Campus News

FHSU live-streams panel discussion on students and trauma

On September 20, 2022, Fort Hays State University hosted a panel of experts for a discussion on dealing with trauma in our schools. The conversation was moderated by Kansas News Service reporter David Condos.

Dr. Sarah Lancaster, an assistant professor in Fort Hays State University’s College of Education and an expert in this field, helped organize the event. She offered the following description of the nature and extent of this issue in our society:

“Trauma is much more far-reaching than some realize. Chronic stress, poverty, parents in prison, witnessing an act of violence or feeling threatened by one, natural disasters, medical issues, etc., can all be trauma. The basic needs of all students have to be met before learning can occur. A student cannot “check” their personal life at the door and learn math because that’s what they are supposed to be doing at school.”

Dr. Lancaster was joined on the panel by Miss Kansas 2022, Ayanna Hensley, who shared her personal experiences with childhood trauma and her commitment as Miss Kansas to promote awareness of this issue across the state. Other panelists included Dr. Curtis Stevens, director of secondary education, and Dr. Lindsey Sellers, both from USD 305 in Salina, Rekala Tuxhorn, an instructor in the university’s Department of Social Work, and Amanda Brown from the FHSU Health and Wellness Services.

High Plains Music Camp celebrates 75th anniversary

Since its founding in 1947 by the late Harold G. Palmer, thousands of students have attended High Plains Music Camp on the campus of Fort Hays State University. Seventy-five years later, the camp continues to offer students an unmatched opportunity to study with outstanding musicians and build new friendships with other young musicians.

Students who attended the annual camp in July of this year enjoyed a week of stimulating, concentrated study with nationally recognized musicians, teachers, and conductors. The camp schedule included nightly professional concerts open to campers and the general public.

FHSU receives $17 million library renovation grant

U.S. Senator Jerry Moran announced on Friday, June 10, the award of a $17 million federal grant for the renovation of Fort Hays State University’s Forsyth Library.

Moran shared his memories of growing up in Plainville, frequently visiting the old Forsyth Library and Sternberg Museum of Natural History, and being the first non-high school graduate to attend summer school at FHSU. Moran also spoke about the importance of the role FHSU plays in western Kansas. He shared his belief that western Kansas’s prosperity greatly depends upon whoever is the president of FHSU.

Ginger Williams, dean of library services, shared an overview of the renovation project and details on the initial work of the Library Renovation Committee she chairs. Over the past several months, the committee sought input from students, faculty, and staff to learn more about their needs. The feedback received at these in-person town hall events, and from an online form sent to the entire campus helped shape the committee’s vision for a dynamic hub for student engagement and academic exploration.

The Forsyth Library opened in 1967, and its three floors have been remodeled over the years to accommodate new departments and services. It currently houses the Writing Center, the Learning Commons, the Center for Ethnic Studies, the Honors College, the Tiger Food Exchange, Makerspace, and the various library departments.

Kelloggs invest in FHSU Shotgun Team success

A generous $60,000 lead gift from Lorena Kellogg and her late husband, Wilmer, will initiate the construction of a new training center to accommodate the expanding Shotgun Team at Fort Hays State University. The training center will be built at the Hays City Sportsmen’s Club just north of Hays on the 183 bypass and I-70 and will offer a large meeting room, reloading room, and office.

To contribute to the FHSU Shotgun Team and this new facility, visit foundation.fhsu.edu/donate and list “Shotgun Team” as your area of designation.

FHSU welcomes new chief of police

Following an extensive search, Fort Hays State University selected Terrance (Terry) Pierce as its next chief of police. Pierce succeeds Ed Howell, who retired from the force in June of this year after a career in law enforcement that spanned 40 years. Chief Pierce comes to FHSU from Pittsburg State University, where he served as a police sergeant for the last 11 years. A veteran of 26 years of service, Pierce brings a wealth of experience in law enforcement in a university setting.

Hays Police Department Chief Don Scheibler served on the search committee that selected Chief Pierce.

“I was impressed by the qualifications and the professionalism of all the applicants, but Chief Terry Pierce quickly rose to the top as the best candidate to lead the Fort Hays State University Police Department,” said Scheibler. “Chief Pierce’s vast knowledge and law enforcement experience will be instrumental in helping us to keep our community safe.”

Pierce received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice Administration from Missouri Southern State University in 2007, where he studied as a non-traditional student, taking primarily online courses. In 2015, he earned a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Development from Pittsburg State University. He also holds a Specialist in Education degree in Workforce Development and Education from Pittsburg State University.

Before his service at Pittsburg State, Pierce served as a city councilman and police officer in Butler, Missouri.

Dane G. Hansen Foundation brings cutting-edge technology to allied health

Thanks to a $100,000 grant awarded by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, the Department of Allied Health at Fort Hays State University has recently acquired cuttingedge technology that will better prepare students for their chosen professions. FHSU dedicated an additional $75,000 in support of this project and its implementation.

At Fort Hays State University, providing students with emerging technology and training is central to its mission of fostering innovation. The new technology impacts multiple areas of medical imaging and includes a full body, radiologic imaging mannequin, and a wireless digital plate for the radiographic equipment. In addition, they have attained MRI and CT training and simulation software and multiple sonographic tissuemimicking phantoms for simulation. Working with phantoms provides real-life, hands-on learning and allows students to hone their skills before working with live patients.

Students interested in working with sonography or ultrasound can now practice on the new tissue-mimicking phantoms, which include a full abdominal model, models for different stages of pregnancy, and breast imaging. These phantoms replicate real tissue and allow students to practice a variety of scenarios frequently encountered in the field. For students interested in obstetric imaging, the phantoms mimic real pregnancies.

