October 2014 – Page 83 – Hays Post Archive

Economy the focus of 2014 Kansas Hunting Showcase

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism

TOPEKA — The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism is hosting the 2014 Kansas Hunting Showcase on Oct. 24 at HorseThief Reservoir near Jetmore in Hodgeman County.

The event will spotlight the economic benefits of hunting and fishing in Kansas, focusing on the2014 Tourism Economics data.

At 10 a.m., host Robin Jennison, KDWPT secretary, will welcome guests to the showcase, which will feature Kansas hunting- and fishing-related small businesses, as well as hands-on shotgun wingshooting and archery activities. The event, which is free and open to the public, will kick off with a traditional hunters’ breakfast of biscuits and gravy beginning at 9:30 a.m.

For more information, click HERE.

Viola M. Yost

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

Viola Mae Yost, age 99, passed away peacefully of natural causes on October 7, 2014, at Locust Grove Village in La Crosse, Kansas.

She was born Viola Mae Wimmer in Harlan, Kansas, on July 25, 1915, to Harvey Lester and Mary Ann Zion Wimmer.

Viola graduated from Portis High School, attended college at York College for two years, then finished her teaching education at Fort Hays State University. She enjoyed a long and successful teaching career to include Alexander (for 31 years), Nekoma, and Heizer. Additionally she served as a substitute teacher for McCracken and Lacrosse. She served as a correspondent for the Rush County News for eleven years, played piano and organ for the Alexander United Methodist Church for over 62 years, accompanied competitive musical performances for music students and was in high demand to perform at weddings and various social events. After moving to Hays later in life, Viola found renewed passion for teaching while volunteering as a Foster Grandmother at Holy Family Elementary. She also enjoyed socializing with her friends at her retirement apartment complex and the Hays United Methodist Church. Family was always a priority for Viola as well as service in her church that included serving as a delegate for the United Methodist Annual Conference.

Viola married Harry Yost on June 12, 1938. He preceded her in death on August 2, 2000. She was also preceded in death by infant sister Marilyn Wimmer, brother De Wimmer, sister Sally Smith, and daughter Mary Kay McEvoy.

Viola is survived by sister Vernita Nickel of Riverside, CA, son Gary Yost and wife Joy, Bison, KS, son Paul Yost, San Antonio, TX, daughter Dorothy Plum and husband Bill, Kansas City, MO, and son John Yost and wife Sara of Olathe, KS. Also survived by grandchildren Brad Westerman, Brigette Ellis, Melinda Ellis, Rick Yost, Michelle Rieman, Mike Yost, Skyler Yost, Echo Sandburg, Summer Schwindt, Cale Yost, Mackenzie Yost and 24 great grandchildren with 2 great-great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at Alexander Methodist Church located at 103 E. Kepner Ave, Alexander, KS 67513 at 10:30am on Saturday, October 11, 2014. Lunch will be provided after the service in the church basement.

The family requests memorial contributions be given to the Locust Grove Village Golden Belt Community Foundation in lieu of flowers. You may donate directly by visiting the Locust Grove Village website at www.rcnh.org and clicking on the Golden Belt Community Foundation “donate” button or obtain the address to send a donation via US Mail.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.fitzgeraldfuneral.com.

Ruby B. Barrows

Posted on October 9, 2014

Ruby B. Barrows, 88, of Leawood, Kansas, passed away on October 7, 2014.

Ruby was born on March 29, 1926, the daughter of Ralph and Pearl Black, in rural Ellsworth County, Kansas.

As an infant, her parents and grandparents moved to Ness County, Kansas. She was a graduate of Ness City High School in 1944. In January 1944, Ruby eloped with Thomas M. Barrows. In 1947, her son, Richard, was born.

Fitzgerald Funeral Home of Ness City is in charge of arrangements.

Community design expert: Healthier Kansas requires healthier built environment

Posted on October 9, 2014

By Bryan Thompson, KPR

MANHATTAN — Obesity, diabetes, heart disease — these relentlessly increasing health issues aren’t really the problem in America, according to Mark Fenton, who spoke Wednesday at the third annual Kansas Obesity Summit. Rather, he said, the real culprits are poor nutrition and physical activity.

