2016 – Page 610 – Hays Post Archive

Kan. man charged with using cell phone to take photos of sex abuse

Posted on May 17, 2016

WICHITA- A Kansas man who lived in base housing at McConnell Air Force Base was charged Friday with sexually abusing two teenage girls according to acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Random Shane Smith, 36, Wichita, is charged in a criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Wichita with two counts of aggravated sexual abuse and one count of producing child pornography.

According to court records, Smith used force to make the victims submit to sexual acts with him. Smith sexually assaulted the victims over a period of time while they were 12 to 17 years old. The most recent assaults occurred on the McConnell AFB. Smith used a cell phone camera to take photos of some of the assaults.

Hays High, TMP-Marian softball postponed to Wednesday

Posted on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016

HAYS, Kan. – Both the Hays High and TMP-Marian softball regionals scheduled for Tuesday have been pushed back a day due to wet fields. The Indians 4A Division I regional at the Bickle-Schmidt Sports Complex will now be played on Wednesday at the same time. McPherson will play Ulysses in the first game at 3 pm with Hays High and Buhler playing at 4:30 pm with the finals scheduled for 6 pm.

The TMP-Marian 3A regional will begin at 1 pm with the conclusion of Monday’s final game between Plainville/Stockton and Larned at 1 pm. The winner will play top-seed Southwestern Heights at 3 pm. TMP-M will take on Scott City at 4:30 pm with the finals scheduled for 6 pm.

Tuesday’s TMP-Marian baseball game vs. Scott City in Larned is still on but will be played at 7 pm.

Hays High’s regional opener vs. Buhler in McPherson will be played Wednesday at 4 pm.

New Kansas law revives debate over welfare restrictions

Posted on May 17, 2016

by MEGAN HART

The legislative battle may be over, but the war of words continues about a bill that imposes new restrictions on Kansas welfare recipients.

Gov. Sam Brownback signed Senate Bill 402 on Monday at the Statehouse flanked by legislative supporters of the measure.

The new law lowers the lifetime limit for those receiving cash assistance under the Temporary Aid for Needy Families (TANF) program from three years to two years, with the possibility of a one-year hardship extension. It also tightens work requirements and penalties for not cooperating with fraud investigations.

The Kansas Department for Children and Families projects about 420 of the approximately 4,900 families on TANF will hit the 24-month limit in January.

Brownback said the measure, which supporters refer to as the HOPE Act 2.0, and restrictions imposed in a similarly titled bill passed last year will help motivate Kansans to get off welfare and find a job. He said people needed “hard deadlines” to accomplish goals such as finding a job or completing a term paper.

“It’s helped people get out of poverty, it’s helped people have more income and it’s helped people get back their dignity,” he said.

But critics say the restrictions are forcing people who need assistance deeper into poverty.

“The so-called HOPE Act hurts the poorest families in Kansas,” said Shannon Cotsoradis, outgoing president of Kansas Action for Children. “Cutting off critical lifelines to Kansas’ most economically fragile children merely perpetuates the cycle of poverty that the governor claims to be committed to reducing.”

Legislative critics say the restrictions are politically motivated, a charge buttressed by the release earlier this year of a memo written by Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce, a Hutchinson Republican, and distributed to some Kansas GOP lawmakers. Among other things, the memo advised Senate Republicans seeking re-election that there was “popular support” for tighter welfare rules.

Both sides in the welfare debate claim to have data to support their positions.

A study touted by Brownback by the right-leaning Foundation for Government Accountability found that incomes had increased an average of 127 percent for the roughly 14,000 Kansas adults who were dropped from the food stamp program by eligibility changes enacted in 2013.

But that claim was undermined by data included elsewhere in the report that showed their average income was still less than half of the federal poverty level, which in 2016 is $11,880 for an individual and $24,300 for a family of four.

About 79 percent of those the study followed were still in poverty a year after leaving the food stamp program. A significant percentage of those who found jobs also reported they still had incomes below the poverty line.

Critics of the welfare restrictions point to the fact that the number of Kansas families enrolled in TANF has dropped precipitously in the last 10 years.

In 2005, an average of 17,118 Kansas families with 30,321 children received TANF benefits each month. So far in 2016, the monthly average is far lower at 5,506 families and 9,630 children.

