By DIANE GASPER-O’BRIEN
FHSU University Relations

Showing outward emotions isn’t part of Judy Getty’s DNA. She admits that not many people have seen her cry.

Nonetheless, Getty said she got a little teary eyed last week while preparing a talk for her retirement reception.

Getty — after 43 years and nearly 10 months of working for Fort Hays State University — retired May 31, and the Stouffer Lounge in FHSU’s Memorial Union was packed with supporters to wish her a fond farewell last Friday afternoon.

After several moves among buildings on the university quad, Getty settled in as director of Student Fiscal Services in 1997 and has been there ever since.

She loves her office. She loves her job.

“But you just know when it’s time,” Getty said earlier this week while looking out a window of her third-floor office in Picken Hall.

“I have a great staff, and it’s time to give them the opportunity to be who they can be,” Getty said. “They learned well, and it’s time for them to have the opportunities to advance like I did.”

And advance she did.

Getty started at FHSU as a copy setter for brochures in the Copy Center in Martin Allen Hall back in September 1972. She became secretary for the business department in 1975, which then formed the School of Business a year later. She served as secretary to the dean of the School of Business until 1980, then moved to the business office as a loans and grants accountant. Seventeen years later, she was part of another new venture when Student Fiscal Services was formed, and she was appointed director.

Along the way, Getty earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees as a non-traditional student over a 20-year period.

“I was very fortunate to have all the opportunities I’ve had at Fort Hays State,” she said. “I am very familiar with what non-traditional students have to go through to get their degrees.”

Not only did Getty help students but co-workers as well.

“She helped me out,” said Karlin, FHSU registrar who has worked with Getty in several capacities in his 27 years at the university. “More importantly, she helped a lot of students in the process of enrolling and getting into college and getting out of college.”

Several people spoke at Getty’s reception, calling her a matriarch of the university.

“She goes by the book, but she will go to bat for every student on this campus,” said Joey Linn, vice president for Student Affairs.

May Schumacher, Getty’s assistant for the past nine years who will take over as director come Tuesday, said she learned a lot from Getty.

“She was a great mentor for me; she taught us very much about working as a team,” Schumacher said. “Our office has been very much a team environment. I hope she leaves those 43-year-old shoes somewhere in that office.”

Getty has witnessed a lifetime of changes at Fort Hays State over the years. After all, she has worked under four of FHSU’s nine presidents — Dr. John W. Gustad, Dr. Gerald W. Tomanek, Dr. Edward H. Hammond and Dr. Mirta M. Martin.

But, she pointed out, two things have remained constant: Tiger pride and keeping students’ needs as the number one priority.

“Look at this campus, how beautiful it is. There is so much pride here, Tiger pride,” Getty said while taking a stroll on campus earlier this week.

She talked about her love of the university, and its core purpose, as she walked.

“I’ve taught my staff from the beginning of time, ‘Don’t discriminate,’ ” Getty said. “If you just remember, ‘Students first,’ you’ll do fine.

“I just really believe in Fort Hays State,” she added. “I believe in students; that’s what we’re here for.”

Getty smiled as she reminisced about her early days at Fort Hays State, that it didn’t seem all that long since she was a student herself.

“It seems like about 10 to 15 years,” she said. “It sure doesn’t seem like 40-some.”

Getty had the skills to be successful from the beginning, said Thelma Smith, a co-worker of Getty’s in the Copy Center.

“That gal was an excellent worker,” said Smith, a clerk typist in the Copy Center for 21 years who retired long ago.

“(Her supervisor) would tell Judy what to do one time, and she knew what to do,” added Smith, who still lives in Hays. “I thought she was a jewel of a worker, but what I really liked about her was that if there were people fussing or feuding in the office, not Judy. She was so even keeled.”

After graduating from Otis Rural High School in 1966, Getty, a native of Olmitz, enrolled in a business college in Hutchinson for a 15-month program. She worked for five years in Hutchinson and Hays before deciding to stay home with two of her three daughters for about eight months before taking the State of Kansas Civil Service Exam.

She successfully sought the job in the Copy Center and started work on Labor Day 1972, and thus began her long career at Fort Hays State.

That was back when the students had class on Labor Day,” Getty said. “My dad asked me, ‘Why would you ever start a job that works on Labor Day?’ It’s a good thing I did.”

She has looked forward to every Labor Day since, partly because it’s near the start of another new school year.

“The neat thing about working at the university, you can start fresh three times a year,” she said. “If you had a rocky semester, you have a new start with the next one.”

Labor Day 2016 will be one to remember for Getty. It will mark the first one in more than four decades where she won’t have to be at work the next day.

Chances are, Getty will be out tending her flower garden and thinking of those folks who still have to go to work that morning. That list includes her husband, Larry, director of Budget and Planning at FHSU who she met in her early days on campus.