“Those are the epidemics that we really want to turn the tide on,” said Fenton, a Massachusetts Institute of Technology-trained engineer who specializes in community design as a way to improve public health. “We’d like to help people eat a better diet and be more physically active on a regular basis. And we know that just telling them to do that isn’t enough, but that we can build environments across the great state of Kansas and, in fact, across the country where it encourages people to make healthier choices.”
In a pre-summit interview, Fenton said it’s well-established that the built environment — roads, sidewalks, buildings and other community elements — affects people’s choice of travel and physical activity.

“There are cities and towns across Kansas that are re-evaluating whether they want to continue to widen their roads, or whether they’d like to add some bicycle lanes or improve or repair sidewalks that are missing,” said Fenton. “They’re rethinking their land-use decisions. Do we want to continue to sprawl out into our highest-quality farmland, or would we like to reinvest in our Main Streets and our downtowns and our existing neighborhoods? Do we want to rebuild the elementary school that served a neighborhood for decades, or do we want to abandon it and build a new school out on the edge of town, where every child will have to go there by car?

“Many communities are rethinking that and saying, you know, maybe that neighborhood school — where the majority of kids could walk and bike, and where the parents lived close enough by to get intimately involved with the school — was actually a better choice.”

Fenton said there’s a growing body of evidence that communities with more mixed-use and livable districts — neighborhoods that make it easier to walk and bike, maybe even incorporating bike parking in front of businesses — also are healthier economically.

“As we do, for example, those investments that make our Main Street more walkable again and more appealing, it also makes it easier for customers on one side of the street to walk across and shop at the stores on the other side,” he said. “They’ve actually got studies that show higher retail revenue and tax revenue in more walkable districts when they’ve made these kinds of improvements and repairs. You don’t have to be a hard-core health nut to want to do this stuff. We’re finding, for example, economic development officers and elected boards increasingly interested in the same principles.”

Fenton said housing values are higher, and held up better during the recent economic downturn, in neighborhoods where walking, biking and public transit are more convenient. But he cautioned that it’s not enough to build a walking trail and paint bike lanes on a couple of streets.

“If those bike lanes existed on a short segment of the road but they didn’t connect to a greater network, what good are they, right?” he asked. “I’m not going to drive my bike to ride one mile of road that’s got a bike lane on it and then get back into my car. We have to build a system or a network.”

Fenton said it’s unreasonable to expect people to walk or bike where it’s not safe to do so. But cities and towns in Kansas and across the country that have created safe networks for walking and biking are seeing growing volumes of pedestrian activity.

“Keep in mind, I’m not describing a world in which everybody’s going to just give up their car and become a nut-job cyclist tomorrow,” he said. “I believe it’s going to be a world where people have the option to walk or bike, walk a kid to school or walk to a corner store for some errands rather than get in their car for every trip. So I think that’s the important thing, that we understand we’re creating options, and that people indicate by their economic behavior they want those options.”

HaysMed schedules Remembering Together Remembrance Walk

Posted on October 9, 2014October 8, 2014

Hays Medical Center

The HaysMed Birthing Center will host the Remembering Together Remembrance Walk on Sunday, Oct. 19. This special service is for anyone who has experienced a loss through miscarriage, stillbirth or infant loss.

Participants are asked to meet in Hadley Room 2 at HaysMed at 2 p.m. Due to the flu drive, enter Parking Lot C via the southwest drive.

The group will be walking on the fitness trail, so dress for appropriate weather conditions.

In Kansas, funding of political TV ads most mysterious

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

PHILIP ELLIOTT, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Kansas has seen the greatest number of political ads for state-level offices this election season from groups that do not disclose their donors. In fact, secretive groups account for more than half of the spending in that state’s competitive race for governor, and voters likely will never know who is picking up the tab.

Kansas, however, is hardly alone.

More than $9 million in ads have come from such secretive groups in races for governor and state legislatures in 16 states. That’s according to an analysis released Thursday by the non-partisan Center for Public Integrity.

And the bulk of the spending for next month’s elections is yet to come.

Kansas man with Russell ties eludes officers after high-speed chase

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) — Kansas authorities are searching for a man who they say led officers on a chase that reached speeds of more than 100 mph.

