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Month: September 2012
KHAZ Music New: Kenny Rogers Tell All In His Autobiography
(AP) – Kenny Rogers is releasing his autobiography “Luck or Something Like It,” next Tuesday. He talks about growing up in Texas during the depression. He goes over his early years and musical career and the friendships he made from Dottie West to Lionel Richie to Dolly Parton.
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FHSU Enrollment Sets Another All-Time Record
Fort Hays State University, which has more than doubled its enrollment over the past decade, announced yet another all-time headcount record for the official 20th-day of the fall semester, which was Monday, Sept. 17.
Of special significance, FHSU set a record for the number of incoming on-campus freshman for the second year in a row, which provides a solid base for enrollment growth in Hays in the coming years. The freshman class grew to 932 from the previous record of 926 a year ago.
“We had significant increases in two of our three delivery modalities, which are students on the Hays campus, students in our Virtual College and students at our partner universities in China,” said Dr. Edward H. Hammond, FHSU president. “Both on-campus and virtual enrollments are up, and the China enrollment is down slightly.”
The total 20th-day headcount is 13,310, which is an increase of 3.97 percent from last year’s 20th-day headcount of 12,802. That is an increase of 508 students from last fall and the largest enrollment in the history of the university.
The Kansas Board of Regents uses the 20th day of classes as the official enrollment day to provide a standard basis for comparison from year to year. This year’s numbers were announced after the last of the Regents universities passed its 20th day.
On-campus headcount this fall is 4,746 students. Last fall it was 4,683 students. That is an increase of 63 students, or 1.3 percent.
Headcount this fall in the Virtual College is 4,975 students. Last fall it was 4,451 students. That is an increase of 524 students, or 11.8 percent. The Virtual College makes a college education accessible to students who might not be able to relocate to a university community by delivering courses at locations and times that fit their busy schedules. It delivers “mediated” courses from FHSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business and Entrepreneurship, College of Education and Technology, and College of Health and Life Sciences through various formats, including the Internet.
“There is a misconception, probably due to the growth of our Virtual College, that we are serving fewer Kansans,” President Hammond said. “As this fall’s enrollment numbers show, that is not true. The total of Kansans is 6,745 compared to 6,441 last fall, which is an increase of 304 in-state students. Over the past five years, our growth in serving Kansans has been almost 20 percent, while three of the other Regents universities served significantly fewer Kansans.”
The headcount of FHSU students at partner universities in China this fall is 3,589. Last fall it was 3,668 students, which is a decrease of 79 students, or -2.2 percent.
President Hammond explained that after years of growth, enrollment in China would stabilize for the foreseeable future. The Chinese government has established a ceiling for FHSU enrollments in its universities. The president speculated that changes in FHSU’s Bachelor of Business Administration program and a downturn in the Chinese economy have been factors in the enrollment decline. The government pays tuition for its students in the partner Chinese universities, but the students have to pay their own tuition to earn FHSU degrees.
A closer look at the enrollment numbers shows several significant areas of growth:
- The number of Hispanic students on campus is up again this fall to 309, compared to 286 last year.
- The number of Hispanic students is also up in the Virtual College to 435 this fall, compared to 368 last fall.
- In total, 744 Hispanic students are enrolled at FHSU, which sets a new record.
- The number of international students on campus is up to 443 this fall from 395 last fall.
- Graduate enrollment on campus is up to 450 this fall, compared to 416 last fall.
- Likewise, the number of graduate students in the Virtual College is up to 1,403 this fall, compared to 1,228 a year ago. A breakdown of on-campus freshmen numbers is also revealing:
- Enrollment from Sedgwick County climbed to 91, which is a 28.2 percent increase from last year and the largest freshman class ever from Sedgwick County. Since 2007, we have increased 139.47 percent in Sedgwick County enrollment.
- Wyandotte County grew from no students in 2007 to 5 last year to 11 this fall.
- Shawnee County increased 141.7 percent from last year, up to 29 students compared to 12 a year ago.
- Saline County has the largest freshman class ever, with 43 freshmen.
- The freshman class also includes 78 students from Colorado and 46 students from Nebraska.
