansans to return — to welcoming, close-knit communities where affordability and quality of life go hand in hand. Explore what a move back to the Sunflower State could mean for you at lovekansas.com.

As always, we’d love to hear from you. Let us know what you enjoyed in this issue of ROAR, what we can improve, and what you’d like to see in the future. Send your thoughts to FHSUNews@fhsu.edu — we look forward to your feedback.

Warm regards,

Scott Cason

Scott Cason Chief Communications Officer

INTRODUCTIONS

Editor in Chief

Scott Cason

Creative Director

Stocks Creative

Managing Editor

Boyce Durr

Senior Editor

Dawne Leiker

Writers

Scott Cason

Boyce Durr

Cynthia Landis

Dawne Leiker

Diane Gasper-O’Brien

Kim Stewart

Photographers

Will Burns

Scott Cason

Dawne Leiker

Rory Moore

Contributors

FHSU Alumni Office

FHSU Athletics

FHSU Foundation

Forsyth Library

ROAR Magazine is published twice a year (summer and winter) by Fort Hays State University’s Office of University Communications.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the FHSU Alumni Office, One Tiger Place, Hays, KS 67601

CONNECT

Fort Hays State University

@FortHaysState

FortHaysState

FHSU hosts third annual Western Ag Summit

WATER WAS THE FOCUS of the third annual Western Kansas Ag Summit hosted by Fort Hays State University. The event was established by Kansas District 110 Representative Ken Rahjes, chair of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee, and Dr. Grady Dixon, dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology and Mathematics at Fort Hays State University, to bring awareness to the critical issues facing Kansas’ farmers, ranchers, financial institutions, and ag businesses.

The summit was held on Monday, Dec. 9, in the FHSU Robbins Center on the campus of Fort Hays State University.

FHSU’s financial planning program ranked fourth in the nation

In an article recently published in “Wealth Management”, rankings of the eight colleges with the best financial planning programs in the U.S. were released. Fort Hays State University received a fourth-place ranking of financial planning programs based on the results of the National Financial Planning Challenge over the past 14 years.

FHSU Department of Biological Sciences awarded $385,971 National Science Foundation Grant

THE DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES at Fort Hays State University (FHSU) has been awarded a $385,971 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their research project, “Uncovering Change Catalysts: Examining Community of Practice

Members as They Leverage Individual Course Improvements to Achieve Systemic Departmental Change.” This funding will support the integration of course-based undergraduate research experiences into the biology curriculum.

“This grant gives faculty the time

and money they need to add authentic research experiences to many of our courses,” said Dr. Lorelei Patrick, assistant professor of biology. “The students who take these improved courses will gain science skills that will help prepare them for their future careers.”

Melissa Hunsicker Walburn named dean of the FHSU Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship

MELISSA HUNSICKER WALBURN, the Interim Dean of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University, was selected to lead the college as its next dean.

Hunsicker Walburn has served as interim dean of the college on two occasions and brings more than a decade of experience as a senior higher education administrator and teacher to the position. She brings a diverse professional background, strategic vision, and entrepreneurial mindset to the role. Her experiences prior to higher education include working as litigation counsel and technical staff in highly complex and competitive telecommunications and public utilities industries, as well as directing Kansas’ 529 college-savings plan.

Meyerhoff

Annual

Lecture brings guest scholars to FHSU to discuss two historic territorial expansion efforts

THE DEPARTMENTS OF HISTORY AND POLITICAL SCIENCE and the Forsyth Library at Fort Hays State University hosted the 2025 Joseph and Rebecca Meyerhoff Annual Lecture in Malloy 115 of Palmer Hall on Thursday, April 3. The focus of this year’s lecture was on the driving ideologies and human impact of the territorial expansion efforts of Nazi Germany during World War II and the United States during the 19th and 20th centuries.

The panel discussion was moderated by Dr. Wendy RohlederSook, Chair of FHSU’s Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science. Joining Dr. RohlederSook on the panel were Associate Professor of History and Director of the Institute of American Indian Studies at the University of South Dakota, Dr. Elise Boxer, and Dr. Edward B.

Dr. Leo Oliva and Hollie Marquess

Westermann, the Regents Professor of History at Texas A&M-San Antonio. The panelists shared their analysis of the parallels between the Nazis’ efforts to expand the “Lebensraum” or living space for Germans across conquered Europe and the United States’ actions to forcibly remove

Indigenous peoples to accommodate the westward expansion of the nation.

The Meyerhoff Lecture Series is a Campus Outreach Program of the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, part of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.

FHSU honors legacy of Dr. Leo Oliva with distinguished professorship in history

AT A RECEPTION ON APRIL 10, Hollie Marquess, lecturer of history, was named the inaugural Dr. Leo Oliva Distinguished Professor of History.

“Hollie Marquess is uniquely qualified to fill this named professorship,” said Dr. David Macey, Dean of FHSU’s College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “Her exceptional commitment to her students, her innovative and engaging pedagogy, and her dedication to mentorship both inside and outside the classroom exemplify the values that shaped Dr. Oliva’s career.”

This professorship honors Oliva’s legacy of transformative teaching and mentorship. An emeritus FHSU professor and historian, Oliva, who graduated from FHSU, earned a master’s degree in American history and a doctorate in American Studies at the University of Denver. He is the author of several books and many articles about Kansas and the frontier West, and he edited the Santa Fe Trail Association’s quarterly journal, Wagon Tracks, for 25 years.

L. to R. Dr. Edward B. Westermann, Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook, Dr. Elise Boxer

RORY MOORE

A storybook collaboration: FHSU Rotaract and Rotary unveil Little Library for Tiger Tots

AN OUTDOOR LIBRARY is something the FHSU Tiger Tots Preschool staff had wanted for years. So, when Carol Solko-Olliff, member of Hays’ Noon Rotary Club and co-advisor for the FHSU Rotaract Club, offered to partner with Tiger Tots to bring an outdoor library to the Tiger Tots Preschool play area, Director Sara Stroup said she “absolutely agreed.”

The Rotary Little Library project is a Rotary 5680 District-wide project to bring “little libraries” to communities within the Rotary District.

According to Solko-Olliff, FHSU’s on-campus childcare center was “the perfect site” for FHSU’s Rotaract Club’s Little Library. Rotaract, a new collegeage service organization sponsored and advised by the Hays Sunrise Rotary Club and Noon Rotary Club, is committed to community service and giving back to the Hays and FHSU communities.

Ben Schears named Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development

IN JULY 2025, BEN SCHEARS moved from President of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest to his new role as FHSU’s first Vice President for Economic and Workforce Development. His work will focus on advancing business and industry and connecting students to educational and professional opportunities across a vast service area, including 67 of Kansas’ 105 counties. He will also support the economic and workforce development efforts of the two Fort Hays technical colleges and work closely with community leaders to address their most pressing needs.

Tiger Tots preschoolers clap as their new outdoor library is revealed.

Grace McCord selected as a finalist in Truman Scholar Competition

FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY is proud to recognize political science major Grace McCord, Hays, for being selected as one of just 200 finalists in the national competition for the Truman Scholarship. McCord was selected from a field of 800 highly accomplished applicants nominated by their universities. Truman Scholars are college juniors chosen for their commitment to pursuing a career in public service. Truman Scholars receive a scholarship for graduate study funded by the Truman Foundation, which was created to honor the values of President Harry S. Truman.

Finalists are selected through a highly competitive national application process that requires them to demonstrate a track record of public service, leadership, and academic achievement.

Grace has served her community through a number of service projects, including work with Jana’s Campaign and the Celebration Community Church Quilting Ministry, among other activities. In her career at FHSU, she has led the American Democracy Project and served as a senator in the Student Government Association, where she currently serves as the legislative affairs director, as well as holding leadership roles in the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society and her sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta.

Grace was selected to represent FHSU as a Tiger Ambassador, a Newman Civic Fellow, and a delegate to the Madeleine K. Albright Young Women Leaders Program.

Fort Hays Rodeo inducts alums into 2025 Hall of Fame

THE FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY

RODEO inducted its third class into the 2025 FHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame in the Schenk Building at the Ellis County Fairgrounds on Saturday, April 19. The inductees were FHSU alumni who were former student members of the rodeo team or campus leaders who supported the rodeo program.

The first group of Hall of Fame inductees included all members of the 1974 College National Finals Rodeo team. The women’s team of Colette Graves, Kathy Geier, and Cindy Elam finished that season number two in the nation. The men’s team of that season, Bronc Rumford, Jerry Beagley, Lyle Sankey, Donnie Simpson, Steve Fenster and Stan Schmidt finished sixth in the nation.

Other inductees were recognized for their support of the FHSU Rodeo: Dr. Ed Hammond, FHSU President Emeritus and longest-tenured Fort Hays president, and Kevin Rich, professional rodeo bullfighter and freestyle bullfighter.

FHSU Rodeo Hall of Fame inductees: Bronc Rumford, Jerry Beagley, Lyle Sankey, Donnie Simpson, Steve Fenster, Stan Schmidt, Kathy Geier and Cindy Elam

TALEXA WEETE R

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

Talexa Weeter had a breakout year in 2024-25 amid the final season of two of the best players in FHSU Women’s Basketball history. While Katie Wagner DeGarmo and Olivia Hollenbeck drew most of the focus, DeGarmo being the MIAA Player of the Year for a second-straight year and Hollenbeck being the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, Weeter gave the Tigers an elite scoring threat off the bench as she averaged 14.6 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in her sophomore season and she earned an All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection. The former KBCA Miss Kansas Basketball selection from Goodland was a key part in Fort Hays State finishing the year at 28-5 overall and making it to the semifinals of Central Regional in the NCAA Tournament. She had the highest scoring game of any Tiger in 2024-25 with a 35-point performance in FHSU’s MIAA Tournament quarterfinal win over Central Missouri. It was the most points by a Tiger ever in an MIAA Tournament game and fourth most in a game in tournament history. She scored at least 20 points in a game nine times throughout the season.

WINTER SPORTS FACES TO KNOW

KYLE GRILL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Kyle Grill had a breakout year in 2024-25 for the FHSU Men’s Basketball team. In his sophomore season, he ranked second on the team in scoring at 11.6 points per game and pulled down 4.6 rebounds per game on his way to an All-MIAA Honorable Mention selection. Grill had a big 17-point performance in the MIAA Tournament Championship game, helping the Tigers pull out a 72-71 win over Central Oklahoma to earn an automatic spot in the NCAA Tournament. He earned an MIAA All-Tournament Team selection with his performance. Grill scored in double figures 22 times throughout the 2024-25 season and helped the Tigers lead NCAA Division II in scoring defense for the second-straight year at just 59.9 points per game.