Reno County Sheriff Randy Henderson tells KWCH-TV the 26-year-old suspect Scott Lutz is armed and dangerous. He says the man on Wednesday led law enforcement officers from the county, Hutchinson and the Kansas Highway Patrol on a chase through the northern part of the county in a Chevrolet Silverado.

Henderson says authorities called off the chase due to public safety concerns after the suspect passed a school bus. He says the suspect told authorities he won’t be taken alive and that another person might be with him.

No injuries were reported.

Authorities say the man is wanted on three felony warrants for failure to appear in court.

The Russell County Sheriff’s Office reported Wednesday evening that Lutz is believed to have ties in the Russell and Ellsworth areas and asked the public to be on the lookout. Anyone with information is asked to call 911.

DAVE SAYS: Rehabbing to sell

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

Dear Dave,
My husband and I recently inherited my parents’ home. It’s in a small, rural town with little industry, and we’ve been told that the place would be worth $85,000 if it’s cleaned up, compared to $75,000 as-is.

Should we spend about $10,000 to really clean it up, replace a few things and make it presentable to sell it faster?
Terri

Dear Terri,
It’s really up to you guys, because both options — whether you’re sitting on the house or rehabbing it — are going to take time and emotional energy. From a real estate person’s perspective, houses always sell better when they’re shined up and looking nice. When a prospective buyer walks in and sees and smells new carpet and fresh paint, they don’t have strain their imaginations looking past everything. When you force potential buyers to look past things, it usually ends up costing you money.

In most cases, if you spend $10,000 you gain more than what you put into the house. Honestly, I think one of the numbers you’ve given me is wrong — either the $85,000, the $75,000 or the $10,000 you think it will take to fix up the place. In other words, if you spend $10,000 on a project like this, you’ll usually gain $20,000 when you’re talking about stuff like a thorough cleaning, new carpet and flooring, fresh paint and basics like that. My guess is if the place is worth $85,000 fixed up it’ll probably bring about $65,000 as-is.

If it’s me, I’m going to clean the place and fix it up. I’ve done hundreds, if not thousands, of these kinds of deals, and I can’t stand to try and sell something that’s dumpy, grungy and out of shape.
—Dave

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. He has authored five New York Times best-selling books: Financial Peace, More Than Enough, The Total Money Makeover, EntreLeadership and Smart Money Smart Kids. The Dave Ramsey Show is heard by more than 8 million listeners each week on more than 500 radio stations. Follow Dave on Twitter at @DaveRamsey and on the web at daveramsey.com.

INSIGHT KANSAS: Who is the real fraud?

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

MSmith2 edit — Michael A. Smith is an associate professor of political science at Emporia State University.

There is real voter fraud going on in Kansas and across America. Ironically, the perpetrator is Kansas Secretary of State Kris Kobach, a noted voter-fraud alarmist, joined by his allies. Their goal is not to fraudulently cast votes, but to fraudulently suppress them.

Last Sunday, I appeared on a television program immediately following an interview with Kobach. His claim that “there haven’t been any studies on voter fraud” left me astonished. In fact, extensive reports are available online from New York University’s Brennan Center For Justice, among others. Here are the facts:

Researchers have found few documented voter-fraud cases around the country during the past 10 years. Urban legends about deceased people voting are generally due either to a voter dying later in the same year after the election, or two voters (out of hundreds of thousands) sharing both name and birthday. Stories about votes being cast where no house is located are typically due to the voter living in an apartment or group home, someplace not zoned for single-family houses. Myths about undocumented workers registering and voting are unsubstantiated. For example, Kobach’s famous claims regarding voter fraud by Somali immigrants in Kansas City, Mo., involve an election with only two proven cases of voter fraud: both by relatives of one candidate, caught and successfully prosecuted without proof-of-citizenship or photo ID laws.

Kobach’s laws suppress votes, not fraud. I recently completed research with Insight Kansas colleague Chapman Rackaway and Kevin Anderson of Eastern Illinois University. Analyzing the change in turnout between 2008 and 2012, and accounting for other factors, we estimate that a county with 30 percent poverty will experience a voter turnout drop of more than 3 percent due to the proof-of-citizenship laws Kobach favors. Indeed, under such a law, Kansas fell from 28th to 36th among the states for voter turnout between 2008 and 2012: America’s third-largest drop. Democrats usually suffer the effects. Other research finds similar effects for photo ID laws.

