I love it when young alumni remind us why we do what we do\u2014why we teach, mentor, and build programs that stretch beyond the classroom. Kiley Whipple is one of those students. A recent graduate of Fort Hays State University, Kiley embodies the spirit of a Tiger: bold, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Originally from Ingalls, Kansas, Kiley graduated this spring with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning dual degrees in Agricultural Education and Secondary Education. Her academic excellence is matched only by her dedication to service and leadership. From her work as a VIP Ambassador to her role in the registrar\u2019s office, Kiley has left her mark on nearly every corner of our campus. And now, she\u2019s blazing a new trail\u2014one that connects agriculture, education, and community in a way that\u2019s never been done before at FHSU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This summer, Kiley took on a pioneering role as the lead organizer and educator for the first-ever FHSU Farm to Plate summer camps, a collaboration between our Department of Agriculture and the Sternberg Museum Science Camps. These camps, designed for children ages 6 to 11, offered an immersive week-long experience in agriculture, food science, and sustainability. From soil health and gardening to animal science and nutrition, the camps answered one simple but profound question: Where does our food come from?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Kiley\u2019s leadership was instrumental in transforming this idea into reality. Selected as a local food fellow through the K-State Extension Farm to Plate initiative, she spent four weeks preparing the camp curriculum and logistics, followed by two weeks of hands-on camp instruction. Her vision was clear: to give children meaningful, tactile experiences that would spark curiosity and foster a lifelong appreciation for agriculture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe summer camps were really successful,\u201d Kiley shared. \u201cWe wanted to make sure the kids had as much hands-on experience as we could get in the week they were here with us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n And hands-on they were! Campers interacted with live animals,\u00a0including pigs, goats, calves, and sheep. They fed a bottle calf brought in by Kiley\u2019s own family, explored gardening techniques, and learned about\u00a0production agriculture. They even climbed aboard a\u00a0combine brought by Carrico Implement. Community partners like Harvest Hays and Midland Marketing provided engaging presentations and activities that brought the food system to life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kiley\u2019s humility and gratitude shine through when she talks about the people who helped make the camps a success. She credits Dr. Sophie Ano, chair of the FHSU Agriculture Department, and Polly Pfeifer, the department\u2019s administrative assistant, for their tireless coordination and support. She also praises Gene Hanson, Mark Weve, and the entire University Farm team for their readiness to jump in and assist wherever needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThere are so many people I need to thank,\u201d Kiley said. \u201cIt was a real community effort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n That phrase \u2014 community effort<\/em> \u2014 is at the heart of everything Kiley does. Whether she\u2019s mentoring young students, collaborating with local organizations, or preparing to teach agriculture and advise FFA at WaKeeney-Trego Community High School this fall, Kiley brings people together. She builds bridges between generations, between communities, and between education and real-world experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kiley\u2019s work with Harvest Hays this summer is another example of her heart for service. This social enterprise, run by The Arc of Central Plains, empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through high tunnel farming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As she begins her new teaching role in WaKeeney, Kiley will also be pursuing her master\u2019s degree in Curriculum and Instruction right here at FHSU. Her commitment to lifelong learning and educational excellence is a testament to the values we hold dear at Fort Hays State.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I am incredibly proud of Kiley and the legacy she is building. Her\u00a0story reminds us that education is not confined to textbooks or lecture halls \u2014 it lives in the soil, in the barn, in the conversations between a child and a farmer. It thrives when we connect knowledge with action and when we empower students to lead with heart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tisa Mason is president of Fort Hays State University.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I love it when young alumni remind us why we do what we do\u2014why we teach, mentor, and build programs that stretch beyond the classroom. 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