Fort Hays State Athletics recently named its Technology and Learning Center in Cunningham Hall on the campus of Fort Hays State University the Carolyn Bird Technology and Learning Center, sponsored by AT&T, in honor of its longtime employee.

AT&T sponsored the creation of the Technology and Learning Center in 2002 to assist the Fort Hays State University Athletic Department in reaching its academic goals. On February 18, 2015, with the gracious cooperation of AT&T, the name was changed to the Carolyn Bird Technology and Learning Center in honor of her longtime leadership of the academic program for Tiger Athletics. Bird retired from her longtime position as Assistant Athletic Director/Senior Woman Administrator/Compliance Director/Academic Coordinator in the fall of 2014, working 23 years with Fort Hays State student-athletes and 25 years total at Fort Hays State University.

Bird started a study program for student-athletes at FHSU in 1991 at the request of then FHSU President Dr. Edward H. Hammond and Athletic Director Tom Spicer. Under her guidance as Academic Coordinator for Athletics, the program continued to grow, creating the need for the Technology and Learning Center. Bird’s role grew to Assistant Athletic Director, Senior Woman Administrator, and Director of Compliance, while serving on numerous athletic committees for FHSU at the conference and NCAA level. Her efforts have significantly made an impact on the lives of many athletes through the years, while graduation rates and grade point averages have improved significantly as a result of her selfless leadership.

AT&T’s generous support has provided state of the art technology to enhance the learning experience for over 400 student-athletes at FHSU. The Carolyn Bird Technology and Learning Center continues to provide the necessary technology and leadership to increase academic success and graduation rates of student-athletes.