The annual Kansas Speaks survey now asks, “Were you prevented from registering by a proof-of-citizenship law?” and “Were you prevented from voting by a photo ID law?” In 2013, seven respondents answered yes to the first question, and seven more said yes to the second: a total of 14 respondents in a survey of 944 people. Just shy of 1.5 percent, this percentage is far larger than the margin by which many close elections are determined.

The real voter fraud here is Kobach and his allies’ trumped-up claims of fraud, used to justify policies suppressing legitimate votes. Ruling on similar laws in Wisconsin, that state’s courts have determined that the cost of obtaining a birth certificate constitutes a poll tax, which is forbidden by both the U.S. and Wisconsin constitutions.

Also, Kobach ally Americans for Prosperity was caught last week mailing fraudulent voter-registration cards in North Carolina, which contained incorrect instructions and were mailed to many ineligible voters, including a cat and a child that would be four and a half years old had she not died two years ago.

It is time to ask, who are the ones really perpetrating voter fraud?

FHSU homecoming activities kick off, bonfire canceled (UPDATE)

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

By NICK BUDD
Hays Post

Students and alumni will flock to the Fort Hays State University campus for the 2014 homecoming events this weekend. This year’s theme is “Once Upon A Time In Tigerland.”

Events will kick off on Thursday with the Tiger Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament at the Smoky Hill Country Club. Proceeds from the tournament benefit FHSU scholarships. There also will be a silent auction.

Due to weather conditions, the annual bonfire has been canceled. The pep rally is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Beach/Schmidt. The event will feature the T-Shirt Trade — bring in another school’s shirt and the first 50 people will get a new Tiger Gold on Friday shirt. Participants also are urged to bring a canned food item to help stock the university’s food pantry.

The Hays community is invited to join members of the football team, marching band and cheerleaders, 2014 Alumni Award recipients, and homecoming king/queen candidates to help the Tigers prepare for their homecoming matchup against Missouri Western on Saturday night.

The 6-3-1 FHSU men’s soccer team will play at 5 p.m. Thursday against Upper Iowa, as well. The Tigers are ranked 24th nationally.

Homecoming registration kicks off on Friday at 8 a.m. at the Memorial Union of the FHSU campus. Alumni and others can register and pick up prepaid tickets at the registration table and view reunion biographical sketches and copies of the Reveille. Alumni also can register on Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.

Activities will continue on Friday at Oktoberfest at Frontier Park beginning at 8:30 a.m. on Friday with Honor Our Heritage activities before the official keg tapping at 11:30 a.m. The Honor Our Heritage activities are alcohol-free and all ages are invited.

As Oktoberfest continues through the day, along with the beer and food, attendees can attend several Volga-German demonstrations throughout the day including soap and saddle making and goat milking. Performers will be on stage throughout the entire day. The annual Alumni and Friends Awards and Recognition Banquet will begin at 6 p.m.

Festivities will continue Saturday with the 5K Tiger Run/Walk, the annual homecoming parade and game, and the dedication of Hammond Hall. Registration for the 5K will be at the Robbins Center at 7:30 a.m., and the race will begin at 8:30 a.m. Bob Dole and former FHSU President Edward Hammond will be on hand for the dedication of Hammond Hall, formerly the Center for Networked Learning, beginning at 10:30 a.m. The newest campus building houses the Informatics Department, Virtual College and CTELT. The annual homecoming parade is slated to begin at 1 p.m. through downtown Hays and the Homecoming game against Missouri Western will commence at 7 p.m.

A full list of homecoming events can be viewed HERE.

2014 FHSU Alumni Awards announced

Posted on October 9, 2014October 9, 2014

FHSU Alumni Association

The FHSU Alumni Association will add seven graduates to its list of Alumni Award recipients. Members of the 2014 award class come from a wide array of backgrounds including athletics, academia, design, geology, law and marketing, with all representing exemplary service and dedication to their industries, communities and the university. The Alumni Association looks forward to hosting these distinguished individuals and their families during the 2014 Homecoming “Once Upon a Time in Tigerland …” weekend.