MATTHEW RODRIGUEZ

MEN’S WRESTLING

Matt Rodriguez put together a strong sophomore season for the Tigers, finishing with 16 wins at 184 pounds. He was one of two Tigers to qualify for the NCAA Championships after placing third in Super Regional VI. He won four-straight matches at the regional to qualify for the NCAA Championship after dropping his opening-round match. He had a fourwin improvement from the previous season and has 49 total wins over three years at FHSU, with his first year being a redshirt year.

ISABELLA RENFRO

WOMEN’S WRESTLING

Isabella Renfro had a tremendous freshman year at Fort Hays State by finishing 29-10 overall and being one of nine Tigers to qualify for the National Collegiate Women’s Wrestling Championships. In the team’s first official season of team competition, Renfro helped the Tigers reach as high as No. 20 in the NWCA national team rankings and No. 11 in dual rankings produced by The Open Mat website. Renfro was among the Top 20 of the individual rankings produced by The Open Mat. She finished the 2024-25 season with the second-most wins on the team and was just one win shy of placing individually at the national tournament. Impressively, all 29 of her wins for the season were bonus-point wins (falls, tech falls, and forfeits), leading the team in that category as well as pins with 17 for the season. She had the fastest pin recorded of any Tiger for the season in just 15 seconds.

REBA MADER

WOMEN’S INDOOR

TRACK AND FIELD

Reba Mader has been a standout sprinter for the women’s track and field squad in her first three years at FHSU. She had the top times in four events for the Tigers during the 2025 indoor season, which included the 60, 200, and 400 meters and the 600-yard run. She also was a member of the 4x400-meter relay team. Her time of 55.94 seconds at the MIAA Indoor Championships in the 400 meters was an NCAA provisional qualifying time, and it set a new FHSU record. She won the 400 meters at the Nebraska Tune-Up and the 60 meters and 600 yards at the UNK Pre-Holiday Classic.

2025 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

AVREY ALBRIGHT

DATE

Thur., Aug. 28 Angelo State Hays, Kan. 7:00 p.m.

Thur., Sept. 4 CSU Pueblo Pueblo, Colo. 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 13 Nebraska-Kearney* Hays, Kan. 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 20 Pittsburg State* Pittsburg, Kan. 4:00 p.m.

Sat., Sept. 27 Missouri Western* Hays, Kan. 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 4 Missouri Southern* Joplin, Mo. TBA

Sat., Oct. 11 Central Oklahoma* Hays, Kan. 7:00 p.m.

Sat., Oct. 18 Northwest Missouri State* Maryville, Mo. TBA

Sat., Oct. 25 Washburn* Topeka, Kan. 1:00 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 1 Central Missouri* Hays, Kan. 1:00 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 15 Emporia State* Emporia, Kan. 1:00 p.m.

Sat., Nov. 22 NCAA Playoffs TBA TBA * MIAA Games Home Games in Bold

MEN’S INDOOR

TRACK AND FIELD

Wrapping up his second year at FHSU, Avrey Albright is one of the top sprinters on the men’s track and field squad. During the indoor season, Albright was a member of the 4x400-meter relay squad that earned All-MIAA honors at the conference championship meet with a third-place finish. His highest individual finish of the indoor season was a secondplace showing in the 400 meters at the Washburn Invitational.

SPRING SPORTS FACES TO KNOW

LILLY MOHR

SOFTBALL

Lilly Mohr had a strong freshman season in 2025, leading the Tigers in extra-base hits with 15. Her seven home runs and .628 slugging percentage led the team as well, while she hit .309 for the season with 17 RBIs. She helped the Tigers to a 24-21 record for the season and an appearance in the MIAA Tournament.

BRANDON CHAVEZ BASEBALL

Brandon Chavez was an All-MIAA First Team selection as a relief pitcher in his sophomore season of 2025. He posted a 6-3 record with a 4.56 ERA and nine saves over 51.1 innings of work. The nine saves tied for fifth most in a season at FHSU, and it ranked second in the MIAA. He helped the Tigers to a 32-16 record for the season as they finished third in the MIAA standings. It was the squad’s first 30-win season since 2010 and most wins in a season since 2007.

SHAYLA NORDLUND

WOMEN’S GOLF

Shayla Nordlund had a solid freshman season for FHSU Women’s golf, leading the team with an 80.7 stroke average in 2024-25. She had two top-five finishes, which included winning the MIAA Fall Conference Preview in Kearney, Neb., in September. She had the three lowest rounds in relation to par on the team, with a 1-under par 70 in that tournament she won being the lowest round of the season on the team.

JORDAN MCCASLIN

MEN’S GOLF

Jordan McCaslin had a strong sophomore season for FHSU Men’s golf, competing in eight events throughout the season. He had a 76.1 stroke average in 2024-25 and recorded one top-five finish at the Newman Invitational in October when he finished fourth. He helped the team to a fourth-place finish at the MIAA Championship Tournament and fifth-place finish in the regular season team standings. McCaslin shot under par twice during the season, with a 2-under par round of 70 at the MIAA Championships being his lowest of the season.

EMMA SLADE

WOMEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

Emma Slade has made a big impact in her freshman year on the FHSU track and field squad. In her first-ever outdoor meet at the collegiate level, she broke the FHSU discus record that was set in 1982 and stood for 43 years, matched only once in 2018. Her new record of 160’2” broke the old mark of 156’9”. With that throw, Slade earned a selection into the NCAA Outdoor Championships in the discus. She also competed in the hammer throw and shot put for the Tigers throughout the season.

JOSIAH BALL

MEN’S OUTDOOR TRACK AND FIELD

SUZANA FAUCZ

TENNIS

Josiah Ball has also made a big impact in his freshman year at FHSU for the track and field team. He had a breakout performance at the Ward Haylett Invitational in Manhattan, Kan., where he cleared a season-best 16’7.5” in the pole vault and earned a selection into the NCAA Outdoor Championships. The clearance tied for the 17th best nationally prior to the outdoor championship. He kept FHSU’s streak alive of having a men’s pole vaulter compete at the NCAA Outdoor Championships every season since 2018.

DeGarmo Repeats as MIAA Women’s Ken B. Jones Award Winner

Fort Hays State women’s basketball student-athlete Katie Wagner DeGarmo was selected as the top female athlete in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association for 2025.

DeGarmo was also named the MIAA Player of the Year for a second-straight season, the first player to repeat since 2003, and earned All-America honors from both the WBCA (first team) and D2CCA (third team). She was an All-MIAA First Team selection for the third straight year and a four-time all-conference selection overall. DeGarmo broke both the FHSU and MIAA records for rebounds in a career with 1,248, and she finished her career second alltime in scoring at both FHSU and in the MIAA with 2,299 points.

Three FHSU student-athletes have won the Ken B. Jones Award, including DeGarmo (2024, 2025), Kate Lehman (basketball, 2015), and Ryan Stanley (track and field, 2023).

Suzana Faucz had an outstanding first season at Fort Hays State, setting a new record for wins in a season by a freshman. She had 36 wins, which would have been enough to break the previous overall wins mark in a season by any classification, but senior teammate Irina Alfonso set a new single-season record by producing 40 wins for the season. Faucz and Alfonso helped each other by teaming for 21 wins in doubles play, which tied the most doubles wins in FHSU history by a pair in just one season. They now rank No. 1 and No. 2 in singleseason wins for singles and doubles combined, passing the former record of 35. Faucz and Alfonso garnered All-MIAA Honorable Mention status as a doubles team and were the first two players to receive all-conference team recognition since the 2016-17 season.

Hammeke retires as Director of Athletics

Fort Hays State University Director of Athletics Curtis Hammeke retired in June 2025 after 21 years of service. He had a major impact on Fort Hays State’s continued athletic success at the NCAA Division II level, while also making a tremendous impact on the community of Hays in his time as a studentathlete, coach and administrator.

In Hammeke’s time as Director of Athletics, Fort Hays State has enjoyed 23 team conference titles in all sports combined since 2004. Numerous individual conference and national titles were also won on his watch. Hammeke was instrumental in FHSU’s transition from the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference in 2006 to its current affiliation with the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA), one of the most competitive NCAA Division II conferences in the nation. Twenty-one of the 23 conference titles under Hammeke have been during the Tigers’ membership with the MIAA.

“I’m thankful for the many opportunities I’ve been given as a student-athlete, baseball coach, and director of athletics,”

Hammeke said. “The two cornerstones of my career have been my Catholic faith’s ongoing growth and my wife Annette’s supportive presence. We’ve been extremely blessed with our children, spouses, and grandchildren. I will cherish forever my time at Fort Hays State and all the amazing people who work tirelessly to ‘Defend the Fort.’”

Fort Hays State Athletics saw numerous facility upgrades over the past two decades thanks to Hammeke’s guidance and generous contributions and donations from the Tiger community. Five of the current members of the Athletic Administration Staff have served in their roles for at least 11 years, including one spanning two decades.

FHSU

REUNION GATHERINGS

Stay tuned for more information about Class of 1965, Class of 1975, and Student Government Association reunions.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25

Tiger Bonﬁre | FHSU Robbins Center

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26 SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 27

Campus Tours and Honoring Alumni Award Recipients | FHSU Campus

Half Century Club Social, Luncheon, and Induction | Memorial Union

(For All Graduates 1975 and Prior)

Oktoberfest | Hays Municipal Park

Reunion Breakfasts for Class of 1965, Class of 1975 and SGA | Memorial Union (Stay Tuned for Additional Details)

Homecoming Parade | The Bricks in Downtown Hays

Oktoberfest | Hays Municipal Park

Tiger Tailgate and Fort Hays State Football Game | FHSU Lewis Field Stadium

Your FHSU Alumni O ce can't wait to welcome you back to campus! Contact us at 785-628-4430 or alumni@fhsu.edu with any questions.

VICTOR E. TIGER TURNS 25

Distinctive brand image continues to unite the Tiger Nation

BY DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN

IT’S OFTEN SAID THAT ATHLETICS ARE THE FRONT PORCH OF A UNIVERSITY. THE GUY SITTING ON THE FRONT PORCH AT FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY DOESN’T TALK. HOWEVER, HE MAKES A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION ON ANYONE ATTENDING AN FHSU ATHLETIC CONTEST OR ANY NUMBER OF OTHER CAMPUS AND COMMUNITY EVENTS.