“The people are what makes this place,” she said. “All the people I’ve worked with, my mentors, the memories, the fun. I’ll never forget them. You go through people’s lives with them — their weddings, their kids’ weddings. What good memories.”

Even in retirement, Getty will continue taking journeys with people, as a Hospice volunteer.

“I had been a volunteer before, but you can’t do it justice when you work full time. Now I can do that,” she said. “It’s rewarding to go on somebody’s journey with them at the end of their life.”

By RANDY GONZALES
FHSU University Relations

Conducting field surveys is a stimulating part of the job for Dr. Ken Neuhauser, professor of geosciences at Fort Hays State University.

Neuhauser, who estimated he has gone on one or two geophysics surveys a year for about the last 15 years, used a magnetometer recently to survey a local stage and freight station called Lookout Station, used in the 19th century. With a magnetometer, the strength and location of the earth’s magnetic field can be determined. The presence of iron-bearing metal changes the baseline readings of the magnetic field.

“This is exciting; this is fun,” Neuhauser said. “I have this job, and part of it is the opportunity to do this stuff.”

Lookout Station was located southwest of Hays. It was used by Butterfield Overland Dispatch, which delivered freight on the Smoky Hill Trail. On April 14, 1867, Indians raided Lookout Station and killed three men. They were said to have been buried next to a burned out barn at the station.

Neuhauser had two students mark out a grid where the bodies were thought to have been buried. His son, Kris Neuhauser, a graduate student in geology at FHSU, and Dave Befort, who received his bachelor’s degree in geology this year, staked out the grid, using red flags. Befort is the son of Don Befort, who owns the land.

“I’ve been involved in using magnetometers and sometimes electrical resistivity to see what’s buried underground,” Neuhauser said. “I use this applied technique to teach to my classes — my senior field methods class, my summer senior field camp course. They learn to interpret and integrate various scientific procedures.”

The Smoky Hill Trail Association asked for Neuhauser’s help in determining if there were, indeed, three unmarked graves at Lookout Station.

“We do know the names of the men buried there,” said Jim Gray, who ranches in Geneseo in central Kansas.

“We’re hoping to put a monument out there in recognition of those men, a memorial to them,” added Gray, who is a member of SHTA.

Gray said the group would reveal the names of the men killed at the station during a ceremony for the monument, whenever it is erected. The SHTA meets in October, which is when Neuhauser will present his findings to the group.

Shortly after the SHTA was founded, one of its members, Linda Kohls, spotted something on a field trip to Lookout Station.

“She was the one who recognized a difference in the color of the grass right next to where the barn dugout was,” Gray said. “It was her perceptive quality — you could see the grass was the size of graves and there were three of them, side-by-side.”

After studying the data, Neuhauser found some anomalies in the survey, just not enough to suit him. He saw iron-bearing objects below the surface at different depths.

“I was hoping to see three linear shadowy patterns, like a string of pearls,” Neuhauser said. “I didn’t see that.

“There’s suspect anomalies there,” he added. “It’s my opinion that there’s some iron-bearing things at these approximate depths.”

As part of his students’ course work, they are required to look for buried objects.

“I’ve got stuff buried all over this campus,” Neuhauser said.

For example, one site has six 55-gallon steel drums buried at an undisclosed spot on FHSU property. Other iron-bearing items are also buried at other campus sites.

“We use these known field test sites,” Neuhauser said. “I make my students figure this stuff out. I don’t tell them what’s down there, nor how deep. They’ve got to tell me. I’m their client. They have to write up an analysis and produce a scientific report.”

In the past, Neuhauser has been asked to survey everything from gasoline tanks buried years ago to several B-29 crash sites. The test flights took off from the former Walker Army Airfield, located about 15 miles east of Hays.

“You just analyze with the data, try to figure out where and how deep the iron-bearing features are,” Neuhauser said.

FHSU University Relations

The Kansas Wetlands Education Center and Mother Nature will supply the materials for guests to create nature silhouettes, a piece of artwork made out of leaves, plants and paint, during a free craft workshop 2 p.m. Sunday, June 5, at KWEC, 592 NE K-156 Highway on the southeast side of Cheyenne Bottoms Wildlife Area.

Jean Aycock, education director at KWEC, will facilitate in the KWEC classroom and outside as “artists” gather their plants and spray paint.

“We’ll be making a wonderful piece of wall-art made to fit in with home décor,” said Aycock.

This workshop is suitable for ages 12 and up. Registration is required. Call 1-877-243-9268 by Friday, June 3.

The Wetlands Center is administered by Fort Hays State University’s Sternberg Museum of Natural History.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Fort Hays State University receives attention from six online ranking sites for the affordability and quality of its online programs.

