University Relations Press Release:
HAYS, Kan. — Nex-Tech of Hays, a leader in the broadband and technology industry, has made a gift with a value of $25,000 to Fort Hays State University for naming rights in Hammond Hall, the newest academic building on the campus.
The former Studio B in Hammond Hall will become “Nex-Tech Studio.” The studio is located on the first floor of the new building and is used for media production for faculty support as well as related curricular activities.
Hammond Hall, named in honor of recently retired university president Dr. Edward H. Hammond, is a top-of-the-line facility that houses the university’s Department of Informatics, the Virtual College, and the Center of Teaching Excellence and Learning Technologies. Hammond Hall opened at the start of the fall 2014 semester, and the formal dedication was on Oct. 11.
The Nex-Tech gift will benefit FHSU and its students in many ways. The Department of Informatics will receive equipment over the next three years, including Cisco 3650 switches, that are stand-alone and stackable access-layer switches that provide the groundwork for full convergence between wired and wireless on a single platform. The department will also receive funds to be used for scholarships, travel and conferences.
“We have a wonderful, long-standing partnership with Fort Hays State University,” stated Jimmy Todd, Nex-Tech’s chief executive officer. “We are a technology company, so supporting FHSU’s Department of Informatics and its students is a great fit. Nex-Tech is committed to retaining area students. Of the more than 300 employees at Nex-Tech, more than 25 percent are FHSU graduates or current FHSU students.”
“We are fortunate to have great relationships with strong community partners such as Nex-Tech,” said Dr. Melissa Hunsicker-Walburn, chair and assistant professor of the FHSU Department of Informatics. “The donation of switches demonstrates generous response to a departmental need that we have to maintain currency in our Cisco Networking Academy curriculum. We are better positioned to educate and graduate students with a competitive edge because of those hands-on experiences we can provide as a result of this type of support.”
Beyond financial commitments, Nex-Tech will provide internship opportunities over the next three years for FHSU students in the Informatics areas, including media studies, Web development, and networking and telecommunications. While it is difficult to put a price on these opportunities, FHSU students will gain valuable experiences within a growing business in western Kansas.
“Nex-Tech provides jobs for Fort Hays State students and graduates, as well as internships for all areas within our department,” Hunsicker-Walburn added. “In addition to the precious experience that benefits these students, we appreciate the valuable feedback we receive about industry trends and demands. The ongoing conversations with our community industry partners result in curricular program developments and innovations that prepare our students for jobs that are in high demand.”
In addition to the Department of Informatics, Nex-Tech supports other areas on campus, such as the High Plains Music Camp and the Department of Athletics.
To learn how you or your business can make an impact at Fort Hays State University, call the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or contact foundation@fhsu.edu. To learn more about the Foundation, visit http://foundation.fhsu.edu.
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