VICTOR E. TIGER, THE NAME THE FHSU MASCOT ACQUIRED IN 2000, is so visible that he appears on anything FHSU-oriented, including buildings and even on structures thousands of miles across the Pacific Ocean in China.

Victor E. came into existence 25 years ago, during the lead-up to the celebration of the university’s centennial in 2002. Before Victor E., FHSU experimented with more than two dozen Tiger images throughout the 1900s. As the university’s centennial celebration approached, Dr. Edward Hammond, president of FHSU from 1987 to 2014, and Tom Spicer, the Tiger athletic director at the time, wanted to establish a new and more memorable way to brand the university. A marketing committee was formed, and numerous ideas were tossed around.

“We wanted a campus buy-in to a new symbol for our campus, and the Tiger raced to the front,” Hammond said. “But we had no idea then what an impact it would have.”

Mary Ridgway, then the creative director at FHSU’s University Relations, was charged with coming up with a more distinctive and modern version of the Tiger that would roar Fort Hays State. After drawing up more than 100 variations over the next several months, she presented the committee with a design that was approved. She also worked with a company to design a costume to match the new logo.

Numerous ideas were tossed around as potential names for this new version of the Tiger. Someone suggested that Victor E. had a nice ring to it – maybe a way to remind everyone of the importance of a Tiger victory.

“I remember there was a lot of excitement about creating a mascot that was Fort Hays State’s own, not something we copied from another university or a piece of clip art,” said Lisa Karlin, who was assistant to the president at the time, in charge of communication and event planning. “Victor E. was so well accepted. It was exciting.”

Twenty-five years later, the Victor E. logo still appears everywhere Tigers gather - around campus, in the city of Hays, throughout Kansas, and on International Partner campuses in Asia and Africa.

“Victor E. has a personality, and he jumps off the page at you,” Hammond said. “He’s a natural attraction to our university. And everyone loves our Tiger.”

Pre-Victor E. Tiger images of FHSU mascot

Students can audition to become Victor E., sometimes resulting in more than one person portraying Victor in a given school year. Whether bopping around the basketball arena, high-fiving fans, posing for photos with youngsters, or bouncing down Main Street during a parade, Victor E. is a favorite of FHSU supporters of all ages.

One current Tiger who dons the furry suit and poses as Victor E. says it’s “a blast.” This time, Victor E. did talk – in a private conversation.

“I had no idea Victor E. was this recognizable,” he said. “When you are in a parade, there’s not a kid on the street who doesn’t know the Fort Hays Tiger. They are all asking for my (Victor’s) autograph. They love him.”

Even when the live version of Victor E. isn’t around, he is ... well, everywhere. His image is printed on everything imaginable, from bumper stickers to clothing, limestone rocks to license plates, and everything in between. And there are some huge ones around campus to remind people whose den they are in, should they forget.

A 48-foot-wide Victor E. at midfield of Lewis Field Stadium welcomes fans to football games each fall, and his face is painted at mid-court of Gross Memorial Coliseum. He is also emblazoned on other athletic buildings. He smiles down from flags flying atop light poles all around campus. And at night, he shines brightly on the front of the footbridge connecting the main campus to the athletic complex across Big Creek.

There is no doubt who reigns king on this campus – and all around town. It is Victor E. Tiger.

Back in 2017, Mike Konz, then the store manager of the Hays Walmart, had 7.5-foot Victor E. Tigers mounted on each of the two main door entrances. He got the idea from a Walmart in

Manhattan that displayed pride in its Kansas State University Powercat. Under Konz’s leadership, the Hays Walmart store ranked in the top 100 among all 4,600 Walmarts nationwide for local collegiate-branded apparel and other merchandise sales.

“Fort Hays is the cornerstone of our community,” said Konz, who has since retired from Walmart. “And we thought that was another way to show our support. Walmart has a great partnership with Fort Hays.”

Victor E.’s two younger brothers were introduced this past year in conjunction with the launch of FHSU’s strategic affiliation with two Kansas technical colleges. Similar but distinct tiger logos were created as new brand icons for Fort Hays Tech | North Central in Hays and Beloit and Fort Hays Tech | Northwest in Goodland. But there is only one Victor E., and he is not just an athletic mascot.

“It’s a unifying trademark,” he said, “that brought Fort Hays State and Western Kansas together with the nation – and the world.”

This past winter, the university held a series of 25th birthday celebrations for Victor E., culminating in several events at the Tiger men’s and women’s basketball games on February 22. The crowd sang Happy Birthday to Victor E. during halftime of the women’s game. During the halftime break of the men’s game, he raced around the court on his scooter, waving to the crowd and eventually finding a large birthday cake at mid-court.

After 27 years as FHSU president, Ed Hammond has made Hays his retirement home, and he is pleased that Victor E. is still roaring loudly and proudly.

Ask Hammond what the E. stands for, and he smiles as he quickly answers, “excellence.”

Larry Dreiling, who served as the Tiger mascot in the late 1970s and has three degrees from FHSU, paid for the first Victor E. Tiger suit as a way of giving back to his alma mater. He lives in Hays, so he is constantly surrounded by the university logo.

“I think Victor E. is forever young, representing the youth and vitality and promise of Western Kansas – that we can go out and conquer great things,” he said. “It’s amazing what an FHSU education can do for a student.”

To many, Victor E. is Fort Hays State University.

Victor E. celebrates his birthday at FHSU basketball game.

CREATING OPPORTUNITIES &

What if we told you that every dollar you donated to FHSU would be matched?

It’s true! Make a gift to FHSU and your gift will be matched dollar for dollar by a program called the “Kansas Comprehensive Grant Match” through the state of Kansas. Your gift will support students at Fort Hays State who are Kansas residents, enrolled full-time, and demonstrate financial need. This need-based grant impacts FHSU students who require financial support the most – students who dream of completing a bachelor’s degree but may not make it to graduation without others lending a hand. Your gift could change the trajectory of a student’s life.

Having your gift doubled is easy:

Send a check made payable to the FHSU Foundation to the following address and write “Kansas Comprehensive Grant” in the memo line.

FHSU Foundation, P.O. Box 1060, Hays, KS 67601

785-628-5620 | foundation@fhsu.edu | foundation.fhsu.edu Visit foundation.fhsu.edu/kcg to make your gift online.

AFFILIATION

LEADERSHIP PROFILES

AQ&

Editor’s Note: Late last summer, FHSU launched a strategic affiliation initiative that united the university with our two nearest technical college partners. In this feature, we introduce you to Eric Burks, President of Fort Hays Tech | North Central (formerly North Central Kansas Technical College), and Ben Schears, President of Fort Hays Tech | Northwest (formerly Northwest Kansas Technical College).

QCan

you tell our readers a little about yourselves and how you came to work in higher education?

ERIC BURKS

I’m from North Central Kansas. I grew up in a little town called Randall, with a population of around 90 people. I graduated from Jewell High School in 1992, earned my bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University, and later, my master’s degree from Fort Hays State.

My wife, Deidra, is from Beloit, just 15 miles from my hometown. We wanted to raise our children close to our families, so we eventually settled in Jewell, where we still live.

During my first few semesters at K-State, I was undecided about my major but chose business and computer education. After student teaching and coaching in De Soto, I graduated in December of 1996.

I then substitute taught in the Kansas City area for a semester. The next fall, I taught computers at

Manhattan High School. After that, I taught computers and coached football at Clay Center Community High School for seven years.

As my wife and I were expecting our fifth child, we gravitated toward home and family. So, when an opportunity for me to work at Jewell High School came up, we jumped at it.

In addition to teaching, I served as the IT director, football coach, track coach, and bus driver! I did whatever I could so my wife could stay home with the kids. That’s when I learned that in a small school, which is also true at a rural technical college, you do whatever it takes to get the job done.

Eventually, I was hired as the assistant principal and then principal in Jewell. It was a unique experience to become the boss to the teachers at your alma mater!

My first job in higher education was chief academic officer, then called the Dean of Instruction, at North Central. When President Clark Coco left in 2012, I was asked by the board to step up as president. My experience teaching and coaching at the K12 level, my technical college experiences, and my time with Clark helped prepare me for that role.

Fort Hays Tech | North Central President Eric Burks

BEN SCHEARS

I grew up in rural Lyon County on a small farm, later moved to town, and graduated from Olpe High School. Olpe is the home of the best fried chicken in Kansas, bar none.

During my sophomore year in high school, I sat down with the guidance counselor to discuss plans after graduation, and he said, “You know, I don’t think you’re higher education material.”

He told me I needed to look at vocational-technical school as my next step. He said that if I worked hard and prayed a lot, I might be able to land a job when I finished vo-tech training. I may have resented the approach at the time, but with age and a touch of wisdom behind me, it was the kick in the pants I needed to hear at that time.

I’m a kinesthetic learner by nature, so I enrolled in half-day courses at Flint Hills Technical College during my junior and senior years of high school. I loved the hands-on classes in industrial maintenance, heating and air conditioning, electrical, motor and boiler controls.

After graduating high school, I went to Cowley College and earned an associate’s degree. I also met my wife Rachel there. Emporia State University was my next stop, where I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history. I then went to work at Cowley College in Arkansas City.

I loved my experience at Cowley, and I learned a lot in the 13 years I worked there. Still, when I got the opportunity to come up to Northwest in Goodland to serve as president in 2016, it fit everything I was looking for, including living and working in a close-knit rural community. That has always been important to my wife, Rachel, and me, and it was a great community for us to finish raising our five incredible kids.

QMany of our readers are not familiar with the technical college experience. What would your “elevator speech” be if asked to describe the value of a technical college education?

ERIC: Growing up, I was told that earning a degree at a four-year institution was the definition of success, so that was the path I chose. It served as a great path for me personally, but I now know a four-year degree is not the only path to success. When I see the amazing jobs our students are landing coming out of one- and two-year programs, it is very clear that there are multiple ways to achieve success!

BEN: I think the pendulum is starting to swing in favor of technical education. For decades, K12 schools cut shop classes and technical programs, but today, amid fundamental changes in our society and national economy, we’re starting to see that begin to change.

We’re seeing more interest in early college programs that integrate technical education between secondary and postsecondary education. It’s fairly common for us to see a student pursue a technical certificate or degree, and enter the workforce debt-free while earning $60,000-$80,000 or more as a starting salary.