“Local student growth continues to lay a solid foundation, with 52 percent of this year’s Hays High School graduates and 44.5 percent of high school graduates from Ellis County enrolled at FHSU in fall 2012,” President Hammond said. “Also, 42.5 percent of the freshman class is from western Kansas. When the students who know us best decide to come, it demonstrates that we are providing what they need in terms of high- quality academic programs and close personal attention.”
President Hammond once again thanked faculty and staff for their efforts in producing the university’s record growth over the past several years. “We all know the challenging work it has been as we have grown to this size and the impact on service units, especially Residential Life, and on our faculty,” he said. “These new enrollment records are an achievement worth celebrating and a critical part of our strategic plan.”
– University Relations –
Tour de Ted Bikes Through Ellis County
The Hays location is one of the first 15 Edward Jones offices connected by a telegraph wire stretching from Colorado to Saint Louis in the early days of the financial investment firm. Ted Jones, the firm’s second managing partner, had the vision for serving clients in rural communities.
To commemorate Jones, who died of cancer more than 20 years ago, the firm inaugurated “Tour de Ted,” a multi-state bicycle ride tracing the path of that original telegraph line.
Along the way, the participants are raising money to help fight cancer.
At a luncheon Wednesday before the group took off again, oversize checks were presented to represent donations of $10,000 to both the Kansas State University Johnson Cancer Research Center and to the University of Kansas Cancer Center.
Darrel Seibel was also recognized for his 50 years with Edward Jones. The Hays office was the second Edward Jones location in Kansas.
Find out more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.
KSHSAA Releases 2012-2013 Classifications
The Kansas State High School Activities Association released the new classifications for the 2012-2013 school year for every sport, except football. The classifications are based on grades nine through 12 class enrollment as of September 20th.
There are no changes for Hays High,TMP-Marian, Ellis or Victoria. Area teams that are changing classifications include WaKeeney-Trego Community who drops from 2A to 1A. Kinsley and Atwood-Rawlins County also drop from 2A to 1A. Mankato-Rock Hill moves up a classification from 1A to 2A. Ellsworth moves to 3A from 2A and Goodland is up to 4A from 3A.
The football classifications were set last year for the 2012-2013 seasons.
Salina Man Arrested On Drug And Child Porn Charges
A 45-year-old Salina man was arrested Wednesday afternoon by the I-135/I-70 Drug Task Force.
The DTF executed a search warrant at the home of Christopher A. Martin at 841 Hancock and seized methamphetamine, 3 handguns and child pornography.
Martin was arrested on requested charges that included possession of meth with intent to distribute, no tax stamp, possession of prescription drugs with no prescription, criminal use of a weapon, and sexual exploitation of a child.
KHAZ Music News (audio): Rodney Atkins In The Hot Seat
Rodney Atkins had just arrived in Music City when he got his first piece of advice from a true country icon:
Rodney Atkins and his 10-year old son, Elijah have definitely had a fun-filled summer together enjoying baseball games, camping trips and fishing expeditions. Rodney shares that Elijah, who recently went back to school, is sure to have quite a tale to tell about their big catch while on vacation:
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It Could Have Been Terrible
By Jeff Romine
I have done maintenance work on the highways for KDOT for more than 29 years. I have been in and seen many accidents and injuries in my time here, but one day in particular stands out.
It started out like any other typical June day, but it would soon be a day I would always remember. I gave out job assignments that morning, like normal. One of them was to my Equipment Operator Specialist who I sent to assist the Bridge Inspection crew from the district office on an inspection project.
About three hours later, I received a call about a KDOT truck involved in an accident. It was only about a five-mile to drive to accident scene, but it was a long five miles. I didn’t know if anybody had been hurt or killed, or who was involved.
When I finally got there
I realized this was where the inspection crew and my EO Specialist were working. I pulled up and I noticed the bridge inspection truck and a motorist’s vehicle on its side with somebody in it. But I didn’t see my person or his vehicle, and my heart missed a beat or two. Then I finally saw him – he was down the road providing traffic control.
After talking to everyone involved, I found out that all the KDOT workers were out of their vehicles and under the bridge working when they heard a crash. They saw my EO Specialist’s truck pushed off the road about 100 yards down into the ditch. The truck hit so hard, it pushed trees down in the ditch.
The motorist’s vehicle then hit the inspection crew’s truck, which was parked about 75 feet away. If the workers had been coming up from under the bridge and been near the vehicles, it could have been terrible.
