Eight Fort Hays State University Master of Business Administration students scored in top percentiles on the nationwide Educational Testing Service’s Major Field Test, placing them among the top graduates in the nation.
The students, who graduated in fall 2016, are listed by percentiles.
98th percentile: Jason Cecil, Jefferson City, Mo., and Penny Davis, Hays.
90th percentile: Lyddia Getaweru, Riverview, Fla., and Zachary Muhrer, Stockton.
80th percentile: Brittany Ellegood, Oakley; Matthew Kuiack, Beloit; Monique Parker, Mount Morris, Mich.; and Trent Walter, Glen Allen, Va.
The test, administered by FHSU, was developed to assess the skills of graduating MBA students and evaluates their abilities to analyze and solve problems, understand relationships and interpret material.
The test also provides an assessment of faculty teaching effectiveness and identifies areas of improvement in the MBA curriculum, with more than 230 colleges and universities in the United States administering the exam.
“These exit scores show that FHSU MBA graduates stand shoulder to shoulder with the best anywhere,” said Dr. Mark Bannister, dean of the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship.
“These students’ achievements speak well of them and of our university’s Master of Business Administration program,” he said.
The Hays City Commission meeting scheduled for Thursday has been canceled.
Agenda items from the Jan. 5 city commission work session requiring formal approval will be placed on the agenda for the Jan. 26 city commission meeting.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
When I arrived overseas to teach in an American school many years ago, I switched on the television to watch any reports about the United States. Sadly the meager news that came to Hong Kong in those days was not the United States I knew. There was coverage of women’s mud wrestling and other unusual events. Otherwise, their image of Americans was drawn from the many movies that we produce and distribute worldwide. Back then, Asians thought that most Americans were cowboy ranchers or lived in cities where police had to shoot someone every day. Today, many foreign students still come here expecting that every American carries a gun.
I still travel to Asia every year. When I return, I continue to find that the U.S. news does not represent the world outside our borders. Foreign countries have improved their news media. But it is rare that we see reports that describe foreign societies, cultures and current events as the citizens of those countries see them. We rarely hear of disasters in other countries—unless an American is killed.
Of course we are all naturally more interested in events in our town than in our state. –In our state than across the country. –And in our country more than elsewhere in the world. But that is no excuse to remain ignorant of the true beliefs behind the actions of peoples in other countries. You can assert that you are international-minded because you listen to BBC radio or watch BBC news on television. But that is the British view of the world, not very different from our own narrow view. It is rare that American or British reporters actually speak the language and understand the history and culture of the foreign post to which they are assigned. They report back with American eyes and American values.
If the foreign “news” we receive is generally wrong, short of traveling abroad ourselves, how can we come to understand the actions and events in other countries? One way is to read and listen to media produced by reporters in other countries.
In magazines, a World Press Review strived to publish news from around the world with excerpts taken from the major newspapers of every major country. Sponsored by the Stanley Foundation, this magazine was published and sent to subscribers from 1974 to 2004. Since then, it remains available at Worldpress.org. But it reaches a smaller audience and a reader is locked to a screen format.
Another similar magazine, The Week, was founded in the United Kingdom in 1995 and began publishing an American edition in 2001. It is available in convenient-to-read print. The Week focuses fewer pages on world news, but still prints foreign viewpoints on most major issues in a timely manner.
The internet now makes access to the televised media produced by other countries, much in English versions. Beginning this year, Chinese Central Television (CCTV) is available online at https://www.cgtn.com/. CCTV has correspondents in every African country and produces a half-hour news show on Africa each weekday, just about the only source of news covering Africa! Of course, it is China’s view of Africa, but that is better than America’s no view at all. The Arab perspective on world events is readily available from https://www.aljazeera.com/. In both of these cases, the program hosts are mainly Westerners, some being experienced reporters you may recognize. And Russia now produces an online news site available at https://www.rt.com/.
In my specialized area of higher education, the weekly University World News provides the best overview of university developments worldwide, with editors out of South Africa and Australia.
At this point, a reader is likely to ponder the word “propaganda.” Fortunately, with our recent experience with domestic fake news and wildly divergent reporting in the U.S. media, it is obvious that misinformation is widespread across all countries and all media platforms. That makes it even more important that we examine all of the perspectives available.
To be informed citizens, we should consider our decisions as a judge considers testimony at a trial. If your opponent was allowed to testify, and then it came time to hear your side of the story and your opponent was asked to explain your side, you would not consider it a fair trial.