Fort Hays Tech | Northwest President Ben Schears

QHow will the new affiliation change the way our three institutions serve the people, communities, and businesses of Kansas?

ERIC: I think we are all working with our businesses and communities, but the people and institutions of Kansas need us to do more. We’ve got to come alongside our businesses and communities and serve as partners and resources. We need to help them to survive and thrive.

Don’t get me wrong, we are not the sole answer, and we’re not the heroes coming to save the day. However, we do have a role to play in addressing the economic and demographic changes we face in rural Kansas. The three of us, through this affiliation, can have a greater impact by working together!

BEN: Kansans are, by nature, “pull yourself up by your bootstraps and do your thing,” people. The reality is that our shared future success as higher education institutions will largely depend upon the sustainability of the communities in the Western half of our great state. If we don’t help keep the communities we serve, in whatever way we can, to keep local businesses open and vibrant, it jeopardizes our very future.

Knowing this has created a sense of urgency for each of us, driving our three institutions to create impactful solutions that keep skilled professionals living, working, and thriving in Kansas. We’re just getting started, and I’m excited to see the impact of these efforts in keeping more of our trained and educated students in the region with Kansas employers.

QHow have your relationships with each other and President Mason made your work on this affiliation so successful?

ERIC: I enjoyed a close professional relationship with Tisa and Ben before the affiliation. However, this experience and the amount of time we spent together have certainly advanced our relationship. The level of trust and honesty we have with each other is incredible. It is truly a pleasure to work with them both as respected colleagues and trusted friends.

BEN: I think the level of loyalty, transparency, and trust we have for each other could have taken years to reach, but it didn’t. We put our cards on the table early to openly share hopes and doubts about the affiliation, and that degree of honesty breaks down barriers. We work so well together because we keep our egos in check and share in a passionate commitment to make this affiliation work for our institutions and the “North Stars” we serve – our students, communities, and businesses.

Presidents Burks, Schears, and Mason cut the ribbon at the Strategic Affiliation launch celebration on September 10, 2024 in Goodland.

RAISED ON RADIO

TIGER ALUMS AND ICONIC KANSAS SPORTS BROADCASTERS REFLECT ON A 30-YEAR BOND

STORY BY SCOTT CASON

Turning off US 36 and onto 7th Street in Phillipsburg, Gerard Wellbrock pointed out the small house where he rented an apartment back in 1992.

“I lived in the basement of that place, right next door to the Phillipsburg High School football coach and his family,” Gerard said.

Gerard was in Phillipsburg that sunny day in May to join his long-time friend and mentor, 92-year-old Tad Felts, at Phillipsburg High School, for an appearance on Tad’s weekly “Tad Poll” Facebook live community service broadcast.

He then reminisced about early morning treks to the downtown bakery to pick up his two Long John donuts before going to work.

“I was so predictable that, eventually, they just had them waiting for me each morning.”

Tad was born in Oakley and raised in Garden City. He grew up loving sports and storytelling, and in the 8th grade, developed a keen interest in radio. The idea for what would become the Tad Poll came to Tad in the late 1940s when he was a Garden City High School student.

“We had a weekly school newspaper called ‘Sugar Beats,” Tad said. The name derived from the sugar beet factory that was the center of industry in the town at that time.

“I’d walk around the school and ask students their thoughts on what I thought was the big question of the day. It might be about the quality of that day’s lunch, or who would win the next big game,” Tad said.

While Tad was in high school, he got the chance to make some audio recordings at a local radio station.

“After we were all through, this fella came in and asked me if I ever thought of going into radio? He told me I had the voice for it.”

After high school, Tad enrolled at FHSU.

“Both my mom and my dad went to Fort Hays, so that’s where I always knew I would go to college,” Tad said. “I changed my major at least five times, I think, but I was always interested in radio.”

He took a part-time job at KAYS radio in Hays while in college and found immediate support and encouragement from the on-air personalities, including legendary broadcaster and philanthropist Bob Schmidt. While he spent his entire time at KAYS doing odd jobs outside the broadcast studio, he learned much about the radio business.

Gerard is a marketing consultant and sports reporter for Eagle Media in Hays. He is also the 8th, and longestserving radio “Voice of the Tigers,” having just finished his 23rd season. Gerard’s son, Garrett, a senior at FHSU, is a play-by-play host for Tiger Media Network and has joined his dad in the broadcast booth several times this year. Later this summer, Tad will publish his memoir, Back After This Time Out.

After graduating from Fort Hays State, Tad went to work full-time at KAYS in an off-air support role until 1964, when KAYS purchased KLOE in Goodland and Tad got his first on-air gig. Tad then moved to KKAN in Phillipsburg in 1968. In 1971, Tad took a job at a radio station in Mountain Home, Idaho. On the air in a larger radio market, Tad turned the Tad Poll concept into a daily talk show built around a poll of current events and issues.

When Tad returned to Kansas in 1973, he went back to work at KKAN, where he served primarily as a sports reporter, but he never abandoned his concept of the Tad Poll as a show format. In 2017, the creators of the My Phillips County Online Facebook page asked Tad if he would consider streaming a weekly Tad Poll show on their site. He accepted the offer, and the Tad Poll has served as a tremendous community resource ever since.

Gerard Wellbrock grew up in Victoria listening to live sports broadcasts on the radio. One show he looked forward to every week was Tad’s weekly high school scoreboard radio show that he could pick up over the airwaves on Friday nights. While Gerard was a student at FHSU, knowing Tad was a Tiger alum, he pitched the idea of recording a weekly Tiger Athletics report and mailing a cassette that Felts could use on his weekly sports report.

“I think you asked Lance Lippert for help connecting with me,” Tad told Gerard.

Lance, one of Gerard’s instructors, had worked with Tad in Phillipsburg and left the business to teach at Fort Hays State.

“I remember Lance telling me you were ’a natural,’” Tad said. Gerard would go on to record and deliver Tiger Athletics reports for the following year.

Tad was instrumental in bringing Gerard to Phillipsburg for his first job in broadcasting. One of the things the pair looked forward to each week was a Saturday morning radio show they did together from the bakery in downtown Phillipsburg.

“We’d bring players and coaches in for the show, and the bakery would give us free rolls and donuts,” Tad said. “They still have my picture hanging on the wall in that bakery.”

The pair also split duties covering local high school sports.

“I covered Smith Center and Gerard covered Phillipsburg,” Tad said. “Gerard got to be a local celebrity in Phillipsburg, and I kind of became a villain because of my work with the rival high school.”

Over the course of a storied career, Tad won three prestigious Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards, including the Hod Humiston Award for Sports Broadcasting, the Sonny Slater Award for Service to Station and Community, and induction into the Association’s Hall of Fame. He is the only Kansas broadcaster to receive all three of these honors.

The bond that Tad Felts and Gerard Wellbrock forged more than 30 years ago is rooted in their shared passion for sports and radio.

“Ours is a pretty unique profession. There aren’t a lot of folks who do what we do,” Gerard said. “The hours are awful, and the pay is awful, but what I get to do is the coolest thing in the world. Most days, I don’t think it feels like an actual job.”

With a blend of historic limestone architecture and modern design elements, the many buildings on the Fort Hays State campus reflect the university’s rich heritage while incorporating contemporary functionality. From Picken Hall, the oldest building on campus, originally constructed in 1904, with its iconic columns added in 1926, to the more recent Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design, completed in 2019, the architecture and arrangement of the campus buildings contribute to the mystique and charm of FHSU. While most visitors new to FHSU are impressed with the campus aesthetic, it is usually the alumni who have been away from campus for extended periods who seem the most impressed and enjoy discussing how much has changed over the years.

A CONTINUING COMMITMENT TO

Fort Hays State University Building and Construction Plan

&

GROWTH INNOVATION

BY BOYCE DURR

& INNOVATION

ALBERTSON HALL AND THE CADAVER LAB RENOVATION

“AS

A

LIVING, GROWING, AND CONSTANTLY CHANGING COMMUNITY,

we must adapt campus facilities to meet the needs of the modern student,” said Dana Cunningham, director of Facilities Planning at FHSU.

Meeting the ever-changing needs of students and faculty while preserving a campus community’s rich history and traditions can be a major challenge.

“We prioritize maintenance and construction projects on a ‘greatest needs’ basis,” Cunningham said. “We are already planning about two years in advance and are currently conducting assessments for the 2028 fiscal year.”

While vital projects like roof replacements ensure the campus remains functional, major construction efforts tend to capture the most attention.

The upcoming renovation and addition to Stroup Hall is one example of a project that, once begun, will change the campus’s look and provide a much-needed expansion to the nursing and allied health professions programs. Estimated to cost $15 million, this project is scheduled for completion in 2027.

Other projects that will impact the campus community similarly include the Forsyth Library renovation, the new Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex, and the Cadaver Lab in Albertson Hall. Photos and updates are included in this issue to bring everyone up to date on the progress of these projects.

As anyone who has spent time at FHSU knows, the campus is more than just a collection of buildings, academic spaces, classrooms, libraries, research labs, and lecture halls. The campus is a complex ecosystem, shaped by the people who bring it to life daily. By investing in its physical structures, the university provides a dynamic, adaptable campus that will empower students, foster collaboration, and reinforce FHSU’s commitment to excellence not only for today but for generations to come.

ALBERTSON HALL AND THE CADAVER LAB RENOVATION

Originally built with the study of the sciences in mind, Albertson Hall construction was completed in 1928 and is easily recognizable by the observatory on top that houses a large telescope.

This building has undergone several renovations, including additions in 1962 and 1978, and underwent significant renovation in 2000. This most recent renovation included the creation of FHSU’s first-ever Cadaver Lab, which is still one of only a few in the state.

Since its establishment, the cadaver lab has provided crucial resources for students interested in the medical and health professions. While invaluable to learning anatomy, the facility has faced significant challenges, partly due to limitations of the initial design and the many changes to modern teaching and technologies.

To address these challenges, a redesign and renovation of this space is underway, thanks to state, foundation, and grant funds, including generous donations from Tiger alums, like Dr. Michael Artman.

“Updating the cadaver lab is crucial for providing the highest quality of anatomical education for students pursuing careers in various healthcare fields,” Artman said. “I know these state-of-the-art facilities will provide a competitive advantage for our students.”

The redesigned space will include six new cadaver tables as well as mobile student tables, allowing room for the installation of cutting-edge interactive virtual technologies.