CollegeChioce.net
No. 1, Best Online Bachelor’s in Education Degree Programs

When the available data about FHSU’s virtual Bachelor of Science in education was entered into College Choice’s algorithm, it scored a perfect score, earning it the No. 1 spot. FHSU’s online education program, which offers students the option to concentrate in early childhood unified, elementary education or elementary education with a special education minor, beat out schools such as the University of Wisconsin, Texas Tech University, Arizona State University, the University of Georgia, the University of Missouri, Drexel University, St. Louis University and New Mexico State University.

“College Choice designed this ranking to help prospective education students make the best choice about where to invest their time and resources,” said Christian Amondson, managing editor. “Schools and programs were evaluated based on publicly available information about academic quality, student satisfaction, reputation in the field and return on investment.”

To view this ranking, navigate to www.CollegeChoice.net > Rankings > All Rankings > Online College Rankings: Best Online Bachelor’s in Education, 2016.

Masters-in-Special-Education.com
No. 1, Top 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Special Education 2016

FHSU offers a Master of Science in special education with concentrations in gifted or high-incidence. This isn’t the only time FHSU’s M.S. in special education shows up in a ranking this month. BestCollegeReviews.org, below, also ranks this program as one of the best.

“After using the NCES College Navigator database to identify schools that offer an online master’s degree on special education, we ranked the degrees based on in-state graduate tuition,” said Laura Kilmartin, online relations for Masters-in-Special-Education.

FHSU’s M.S. in special education program, earning the No. 1 spot, beat out schools in Kansas such as Pittsburg State University and Emporia State University. Other schools FHSU beat out include the University of Nebraska at Omaha, Arkansas State University, the University of Arkansas, Columbus State University, Texas A&M University-College Station, Indiana University and the University of Alaska.

To view this ranking, navigate to www.Masters-in-Special-Education.com and in the left-hand column under “rankings,” select “Top 25 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Special Education 2016.”

HealthcareAdministrator.org
No. 9, Top 10 “Affordable” Online Bachelor’s Degrees in the U.S.

Healthcare Administrator ranks the FHSU Virtual College in its list of the top 10 most affordable ways to earn an online bachelor’s degree, along with Colorado Technical University, Columbia College, the University of Wyoming and Western Governors University, and beating out Oregon State University.

According to Healthcare Administrator, “the high costs of education in the U.S. have shifted people in gaining affordable degree programs. Known colleges and universities conclude that flexibility and affordability are among the top criteria of today’s people in search of higher education.”

To figure the ranking, Healthcare Administrator “used several parameters, including student feedback, student placement, rate of success, tuition fees and overall course structure,” said Andrej Sagaidak with HealthcareAdministrator.org.

View this ranking at https://bit.ly/1TyEKzX.

OnlineCourseReport.com
No. 10, The 20 Best Master’s in Marketing Degrees Online

Online Course Report considered over 100 online master’s programs with emphases in marketing and narrowed it down to the top 20.

The Virtual College at FHSU offers a Master of Business Administration with 11 concentrations, including a marketing option. This program is 34 credit hours with an additional 12 hours for students who have not completed an undergraduate degree in business.

Based on Online Course Report’s methodology and data collection, FHSU scored 83-percent for student outcomes, which is based on the percentage of matriculating first year students who graduate within the 150 percent of the estimated total program length. FHSU also scored 54 percent for student services, which is based on the incorporation of career guidance, online library, tutoring, financial aid, advisors, interaction with peers and student clubs.

“This means it outperforms 80 other fully online marketing master’s programs in terms of serving its students with technical, financial and career support, as well as in terms of graduation rate and affordability,” said Josh Jackson, contributing writer and lead researcher for Online Course Report.

To view this ranking, navigate to www.OnlineCourseReport.com > Rankings > 20 Best Masters in Marketing Degrees Online.

OnlineSchoolsCenter.com
Top 20 Online Schools for Bachelor’s of Criminal Justice Degree Programs

“We strive to seek out the best institutions in order to guide potential students towards a unique and fulfilling college experience, and your school stood out among many,” said Rowan Jones, researcher and writer for Online Schools Center.

FHSU’s Virtual College offers both a B.A. and B.S. in criminal justice. Students can concentrate in law enforcement, corrections, law and the courts, or create their own combination of courses.

To view this ranking, navigate to www.OnlineSchoolsCenter.com and in the right-hand column, under “online programs,” select “Top 20 Online Schools for Bachelor’s of Criminal Justice Degree Programs.”

BestCollegeReviews.org

A new ranking site, Best College Reviews, recognizes FHSU’s Virtual College as the No. 8 best online and No. 4 most affordable college in the country.