The Alumni Achievement Award, established in 1959, is Fort Hays State University’s highest recognition of its graduates, honoring graduates who have made outstanding & unselfish contributions in service to their community, state, or nations as citizens, in chosen career fields, or through philanthropic work.

Susan (Trout) Armstrong
’71 BA English
Haysville
President/CEO-Armstrong/Shank Advertising Agency
Susan (Trout) Armstrong graduated from FHSU with a B.A. in English in 1971. In addition to being president and CEO of Armstrong Chamberlin Strategic Marketing, she is the account supervisor and strategic planner. Armstrong began her career as a reporter/editor with the The Hays Daily News. She later joined Parkinson, Strong, Prisock Advertising Agency as a writer/continuity director, followed by Stephan Advertising Agency as an account supervisor before she founded her own agency, Armstrong Creative Services, which would later become Armstrong Chamberlin. She is a recipient of numerous advertising awards on the local, national and international levels, including two prestigious EFFIE awards, presented by the New York Marketing Association for advertising effectiveness. She received the Gold Star award presented by the Haysville Chamber of Commerce in 2010, was recognized as one of the “2004 Women in Business” by The Wichita Business Journal and received the Meritorious Achievement Award from the National Agri-Marketing Association in 2004. Armstrong and her husband, Bruce ’71, live in Haysville. They have two sons, Matthew and Zachary, and one grandchild.

Dorothy (Gross) Knoll, Ph.D.
’68 BS Mathematics
’76 MS Counseling & Guidance
Dallas, Texas
Licensed Professional Counselor, Life Coach, Qualified Mediator, State of Texas
Retired, KUMC Dean of Students

Dr. Dorothy (Gross) Knoll received a B.S. in Mathematics in 1968 and an M.S. in Counseling and Guidance in 1976, both from FHSU, as well as her Ph.D. in counseling and student personnel administration from Kansas State University, Manhattan. Now a Licensed Professional Counselor/Life Coach/Qualified Mediator, Knoll spent a vast portion of her career with the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City as Dean of Student Services until her retirement in 2011. Prior, she served FHSU in several capacities including associate dean of students and foreign student advisor and assistant vice president for student affairs. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award, granted by the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators Region IV-West; KU Women of Distinction Award; and James J. Rhatigan Outstanding Dean Award to name a few. Knoll and her husband, Joseph Beasley, live in Dallas, Texas. She has two children, a daughter, Dr. Victoria Knoll, and a son, Corbin ’96, and two grandchildren.

Jeffrey Peier ’80 BS Finance
’80 BA Economics
Wichita
Managing Member & Attorney, Klenda, Mitchell, Austerman & Zuercher, LLC

Jeffrey Peier graduated from FHSU with bachelor degrees in finance and economics, both in 1980. He furthered his education at the University of Kansas School of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate. Peier is a senior member and managing partner of the Wichita law firm Klenda Austerman LLC, where he has spent his entire legal career. He also serves as a member of Klenda Austerman LLC’s Management Committee. In 2013, Peier received the Wichita Medical Research & Education Foundation “Jiggs” Nelson Quality of Life Award and was named a Kansas Super Lawyer by Super Lawyers Magazine in 2006. He has served on the FHSU Foundation board of trustees since 2001, and was named vice chairman of the board in 2013. Additionally, Peier has served on the FHSU College of Business and Entrepreneurship’s Dean’s Executive Advisory Council and the Economics, Finance, and Accounting Advisory council since 2005. He is a former member of Alumni Association Board of Directors, and served as board president from 1991-1992. Peier and his wife, Dianne ’81, live in Wichita. They have one son, Grant.