In addition to Virtual Reality (VR)/Augmented Reality (AR) tools, the biology department will also be adding a state-of-the-art Anatomage Table to simulate and visualize human cadaver dissections.

These tables are being adopted by many of the world’s leading medical schools and institutions as they offer the most technologically advanced 3D anatomy visualization.

While planning has been underway for nearly a year, demolition and construction began in June 2025 and should finish in December.

Top: FHSU Physical Plant workers remove old tables from the cadaver lab.

Bottom: Dr. Tara Phelps-Durr, Department Chair of Biological Sciences, pictured with the Anatomage Table.

FORSYTH LIBRARY RENOVATION

Built in 1967, in the Brutalist architectural style made popular after World War II, Forsyth Library has been central to generations of FHSU students and their campus life. Over the years, the building has shown its age with weathered stairs, a leaking roof, and a failing HVAC system, among other problems.

While some of these issues could be addressed through individual renovation projects, the need to bring Forsyth Library into the twenty-first century, creating a modern and functional space not only for today’s students but for generations to come, required innovative thinking, planning, and preparation.

The guiding vision behind this major renovation project is to see Forsyth Library realize its full purpose as the academic heart of campus, to become an even better hub of knowledge and technology, inspiring creation and collaboration for the campus community.

In Spring 2022, Forsyth Library conducted a survey and held input sessions with FHSU students, faculty, and staff to gather ideas, dreams, and desires to ensure the renovated library would best serve the needs of its patrons.

In addition to wanting the library to serve coffee, students emphasized the importance of natural light and being surrounded by books in the quiet nooks of the library as a prompt for them to take their studying seriously and avoid distractions.

Following a groundbreaking ceremony held in the spring of 2024, work on the library renovation project began. Now, more than a year into the project, observers can see several new exterior features taking shape, including the installation of huge windows that will bring more natural light into the building.

Renovation of the library continues to progress on schedule, with completion anticipated in the spring of 2026.

BICKLE-SCHMIDT ATHLETIC COMPLEX

Located just a short walk from campus residence halls, Lewis Field Stadium has been central to Fort Hays State, FHSU Football, and FHSU athletes since the first game took place on the grounds in 1935. Over the years, the stadium and surrounding grounds have grown to incorporate stands that seat over 6,300 fans, modern turf surfaces, and, just outside the stadium, the Schmidt-Bickle Indoor Training Facility.

In keeping with the tradition of top-tier sports training and medical care for FHSU athletic programs, a new building is under construction within the south end zone of Lewis Field Stadium.

Construction on the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex continues to progress, following its formal groundbreaking last fall. This state-of-the-art 20,000-square-foot facility promises to elevate Fort Hays State University athletics, enhancing both training and overall student-athlete development.

With an estimated cost of $11.5 million, the complex will serve as a cornerstone for the football program while providing upgraded resources for all FHSU studentathletes. The expansive meeting and locker rooms will comfortably accommodate 130 players, and additional spaces, such as coaching offices, will address long-standing needs within the athletic department.

FHSU Director of Sports Medicine, Nate Hepner, emphasized the impactful advancements in sports medicine that the new complex will offer. “The athletic training room in this facility will rival those of many Division I universities, setting us apart as a leader in sports medicine within the highly competitive MIAA Conference and Division II,” Hepner said.

With construction on schedule, completion is expected by the end of 2025, marking an exciting new chapter for Fort Hays State athletics.

HELP THESE EXCITING CAMPUS PROJECTS COME TO

FORSYTH LIBRARY RENOVATION

Forsyth Library has always been the heart of Fort Hays State University. With the original building constructed nearly 60 years ago, it was time to modernize the facility and its amenities, introduce natural light, and ensure lasting structural integrity. A full renovation is underway, and you can help close the gap on construction costs and contribute to the library’s future!

Name a space inside the library on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces start at $3,000 and can be named in honor of yourself, a mentor, friend, family member, or business.

Make a gift to the library in any amount and contribute to this stunning and much-needed renovation. Visit foundation.fhsu.edu/forsyth-library to learn more or contact the FHSU Foundation office at 785-628-5620.

Libraries are more than designated study spaces. They allow individuals and communities to learn, reflect, and grow. Though Forsyth Library already offers many high-quality resources, it deserves a building that can further grow and expand its community and student outreach. Your support can help our library provide excellent collections, events, and exhibits to FHSU students for years to come.

in sports medicine across the highly competitive MIAA Conference and Division II.

This facility will be well-utilized by our football team, but will enhance the training capabilities for all student-athletes with state-of-the-art equipment and advanced technology. These improvements will boost performance, enable students to train more effectively, prevent injuries, expedite the recovery process, and ultimately lead to growth and strength.

As the new building takes shape and nears completion, now is the time to be a part of this incredible addition to Fort Hays State.

Name a space inside the Bickle-Schmidt Athletic Complex on a first-come, first-served basis. Spaces can be named in honor of yourself, a teammate, friend, family member, or business.

Name a locker in the new FHSU Football locker room for $3,000. This can be paid over three years at $1,000 per year, if you wish.

Make a gift to the athletic complex in any amount and contribute to this game-changing facility. Visit foundation.fhsu.edu/athletic-complex to learn more or contact the FHSU Foundation office at 785-628-5620.

As the new building takes shape and nears completion, now is the time to be a part of this incredible addition to Fort Hays State. Fort Hays State University Foundation | 785-628-5620 | foundation@fhsu.edu | foundation.fhsu.edu

Susan Elliott and Jim Leiker at Johnson County Community College

Unearthing Kansas’ Past:

Two historians with FHSU ties help bring PBS documentary to life

STORY BY DAWNE LEIKER

DR. JIM LEIKER AND SUSAN ELLIOTT COULD WELL BE CALLED NATURAL-BORN HISTORIANS, although it took each of them decades to discover that. Both have a deep interest in uncovering the stories of their own corner of the world.

Leiker and Elliott discussed regional history, their recent involvement in a PBS documentary, and their ties to FHSU this spring at Johnson County Community College in Overland Park, where Leiker is a professor of history and Elliott is the lead registration specialist for Workforce Development & Continuing Education Programs. Their interest in regional history led them to delve deeply into the history of Junius Groves. Born into slavery in Kentucky, Groves’s million-dollar potato dynasty caught the interest of independent filmmaker Jacob Handy, who successfully pitched the idea of a documentary to PBS.

Leiker, an FHSU alum, is one of the leading historians in Handy’s documentary. Elliott, an FHSU online history student, also contributed her expertise to the documentary, “The Potato King: A Dynasty Built on Dirt

and Dreams.” Both Leiker and Elliott appeared on-camera for the production, which first aired on PBS in February 2025.

The film explores the pioneering journey of Junius Groves, known as the “Potato King of the World,” for his prominence as a potato farmer in Edwardsville, Kan. Emmy awardwinning filmmaker Handy brought the story of Groves to life through the eyes of local farmer Mike B. Rollen. Historians helped paint the picture of Groves’ resilience and entrepreneurial spirit as he rose from poverty to become

a prosperous farmer and businessman when few opportunities existed for Black Americans.

Groves’s life is important to study, Leiker and Elliott agree, because of the unique historical context of his story.

“I know that people want to talk about him as a success story, and that is deserved,” Leiker said. “But the more that I dabble around and learn about this, my impression is that he wasn’t that unusual because there were lots of other wealthy Black farmers growing potatoes in the Kaw Valley at the same time.”

“If this were ever to evolve into a book, I think you would have to look at the bigger story of what Black Kansans were doing with entrepreneurship and agriculture at that time. That was really a turning point for them.”

Leiker received his undergraduate degree in business administration from FHSU in 1984 and then worked in the private sector for five years before returning to higher education.

“I went back to Fort Hays and started working on a teaching certificate,” he said. “I eventually figured out that higher education was more my cup of tea, so I finished a

Matilda and Junius Groves

“People need to know where their water and food come from. The quality of their climate and their soil.”

master’s in history in 1992 and went on to K.U. for my doctoral work.”

Leiker found that, over time, he has gravitated toward American Western and African American history. Author of four books, including The Northern Cheyenne Exodus in History and Memory (which he co-authored with Ramon Powers, another Fort Hays State alum), he is currently working on a lengthy history of Kansas, the first comprehensive history of the state in nearly 30 years, with Kristen Epps, K.S.U. professor and editor of the Kansas History Journal.

“That has been a big project because we’ve taken that from the Paleolithic period through Native people, missionaries, the Civil War, the Gilded Age, up to the present, the COVID pandemic, and the second Trump administration,” Leiker said. “A lot of things have happened since we started the book seven or eight years ago.”

“The longer you don’t finish a book, the harder it is to make it historic,” he said, smiling, “Because the history keeps continuing.”

Elliott, who is 68 years old, found history to be her niche later in life. After completing her associate’s degree in history at Johnson County Community College, she was encouraged by her history professor, Dr. Leiker, to consider continuing her undergraduate degree at Fort Hays State.

“I’ve always enjoyed school and history, but I just came to a crossroads personally and thought, ‘well, what now – why not?” she said. “So, I just jumped in and started working on my degree.”

Film poster courtesy of Kansas City PBS

Now pursuing a history B.A. through FHSU Online, Elliott hopes to finish her degree in the 2026-27 academic year and pursue a career in public education at a state historical site or museum.

Growing up close to where the Groves estate once stood, Elliott acknowledges that she has deep roots in Wyandotte County that she would like to continue exploring.

“I’ve always been aware of my history and connection to the area,” she said. “There is a lot to mine there.”

Leiker confesses he was “probably a natural historian growing up, but just didn’t know it.”

“When I was at my own crossroads and figuring out what kind of work I

really wanted to do for the rest of my life, I was in FHSU history classes in the early 1990s with people like Ray Wilson, Norman Caulfield, Robert Luehrs, and Helmut Schmeller,” he said. “They showed me a different world, an alternative way of thinking about things.

“Studying history is a choice I never regretted.”

Leiker, who was born and raised in Antonino, finds value in regional history and feels a deep affinity with Kansas locations.

“Before you know who you are, you need to know where you are,” he said. “People need to know where their water and food come from. The quality of their climate and their soil.”

“People come and go. Our lives are short, but places have memories, and if you’re smart, you try to tune into what those are and try to figure out what this place is trying to teach you.”

Elliott nodded in agreement, “Understanding historical context is fascinating. It really broadens your view.”