However, it isn’t clear how many left TANF because they obtained employment. In 2006, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported about 41 percent of TANF cases that were closed in Kansas listed the reason as “employment.” In 2014, the most recent year with data available, only about 9 percent of closed TANF cases cited employment.

Federal data shows that Kansas families who left TANF in 2014 had an average income of $13,284, which would be below the poverty line for a family of two or more.

Kansas has enacted the following restrictions on public assistance in recent years:

2011: Lowered the lifetime limit for TANF from five years to four years.
2013: Required adults who don’t have a disability or a dependent child to work at least 20 hours per week or lose food assistance.
2015: Lowered the lifetime limit for TANF to three years.
2016: Lowered the lifetime limit for TANF to two years.

Megan Hart is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach her on Twitter @meganhartMC

Herington administrator will interview for USD 489 superintendent position

Posted on May 17, 2016

By SARAH WASINGER
Hays USD 489

John Thissen will interview for the position of superintendent with the Hays USD 489 Board of Education on Tuesday evening.

Thissen is the first of four candidates that USD 489 Hays board will interview. Candidates were selected for interviews based on their fit with desired characteristics that were developed with input from focus groups that were utilized throughout the search process.

Thissen is currently serving as USD 487 Herington superintendent. Thissen has served in his current position since July 2007. Thissen has also served in the role of principal at McPherson Middle School, Great Bend Middle School, and Harrison Junior High School, college instructor at Barton County Community College, and was the assistant principal of Junction City Middle School.

John Thissen Schedule
May 17, 2016
9:00 a.m.: Arrive at Rockwell Administration Center.
9:05 a.m. – 9:20 a.m.: Meet with Superintendent Katt for coffee.
Receive schedule for day and information prepared by clerk for all candidates.
9:30 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.: Roosevelt Elementary School – facility tour and meet and greet
10:15 am – 11:00 am: Drive to Lincoln, O’Loughlin, and Early Childhood Connections
11:00a.m. – 11:45 a.m.: Hays High School – facility tour and meet and greet
12:00 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.: Lunch with building administrators
1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.: Hays Middle School – facility tour and meet and greet
2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.: Rockwell Administration Center – facility tour and meet and greet
3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.: Community and Parent meet and greet – Toepfer Board Room
4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.: Free time for the candidate (the district will provide transportation to and from the motel for the candidate and/or guest.
5:30 p.m.: Begin interview with the board (only)
6:15 p.m.: Dinner with candidate and their guest
7:15 p.m.: Interview continues

HPD Activity Log May 16

Posted on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016

The Hays Police Department responded to 3 animal calls and 9 traffic stops Monday, May 16, 2016, accord to the HPD Activity Log.

MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1800 block Allen St, Hays; 8:49 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–500 block E 14th St, Hays; 9:02 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–13th and Vine, Hays; 10:15 AM
Animal At Large–2900 block Barclay Dr, Hays; 12:54 PM
Found/Lost Property–600 block Main St, Hays; 1:29 PM
MV Accident-Hit and Run–200 block E 11th St, Hays; 1 AM
Aggravated Battery–Hays; 2:42 PM
Burglary/vehicle–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:52 PM; 10:05 PM
Driving While Suspended/Revoked–700 block Vine St, Hays; 4:37 PM
Disturbance – General–200 block W 20th St, Hays; 5:56 PM

FHSU professor receives outstanding alumni award

Posted on May 17, 2016

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

Dr. Jill Arensdorf, chair of the Department of Leadership Studies at Fort Hays State University, recently received the 2016 Richard E. Mistler Outstanding Blue Key Alumni Award from Kansas State University.

Arensdorf was a member of the 1999-2000 Blue Key class at K-State. The award recognizes commitment to service, leadership and scholarship.

In addition to teaching leadership studies at FHSU, Arensdorf is the faculty coordinator for the L3: Live. Learn. Lead. living-learning community. She is also a fellow for the Center for Civic Leadership.

Kansas native and former head coach Jerry Kill named associate AD at K-State

Posted on May 17, 2016

Kansas State Athletics

Former Minnesota dn Emporia State football coach Jerry Kill has been named an associate AD at Kansas State. — Former Minnesota and Emporia State football coach Jerry Kill has been named an associate AD at Kansas State.