Gene Schmidt
’61 BS Chemistry
’62 MS Chemistry
Tulsa, Okla.
Owner, Groundwater/Soils Environmental Consulting

Gene Schmidt received a B.A. in geology from the University of Missouri, Columbia; a B.S. in analytical chemistry (organic chemistry) and an M.S. in organic chemistry (aqueous chemistry) both from Fort Hays State, in 1961 and 1962, respectively; as well as an M.S. in geochemistry/inorganic and organic (hydrogeochemistry of Gulf Coast Sands & Shales) from the University of Tulsa, Okla.. His career began as a district geologist with Kansas Board of Health’s Oil Field Section, later serving as senior research chemist for Pan American Petroleum. Next, he served as a research associate with Amoco Production Company, followed by director of groundwater/soils management services in the Environmental Affairs and Safety Department of Amoco Corporation, and, finally, senior technical consultant. Upon retirement, he opened Groundwater/Soils (GW/S) Environmental Consulting, in Tulsa, where he currently specializes in hydrocarbon contamination of groundwater and soils and petroleum hydrocarbon fingerprinting and age dating. Schmidt has given more than 100 expert testimonies or depositions in court cases, and has experience in more than 5,000 petroleum-related investigations with clients in the United States, Caribbean, and Europe, among others. He has authored more than 40 publications and holds a U.S. patent for a method of using dissolved hydrocarbons to prospect for petroleum. Schmidt and his wife, Thelma, reside in Tulsa, Okla. He has three sons, Gary, Timothy and Terry (deceased) and eight grandchildren.

The Young Alumni Award is granted to graduates of 10- through 15-year reunion classes to recognize those early in their career for significant business or professional accomplishments, or for service to the university and the Alumni Association.

Justin McClure
’00, BFA Art
Wichita
Owner and Executive Creative Director, Justin McClure Creative
Owner, Duct Tape & Glitter

Justin McClure graduated from FHSU in 2000 with a B.F.A. in art and immediately went to work for Leo Burnett, Chicago, ranked one of the top 10 advertising agencies worldwide. He has also been a lead designer and animator for CMT/MTV Networks in Nashville and started an in-house motion graphics department at Barkley Advertising, Kansas City. Today, he is the owner and executive creative director at Justin McClure Creative, which he founded in 2008. Located in Wichita, the studio specializes in motion design, broadcast animation, video production and new media technologies. McClure’s portfolio includes work from national television networks ABC, CMT, the Discovery Channel, Disney, National Geographic and Syfy. He has also worked for national consumer brands American Airlines, Beechcraft, Cessna, Chick-fil-A, Coca-Cola, Dell, MLB, NFL, Old Navy, Sonic, Sprint and Whole Foods. His work with these clients, as well as being the creator of Rerendered.com, a company that was purchased by Envato, Melbourne, Australia, and now boasts over 4 million users, has led him to become one of the most recognized motion design artists in the industry. Recognitions include awards from the Graphex 41 Competition, PromaxBDA, Telly Awards, Omni Awards, ADDY and the 2010 Wichita ADDY’s Rising Star award. McClure and his wife, Shelly, have two sons, Bradyn and Charlie, and two daughters, Madelyn and Liliann. They live in Wichita.

The Nita M. Landrum Award recognizes alumni or friends who have provided sustained volunteer service for the betterment of the Alumni Assoc &/or FHSU, especially in their home communities or at any local levels.

Patricia “Patty” (Rhoades) Baconrind, Ph.D.
’93 MS Communication
Hays
Certified General Appraiser, Baconrind Appraising Services Inc.
President, Center for Professional Betterment, Inc.

Dr. Patricia (Rhoades) Baconrind earned a B.B.A. in business education from Midland Lutheran College, Fremont, Neb., an M.B.A. in business from the University of Nebraska-Kearney; an M.A. in communication from FHSU in 1993; and a Ph.D. in community and human resources from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln. She is a certified general appraiser and owner of Baconrind Appraising Services Inc. and president of the Center for Professional Betterment Inc. She served as assistant professor of business administration at FHSU, beginning in 1976, and was promoted to associate professor in fall of 1981 until 1995. Since then, Baconrind has taught as an adjunct instructor in the FHSU Department of Economics and Finance for several semesters, most recently in spring of 2008. She was named the FHSU Pilot Award recipient in 1979, recognizing her as the outstanding faculty member of the year. Her recognitions include six different Who’s Who categories: Women, Advertising, Finance, in the Midwest, Educators, and in American Education. She is a strong supporter of FHSU, having served two terms on the Alumni Association board of directors from 2002-2006 and 2006-2010. Baconrind lives in Hays and has one son, Chad, and four grandchildren.

