Fort Hays State University has again exceeded its fund-drive goal for the United Way of Ellis County.

During a Tuesday morning news conference, Dr. Ed Hammond, FHSU president and chair of the campus drive, presented an oversize check in the amount of $38,944 to United Way Campain Chairman Lance Albin and Executive Director Jason Rauch.   The university’s 2011 goal was $38,000.

FHSU has donated to the United Way since 1953 when faculty member Dr. Robert T. McGrath led the university’s first campaign.

University faculty were instrumental in organizing two United Way agencies, the Northwest Kansas Family Shelter, now called Options, and Court Appointed Special Advocates of the High Plains (CASA).