MANHATTAN, Kan. – Cheney native Jerry Kill, whose 32-year football coaching career spanned 156 wins as a head coach and included remarkable turnarounds and results, is returning home to the state of Kansas as K-State Athletics Director John Currie announced today that the former Minnesota head coach has been named Associate Athletics Director for Administration.

In his new role, Kill will be a member of Currie’s senior departmental staff and serve as chief administrator for the K-State football program. Kill retired from Minnesota and the coaching profession in 2015 due to health reasons and is excited to enter a new administrative phase of his career.

“We are thrilled that Jerry and Rebecca are coming home to join the K-State family,” Currie said. “He is ready to move into a new chapter of his life and professional career, and his experience as a former head coach will be a terrific addition to our staff. We look forward to the perspective and mentoring he will provide our coaches and student-athletes as we continue toward our vision of a Model Intercollegiate Athletics Program.”

“Rebecca and I couldn’t be happier to return home to the state of Kansas and join the K-State Athletics family and Manhattan community,” Kill said. “I want to make it known that my coaching days are over, and I am excited to start this next phase as an administrator for one of the finest athletics departments in the country. Mentoring has always been very important to me, and I am thrilled to work in support of Hall of Fame Coach Bill Snyder and the football program and learn more about the administrative side of college athletics under John and the rest of the first-class staff at K-State.”

A three-time national coach of the year honoree, Kill recorded winning seasons in 15 of his 22 years as a college head coach. He most recently coached at Minnesota, from 2011-2015, where he took the Gophers to heights not seen in recent years. In year four, Kill led Minnesota to a January 1 bowl game for the first time since 1962 and coached the Gophers to wins against Michigan and Iowa, which had previously not happened in the same season since 1967. Under Kill’s direction, Minnesota also won eight games in both 2013 and 2014, which marked only the fifth time since 1906 that Minnesota won eight games in consecutive seasons.

In his previous four stops as a head coach, he never left a school with a sub-.500 record, and in three of his previous four head coaching positions, he took over a team with a losing record and turned in a winning season in three years or less.

“Sean and I have spent a great deal of time with Jerry and Rebecca and feel as though they will be a solid addition to our Kansas State and community family,” said Snyder. “Both are down to earth, caring people who fit well in this culture. Jerry’s health issues have precluded him from coaching again, but his passion for athletics and young people make this a positive step for his future career.”

Prior to his stint at Minnesota, Kill led Northern Illinois to 23 wins and three consecutive bowl games during his tenure and also coached NIU to a berth the Mid-American Conference Championship game in 2010.

Prior to serving as the head coach at NIU, Kill was in charge of the football program at Southern Illinois, an FCS program in Carbondale, Ill. He spent seven years on the Saluki sideline and compiled a 55-32 record. Kill’s record over his final five seasons with Southern Illinois was 50-14 and included five consecutive NCAA FCS Playoff appearances.

Kill was the head coach at Emporia (Kan.) State for two seasons in 1999-2000. He went 11-11 with the Hornets, who play at the NCAA Division II level. Prior to Emporia State, Kill was the head coach at NCAA Division II member Saginaw Valley State from 1994-1998. He compiled a 38-14 record with the Cardinals.

Kill served as defensive coordinator and offensive coordinator in two different stops at Pittsburg (Kan.) State University. He helped lead the Gorillas to three NAIA playoff appearances as the defensive coordinator from 1985-87. Kill returned to Pitt State as the offensive coordinator from 1990-93. In that four-year span, the Gorillas advanced to the NCAA Division II Playoffs four times, reaching the championship game twice and winning the 1991 national title.

Sandwiched between his stints at Pittsburg State, Kill was the head coach at Webb City (Mo.) High School. He was 25-1 in two seasons at Webb City and won a state championship in 1989.

Kill, a 1983 graduate of Southwestern (Kan.) College, and his wife Rebecca have two daughters, Krystal and Tasha.

The hunt is on: Hays USD 489 to begin superintendent interviews, first candidate announced

Posted on May 17, 2016May 17, 2016

By JAMES BELL
Hays Post

Change is constant in education. Teachers come and go, students move on and technology proliferates the classroom as it becomes more accessible. But this year, the administration at Hays USD 489 is undergoing major changes as the Board of Education and current administration worked to replace key administrators through the district in recent weeks.