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes alumni or friends who have demonstrated a continuing concern for humanity on a universal, national, state, or community level; who support spiritual, cultural, & educational objectives; & who endorse & exemplify the highest standards of character & personal attributes.

Mike Karl
’72 BS Physical Education
’74 MS Education Administration
Hays
FHSU Director of Field Experiences – Clinical Experiences/Student Teaching
Retired High School Educator and Coach

Mike Karl came to Kansas to play football for the College of Emporia, but transferred to FHSU where he received a B.S. in physical education in 1972 and an M.S. in education administration in 1974. Karl taught at USD 489 in Hays immediately following graduation. After four years of teaching and five as assistant principal at Hays Junior High, now Hays Middle School, he spent nearly a quarter century as assistant principal and athletic director at Hays High until his retirement in 2003. In 2004, Karl joined FHSU as director of field experience in the College of Education and Technology, a position he holds to this day. He is responsible for coordinating with K-12 schools regarding the placement of education field experiences including student teaching. He also assigns and trains supervisors of clinical experiences. In 2008, Karl was inducted into the Kansas State High School Activities Association’s Hall of Fame because of his accomplishments in 28 years of work in administration. Karl received the NIAAA Distinguished Service Award and State Award of Merit for Kansas in 1999, as well as 1990 Kansas Special Olympics Distinguished Service Award. Karl and his wife, Val ’74, ’96, live in Hays. They have one son, Scott ’99, two daughters, Summer ’04, ’05, and Stacey ’06, ’12, and eight grandchildren.

Kansans safely dispose of nearly 4 tons of medicines

Posted on October 9, 2014

Kansas Attorney General

TOPEKA – Kansans safely disposed of nearly 4 tons of unused medicines during last month’s National Drug Take-Back Day, Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt said.

Kansas law enforcement officers collected 7,452 pounds of medicines at 105 locations throughout the state during last month’s event, according to a report from the federal Drug Enforcement Agency. Law enforcement agencies turn the drugs they collect over to the DEA, who safely destroys the medications.

“The ongoing efforts by Kansans to properly dispose of unneeded medications continue to make our state safer,” Schmidt said.

Since the semi-annual event began in 2010, Kansans have safely destroyed 63,666 pounds of medications.

Unused prescriptions can be turned in year-round at many local law enforcement locations. Kansans should contact their local sheriff’s office or police department for more information.

NW Kan. Area Agency on Aging earns Walmart Foundation grant

Posted on October 9, 2014October 8, 2014

TOPEKA — The Walmart Foundation’s Kansas State Giving Program has awarded $315,000 to eight nonprofits throughout the state dedicated to serving residents through its core areas of giving: hunger relief and healthy eating, sustainability, career opportunity and women’s economic empowerment.

Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging was among the grant recipients.

“We’re honored to play our part in helping Kansas residents live better by supporting organizations that make a significant impact across the state,” said Mindy Ellis, senior director and regional general manager, Walmart. “Each of the organizations is uniquely positioned to address the needs of the communities they serve and we look forward to seeing how they assist Kansas residents with the help of a State Giving grant.”

The Walmart Foundation’s State Giving Program supports organizations that create opportunities so people can live better, awarding grants that have a long-lasting, positive impact on communities across the U.S. Twice a year, the Kansas State Giving Program looks for organizations that address the needs of the communities they serve and make a significant social impact.

The following nonprofits received a second cycle State Giving grant to fund vital local programs that have proven to help those in Kansas live better. Nonprofit recipients in Kansas include:

Boy & Girls Club of Manhattan received a $25,000 grant to support Portable Kitchen, a pilot program being tested with youth, kindergarten through 12th grade. This grant will allow the Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan to partner with the Home Baking Association (HBA), Share Our Strength and various test kitchens to develop, produce and contribute to educational resources and training videos for the Portable Kitchen.

“The Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan is grateful to receive a Walmart Foundation State Giving grant,” said Kelly Carmody, Boys & Girls Club of Manhattan. “The grant will help fund the Portable Kitchen curriculum and training to ensure Club members are given the tools to live a more active and healthy lifestyle. It truly brings Club programs full circle with a real life experience that they can take with them.”