Today is a good time to recognize our provincialism. Today we have the technology to give all sides a fair trial.
Today Mostly sunny, with a high near 51. South southwest wind 8 to 14 mph becoming north northeast in the afternoon.
Tonight Partly cloudy, with a low around 15. North wind 7 to 13 mph.
ThursdayMostly sunny, with a high near 31. Northeast wind 5 to 11 mph.
Thursday NightMostly cloudy, with a low around 15. Wind chill values as low as 3. East northeast wind around 9 mph.
FridayMostly cloudy, with a high near 26. East northeast wind 7 to 9 mph.
Friday NightA chance of freezing rain and sleet before 9pm, then a chance of freezing rain. Cloudy, with a low around 17. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
SaturdayA chance of freezing rain and sleet before 2pm, then a chance of rain or freezing rain between 2pm and 4pm, then a chance of freezing rain after 4pm. Cloudy, with a high near 33. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -Gov. Sam Brownback is challenging universities in Kansas to allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree and pay only $15,000 in total costs.
Brownback issued the challenge in his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening. He said Kansas residents deserve affordable college educations.
He also said his budget proposals would finance 50 student scholarships for the first university to meet the challenge. He did not provide more details.
The least expensive state university is Fort Hays. A full-time undergraduate student from Kansas pays $2,442 in tuition and required fees. That would be $19,535 over four years.
Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine questioned whether the idea is workable and said he is concerned about lowering academic standards for an inexpensive degree. The Emporia Republican’s district includes Emporia State University.
GEARY COUNTY – Three people were injured in an accident just before 7:30p.m. on Tuesday in Geary County.
The Kansas Highway Patrol reported a 2013 Nissan passenger driven by Timothy Joseph Musil, 38, was westbound on Interstate 70 at a high rate of speed when it attempted to exit at Humboldt Creek Road.
The vehicle entered the ramp at too great of speed and could not negotiate the curve.
The vehicle entered the north ditch and tumbled end over end 3 times.
An emergency medical team flew Musil and passengers Brandi Marie Clark, 33, Oskaloosa, and Michael Gideon Mahoney, 34, Topeka, to a hospital in Topeka.
They were not wearing seat belts, according to the KHP.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, Congressman Roger Marshall, M.D., was selected to be a member of the House Committee on Agriculture for the 115th United States Congress.
“We committed to getting the Big 1st a seat back on the Ag Committee,” Marshall said. “I’m proud to be able to say today that we have delivered on that promise.”
“We are excited to welcome Dr. Marshall to the House Agriculture Committee. The Big First in Kansas has a long history on the committee, including two former chairmen, Clifford Hope and Pat Roberts, and a long list of other distinguished leaders including Bob Dole and Jerry Moran,” said Richard Felts, president of the Kansas Farm Bureau. “The district is among the largest agricultural producing congressional districts in the nation. We look forward to working with Dr. Marshall and the Committee to advance the interests of farmers, ranchers and rural Americans.”
“The appointment of Congressman Marshall to the U.S. House Committee on Agriculture could not have come at a more important time. His input on behalf of Kansas livestock producers will be vital as Congress deals with serious issues including onerous regulations and a new Farm Bill,” said Matt Teagarden, CEO of the Kansas Livestock Association.
The House Ag Committee will see important legislation in the 115th Congress, such as the formation of the next Farm Bill, which will impact crop insurance and insure a safe, reliable, affordable food source. The Committee will also take up issues regarding trade in the coming year. The Big 1st District of Kansas has maintained a seat on the House Ag Committee for the last century, with the exception of the last 3 years.
More of Marshall’s reaction can be seen here.
Congressman Marshall was also selected to the Committee on Science and Technology.
Governor Brownback during Tuesday’s state of the state address
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — The Latest on Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback’s annual State of the State address and budget issues (all times local):
8:45 p.m.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback is calling on legislators to pass school choice measures and reiterating his support for merit pay for teachers.
Brownback expressed his support for initiatives favored by fellow conservatives in his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening. But he provided few details.
He called for creating more competition in education and for expanding a program in which poor students can receive scholarships to attend private schools. The state gives an income tax break to corporations that contribute to scholarship funds.
Brownback also said the state should create a program for grading schools.
But lobbyist Mark Desetti of the Kansas National Education Association teachers union said Brownback is pushing ideas that have failed in other states. He said the governor is “behind the curve.”
