BY CORIE LYNN
As October begins, student organizations at Fort Hays State University begin their preparations for Homecoming. This includes choosing who will represent them as Homecoming Candidate.
With about a week left until Homecoming, the finalists are busy campaigning for the crowns.
TMN took this time to catch up with candidate Jacki Dougherty who is representing the Student Government Association.
“What I do, and what Student Government does as a whole, affects every single student, and that’s why I wanted to represent this university,” Dougherty said.
For Dougherty, representing the SGA is also about enacting change on campus. Her interest in leadership, however, expands beyond the Student Senate.
“I chose FHSU because of the Organizational Leadership program. That’s my major with an emphasis on the community and changing for the common good,” she said.
Besides the program and a few other factors, one personal connection brought Dougherty to Fort Hays State.
“I’m actually a fifth-generation Tiger, so it’s kind of a big family thing,” she said.
With FHSU having played such a large role in her life, Dougherty is thrilled to be recognized through the Homecoming Court.
To her, this acknowledgment is also a nod to the work the Student Government Association does as well as the growth of the organization.
“In government work, it’s kind of thankless a lot of times, so it’s nice to be recognized and noticed,” Dougherty said.
Besides the honor of recognition, Jacki Dougherty is looking forward to Homecoming Week as a whole.
She stated that the parade is her favorite part of the week, but she also looks forward to the change in the atmosphere on campus.
“Friends of mine [are] coming back here, family of mine [are] coming back here because they’re alumni. Just being connected to random people and the energy on campus is different. It’s kind of like the Christmas season of Fort Hays is that Homecoming Week,” Dougherty said.
This community, which grows during the Homecoming season, makes up Dougherty’s favorite part of FHSU. It gives opportunities to anyone who visits campus.
“With our many, many student organizations and our many, many job opportunities, it doesn’t matter what you’re interested in, what you’re passionate about, there’s something for you. […] If you want to feel at home, there’s an opportunity to do so,” she said.
Voting for the title of King and Queen will take place from 9:00 AM October 9th to noon October 11th on TigerLink or in Memorial Union from 11 am to 1 PM on October 9th and 10th.