Boys & Girls Club of Topeka received a $30,294 grant to support its afterschool meal program that was launched in March 2014. The grant will enable the Boys & Girls Club of Topeka to continue renovations of its outdated kitchen that is currently unusable for prepping and serving meals.

“The Walmart Grant is a vital pillar to stabilizing the foundation for Boys & Girls Clubs of Topeka’s commitment to the youth outcome area of Healthy Lifestyles. With a membership ranging in ages 5 years old to 18 years old and 87% of those kids living in poverty, the provision of healthy meals and snacks is a critical component to building stronger minds, bodies and souls,” said Dawn McWilliams, Chief Professional Officer. “The funding was used to aid in the upgrade of a commercial kitchen in The Adams Club to prepare healthy meals & snacks and provide a cafeteria style dining area for members to enjoy those delicious meals in the safety of their Club with those caring mentors that guide their positive and productive development.”

Dress for Success Wichita received a $37,966 grant to support its Professional Women’s Group that provides workforce development programming.

“The Walmart grant will allow continued support of our mission to empower women and encourage economic independence through our many programs such as the Tailored Transitions and Professional Women’s Group,” said Portia Portugal, Dress for Success Wichita. “We are very thankful for this opportunity to help women in our community to thrive in their journey through career development.”

Harvesters–The Community Food Network received a $25,000 grant to support nutrition, education and healthy eating efforts in Kansas.

“Across Kansas, one in five children lives in a food-insecure home and is at risk for missing a meal this week,” said Harvesters’ President and CEO Valerie Nicholson-Watson. “This generous support from Walmart enables Harvesters to provide healthy food, including fresh produce, and nutrition education to help low-income children grow strong and healthy.”

Kansas Food Bank received a $50,000 grant that will be used to provide weekend packets of food to chronically hungry children. Through its Food 4 Kids weekend backpack program, the Kansas Food Bank provides packets of kid friendly, nutritious food to children who experience hunger on the weekends.

“We are so grateful to Walmart for this gift,” said Larry Gunkel, Food 4 Kids manager, Kansas Food Bank. “Walmart is a great community partner in the fight against hunger. Receipt of this grant will provide more than 11,000 food packets for hungry children.”

Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging received a $56,000 grant to support its HOMESTEAD Nutrition Project by purchasing three vehicles to deliver meals to those in need.

“In northwest Kansas, our Nutrition Program covers a lot of miles. Many of the areas we serve are remote and frontier and our meal program may be the only access to food in the community,” said Kristen Schmidt, HOMESTEAD Nutrition Project director for the Northwest Kansas Area Agency on Aging. “Our hot, nutritious meals help keep people healthy and independent so they can live in their own homes and communities as long as possible. The Walmart State Giving Grant Program helps us to achieve our goal of serving frail, high risk individuals.”

Senior Services of Southeast Kansas Inc. received a $46,000 grant to support its Meals on Wheels initiative, specifically, to purchase vans to deliver meals to multiple sites located throughout southeast Kansas.

“We wish to thank Walmart for their generous support on behalf of the many senior citizens we serve,” said Jim Miller, Board Treasurer. “For many of the seniors, the home delivered meals allows them to stay independent in their homes.”

Urban League of Kansas received a $44,740 grant to support its workforce development program that assists 90 low-income individuals by providing school supplies, uniforms and other additional requirements for enrollment in the Patient Care Assistant program (PCA).

“On behalf of Urban League of Kansas, I’d like to thank Walmart for the Kansas State Giving grant that will support our workforce development program,” said Desmond Blake, Urban League of Kansas. “The grant will help individuals acquire the portable skills, competencies, and credentials needed to secure and retain employment in areas of high demand within the state of Kansas’ healthcare sector.”

In 2013, in Kansas, the Walmart Foundation awarded $8.7 million in cash and in-kind contributions and a total giving of $10.3 million including customer donations. Donations of cash, food, refrigerated trucks, mobile pantries and other resources are changing lives across America. In 2010, Walmart and the Walmart Foundation launched “Fighting Hunger Together” – a $2 billion cash and in-kind commitment through 2015 to fight hunger in America. This initiative leverages Walmart’s size and resources to provide nutritious food and the Walmart Foundation’s ability to grant funding to nonprofits that help elevate the issue.