Best College Review began its search for the top schools by analyzing more than 400 virtual programs, then narrowed that list down to colleges that offer 10 or more online programs, which left them with a list of 80-plus colleges and universities. Within that list, Best College Review ranked FHSU programs 11 times in addition to the Virtual College’s overall No. 8 and No. 4 rankings.

Best College Reviews methodology ranks each school by affordability of the average out-of-state tuition, flexibility for additional specializations or accelerated tracks, and by academic reputation according to U.S. News and World Report.

To view all of the rankings, navigate to www.BestCollegeReviews.org and select “college rankings.”

The programs:

No. 4, The 25 Best Online Masters in Organizational Leadership

FHSU offers a Master of Professional Studies with a concentration in organizational leadership.

The program totals 30 credit hours. Twelve credit hours required for the concentration are Organizational Systems-Change and Leadership, Leadership in Teams and Collaborative Environments, Research Methods, and Organizational Intervention Strategies. Students are required to complete an internship or research project.

In this ranking, FHSU beat out the University of South Dakota and Colorado Technical University.

No. 8, The 20 Best Online Master’s in School Counseling Programs

At FHSU, students earning the Master of Science in counseling can concentrate in school or community counseling. Practicum experience and an internship are both required to complete the online program along with three four-day, on-campus courses.

No. 9, The Best Online RN-to-BSN Programs

Virtual students can earn their Bachelor of Science in nursing if they are licensed as a Registered Nurse. Students are able to fulfill the clinical portion of the program in their hometowns.

The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

In this ranking, FHSU beat out Texas Tech University and Ball State University.

No. 11, The 25 Best Online Bachelors in Human Resources

FHSU’s online Bachelor of Business Administration in management with a concentration in human resources tied with Trident University International and Colorado Technical University as the 11th best online program.

“We are highly impressed that FHSU’s program ranks so well and stands out from competitors,” said Jack Kelle, Best College Reviews.

No. 11, The 25 Best Online Psychology Degree Programs

FHSU offers both a B.A. and B.S. in psychology, which beat out Loyola University-Chicago and Florida Technical Institute.

No. 11, The 25 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Programs

FHSU offers a Master of Science in nursing with two emphases: education, which specializes in teaching strategies, curriculum development and evaluation, and administration, which prepares students to take on leadership roles in the rapidly changing healthcare environment.

The M.S.N. program, earning the No. 11 spot, beat out Duke University, Western Governors University and Indiana State University.

No. 11, The 25 Best Online Master’s in Nursing Administration

Earning a master’s in nursing comes after a student obtains RN status and has earned a B.S.N. from an accredited school. The administration emphasis is ideal for nurses who want to pursue leadership careers in hospitals and other healthcare agencies.

FHSU’s M.S.N. program, earning the No. 11 spot, beat out the University of Pittsburgh, Indiana State University and Kaplan University.

No. 15, The 25 Best Bachelor’s in Business Administration Online Programs

FHSU offers a Bachelor of Business Administration in international business and economics, management, human resources, management information systems, marketing, and tourism and hospitality management.

In this ranking, FHSU’s B.B.A. program beat out Pennsylvania State University and California State University-Fullerton.

No. 19, The 25 Best Bachelors in Criminal Justice Programs

FHSU’s virtual B.A. and B.S. in criminal justice tied with the University of Phoenix and Ashford University for the No. 19 spot as best program.

Students majoring in criminal justice can concentrate in law enforcement, corrections, law and the courts, or create their own combination of courses.

No. 20, The 25 Best Online Master’s in Special Education Programs

FHSU offers a Master of Science in special education through the Department of Advanced Education programs, and the program can either be completed for gifted or high-incidence special education.

FHSU’s M.S. in special education program, earning the No. 20 spot, tied with Boise State University and Eastern Kentucky University.

No. 20, The 20 Best Online Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Education

Students earning their Bachelor of Science in education from FHSU can concentrate in early childhood unified, elementary or elementary with special education minor.

According to the Kansas Department of Education, graduates with the early childhood unified endorsement can teach regular and special education at the birth to third-grade level. The elementary emphasis qualifies graduates to teach kindergarten through sixth grade.

Expect mostly sunny to partly cloudy skies on Thursday with highs in the lower 80s. Winds will be from the southeast at 10 to 15 mph.

Today Sunny, with a high near 84. Light and variable wind becoming south southeast 10 to 15 mph in the morning.

Tonight Mostly clear, with a low around 58. South southeast wind 7 to 14 mph.

Friday Sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 8 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

Friday Night Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South wind 5 to 11 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.

Saturday Sunny, with a high near 81. Breezy, with a north wind 11 to 20 mph.

Saturday NightClear, with a low around 54.

SundaySunny, with a high near 82.

Sunday NightMostly clear, with a low around 56.