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6:40 p.m.
Republican Gov. Sam Brownback says he’ll propose some “one-time measures” to help balance the state’s current budget.
Brownback wasn’t more specific Tuesday evening in speaking with reporters after his annual State of the State address. He plans to release the details of his budget proposals Wednesday.
The state faces a projected shortfall of $342 million in its current budget. Lawmakers don’t think they can raise taxes quickly enough to fill the gap before the fiscal year ends June 30.
One-time accounting moves would allow the state to avoid immediate spending cuts.
In recent weeks, legislators have talked about borrowing against the assets of a $320 million state investment fund or liquidating it altogether.
The Governor promised in his speech that his proposals will balance the budget through June 2019.
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6:20 p.m.
Gov. Sam Brownback is challenging universities in Kansas to allow students to earn a bachelor’s degree and pay only $15,000 in total costs.
Brownback issued the challenge in his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening. He said Kansas residents deserve affordable college educations.
He also said his budget proposals would finance 50 student scholarships for the first university to meet the challenge. He did not provide more details.
The least expensive state university is Fort Hays. A full-time undergraduate student from Kansas pays $2,442 in tuition and required fees. That would be $19,535 over four years.
Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine questioned whether the idea is workable and said he is concerned about lowering academic standards for an inexpensive degree. The Emporia Republican’s district includes Emporia State University.
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5:05 p.m.
The Kansas Senate’s top Democrat says Republican Gov. Sam Brownback remains “in denial” about the damage his fiscal policies have done to families and communities.
Senate Minority Leader Anthony Hensley of Topeka described Brownback’s economic policies Tuesday evening as “debilitating.”
Hensley was giving the official Democratic response to the governor’s annual State of the State address.
Brownback defended an income tax break enacted in 2012 that benefits more than 330,000 farmers and business owners as a pro-growth policy. Even some Republican legislators want to repeal it to help close the state’s budget shortfalls.
Hensley called for reversing that policy and other personal income tax cuts enacted by Republican legislators in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback’s urging to stimulate the economy. The state has struggled to balance its budget since.
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5 p.m.
Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback says he will propose “modest, targeted” tax increases to help address the state’s serious budget problems.
But during his annual State of the State address Tuesday evening, the Republican governor strongly defended an income tax break that some GOP lawmakers want to end.
Brownback also told a joint session of the Republican-controlled Legislature that he will outline budget “efficiencies.”
And he cautioned lawmakers against expanding the state’s Medicaid program in line with the 2010 federal health care overhaul. President-elect Donald Trump and congressional Republicans are planning to repeal the health care law.
Kansas faces projected budget shortfalls totaling $1.1 billion through June 2019. The state has struggled to balance its budget since Republican legislators slashed personal income taxes in 2012 and 2013 at Brownback’s urging.
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LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) – Keenan Evans made a go-ahead layup with 15 seconds left, helping Texas Tech beat No. 25 Kansas State 66-65 on Tuesday night.
Evans’ basket gave the Red Raiders a 63-62 lead. Aaron Ross and Niem Stevenson then combined for three foul shots for Texas Tech before Barry Brown made a 3-pointer in the final seconds for Kansas State.
Evans finished with 18 points. Zach Smith had 16 points and seven rebounds for the Red Raiders (13-3, 2-2 Big 12), who improved to 11-0 at home.
Kamau Stokes led Kansas State (13-3, 2-2) with 17 points. Dean Wade added 12 points, and D.J. Johnson finished with 11.
NORMAN, Okla. (AP) – Frank Mason scored 19 of his 28 points in the second half, and No. 2 Kansas rallied to beat Oklahoma 81-70 on Tuesday.
With No. 1 Baylor losing at West Virginia earlier in the night, the Jayhawks will be in position to claim the No. 1 ranking for the first time this season if they beat Oklahoma State on Saturday.
Josh Jackson scored 16 points and Devonte’ Graham added 13 for the Jayhawks (15-1, 4-0 Big 12), who have won 15 straight.
Rashard Odomes and Kameron McGusty each scored 13 points for the Sooners (6-9, 0-4), who lost their seventh in a row.
The Jayhawks opened the second half on a 13-0 run. A 3-pointer by Mason put Kansas up 56-47, and the Jayhawks maintained control from there.