The largest of those changes is the replacement of Superintendent Dean Katt, who will end his tenure with the district at the end of June.

“Hays has been very good to me. It’s been the most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It’s the best job I’ve ever had, but also the hardest,” Katt said earlier, announcing his move to Independence, Mo., to work in the district’s human resources department.

In early April, the board announced the search to find his replacement was underway, but as personnel transactions do not fall under open meetings requirements, much of the work went on behind closed doors.

On April 11, the board met with Gary Sechrist, Kansas Association of School Boards leadership specialist. Sechrist has worked with the district since that time to develop a list of candidates.

On Monday, the board heard candidate recommendations from Sechrist selecting four candidates to be brought to Hays for interviews. Interviews are scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday this week and Monday and Tuesday next week.

Those interviews will include meetings with faculty and a tour of district facilities through the day with a formal interview with the board for each candidate set for 5:30 p.m. on interview days.

Community meet and greets are scheduled on those same days at 3:30 p.m. in the Toepfer Board Room, 323 W. 12th St.

After the completion of interviews, a superintendent a candidate is likely to be offered the position by the board on May 24, according to Lance Bickle, board president.

While the superintendent search is the most visible of positions being re-staffed, the replacement for a number of other administrators has also been announced in recent weeks.

Longtime district staff member Shanna Dinkel was selected to replace outgoing Mark Hauptman as Assistant Superintendent, and Raj Sharma will serve as the new Director of Special Education for Hays-West Central Kansas Coop.

Open principal positions for two schools have also been selected with Anita Scheve, Learning Center director, moving into a principal position at Wilson Elementary School, vacated by the retirement of Tom Meagher. Vicki Gile was selected to replace Shannon Demel as the principal at O’Loughlin Elementary School.

Gile currently serves as the principal of Plymell Elementary School in Garden City.

Mary Catherine Stevenson

Posted on May 17, 2016

Mary Catherine Stevenson, age 94, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2016 at Greeley County Hospital Long Term Care in Tribune, Kansas. Mary was born August 7, 1921 on the Woods family homestead in rural Greeley County, Kansas, the daughter of Curtis Palmer & Laura Juanita (Morgan) Woods. A lifetime resident of Greeley County, she was a Farm Wife and homemaker.

Mary was a faithful attendee of the Assembly Of God Church in Tribune, Kansas.

On May 21, 1940 she married Friend Stevenson at Goodland, Kansas. Friend passed away on November 22, 2001 in Tribune, Kansas.

Mary’s surviving family includes-

A Daughter-

Venita & Larry Schlotfeldt- Bastrop, Texas

A Son-

Lavern Stevenson- Tribune, Kansas

Three Siblings-

Hazel Reynolds- Tribune, Kansas

Jennie Johnson- Tribune, Kansas

Dale Woods- Brighton, Colorado

Five grandchildren, Thirteen Great Grandchildren

Her parents, husband, three siblings including Robert Woods, Henry Woods and Laura Lou Page and a Daughter, Mary Ann Allison, precede her in death.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30am (MDT) Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at the Assembly Of God Church in Tribune, Kansas with Reverend Justin Scherer officiating.

Burial will be in Greeley County Cemetery in Tribune, Kansas.

Friends may call from 11:00 am (MDT) until 8:00 pm Monday at Price & Sons Funeral Home in Tribune, Kansas.

Memorials may be given to the Assembly Of God Church or Greeley County Hospital Long Term Care in care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be sent to the family through the funeral home website at priceandsons.com

Another May shower brings more moisture to northwest Kansas

Posted on May 17, 2016

May skies continue to drop much-needed moisture on northwest Kansas, with a daylong drizzle resulting in more than a half-inch of rain in Hays as of Tuesday morning.

There was a report of 0.76 inches north of Ellis, while most of Ellis County received about 0.60 inches.

Western Russell County had a report of 0.83 inches of rain in the gauge, while a report north of WaKeeney was an even inch of precipitation.

Osborne County had another decent shower, with 1.17 inches of rain, and western Rooks County had a report of 1.47 inches.

While the clouds will linger, the chance of rain dissipates throughout Tuesday morning, although the potential for showers and thunderstorms returns to the region on Thursday.

Click HERE for the complete extended forecast.