Her “lofty dream” is to one day contribute to a Ken Burns documentary. Meanwhile, Elliott continues to enjoy research and writing and hopes one day to be a published historian. Her research into the Ku Klux Klan in Kansas and its interactions with Kansas Methodists can be found on FHSU’s Victor E. History podcast, season 5.

“I’m very proud of her,” Leiker said of Elliott.

“Why, thank you,” Elliott replied.

As her professor and mentor, Leiker is undoubtedly pleased that Elliott has found her calling in the field of historical research. Both of their contributions to Kansas historical research contribute to a greater understanding of the region, increasing the knowledge of anyone who hopes to learn more about Kansas’s rich history.

“THE POTATO KING: A DYNASTY BUILT ON DIRT AND DREAMS” CAN BE FOUND ON YOUTUBE

Above, left to right: Scenes from PBS documentary, “The Potato King,” courtesy of Kansas City PBS

At the height of his success, Junius Groves built a 22-room mansion in Edwardsville, Kan. Photo courtesy of Kansas Historical Society.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE

Fort Hays State University’s Strategic Affiliation with Northwest and North Central Kansas Technical Colleges

BY BY KIM STEWART, CHAIR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF APPLIED TECHNOLOGY AT FORT HAYS STATE UNIVERSITY AND CHAIR OF AFFILIATION IMPLEMENTATION TEAM #3

AS A FACULTY MEMBER and now the chair of the Department of Applied Technology at Fort Hays State University (FHSU), I’ve had the privilege of working alongside colleagues from Northwest Kansas Technical College (Fort Hays Tech|Northwest) and North Central Kansas Technical College (Fort Hays Tech|North Central) for over 25 years. Our relationships have always been built on a foundation of mutual respect, shared values, and a commitment to student success. Now, through a formal affiliation, we’re taking that collaboration even further—working together to reimagine technical education and industrial leadership across Kansas and beyond.

WORKING TOGETHER WITH REAL IMPACT

Affiliation Implementation Team #3 (AIT#3) was created to build common ground in construction, manufacturing,

and engineering design programs. The team includes members from all three institutions, along with industry professionals who bring valuable insight to workforce needs.

It has been said that this affiliation isn’t just a signed agreement; it’s a promise to students, communities, and industries that we are working together to meet their needs with purpose, flexibility, and innovation.

COLLABORATION BUILT ON RESPECT

What makes this affiliation work is the respect between our institutions. We each bring something unique to the table—whether it’s the hands-on excellence of technical training at Fort

Hays Tech|North Central and Fort Hays Tech|Northwest or the academic and workforce leadership of Fort Hays State University. The collaboration is strong because it’s rooted in a shared belief: students come first. That respect fosters teamwork that allows us to build real, lasting solutions for students and employers alike.

CREATING PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS

Our students are looking for clear, accessible pathways to their goals. Through the work of Affiliation Implementation Team #3, we’ve created articulated programs that make it easier for students to start with a certificate or AAS degree at a technical college, continue their education at FHSU, and walk away with a bachelor’s degree— often with the flexibility to step off or back on the pathway as their personal or professional circumstances evolve.

A great example is the “Second-Year Building/Construction Site to AAS Degree” pathway. Students start with a one-year carpentry certificate from the technical college, continue into second-

year construction management courses at FHSU, and transfer those credits back to the technical college to earn an AAS degree. From there, they can move directly into a BS in Technology Studies—Construction Management. This approach builds on a successful model developed through our welding and manufacturing partnership, which has been going strong for over 20 years. It’s a smart, student-centered solution that meets learners where they are in their educational journey.

FLEXIBLE “OFF AND ON RAMPS” FOR LEARNING

One of the key innovations of our affiliation is the intentional creation of educational “off and on ramps.” Life

is not linear, and neither is learning. Students can step off to work after a one-year certificate or an AAS degree and return later to pursue a BS in Technology Studies or Technology Leadership. We even support reverse transfer, where FHSU credits can be applied back to complete a degree at the technical college level.

This flexibility strengthens the workforce, empowers students, and acknowledges the realities they face as they balance jobs, family, and education.

MEETING WORKFORCE NEEDS ACROSS KANSAS

We’re focused on aligning our programs with the real-world needs of Central and

Western Kansas. From Construction and Carpentry to Welding/Manufacturing, HVAC, Electricity, Heavy Equipment, and Computer Aided Drafting Design (CADD), our programs are designed with input from industry leaders. Their feedback ensures our graduates are ready to step into jobs and grow into leadership roles as they gain experience.

To further support this, AIT#3 is also developing short, targeted oneand two-credit courses—like “CDL,” “Heavy Equipment,” and “Survey Total Station”—that provide specific industryrelevant skills. These courses are designed to complement a four-year degree, giving students even more tools to succeed.

STUDENTS FIRST APPROACH

Everything we do through the affiliation is designed with one goal in mind: helping students succeed. Whether we’re making sure their credits transfer smoothly, offering flexible degree options like the BS in Technology Leadership, or building programs that reflect real career paths, we’re always thinking about what works best for learners.

We carefully evaluate every transcript to ensure students get credit for what

they’ve already accomplished. That might sound like a small thing, but it reflects a core value: respect for each student’s path.

A POSITIVE STEP FORWARD

This affiliation is a powerful and positive step forward for students, faculty, and our communities. We’re not just removing administrative barriers. We’re building bridges. We’re not just creating

programs. We’re creating opportunities.

As our work through AIT#3 continues, I’m excited for what’s ahead. Together, we’re laying the foundation for the next generation of skilled professionals and community leaders in Kansas. And we’re doing it the right way—through relationships built on respect, programs that put students first, and a shared commitment to excellence in education.

Representatives from FHSU Admissions and the Dept. of Applied Technology visit the Fort Hays Tech | North Central Hays campus to promote the new AAAS in Building/Construction Site Management. L to R: Jon Armstrong, Tricia Cline, Kyle Stacken, Randy Jordan, Kim Stewart

Students gain hands-on experience in the Computer Aided Drafting lab inside the Center for Applied Technology (CATS) at FHSU.

The Wild West frontier town with Volga German roots is now one of the Midwest’s most vibrant college towns. We know that seeing is believing, so we invite you to return to Hays and experience all we have to offer. We know you’ll love what you find #HereInHays. For more information and to plan your next trip back, go to VisitHays.com.

SEPTEMBER 6-7

41st Annual Frontier Open Disc Golf Tournament

Hays Prairie Winds Kite Show at Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex

SEPTEMBER 26-27

53rd Annual Oktoberfest

OCTOBER 2-4

RPM Speedway Fall Nationals

OCTOBER 26

Hays Symphony

Children’s Halloween Concert

NOVEMBER 20

Christmas at Creek Side Holiday Light Tour begins

NOVEMBER 29

Downtown Tree Lighting

DECEMBER 5-6

Christmas Past at Historic Fort Hays Site

DECEMBER 6

Hays Arts Council

Winter Art Walk

DECEMBER 7

25th Annual FrostFest Illuminated Parade

TALES OF BIG CREEK

From recreation to respite, a vital FHSU asset

STORY BY CYNTHIA LANDIS PHOTOGRAPHS FORSYTH LIBRARY’S UNIVERSITY ARCHIVES

BIG CREEK IS A 221-MILE-LONG TRIBUTARY THAT RUNS FROM ITS HEADWATERS IN GOVE COUNTY ALONG THE SOUTHWEST SIDE OF HAYS, eventually merging with the Smoky Hill River in Western Russell County. A recreational trail on top of the dike follows the path of Big Creek as it winds its way through campus. The trail is a bustling destination for walkers, runners, bikers, frisbee golfers, and nature enthusiasts.

Once a vibrant hub of leisure for our campus community, today’s recreational activities around Big Creek seem faint echoes of the past. Since the university’s founding in 1902, Big Creek has been a cherished and integral part of campus life. As time passed, the creek’s water levels receded, and many of the old memories created along the banks of Big Creek have faded.

In the early years, an earthen and later concrete dam across the creek created a deeper body of water, deemed “Normal Lake.” This portion of the creek became an ideal destination for boating, fishing, and swimming in the summer and ice skating in the winter. A landing pier built near the present-day Sheridan Hall provided a spot for students and

faculty to embark on and disembark from two steel rowboats funded by their collective contributions.

An entire page in the 1914 Reveille yearbook was dedicated to scenes on the creek, showing students ice skating, boating, diving into the water from the creek’s edge, picnicking, sunbathing, and fishing - some even crossing fallen logs in full-length white dresses. In those early days, some students even sold ice that they harvested off the dams of Big Creek, continuing the survival practices reminiscent of the military days at Fort Hays. When reflecting on the 50-year history of the institution, the 1952 Reveille yearbook nostalgically claimed that “being a good skater was better than being a good dancer back in the good ‘ol days.”

The original wooden pedestrian bridge, spanning Big Creek between present-day Sheridan Hall and Custer Hall, became known as the “Spoon Holder” or “Spoony Bridge.” Surrounded by lush trees and brush, the bridge offered privacy and became a popular spot for young lovers. It also served the vital function of connecting the residence halls to the rest of campus. By 1934, the wooden bridge was replaced with a steel bridge, and landscaping improvements were made

Entertainers from the 1921 Fort Hays Normal Music Festival stand on the boat dock near Sheridan Coliseum. From left to right are Edna Swanson VerHaar (Contralto), Ernest Davis (Tenor), Louis Kreidler (Baritone), Lillian Eubanks (Soprano), Eddy Brown (Violinist), and President W. A. Lewis.

along the creek to continue to promote recreational activity. The bridge was left uncovered until 1990 when a roof was installed, aesthetic improvements were made, and the bridge was renamed the Jellison Bridge.

Over the decades, many fishing clubs have been active along the creek. Captured in a 1961 oral history in the Samuel J. Sackett Folklore Collection, Thornton W. Wells, a former FHSU faculty member in the English department, shared stories about his involvement in the FHS Ichthyophagous Club in the 1940s alongside club member Lyman Dwight Wooster.

Like other fishing clubs, they held fishing derbies with a small entry fee that built up a jackpot that was awarded to the person who caught the biggest fish that season; Wells won the prize money of 10 dimes one year, recalling that he caught a 5.75 lb fish on the Smoky Hill River south of Hays. To celebrate, he skinned the fish, tanned its hide, and made a purse out of it. He also recounted using fish skin to make fiddle strings. The club also held fish dinners with fellow members and their significant others.