The driver was taken to the hospital and was fine. He said that he didn’t see the lights going on any of the vehicles.
Overall, we were very lucky to not have anybody hurt or killed. I would just like to remind everybody – pay attention. If you see lights, slow down, check your surroundings and get over if possible.
Jeff Romine is a KDOT Supervisor in Eskridge
Endangered and Threatened American Icons at Sternberg
Most of learn about and remember something more easily if we see it, and especially if we can touch it.
That’s the theory behind the one-day educational program at Sternberg Museum of Natural History in Hays Tuesday.
“It always sticks with kids a lot better when they get to see real animals and not just pictures on TV,” believes museum director Reese Barrick. ” They can take what they learned back home to parents and spread the message about what is happening to some our wildlife.”
And that’s exactly what Barrick hopes the students did.
The program focused on Threatened and Endangered American Animal Icons. Participants got to see a peregrine falcon and a golden eagle, a very small American alligator and even a gray wolf.
Some threatened species are now repopulating and the elementary school students from throughout Ellis County also learned about conservation efforts.
The program was free for participating schools. About 1,100 students attended.
See more tonight on Street Beat Eagle Community TV Channel 14.
Wednesday’s Police Activity Log
The Hays Police Department conducted 14 traffic stops and received seven animal calls on Wednesday, according to the Hays Police Activity Log.
Theft: The Hays Police Department began an investigation into three thefts Wednesday. The first theft/burglary was a vehicle burglary in the 4300 block of Vine Street. The alleged theft occurred between 9:15 and 10:45 Wednesday morning. Officers also investigated a theft report in the 2900 block of Vine Street at 9:11AM Wednesday. The final theft report was investigated in the 1700 block of Haney. The alleged theft occurred between August 26th and September 26th.
Vehicle Accidents: Officers responded to two reports of motor vehicle accidents on Wednesday. The first accident was reported as a hit and run in the 500 block of West 16th Street at 1:36AM. The second accident occurred in the 200 block of West 8th Street at 12:35 Wednesday afternoon.
Civil Dispute: The Hays PD investigated a civil dispute report in the 500 block of East 8th Street Wednesday evening at 9:06.
KHAZ Music News: Tim McGraw Wins One In Court
(AP) – The Court of Appeals of Tennessee upheld a court ruling that denied Curb Record’s request for a preliminary injunction that would prevent Tim McGraw from signing with another record company. The court agreed that McGraw was free to leave his contract with Curb and record under another label. McGraw signed with Big Machine Records in May.
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Stubborn Drought Maintains Grip On Most Of US
A weekly update on U.S. drought conditions shows the nation’s worst drought in decades slightly worsened in the lower 48 states with the Midwest corn harvest in full swing.
The U.S. Drought Monitor’s new map posted Thursday shows 65.5 percent of the contiguous U.S. was experiencing some form of drought as of Tuesday, up from 64.8 percent a week earlier.
It shows 21.5 percent of that area was in extreme or exceptional drought – the two worst classifications. That’s up three-quarters of a percentage point.
The area of Iowa, the biggest corn producer, deemed to be in exceptional drought rose from 2.4 percent last week to 2.5 percent. That most severe classification rose 2.3 percentage points in Nebraska, to 73.25 percent.
Conditions in Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana remained unchanged.
FHSU Homecoming Week To Feature Many Events For All
This year’s Fort Hays State University Homecoming — A Celebration of Tiger Nation — will include a variety of ways for Tiger supporters to reacquaint with their old stomping grounds through such get-togethers as the class of 1952 and 1962 class reunions.
Advance registrations are required. Register at www.goforthaysstate.com/homecoming2012
For more information, call the Alumni Association at 785-628-4430 or toll free at 1-888-351-3591.