Sheriff asks for help to identify Kansas mailbox vandals

Posted on May 17, 2016

ALLEN COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Allen County are investigating a series of vandalism on mailboxes over the weekend.

The Allen County Sheriff’s Department reported over 20 mailboxes were damaged on Saturday May 14 in a rural area southeast of Iola.

They are asking the public for help to identify those who may be responsible to contact the sheriff or Allen County Crimestoppers.

Hays student among KU University Scholars on semester-ending adventure

Posted on May 17, 2016May 16, 2016

KU Office of Public Affairs

LAWRENCE — Twenty outstanding sophomores at the University of Kansas will complete a semester seminar on energy with a trip through Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, South Dakota and Nebraska this month that will include a stop at Yellowstone Park.

The students are all University Scholars and are selected on the basis of academic credentials, commitment to their education, intellectual promise and evaluations by instructors. Their academic disciplines range from biochemistry to strategic communications to English. Students in their second year at KU with a 3.8 cumulative grade point average are invited to apply. In addition to enrolling in the interdisciplinary seminar, the students receive a small scholarship and are paired with mentors in relevant fields from the university community.

The trip from May 15-26 will help the scholars gain authentic experiences with the kinds of natural materials they have been studying as part of their seminar this spring, said Jennifer Roberts, associate professor of geology, who will lead the trip.

“These types of trips help these students refine their already strong higher-order thinking skills, efficient work habits and gain a sense of cultural inclusion,” Roberts said. “As a geologist, I’m familiar with the benefits of field work, and I hope to bring that experience to these outstanding students from a wide array of disciplines.”

The University Scholars Program was founded in the spring of 1982 by Judge Deanell Tacha, then vice chancellor for academic affairs, and the late Professor Francis Heller. More than 700 alumni have gone through the program and achieved success in a wide variety of disciplines.

The 2016 University Scholars are listed below by hometown, major, parents’ names, high school and their mentors.

Sana Cheema: Hays; majoring in biology; Gulraiz and Nazish Cheema; Hays High School; mentored by Aroop Pal in internal medicine.

Mario Balcázar: La Paz, Bolivia; majoring in physics and electrical engineering; Ivaro Balcázar and Claudia Muñoz-Reyes; Saint Andrew’s School; mentored by Shannon Blunt in electrical engineering and computer science.

Julia Balmaceda: Lenexa; majoring in biochemistry with a minor in Spanish; Joaquina and Daniel Balmaceda; Notre Dame de Sion; mentored by Thomas Prisinzano in medicinal chemistry.

Bridgette Befort: Topeka; majoring in chemical engineering; Jay and Merrill Befort; Hayden High School; mentored by Sara Gregg in history.

Megan Hansen: Hutchinson; majoring in English and molecular, cellular, developmental biology; Ron and Traci Hansen; Hutchinson South High School; mentored by Matt Stein, a Lawrence oncologist.

Alex Houston: Lawrence; majoring in political science and environmental studies; Mary Morningstar and Peter Houston; Free State High School; mentored by Uma Outka in the School of Law.

Sebastian Huayamares: Lima, Peru; majoring in chemical engineering and mathematics with a minor in business; Federico Huayamares and Monica Moreno; Lord Byron School; mentored by Stevin Gehrke in chemical engineering.

Brianna Jackson: Overland Park; majoring in human biology; Debbie and Ken Jackson; Blue Valley West High School; mentored by Mike Zabel, a Lawrence cardiologist.

Hannah Johnson: Wichita; majoring in computer science and mathematics; Monica and Brett Johnson; Andover Central High School; mentored by Perry Alexander in electrical engineering and computer science.

Emmaline Lorenzo: Leawood; majoring in chemistry with minors in mathematics and philosophy; Michael and Marilyn Lorenzo; Blue Valley North High School; mentored by Cindy Berrie in chemistry.

Marisa Mitchell: Salina; majoring in environmental studies and English; Mark and Kathleen Mitchell; Salina South High School; mentored by Stacey White in urban planning.

Mikaela Myers: Denver; majoring in marketing with a minor in fine arts; Sean and Jennifer Myers; Regis Jesuit High School; mentored by Cathy Curless in the School of Business.

Brook Nasseri: Topeka; majoring in microbiology and English; Kevin and Nicoel Nasseri; Cair Paravel Latin School; mentored by Laura Mielke in English.

