BY ELLA BURROWS
The charter meeting of the Fort Hays State University chapter of the Sigma Nu Tau honor society took place on Monday.
Sigma Nu Tau, an honor society just 12 years in age, is an honor society that focuses on entrepreneurship.
FHSU is the very first university to have a Sigma Nu Tau chapter.
Rick Edgeman, Department of Management chair and professor at FHSU, played a vital role in bringing Sigma Nu Tau to the university.
“Our objectives in pursuing chapters included recognition of student entrepreneurs, though Sigma Nu Tau allows membership across four categories: Students, Entrepreneurs, Honorary Members, and Faculty. A second very important motivation in pursuing a chapter was to enable students to expand their professional network,” Edgeman said.
Students are nominated and inducted into Sigma Nu Tau, based partly on GPA, although induction is largely based on entrepreneurship curriculum, performance in the field, and involvement in hands-on learning experiences.
For entrepreneurs, honorary members, and faculty, Edgeman says the criteria vary greatly because the field and the people involved in it are constantly evolving.
“Honorary members need not be entrepreneurs, but most certainly are individuals who are extraordinarily accomplished in their field of endeavor,” Edgeman said.
Students being inducted into Sigma Nu Tau are Jade Artzer, Brittni Day, André Dos Santos Aires, Esther Folorunso, Chance Fuhrman, John Gamez-Ramos, Nuria Garcia-Nogueron, Cody Hicks, Emily Hipp, Reed Knitter, Faith Little, Brett Loving, Colton Potts, Samuel Princ, and Brady Stephenson.
“I feel privileged, humbled, and excited for the opportunities (being inducted) will bring,” Little said.
Faculty being inducted are Kevin Amidon, Arvin Cruz, Eric Deneault, Rick Edgeman, Andrew Feldstein, Melissa Hunsicker-Walburn, Mary Martin, Jeni McRay, Brian Sancewich, Stephen Schleicher, Kunal Sevak, and Brett Zollinger.
Entrepreneurs being inducted are Coleen Ellis, Kris Munsch, W.R. Robbins, Ward Schraeder, Henry Schwaller, and Peter Werth.
According to Edgeman, Schraeder is being inducted for his work on television as well as being an owner of a Hays restaurant.
“Ward Schraeder, together with his daughter, Tamara Day are the hosts of the popular “Bargain Mansions” on the Magnolia Network and he is also broadly invested with perhaps his most familiar Hays expression being that of an owner in the popular Freddie’s Steakburger restaurant chain,” Edgeman said.
Ed Hammond, former FHSU president, and Lawrence Gould, former FHSU provost, are the only two inductees who have the distinction of being honorary members.
Executive Director of Sigma Nu Tau Nancy Church was present at the charter meeting.
Those seeking more information on Sigma Nu Tau can contact Rick Edgeman at rledgeman@fhsu.edu.