We\nconclude not just another academic year \u2013 but a year when Fort Hays State\nUniversity not only survived the pandemic, but thrived. That is resilience in\naction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\nam deeply grateful to the entire campus and local community who came together\nto ensure our students, colleagues, and neighbors were well cared for as we\nblazed our path together. The challenges of the past year did not deter our\ncommunity from our relentless student-centered and learning-focused priorities.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I\nthink I might have been standing a little taller as our graduates celebrated\ntheir sweet victories last week. I know my smile was bigger. What a year!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\naddition to commencement ceremonies, we also had the opportunity to say thank\nyou to our retirees. This year, we honored both our 2020 and 2021 retirees \u201357\ncolleagues who provided a total of 1,443 years of service to FHSU. We also\ncongratulated our faculty who earned tenure and promotions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While\nthere were several other accomplishments celebrated in the past few weeks, I\nwould like to take the opportunity to highlight a small sample of accolades\nearned by our faculty and staff this spring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laura\nWilson, associate professor of geosciences, was featured on the Paleo Nerds\npodcast. I have become a big fan of podcasts and was so proud of Laura to have\nbeen chosen for this interview. Intrigued? Download the podcast and listen to\nepisode 30: Diving into Hell\u2019s Aquarium with Laura Wilson.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Kim\nChappell, assistant professor of advanced education programs, received a grant\nto enhance our partnership with Seward County Community College to develop a\nteam-teaching model to improve student learning in career and technical\neducation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Our counseling program earned accreditation by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs. This rigorous self-study and peer evaluation process entails an assessment of the program\u2019s resources, objectives, strengths, and limitations with the ultimate purpose of improving the educational effectiveness of the program. Accreditation signifies that the content and quality of the program were evaluated and meets standards set by the profession. Students can be assured that appropriate knowledge and skill areas are taught and that the program is stable \u2013 professionally and financially. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Paul\nAdams, dean of the College of Education, received two Kansas NASA Spacegrant\nawards to conduct teacher workshops on engineering for middle school teachers\nand high altitude balloon launch system to support teacher and student\nresearch. Yes, I cannot resist it: Dr. Adams is far out!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Matthew\nClay, assistant professor in teacher education, and Scott Gregory, director of\nField Experiences, were awarded the Teacher Education Competitive Grant from\nthe Kansas Board of Regents. This grant was established to increase the number\nof licensed teachers in hard-to-fill disciplines and\/or underserved geographic\nareas of the state. This has always been a priority of Fort Hays State. Did you\nknow that in 1911 our faculty voted to offer correspondence courses free so\nthat one-room school teachers across western Kansas could afford to gain the\neducation required to teach? That in a nutshell describes our passion for\naccess and affordability and why we are the best value in higher education \u2013\nanywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eric\nDeneault, associate professor of applied technology, was listed among the 2021\nleaders to watch by the journal, Technology and Engineering Teacher. This\nannual list recognizes those who have contributed to the technology and\nengineering education field for many years and are known for their teaching,\nwritten work, presentations, research, and recognition received from\nprofessional groups. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edie\nMcCracken, director of the Memorial Union, was awarded the Founders Award by\nthe National Association for Campus Activities (NACA). The Founders Award is\nthe association\u2019s highest honor, given to those individuals who, during the\nyears, have given their time and talents to contribute significantly to NACA.\nEdie has exemplified the standards of professional integrity and conduct,\nachieved stature in her profession, holds the esteem of colleagues and peers,\nand has worked to further the field of campus activities programming. This is\nnot only a proud moment for all of us to share with Edie but another signal\nthat Tiger Nation excels in the classroom as well as in the delivery of student\nservices and student life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Leslie\nPaige, research and scholarship coordinator, won the Presidential Award from\nthe National Association of School Psychologists. This award recognizes\nexcellence in the provision of school psychological services by a field-based\npractitioner and serves to recognize an outstanding practicing school\npsychologist. Leslie has earned this award four times! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three\nfaculty in the Department of Geosciences \u2013 Todd Moore, associate professor;\nRich Lisichenko, professor; and Tom Schafer, associate professor \u2013 were awarded\nresearch funding from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to\ncollect samples of drinking water from domestic water wells in the alluvial\nplains of Prairie Dog, Sappa, and Beaver Creeks in northwest Kansas. Once KDHE\ntests these samples for commonly occurring contaminants, the Department of\nGeosciences will map and spatially analyze the results. What a great service to\nour region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Teresa\nClounch, assistant vice president for student affairs, was elected to serve on\nthe National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) board of\ndirectors. The NASPA board establishes the association\u2019s strategic goals and\nensures that they are being achieved. NASPA is the leading association for the\nadvancement, health, and sustainability of the student affairs profession. The\nassociation provides high-quality professional development, advocacy, and\nresearch for 15,000 members in all 50 states, 25 countries, and eight U.S.\nterritories. As part of her service to the national board, Teresa will also\nserve as the IV-West regional director. The IV-West encompasses the states of\nArkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota,\nOklahoma, South Dakota, and Wyoming, as well as the Canadian provinces of\nManitoba and Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Christy\nCraig, associate professor of sociology, was featured in the Washington Post\nfor her research on women\u2019s book clubs: https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/history\/2021\/03\/27\/womens-book-clubs-history-oprah-reese\/<\/a>. Great read!<\/p>\n\n\n\n