FHSU University Relations
Fort Hays State University welcomes several faculty changes for the 2014-2015 academic year.
Dr. Grady Dixon, former associate professor of geosciences at Mississippi State University, assumed the role of chair of the Department of Geosciences taking over for Dr. John Heinrichs, who passed away unexpectedly in January.
“I have been continually impressed with the relaxed, friendly atmosphere created by the faculty and staff of the Department of Geosciences,” said Dixon. “They are the reason I accepted this job. All of my interactions have been very positive so far, and I look forward to learning from and working with them as we move forward together.”
Dixon received a B.S. in meteorology from Mississippi State University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in geography from the University of Georgia and Arizona State University, respectively.
Before coming to FHSU, Dixon was an associate professor in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University for nine years. He has also been a storm chaser for 17 years.
“Student recruitment and retention will likely be my primary focus in the beginning,” said Dixon. “Western Kansas is not always a top destination for high school students from other parts of the world, and it is a little risky to rely only on local students to sustain an academic program like ours. ”
Dr. Loretta Dorn, assistant professor of chemistry, has assumed the role of chair of the Department of Chemistry taking over for Dr. Jim Hohman, who stepped down from the position in May.
“I’ve been in the department for 22 years, so I know where we’ve been and where I would like to see us go,” said Dorn. “I have good organizational and analytical skills, and I know that some of the policies and procedures in the department could do with some retooling and revamping. I hope to get things more streamlined and efficient for everybody.”
Hohman has returned to full-time teaching in the department.
Dorn received a B.S. in chemistry from Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburg, Pa., in 1986 and a Ph.D. in synthetic organic chemistry from Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass., in 1994.
For the past 22 years, Dorn has worked in the Department of Chemistry at FHSU and is the current faculty sponsor for the Chemistry/Pre-Professional Club.
“Our greatest strength has been the hands-on training we are able to give our students due to the research-grade instruments we have as well as our dedicated faculty,” said Dorn. “I see us being able to continue in that tradition, maintaining the excellent reputation the department has with employers, professional and graduate schools from all over the state and beyond.”
Melissa Hunsicker-Walburn, assistant professor of informatics, has assumed the role of chair of the Department of Informatics taking over for Steve Schleicher, who stepped down from the position in May.
“A cornerstone of the success of the department is its faculty from five distinct concentrations: media studies management, information systems, Web development, networking and health informatics,” said Hunsicker-Walburn. “We have a roster of faculty who are not only highly respected in their fields of expertise, but also dedicated and highly effective in the classroom.”
Schleicher stepped down from his position to dedicate more time and resources to his website, which is dedicated to his passion of comics. He will continue sharing his expertise with the department and write book chapters for Adobe editing.
Hunsicker-Walburn received a B.A. in political science from FHSU and a juris doctorate from Washburn Law School. She is active in the Kansas Women Attorney’s Association as a district representative, and is a member of the Kansas bar.
“Throughout the last five years at FHSU, I have had the opportunity to teach classes that are considered classes in our major’s core,” said Hunsicker-Walburn, “so I have an appreciation for who our students are and what our department’s faculty need to support our students in effective ways, but without any bias toward a particular concentration.”
Prior to joining the faculty at FHSU, Hunsicker-Walburn worked both as litigation counsel and analytical staff at Kansas Corporation Commission on utility and telecommunications regulatory issues and policy development. She served the state of Kansas for two years as the director of the Kansas 529 college savings program during former Kansas State Treasurer Lynn Jenkin’s administration.
“We are fortunate to have faculty who create a culture of teamwork, which I expect will develop more strongly with our entire faculty being located in the same space,” said Hunsicker-Walburn.
“We are excited about moving into the newly constructed Center for Networked Learning, which is a fantastic space,” said Hunsicker-Walburn. With more space for labs and studios, we are better positioned than ever to improve and enhance the hands-on learning experiences that have been an integral part of our department’s success.”
Dr. Greg Farley, professor of biological sciences, has assumed the role of chair of the Department of Biological Sciences, taking over for Dr. Elmer Fink, who stepped down from the position in May.
“Having had the privilege of working in a variety of places with a diverse array of people allows me to apply different approaches to different circumstances I will likely experience as chair,” said Farley.
Fink will continue to teach wildlife biology, mammalogy and general education courses.
Farley received a B.S. in natural resources from New York’s Cornell University in 1982, a M.S. in biology from Kansas State University, Manattan, in 1987 and a Ph.D. in biology from the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, in 1995.
For the past 19 years, Farley has worked in the Department of Biological Sciences. Prior to coming to FHSU, he taught in the Department of Biology at the University of New Mexico and held a post-doctoral research position with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and U.S. Geological Survey.
Farley received the Pilot award in 2007 for outstanding faculty member. He also received FHSU’s Navigator award in 2010 for outstanding faculty advisor and the 2010 President’s Distinguished Scholar Award.
“We have great faculty, terrific students and a lot of outstanding opportunities for 21st century biologists,” said Farley. “Albertson Hall contains the best physical facilities of any biology department in the state, and our hands-on teaching model works very, very well with students.”
Dr. Paul Adams, professor of physics and Anschutz Professor of Education, has assumed the role of Interim Dean of the College of Education and Technology, taking over for Dr. Rob Scott, who accepted the position as vice president for strategic planning and institutional effectiveness at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina.
“My background in both science and education provides me a unique perspective to assist FHSU in producing the best teachers we can,” said Adams. “Moving forward, I will assist in navigating the line between uncertain funding while also offering the best teacher education program possible.”
Adams holds a B.S. in physics and mathematics from Heidelberg College, Tiffin, Ohio, a teaching certification and an M.S. in physics from Washington State University, Pullman, and a Ph. D. in science education from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
Adams came to FHSU in 1986 as an instructor of physics. He left in 1989 but then returned to the FHSU Department of Physics in 1996. Adams has publish numerous articles and given many presentations in his 21 years at FHSU.
In 2003, Adams was named for the Marian Pfister Anschutz Endowed Professorship in Education. He has been the director of the Science and Mathematics Education Institute since it was developed in 2006.