The VIP Ambassador Program\u00a0at Fort Hays State University, established by President Gerald Tomanek in 1982, empowers students to\u00a0publicly\u00a0represent their university\u00a0while\u00a0fostering\u00a0a spirit of connection among\u00a0these talented\u00a0future leaders. Each year, a select group of 15-20\u00a0VIP Ambassadors participate\u00a0in\u00a0significant\u00a0projects and events, gaining invaluable experiences along the way. Hazel Frans, Katie Ecord, and Noah Erichsen\u00a0are members of our current VIP Ambassadors team, and\u00a0each\u00a0has had a\u00a0compelling\u00a0personal\u00a0journey\u00a0that I would like to share with the readers of this column.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazel Frans, an Overland Park, Kansas junior, has always focused on the future. Her affinity for science began early, influenced by her participation in a gifted program in 5th grade. \u201cMy teacher introduced me to the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science (KAMS). I was hooked.\u201d KAMS is Kansas’ premier early college program designed to provide a STEM-focused academic experience for gifted & talented 11th & 12th-grade students. By 7th grade, Hazel was already dreaming of a future at FHSU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since her arrival, Hazel has engaged in a variety of activities, including serving as the President of Custer Hall Community Council and presenting research at the annual SACAD event. Her experience in the KAMS program motivated her to apply for the VIP Ambassador Program as a freshman: “I was encouraged by friends who were VIPs. Their enthusiasm was infectious.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The moment she received the news of her acceptance was a highlight of her FHSU experience. \u201cI learned so much from the interview process. It taught me how to articulate my visions and ambitions.\u201d Each VIP Ambassador receives professional attire and participates in\u00a0training sessions, including an etiquette dinner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hazel particularly cherishes the Promotion and Tenure Recognition event, where she celebrated the achievements of faculty who have profoundly impacted her academic path. “Participating in that celebration was incredible. It underscored how interconnected we all are in this community.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For Hazel, being a VIP Ambassador represents more than just a title; it’s a heartfelt commitment to give back. “Every interaction has deepened my love for the university and highlighted the importance of being involved.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katie Ecord, a junior from Pomona, Kansas, has a goal of becoming a Speech Language Pathologist. “The program here is renowned\u2014it truly stands out nationally. After shadowing a professional, I realized I had found my passion.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katie\u2019s decision to become a VIP Ambassador sprang from her desire to connect with the broader FHSU community. “I wanted to strengthen connections between current students and alumni, recognizing their crucial support of our education.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Katie\u2019s work regularly puts her in touch with FHSU donors. \u201cMeeting them in person has been one of the most rewarding parts of being a VIP Ambassador. Hearing their stories and commitment to the university inspires me.\u201d She often shares insights into donor impact through her work at the FHSU Foundation, expressing heartfelt appreciation for their generosity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This experience has dramatically broadened Katie\u2019s perspective: “I\u2019ve come to understand how closely knit our university community is. I\u2019m immensely grateful to everyone involved in our education.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noah Erichsen, a senior from Ellsworth, Kansas, first stepped onto FHSU\u2019s campus for a music camp, where he instantly felt a sense of belonging. \u201cThe staff is incredibly supportive. I\u2019ve felt like I could pursue anything here.\u201d Currently, he serves as the principal trombonist and Low Brass Section Leader in the FHSU Marching Band, merging his love for music with leadership.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A dual major in environmental geoscience and history, Noah is also actively involved in student government and tutoring, modeling the VIP Ambassador Program\u2019s emphasis on community service. “I wanted to express my gratitude for the scholarships that have made my education possible, and the VIP Program was the perfect avenue.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cFor me, VIP events are all about advocacy. Each donor has a unique story that resonates with my own journey; it\u2019s incredible how connected we truly are.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Noah recalls fondly the rewarding interactions he has had with alumni and donors, underscoring the program’s success in nurturing relationships and understanding. \u201cEvery conversation is a meaningful exchange of experiences.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking to the future, Hazel plans to pursue a Ph.D. in plant molecular biology, Katie aims to enter the graduate program in Speech-Language Pathology at FHSU, and Noah is preparing for a career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers after graduation. They are well-equipped to carry the lessons learned from their ambassador experiences into their future careers, championing the values of kindness, professionalism, and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Each holds their time as VIP Ambassador in high regard, recognizing its significance in their FHSU journey. “Being involved has fostered a strong sense of belonging and built a\u00a0support network,” Noah reflects.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The VIP Ambassador Program is a powerful testament to the value of engagement and service, particularly in an era when personal connections often feel tenuous. As these students continue their journeys, the relationships they have formed and the principles they have embraced will undoubtedly resonate, enriching their futures and those of Fort Hays State University.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As they transition from college to their respective careers, Hazel, Katie, and Noah exemplify what it means to be an ambassador: to advocate, to connect, and ultimately, to give back to the community that has given them so much. Their stories shine as a beacon of the program’s impact, fostering a vibrant culture of leadership and philanthropy at Fort Hays State University for years to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The VIP Ambassador Program\u00a0at Fort Hays State University, established by President Gerald Tomanek in 1982, empowers students to\u00a0publicly\u00a0represent their university\u00a0while\u00a0fostering\u00a0a spirit of connection among\u00a0these talented\u00a0future… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":37698,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[12323,55],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-84256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-campus-life","category-opinion"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/tigermedianet.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/04\/Mason-Tisa-040A6662.jpg?fit=750%2C1050&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=84256"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84256\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":84257,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/84256\/revisions\/84257"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/37698"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=84256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=84256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=84256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}