Schedule of Homecoming events:
Wednesday, Oct. 3
Sklar Brothers Comedy Show
7:30 p.m., Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center
Thursday, Oct. 4
Tiger Alumni & Friends Golf Tournament
8 a.m., registration; 9:30 a.m., Shotgun Start, Smoky Hill Country Club, 3303 Hall
Post Rock Alumni & Friends Chapter social
5:30-7 p.m., Robbins Center
Tiger Bonfire & Pep Rally
7:30 p.m., Robbins Center, east lawn
“Ghost Towns and Gold Mines” Opening Reception
7-9 p.m., Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art, Rarick Hall, room 102
Friday, Oct. 5
Homecoming registration
8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Memorial Union
Campus tours
10 a.m. & 2 p.m., Memorial Union
Presidents of the Heartland
10 a.m., Forsyth Library
Half Century Club Luncheon and Induction
11 a.m., social; noon, luncheon, Memorial Union
Oktoberfest – 40-year Anniversary
11 a.m.-7 p.m., Frontier Park, South Main
FHSU Tiger Alumni & Friends Tent
11 a.m.-3 p.m., Oktoberfest, Frontier Park, South Main
FHSU Men’s Soccer vs. Eastern New Mexico
2 p.m., FHSU Soccer Stadium at Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex, 1376 Highway 40
Football reunion
5-7 p.m., social, Thirsty’s, 2704 Vine
Alumni & Friends Awards & Recognition Banquet
6 p.m., social, 7 p.m., banquet, Memorial Union
Sigma Sigma Sigma gathering
6:30-8:30 p.m., Memorial Union
Baseball Reunion social
7 p.m., Golden Q, 809 Ash
Saturday, Oct. 6
Homecoming registration
8 a.m.-noon, Memorial Union
5K Tiger Run/Walk
7:30 a.m., registration; 8:30 a.m., race begins, Robbins Center
FHSU Tiger Open Cross Country Meet
9 a.m., Sand Plum Nature Trail (near Victoria)
Class of 1952 Reunion brunch
9:30 a.m., Memorial Union, 11:45 a.m., board trolley for parade, Memorial Union
Class of 1962 Reunion brunch
9:30 a.m., Memorial Union; 11:45 a.m., board trolley for parade, Memorial Union
Sigma Sigma Sigma Reunion brunch & program
9:30 a.m., Memorial Union; 11:45 a.m., board trolley for parade, Memorial Union
Nursing Reunion – 60th Anniversary Celebration brunch, program & tours
9:30, 10:30 & 11:30 a.m., Memorial Union & Stroup Hall
Football Reunion – tour of Lewis Field facilities
10 a.m., Lewis Field Stadium (meet at east entrance to stadium), 91 Lewis Drive
Agnew Hall Dedication
11 a.m., new Agnew Hall (rain location, McMindes Hall Living Room)
Wrestling Alumni Takedown luncheon and tournament
11:15 a.m., Gross Memorial Coliseum, Victor E. Lounge
Residential Life Open House
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. McMindes Hall Living Room
Football Reunion
Noon, board flatbed trailer for parade, Memorial Union (west side)
Homecoming Parade
1 p.m., Main Street, downtown Hays
Alumni Baseball game
2 p.m., Larks Park, Fourth & Oak
Alpha Gamma Delta Open House
2:30-5 p.m., 409 W. Eighth
Delta Zeta Open House
2:30-6:30 p.m., 410 W. Sixth
Housing Town Hall Meeting
3-4 p.m., Memorial Union
Football Reunion Tailgate
3-6 p.m., Tiger Alley Tailgate, Lewis Field Stadium (outside, along Elm Street)
Tiger Friends & Family Picnic
4-7 p.m. (food served at 5 p.m.), Lewis Field Stadium (east side)
Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity Tailgate Party
5 p.m., Lewis Field Stadium (east side: Sig Ep flag and red fire truck)
FHSU vs. Lindenwood University football game
6 p.m., pre-game ceremonies; 7 p.m., game time, Lewis Field Stadium
SUNDAY, Oct. 7
FHSU Men’s Soccer vs. West Texas A&M
12 p.m., FHSU Soccer Stadium at Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex, 1376 Highway 40
Miscellaneous
Sternberg Museum of Natural History
Tuesday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 1-6 p.m.; closed Mondays
FHSU Department of Music & Theatre Fall Musical Production, “Curtains,”
Thursday & Friday 7:30 p.m.; Sunday 2:30 p.m, Felten-Start Theatre, Malloy Hall
The FHSU Alumni Association, established in 1916, Is dedicated to identifying and serving the needs of 52,000 graduates living throughout the United States and 73 foreign countries. For more information, visit www.goforthaysstate.com, email [email protected] or call 785-628-4430 or, toll free, 888-351-3591.
– University Relations –