In the 1980s, approximately twentyfive members of the Big Creek Fishing Club claimed to go fishing every night, holding fishing contests in McGrath Hall with the primary goal of catching the legendary fish known as “Old

Muddy.” They even had a club song about it:

“Big Creek waters, dark and cruddy, hide the carcass of Old Muddy. Big Creek members and their buddies, they ain’t caught him yet. Though the waters be polluted, for the task they are well suited, with their brand new Zebco fishing sets.”

The natural environment for fish along Big Creek has changed over time. After a devastating flood in 1951, the city worked with the Army Corps of

Engineers to build a dike to reroute the creek’s channel and minimize potential flood damage to the campus and the city. Around that same time, the Highway 40 Bypass and U.S. Highway 183 were built, destroying one-half mile of the original Big Creek Channel on the south side of town.

While the dike lies within a regulatory floodway, it protects the rest of the campus from future floods as long as the water stays below specific elevations. An extension of Big Creek weaves through campus by Hammond Hall and Custer Hall and serves as a water retention system.

Between the various flood management projects and decades of drought, the creek levels receded, recreational activities subsided, and the creek became a place of mischief. Litter and graffiti became regular issues, and many student groups over the years have led efforts to pick up trash along the creek to revive and retain its beauty.

In years of low rainfall and high temperatures, large numbers of dying

Three women pose on the old wooden footbridge linking campus to the dormitories. July 1, 1914.

A member of the Big Creek Fishing Club casts his line in hopes of snagging Old Muddy.

Students enjoy a leisurely boat ride down Big Creek above the dam. 1914.

fish are visible as the water levels are unsustainable, a phenomenon that has often inspired student organizations to implement muddy rescue missions to move the fish to deeper waters.

By the 1980s, the recreational uses of Big Creek evolved, and students primarily used the creek for traditions and celebrations, such as the longstanding homecoming tradition of hosting a tug-of-war between the Freshmen and Sophomore classes. The Delta Sigma Phi fraternity president in 1985 disclosed their tradition of throwing fraternity brothers into Big Creek when they got married. Instead of ice skating, broom hockey became a popular winter sport, with one student recounting that the “pucks” were nothing more than crushed beer cans.

A vital asset to the community and the region, Big Creek has intrigued scholars and scientists for decades. Before the land was allocated for the university in 1901, it was a focal point of observation at the military fort, with numerous journals documenting its

A team struggles in a game of tug of war across Big Creek as onlookers watch from above.

activities and native species. John C. Thorns Jr., art department faculty from 1954-1973 and chair from 1973-1990, included Big Creek as a subject of many paintings. His work is included in the Campus Art Collection.

In the 1980s, a team of FHSU biology students, including Joe Tomelleri and Guy Ernsting, and Biology professor Mark Eberle did an extensive study on Big Creek’s history, geology, and ecology of fish and other flora and fauna along the creek. Most recently, in 2020, Geosciences professor Dr. Henry Agbogun worked with students Devin P. Tracy and Jerrad D. Watts to analyze the water quality of Big Creek, finding that it was high in manganese and potassium, likely due to runoff from bone supplements used for livestock and fertilizers from nearby cropland. Today, Big Creek is shallow and turbid. Years of drought have transformed the portion of the creek beneath Jellison Bridge into a dry creek bed, where residual muddy footprints reveal the daring students who ventured through the thick brush line to tread the path once carved by water. Despite the challenges, the effort to keep Big Creek viable endures. Each summer, it is stocked with supplemental sportfish, including largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill, sunfish, and catfish.

The newly proposed Campus Master Plan reimagines this underutilized resource as a recreational area once again. The plan includes additional pedestrian bridges over Big Creek to seamlessly connect campus neighborhoods with nearby residential areas alongside a new scenic pedestrian trail dotted with wellness stations. By removing undergrowth and invasive species from the region, access to the creek will be restored, reviving some of the joyful activities of yesteryear.

A current map of the FHSU campus

Each academic year, outstanding FHSU students and faculty are recognized for their efforts and accomplishments. To kick off graduation season this spring, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Office announced its 2025 Commencement Award recipients.

Torch Award Lighthouse AwardPilot Award

ELLA BURROWS received this year’s Torch Award, which is presented to an exceptional graduating senior. A driven and active student, Ella received a bachelor’s degree in political science with a concentration in pre-law. From Satanta, Ella takes great pride in being a fourth-generation Tiger, following in the footsteps of many from her family, including her mom, Karen, who also received the Torch Award in 1998. Throughout Ella’s time on campus, she held significant leadership roles, including two consecutive terms as Student Government Association president, allowing her to advocate for FHSU at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, she held leadership roles as an active Delta Zeta sorority member and was involved in a number of other on-campus organizations. Ella plans to continue her education by pursuing a law degree at Washburn University and return to Western Kansas to practice law.

ALLYSON BALOGA was honored with this year’s Lighthouse Award, celebrating an exceptional graduate student. Allyson earned her education specialist degree in school psychology via FHSU’s online program from her home at the Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. A dedicated military spouse, Allyson has passionately advocated for access to school psychology services at the legislative level. As a graduate teaching assistant, she created a supportive, inclusive learning environment, earning praise for her commitment to student success and excellence in online learning. Allyson served as a student leader for the National Association of School Psychologists and a FHSU Online Student Government Association senator. She is entering her field ready to effectively support diverse student needs.

ERIC DENEAULT was presented the Pilot Award as an exemplary faculty member. He believes teaching goes beyond books and lectures – it’s about making a lasting impact on a student’s life. In his applied technology classes, he strives to cultivate lifelong learners who will thrive in their careers, contribute meaningfully to society, and carry forward the spirit of mentorship and growth. Eric’s deep knowledge of engineering drawings, architectural and mechanical design, computer-aided drafting, and the building construction industry sets a strong foundation for students entering the field. However, it’s his one-on-one approach to teaching that students remember most. In his acceptance speech, Eric said, “To my students, past and present, you are the reason I chose this occupation.”

He added, “Watching you grow into successful professionals and outstanding human beings is the most rewarding aspect of my career.”

FHSU Alumni Spotlights

Brent Kaiser

AS A CHILD cheering from the sidelines at Special Olympics events, FHSU alumnus Brent Kaiser ’16, ’18, never imagined he’d one day play a role in bringing them to life. Brent was inspired early on by his mother’s work with intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals – a spark that would later shape his career.

Brent attended Fort Hays State University as a nontraditional student and father. Balancing parenthood with his studies, Brent earned a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health and human performance.

While in graduate school at FHSU, Brent found a position with the Arc of Central Plains and jumped at the opportunity to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Today, Brent coordinates Special Olympics state competitions in Kansas, including its summer games, with more than 1,000 athletes. He credits his upbringing and FHSU’s hands-on curriculum for his success in becoming the compassionate and empathetic professional he’s always aspired to be.

Moore

THREE FHSU ALUMNI are helping families in need through their work with the National Diaper Bank Network. The organization ensures individuals and families can access essential items, like diapers and period supplies, and shapes public policy through research and advocacy. Founded in 2011, the network includes over 320 basic needs banks across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. In 2023 alone, it distributed 239 million disposable diapers, serving more than 370,000 children monthly.

As chief of external affairs, Troy Moore ’82, West Hartford, Conn., has helped grow the organization during his 12-year tenure. He recruited Kevin Faulkner ’83, Pebble Beach, Calif., to the board, who then recommended John Householter ’83, Garland, Texas, to the board. These dedicated alumni exemplify the spirit of service that defines the FHSU community.

John Allen

BEFORE THE MAY 2025 election of Pope Leo XIV, Fort Hays State University alumnus John Allen had already forged a personal connection.

From the western plains of Kansas to the streets of Rome, John, a 1989 FHSU graduate and Hays native, serves as an acclaimed Vatican journalist. In 2023, John and his wife met then-Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost during a courtesy call at the Vatican. Nearly a year later, Cardinal Prevost accepted an invitation to join John for dinner at his home and left quite an impression.

Upon Pope Francis’s passing in late April, John waited in anticipation with the rest of the world to see who would succeed him. After days of Conclave, white smoke rose from the Vatican, signaling the new pope’s election – and a familiar face to John.

John previously served as the senior Vatican analyst for CNN and is now a CBS News contributor. As a journalist, he has covered three papacies, and his work is regularly featured on Crux, a Catholic news site.

In 2022, John was honored by FHSU with the Alumni Achievement Award. As the world welcomes Pope Leo XIV, it’s a reminder that sometimes, the world’s biggest stories have Fort Hays State roots.

Kevin Faulkner, John Householter, Troy

Pope Leo XIV (left) shaking hands with John Allen (right).

Brent Kaiser

Kevin Faulkner John Householter Troy Moore

We want to hear from you! Send us your news, updates and information by visiting FHSUalumni.com/alumni-update or emailing alumni@fhsu.edu.

CLASS NOTES

1970s

Henry Bickerstaff ’76, Alva, Okla., was inducted into the 2024 Oklahoma Accounting Hall of Fame as its 66th member.

Jeff Curtis ’77, Hays, was honored as a Significant Sig in the Magazine of Sigma Chi.

Gary Fredrickson ’77, Clay Center, has retired from his dental career after completing 42 years of practice in September 2024.

Joel Nollette ’76, Wichita, retired after 40 years of TV news and video production with ESPN, NBC, Textron, Bombardier, Harpo Productions (Oprah), History

Channel, My Classic Car, Court TV, and more.

Helen (Kinderknecht) Windholz ’78, Hays, retired from an era of dedicated service in nursing in January 2025.

1980s

Fred Dierksen ’88, Dodge City, retired as superintendent of the Unified School District 443 Board of Education.

Randy Hill ’80, Lenexa, was inducted into the FHSU Athletics Hall of Fame for wrestling.

Becky Kiser ’80, ’94, Hays, retired after 19 years of service with Eagle Media Center.

Ron Michael ’85, ’92, Lindsborg, was celebrated as the Birger Sandzen Memorial Gallery 2025 Artist of the Year.

Bob Wilson ’81, Parker, Colo., was featured in the Magazine of Sigma Chi as its 73rd grand consul with the Sigma Chi fraternity.

1990s

Clint Albers ’99, ’01, Olathe, joined the board of directors of Truity Credit Union.

Jon Armstrong ’96, ’08, Hays, received the Laura Cross Distinguished Service Award from the Kansas Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

John Befort ’90, ’99, ’04, Ellis, retired as Washington Grade School principal.