Plans for unique charging station on FHSU campus moving ahead

When Eric Deneault, associate professor of applied technology, and former informatics assistant professor Dmitry Gimon began brainstorming five years ago about a collaborative project for FHSU, they were looking for a way to create cross-discipline synergies as well as a fun gathering place on campus.

“We wanted the project to be something that would motivate and encourage students to get involved with undergraduate research,” Deneault said. “Also, to showcase FHSU students’ content knowledge and skills through application and illustration of a physical model on campus for the community to enjoy and aid in student recruitment.”

The pair settled on creating a unique charging station design through many discussions with FHSU applied technology and informatics students. Informatics students developed schematics for the project, and applied technology students did the design and construction work.

Deneault described the project as a recreational charging station utilized for outdoor entertainment while charging portable electronic devices. It boasts a dual-sided porch swing made of steel. The one-of-a-kind swing accommodates four people who can sit back-to-back. The energy created by swinging motion is transferred through a shaft to a sprocket which is then fed through a ¾ HP DC motor, creating energy that is distributed to the battery bank. So, as individuals swing, they are producing energy.

New Robbins Banking Institute director brings decades of experience to FHSU

The Fort Hays State University Robbins Banking Institute and The Kansas Bankers Association recently announced the hiring of FHSU alum Tommy Powell as its director.

With more than a decade of sales and support experience in the banking industry, Powell completed his The Robbins Banking Institute is part of FHSU’s Department of Economics, Finance, and Accounting within the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship. Its purpose is to prepare students for banking industry careers to help alleviate the shortage of banking professionals in Kansas.

Under a new partnership agreement, Powell and the Robbins Banking Institute’s efforts are now managed by the Kansas Bankers Association (KBA). The KBA plans to fulfill the Robbins Banking Institute’s goals of attracting the next generation of Kansas bankers by showing prospective students the benefits of a career in banking and teaching them the principles of community banking. As director, Powell will also manage and promote the activities of the Kansas Bankers Educational Foundation (KBEF). KBEF is a 501(c)3 non-profit subsidiary of the Kansas Bankers Association.

Federal grant drives FHSU de-escalation training center expansion

Fort Hays State University’s Department of Criminal Justice was recently awarded an additional $1.5 million to expand operations of the Central Region De-escalation Training Center. This marks the department’s second major federal grant award over the past year. In October 2021, the program received an initial $1.25 million grant.

FHSU hosts one of several regional training centers within a national network under the direction of the National Deescalation Training Center (NDTC). The de-escalation training model used by center instructors expands the law enforcement officers’ ability to interact with the people they serve and defuse potential situations that otherwise may escalate into the use of force.

The most recent grant funding source comes from the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) under the Byrne Discretionary Community Project Grants program. This program supports projects that improve the functioning of the criminal justice system.

The Department of Criminal Justice plans to use this new funding to: • Expand the number of law enforcement officers trained in de-escalation, both via online and in-person coursework • Grow the program’s research capabilities to advance de-escalation as an evidence-based practice • Host a research and training conference to disseminate lessons learned and best practices • Support the national network of deescalation training centers with targeted investments that will drive long-term viability • Launch a comprehensive advertising campaign to increase the visibility of the center and increase the number of agency training partners • Establish a prominent location on campus for the center’s offices and training spaces

Dr. Tamara Lynn, chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and director of the Central Region De-escalation Training Center, recognized the efforts of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran in securing the grant, stating: “The efforts of U.S. Senator Jerry Moran and his staff have been invaluable in securing the essential funding that drove the rapid expansion of the regional de-escalation training center at Fort Hays State University. Without Senator Moran’s support, we would not be able to train law enforcement officers in advanced deescalation to improve encounters with citizens while also advancing community policing initiatives.”

President’s annual media tour expands for 2022

Continuing the tradition created by President Edward Hammond more than three decades ago, Fort Hays State University President Tisa Mason went on the road during the last week in September to meet with reporters, editors, and publishers in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. And for the first time, the tour included a stop in Oklahoma, where the university’s new Regional Tuition Plan has led to a doubling of enrollments from the Sooner State.

The primary goals of the annual media tour are to build strong working relationships with members of the media, identify where FHSU experts and resources can assist in news reporting, and listen and learn about the issues of greatest concern to the readers, viewers, and listeners of each media outlet.

The president’s key messages focused on the intentional alignment of FHSU’s strategic plan with the Kansas Board of Regents’ strategic plan. A significant area of this alignment is a shared commitment to making a high-quality education an affordable reality for families. FHSU’s tuition and fees have long been the lowest among all KBOR system universities and unmatched nationwide.

President Mason met with journalists from small and large newspapers and specialty online news providers. She also participated in TV and radio interviews. The tour also featured two joint events that highlighted the university’s strong relationships with its Kansas community college partners along with a gathering of alumni of the university’s Bachelor of Social Work cohort program in Dodge City that a local reporter covered.

THE 2022 FHSU PRESIDENT’S TOUR OF KANSAS, OKLAHOMA, NEBRASKA, AND MISSOURI

SEPTEMBER 26: Great Bend, McPherson, Pratt, and Enid, Oklahoma

SEPTEMBER 27: Wichita, Topeka, and Lawrence

SEPTEMBER 28: Kansas City, Atchison, and Salina

SEPTEMBER 29: Russell, McCook, Nebraska, and Goodland

SEPTEMBER 30: Dodge City and Garden City