Hanna Ritland: Omaha, Nebraska; majoring in strategic communication with minors in business and dance; John Ritland and Greta Vaught; Omaha Central High School; mentored by Janet Rose in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Sandra Siomara Sanchez: Overland Park; majoring in history and global and international studies with minors in indigenous studies and East Asian languages and cultures; Jane and Hector Sanchez; Blue Valley West High School; mentored by Steve Hawley in physics and astronomy.

Madison Sargent: Prairie Village; majoring in aerospace engineering; Peter and Susan Sargent; St. Teresa’s Academy; mentored by Ron Barrett-Gonzalez in aerospace engineering.

Emma Tuschhoff: Bellevue, Washington; majoring in evolutionary biology with a minor in Spanish; Stephanie and Jeff Tuschhoff; Hazen High School; mentored by Jorge Soberon in ecology and evolutionary biology.

Joseph Vincent: Shawnee; majoring in aerospace engineering; Erin and Tony Vincent; Mill Valley High School; mentored by Craig McLaughlin in aerospace engineering.

Taylor Zabel: Smith Center; majoring in biochemistry; John and Laura Zabel; Smith Center High School; mentored by Vincent Francisco in applied behavioral science.

Michael Zhou: Overland Park; majoring in mechanical engineering and mathematics; Jueren Zhou and Wei Chen; Blue Valley North High School; mentored by Erik Van Vleck in mathematics.

FHSU graduates take the next step

Posted on May 17, 2016May 16, 2016

By RANDY GONZALES
FHSU University Relations

Jeina Stoumbaugh was one of 3,794 Fort Hays State University graduates in 2016. She couldn’t have done it without the support she received the last four years from the FHSU community.

“They helped me out tremendously,” said Stoumbaugh, who received a degree in organizational leadership. “First person I met on campus was Joey Linn. He’s been one of my biggest supporters all four years.”

Dr. Linn was associate vice president for student affairs and registrar at the time and has since been promoted to vice president of the Division of Student Affairs.

There were 224 more graduates than in 2015 for this year’s commencement. The keynote speaker at commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday in Gross Memorial Coliseum was political icon and Russell native Robert J. “Bob” Dole, who received the university’s first-ever honorary doctorate.

“In these very contentious times, the life’s work of Sen. Bob Dole reminds us we must find ways to come together, to move forward, to accomplish together what no one of us can do alone,” FHSU President Mirta M. Martin said. “He shares the same western Kansas values that sustain our exploration on the Great American frontier. His life is a life lived large, and his influence is even larger. His life’s journey is distinguished by courage, by sacrifice, by compassion and by public service. He remains one of the nation’s greatest and most visible leaders.”

Michael Beach and his wife, Pat, traveled from South Carolina to attend Friday’s graduation of their nephew, Austin Linden-Lowell. About a dozen family members gathered for the big occasion, and a family picnic was planned afterward. Beach, who is retired from the telecommunications industry, has his own consulting business. Linden-Lowell, from Deer Trail, Colo., graduated with a degree in technology studies.

“I was an engineer,” Beach said. “I’m interested to see what he’s planning to do.”

Linden-Lowell and Stoumbaugh, like the 3,792 other graduates, will take that next step Dole alluded to in his speech, a step Martin emphasized in her remarks.

“Today, we are on the cusp of one of the greatest generational shifts of all time. You, the millennial generation, 81 million strong, are the largest generation in American history. You will not have the luxury of a long apprenticeship. In just four short years, you will comprise 46 percent of the workforce,” Martin said. “Don’t live a life that’s too small for you. Live large, be courageous, be compassionate, be a leader.

“To be a leader, you must be visible,” Martin added. “To make a difference, you must be seen. To be seen; to have the world find you – you must give of yourself.”

Stoumbaugh, who is from Westminster, Colo., gave of herself in her four years at Fort Hays State. She worked with student orientation in the student affairs office and was active in Delta Zeta sorority. She also worked nights as a certified nursing assistant at Cedar View Assisted Living. Now it’s on to the University of Central Missouri to be a graduate assistant while pursuing a master’s degree in college student personnel administration.

“It’s a little scary, but I know I still have those people who supported me all these four years,” said Stoumbaugh, who moves to Warrensburg, Mo., in July. “They’re again going to be my biggest cheerleaders when I make the move.”