Fort Hays State University- Student Recognition Program

Fort Hays State University

2015 Student Recognition Program

By Karilea Rilling Jungel

On Sunday February 8, 2015, FHSU met at Lakewood Middle School in the commons area with potential students from around the Saline County area, as well as with their siblings and parents, and Alumnae for an Awards Scholarships and Recognition Program. Not including the various staff and professors from the school, there were well over 150 people present.

Photo by K.R. Jungel

Many of the FHSU staff members spent time before and after the awards to talk with incoming students and their parents, answering any and all questions for those students who had yet to make up their minds, wondering “is this my choice?”

Photo by K.R. Jungel

Most of the students had made up their minds on their decision as to where to continue their education although all students who attended received a T-shirt with the FHSU Tiger emblem.

Photo by K.R. Jungel

Joe Linn, Associate Vice President of Student Affairs, indicated that “Salina attendance has skyrocketed” at these programs. Joe queried, “How many universities bring 42 staff and administration personnel to an event, along with the President, to town for such meetings?”

Joe Linn, Associate Vice President

of Student Affairs

DeBra Prideaux, Executive Director, Alumni and Governmental Relations, spoke briefly that “The alumni Association is extremely important,” and requested that those alumni stand and be recognized. She went on to say that FHSU maintains 60,000 living Alumni all over the world. “Anywhere you go, you may be meeting with or speaking to a fellow Tiger.”

DeBra Prideaux,

Exec. Dir. Alumni & Governmental Relations

Alumni guest speaker Josh Mueller, who graduated with an Economics, Finance and Accounting Degree, stated that “the businesses came to the college, they came to me, to see if I would be interested in working for them. I didn’t have to go far from college before I was in the business world.”

Alumni Josh Mueller, with Joe Linn and

DeBra Prideaux in background

Dr. Mirta (pronounced MEER-tah) Martin is the recently appointed President following Dr. Edward Hammond’s retirement. She is the first female president of FHSU and first Hispanic president in the history of Kansas. Moving from her Virginia home as dean of the Reginald F. Lewis School of Business at Virginia State University, she also brings with her to this new venue vast leadership experience in banking and education.

Dr. Mirta M. Martin,

President, FHSU

“Our goal is to touch each and every student’s lives personally.” She went on to explain that while growth continues on FHSU’s horizon, “our passion is to drive you to what you want to do,” and “our largest class is 35 students. Our average class is 25 students. More than that and you lose contact with the teacher. That doesn’t do you any good.” She stated that FHSU prides itself on “courses that are geared for a seamless entry into the field of your choice.” She provided statistics on how FHSU stacks up against colleges all over the country, very often coming in at second place. She gave a memorable overview that having a college be like a “Godiva chocolate,” would maintain that it is a “choice” article that people would strive to obtain.

Following Dr. Martin’s presentation of what FHSU offers for your student, recognition for attendance as well as scholarship awards were presented. Over 66 students came up one by one. Some 60 students received various scholarships that are offered through FHSU, all of which are renewable, based on ACT Exam scores.

Courtesy FHSU Expanded 2015 Brochure

Students came from Salina and Saline County area schools. Several students received more than one scholarship. Only a small handful of students were still undecided as to their majors, but all were pleased to stand with the President and professor of their chosen course study for a photo opportunity.

Following the awards ceremony, pizza was served as staff and professors mixed and mingled to answer questions of parents and students.

Should you have any questions of Fort Hays State University, please contact them at http://www.fhsu.edu/ . After all, China has dedicated Hammond Hall at Sias International University in Xinzheng, after his having blazed a partnership that became the envy of higher education institutions across the United States, in order to celebrate his 27 years as FHSU President.

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