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A Passion for Tennis Leads to a Vision for the Future
Emphasis on High-Impact Learning Leads to Growing Entrepreneurial Program
One year ago, ESU announced the launch of a new bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Entrepreneurship. The emphasis on high-impact learning through the Together, Forward campaign has allowed the School of Business to construct this program to meet the needs of incoming students in an ever-evolving workforce. And, it continues to grow! Last October, the School of Business held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Bobbi and Steve Sauder Center for Entrepreneurial Development. Located on the second floor of Cremer Hall, it’s available to all students, regardless of their major, as a resource to help students develop their ideas or begin their own business journey. “The Bobbi and Steve Sauder Center for Entrepreneurial Development will likely have the longest-lasting impact on the Emporia economy as the lasting legacy of this center will be the businesses built that add to the economic vibrancy of our city,” says Dr. Ed Bashaw, dean of the School of Business. “On either side of the entrepreneurship space are the Small Business Development Center and Studio E, a student advertising collective. All three work together to serve student startups, in some manner. We thank Bobbi and Steve Sauder (BSB 68-Business Administration) for their generous gift that enabled this Center.”
The Sauders are not the only supporters eager to help ESU provide new opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs. On the heels of their gift, another alumnus came forward, eager to help enhance the entrepreneurship program. This soon-to-be-announced gift will also have an emphasis on high-impact learning. As the needs of incoming students continue to change, ESU will continue to grow and expand to help meet those needs. The emphasis on high-impact learning has created an experience for our students that better prepares them for a career after the classroom. If you, or anyone you know, is interested in exploring the new Entrepreneurship Program, visit emporia.edu/entrepreneurship to learn more.
At last year’s Homecoming event, Emporia State University announced nearly $55M had been raised as part of the Together, Forward campaign in support of our vision of making life-changing experiences available and accessible to any student who has the desire and determination to pursue higher education. This total exceeded our expectations and surpassed our initial goal of $50M! Thanks to our wonderful alumni and friends, we are now able to set our sights even higher and allow more students to achieve their dreams of higher education. We are eager to pursue our new goal of $75M for the Together, Forward campaign! As we embark on this new chapter in the campaign, we are also expanding our campaign priorities to include Championship-Level Facilities. An investment in athletic facilities allows the university to recruit and train champions and compete for the opportunity to host high-stakes competitions. This new area of support will be added to the existing areas of High-Impact Learning Opportunities, Strengthening the Arts and Athletics through expanding our Talent Awards, the Together, Forward Fund, and Building and Sustaining Excellence. To learn more about the campaign and how you can get involved, visit emporia.edu/togetherforward.
Promoting High-impact Learning Opportunities
Providing support expands practical, real-world learning experiences for student success.
Strengthening the Arts and Athletics
Recruiting scholarships provide incentives for high-performing student-athletes, artists, actors and musicians.
The Together, Forward Fund
Flexible and agile, resources to this fund enable us to seize arising opportunities for the benefit of students.
Championship-Level Facilities
An investment in athletic facilities allows the university to recruit the most talented student-athletes to our campus to compete for championships.
Building and Sustaining Excellence
Direct your support to an area of the university that is particularly meaningful and important to you.
Campaign Stretch Phase Goal
ESU Foundation Trustees & Fundraising Committee
Greg Kossover
BSB 1985 Tulsa, OK
Noel Roach
BS 1996 Overland Park, KS
Denise Kruse
BSB 1982 Overland Park, KS
Angel Zimmerman
BS 1991 Topeka, KS
Mike Petitjean
BSE 1970, MS 1978 Emporia, KS
A Testament to Resilience
“She’s incapable of defeat.” This is how Will Philips, assistant professor of Business Administration in the School of Business, describes former student and recent graduate Mallory Hammer (BSB 21-Management). It’s true. You would be hard-pressed to find someone with more tenacity. She is extremely goal-oriented, ambitious and maybe even a little stubborn at times. Those qualities are a big part of who she is, but what makes her remarkable is how she does it–with a cheerful disposition, grateful heart and radiant faith.
It’s a testament to her character because Mallory has faced difficulties most of us will never understand.
In 2018, she went in for a routine wisdom tooth removal over her spring break. During and after the surgery, she experienced complications resulting in an anoxic brain injury. She was hospitalized for months and had to relearn basic life skills like speaking and walking. It was a terrifying event for Mallory and her family, and initially, it was uncertain what kind of recovery would be possible for her. She had been within a year of graduating from ESU. She was only months from her wedding day. All these plans were on pause, perhaps forever. But, it turns out you should never underestimate what Mallory can do. With her faith in God and her family by her side, providing support and encouragement, she was determined not to give up. She worked diligently to progress with her physical, occupational and speech therapy. She went from only being able to communicate using signed letters to recovering some speech. She went from not being able to stand to walking with assistance and even taking some steps on her own. Mallory never wavered in striving toward the life she had always planned. It was going to be much harder than she expected, but she committed herself to the effort. Mallory and her now-husband, Kyle, still planned to have their wedding. She still wanted to finish the degree she had been so close to completing. Mallory was determined to walk down the aisle and across the commencement stage under her own power. She was determined to live life on her own terms.
“There was never a question,” Mallory says about returning to finish her degree. But, she also recognizes her good fortune. “I’m really lucky I have my mind and my memory because most people who have an anoxic brain injury do not.” Every milestone she achieves is the result of months and years of work and is hard-won. Mallory credits her family, her husband and her community for supporting her and keeping her strong. But, she gives special credit to God and to her mom, Cindi.
“I couldn’t do it if my mom hadn’t taught me my faith. Without her, I wouldn’t be getting better as fast or at all. I couldn’t have done it without my family and God.” Her mom is by her side throughout it all. Cindi helps others understand Mallory, as her speech is still somewhat impaired. She helps her with reading because Mallory’s vision has also been affected. She gives her comfort and support as they tackle each new challenge. And sometimes, she rallies Mallory’s spirits to keep fighting the obstacles before her.
“Some days, I want to quit, but mom says, ‘No,’” Mallory says with a smile, looking at her mom. They both laugh.