Chris Capettini ’92, Paola, was inducted into the FHSU Athletics Hall of Fame for football.

Brian Dawson ’92, Hays, retired after 25 years on the police force as deputy police chief.

Melissa Hunsicker Walburn ’96, Hays, was announced as the dean of the Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University.

Jessica (Long) Luck ’99, Hays, was nominated as the March Child Care Champion in Ellis County.

Angie (Morgan) Mielke ’97, Hutchinson, was recognized by the Wichita Business Journal for Women Who Lead in Financial Services.

Jessica Pfannenstiel ’98, ’98, San Francisco, Calif., became the new director of imaging services, quality, and technology at the University of California, San Francisco.

Troy Sander ’92, Edmond, Okla., became the president of the Kansas Livestock Association.

Dale Winklepleck ’97, ’99, Stockton, retired from Solutions North Bank in Stockton.

2000s

Sara (Schwantes) Bloom ’05, Hays, became the new quality places manager at the Kansas Department of Commerce.

Rob Byer ’07, ’07, Hays, was honored as one of the 2024 Kansas Board of Regents Faculty of the Year recipients.

Kim (Ribelin) Cebula ’03, ’22, Hays, became the director of the Fort Hays State University Alumni Office.

Kyle Dohm ’02, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., was promoted to the rank of captain in the United States Navy.

Dallas Haselhorst ’00, ’00, Hays, received the Chamber in Hays’ Robert E. Schmidt Entrepreneurship of the Year Award.

Len Melvin ’00, Hays, was named the Sports in Kansas 2025 5A Girls Coach of the Year.

Ken Rose ’05, Canal Winchester, Ohio, began working for David’s United Church of Christ as its senior pastor.

Curtis Wolf ’02, ’05, Ellinwood, received the Kansas Association for Conservation and Environmental Education’s Environmental Education Award.

Angie Zimmerman ’02, Hays, was appointed to two state councils by Governor Kelly.

2010s

Kate (Lehman) Bremerman ’15, ’18, ’23, Moundridge, was inducted into the FHSU Athletics Hall of Fame for women’s basketball.

Todd Flinn ’12, ’12, ’17, Grainfield, became the new Washington Grade School principal in Ellis.

Tre’ Giles ’15, Portland, Ore, became the National Director of Campus Engagement at Alpha USA.

Corey Moomaw ’12, ’14, Wichita, was elected as a partner at Foulston Siefkin LLP.

Darcie (Schmitz) Riordan ’11, Wamego, was inducted into the FHSU Athletics Hall of Fame for track and field.

James Robben ’13, Hays, was recognized with the Vyve Broadband Rising Star Award during the 40th annual Chamber Awards Banquet.

Jay Sanders ’13, ’14, ’16, Hays, became the new Russell Junior-Senior High athletic director and assistant principal.

Tyler Thompson ’13, Kansas City, received the 2025 Kansas Leadership Award.

Zach Watkins ’13, Lawrence, was hired as Washburn University’s head football coach.

Haydee (Reyes) Zamora ’18, ’20, Kansas City, became the director of student engagement at Kansas City Kansas Community College.

2020s

Jelena (Simic) Cohadarevic ’22, Liberal, was named the head volleyball coach at Seward County Community College.

Nick Meis ’20, ’23, Moundridge, was promoted to assistant athletic director of operations and sports information at Hesston College.

Mason Ruder ’24, Hays, became a business services advisor at the Northwest Kansas Economic Innovation Center, Inc.

Jara Shoemaker ’24, Wichita, became the new head women’s basketball coach at Bethel College.

RECENT FHSU RETIREMENTS

Brad Dawson ’78, assistant professor, Music and Theatre Program, School of Visual and Performing Arts, started at FHSU in 1982

Dr. Stephen Donnelly, associate professor, Department of Chemistry, started at FHSU in 2003

Linda (Leiker) Kepka ’85, ’92, senior administrative assistant, Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting, started at FHSU in 1987

Rob Manry ’94, ’02, director, Budget and Planning, started at FHSU in 2017

Dr. Kenton Olliff ’97, ’00, associate professor, Department of Advanced Education Programs, started at FHSU in 2001

LuAnn Pfeifer, degree analyst, Office of the Registrar, started at FHSU in 1982

Jeff Sadler ’85, instructor, Department of Mathematics, started at FHSU in 2000

Dr. Greg Weisenborn, associate professor, Department of Management, started at FHSU in 2006

Harland Werth, agriculture crop manager, University Farm, started at FHSU in 1992

IN MEMORIAM

1950s

Donald Barton ’59, ’67, Hays, March 15, 2025

Albert Campbell ’56, Bryan, Texas, December 15, 2024

Gary Casey ’59, Rio Verde, Ariz., February 15, 2025

Janet (Rader) DeVore ’58, Cheney, September 13, 2024

Larry Douglas ’59, Antelope, Calif., March 1, 2024

Ron Fiel ’58, Morehead, Ky., July 27, 2024

Donna (Darby) Foster ’52, Satanta, December 11, 2024

Les Herrman ’58, ’59, Hays, January 4, 2025

Gene Jaco ’55, Hays, October 15, 2024

Everett Kohls ’58, ’67, Manhattan, October 28, 2024

Don Moses ’59, Surprise, Ariz., March 12, 2025

Genola (Harting) Offner ’59, WaKeeney, March 11, 2025

Donita (Moore) Rogers ’57, Strong City, January 1, 2025

Frances (Elder) Shockley ’57, Belton, Mo., October 6, 2024

Neoma (Hart) Youtsey ’59, Salina, October 27, 2024

1960s

Robert Ashworth ’67, ’70, Arlington, March 31, 2025

Carol Barnett ’67, Manhattan, January 5, 2025

David Bauer ’68, Kearney, Neb., February 7, 2025

Tom Baxter ’69, San Pedro, Calif., December 13, 2024

Michael Bird ’68, Grants Pass, Ore., September 22, 2024

Dennis Chegwidden ’67, ’68, Lewisville, Texas, January 1, 2025

David Cooper ’68, Richmond, Texas, November 28, 2023

Myron Edmonston ’66, Protection, September 26, 2024

Ken Gross ’61, Kansas City, March 30, 2025

Sue (Reece) Hammer ’64, ’69, Concordia, March 27, 2025

Karol (Churchill) Katt ’66, Victoria, January 23, 2025

Gloria (Kerr) Keenan ’69, Ness City, February 21, 2025

Ernie Leiker ’61, Aurora, Colo., December 24, 2024

Karl Leiker ’65, Westfield, Mass., December 5, 2024

Rod Livengood ’69, Tacoma, Wash., October 5, 2024

Garry Mahoney ’60, Shawnee, September 22, 2024

Lewis McAtee ’63, Wichita, January 9, 2025

Ann (Drescher) Messmore ’69, Montgomery, Texas, July 5, 2024

Jerry Patterson ’65, Wakefield, February 8, 2025

Kenneth Ruder ’62, Colorado Springs, Colo., December 5, 2024

Thurlene (Larkins) Ruggels ’67, ’72, Russell, March 25, 2025

Al Schoen ’68, ’72, Shawnee, November 20, 2024

Everett Schoen ’62, Downs, December 6, 2025

Sam Selley ’68, Spokane, Wash., October 7, 2024

Tom Whipple ’60, Chicago, Ill., June 14, 2024

Randy Wolfe ’66, ’68, Lakin, October 18, 2024

David Youtsey ’62, Salina, October 16, 2024

1970s

Thomas Casey ’71, Hays, February 17, 2025

Linda (Michaelis) Davis ’70, Lawrence, March 13, 2025

Clark Haberman ’70, Lincoln, Neb., November 6, 2024

Carla (Stroup) Hattan ’79, ’84, Hays, March 30, 2025

Greg Johnson ’71, Aubrey, Texas, June 26, 2024

Terry Kirk ’71, Winona, February 17, 2025

Robert Lemuz ’73, Rozel, January 3, 2025

Mark Shriwise ’74, Jetmore, September 27, 2024

Sheila (Davis) Teal ’71, Olathe, March 19, 2025

Bob Wilhelm ’77, ’79, Hays, February 20, 2025

1980s

Robin (Campbell) Henman ’80, ’90, Ellis, October 13, 2024

Gordon Philip ’84, Topeka, October 20, 2024

1990s

Joanne (Hockmon) Balthazor ’91, Clyde, March 29, 2025

Deanna (Moos) Sulzman ’90, Colby, March 20, 2025

NEXT TIME YOU’RE ON CAMPUS CHECK THIS OUT

2000s

Brent Barnett ’03, Dighton, October 27, 2024

Matthew Greenlee ’04, Cheyenne, Wyo., September 20, 2024

Arlan Wamhoff ’03, Pratt, April 3, 2025

2010s

Cassie (Zeller) Clark ’17, ’19, Burlingame, February 25, 2025

Dawn Gehri ’16, Calabasas, Calif., June 11, 2024

Darcy Hubka ’12, Wilson, January 11, 2025

2020s

Skyler Jones ’22, ’23, Overland Park, March 6, 2025

Patricia McCammack ’23, Plainville, March 8, 2025

Becca (Bactrom) Nelson ’20, Ogallala, Neb., October 16, 2024

Shanna (Kirkendall) Smith ’21, ’21, Lawrence, February 18, 2025

MARRIAGES

2010s

Ashley Appelhanz ’18 and Matthew Helm, October 12, 2024

Rebecca Kohl ’16 and Nathan Vinton, August 10, 2024

Michelle Peeks ’18 and Joshua Prindle, December 12, 2024

Ashlyn Thibault ’15, ’17, ’19 and Cole Pemberton, October 19, 2024

Landon Younger ’18 and Abby Burton, August 24, 2024

2020s

Sheridan Beaumont ’22 and Braden Scott, February 22, 2025

Jaden Bradney ’21 and Tayler Thorson ’22, August 9, 2024

Derek Buessing ’23 and Jessica Herrman, November 23, 2024

Kyra Polifka-Wilhelm ’22 and Hayden Sillmon ’23, ’23, September 28, 2024

Tiger Notes are as of April 15, 2025.

Tomanek Hall

On your next visit to campus, stop by Tomanek Hall. This uniquely designed structure was constructed as the “new science building” in the mid-1990s. Tomanek’s first floor features a Foucault pendulum that demonstrates the rotation of the earth, and an allosaurus named Al, a meat-eating dinosaur that lived in the western United States 150 million years ago