Hays High returned to the road on Tuesday night to play rival Great Bend. For the girls it was a second meeting in the season, after Hays beat Great Bend in the third place game of the Hays City Shootout in December. It was the first of two meetings between the two boys teams.
Girls Great Bend 54 – Hays 41
Hays struggled to score in the first quarter scoring hitting just 2 of 12 shots and trailed 15-4 after the first eight minutes. Great Bend used runs of 7-2 and 8-0 in the first quarter to gain control. Hays cut the lead down to five by scoring the first six points of the second quarter only to have Great Bend once again take an 11 point lead. Great Bend at one point hit 11 consecutive free throws and finished the first half 13-20. Hays was just 4-12 from the free throw line and trailed 26-18.
Highlights
Hays cut the lead down to six at 26-20 on the first possession of the third quarter, but Great Bend answered with another 8-0 lead and built their lead to a high of 15 by the end of the third quarter at 39-24. Great Bend built their lead up to 18 with less than six minutes to go before Hays was able to cut it back down to 46-34. The Indians never got much closer as they fell 54-41 to Great Bend.
Coach Kirk Maska
The Panthers were 27-46 from the free throw line while Hays made just 9 of 21 attempts. Savannah Schneider led the way for the Indians with 10 points. Hays falls to 4-3 on the year and 0-2 in Western Athletic Conference play. Great Bend improves to 6-2 and have won five straight games. The Panthers are 3-0 in the WAC.
Boys Hays 51 – Great Bend 37
Hays hit four first quarter three pointers on their way to a nine point lead at 14-5. Great Bend scored the final five points of the quarter to tighten the game back up at 14-10 after the first quarter. Hays added three more three pointers in the second quarter building their lead up to 28-15 by half time. Claiborne Kyles hit four threes in the first half and Cole Murphy added three more.
Highlights
The Indians lead never shrunk under 11 rest of the night. Hays pushed their advantage to 20 early in the fourth quarter. Great Bend went on their best run of the night with 12-3 run over four minutes, but Hays hit three of their final four free throws and won 51-37.
Coach Rick Keltner
Hays put three in double figures with Claiborne Kyles leading the way with 14, hitting four three pointers. Cole Murphy added a career high 14, he also hit four three pointers. Tyrese Hill tied his career high with 12. Hays shot 50% in the victory and held Great Bend to 36%. The Indians improve to 6-1 and 1-1 in the Western Athletic Conference. Great Bend falls to 1-7 and 0-3.
HAYS, Kan-Trego and TMP went toe to toe for the first five minutes of Tuesday’s Mid Continent League matchup at Al Billinger House. That’s when the Lady Monarch defense took over, forcing 18 first half turnovers. TMP finished the first quarter on a 10-0 run to take a 19-9 lead. They scored the first 9 points of the second quarter to take complete control of the game as they took a 47-21 lead into the half.
The second half was much of the same. TMP outscored Trego 25-11 in the third quarter and had a running clock in the fourth quarter on their way to the 82-35 win. Trego drops to 2-6 on the season and 0-2 in the MCL. TMP improves to 8-1 overall and 4-0 in league play. The Golden Eagles will host Ness City on Friday while TMP travels to Smith Center.
ROSE MCFARLAND INTERVIEW
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
A 12-0 run to start the game propelled the TMP Monarchs to a quick lead and Trego was never able to recover in a 74-29 Monarch victory. The Golden Eagles struggled without leading scorer and rebounder Emmit Owens who left the game early in the first quarter after a mid-court collision. TMP used a big first half from Luke Ruder who scored 16 points to lead his Monarchs to a 43-14 halftime lead.
TMP pushed their lead to 37 points by the end of the third quarter and a running clock in the fourth quarter. Ruder finished with a game high 18 points for TMP who moves to 5-4 overall and 3-1 in the MCL. They play on the road in Smith Center on Friday
OLATHE, Kan. (AP) — A convicted serial killer who left some of his victims’ bodies in barrels will get some help from an appointed attorney as he appeals his conviction and death sentence.
Attorney Mark Manna, of the Kansas public defender system, entered his appearance Monday on behalf of John E. Robinson Sr. The 73-year-old appealed in November in Johnson County District Court.
Robinson, of Olathe, was charged in 2000 after police found the bodies of two women in barrels on property he owned in Linn County. The bodies of three more women were later found in barrels in a storage unit he rented in Cass County, Missouri.
The ensuing investigation also linked Robinson to three women who hadn’t been seen since they disappeared in the 1980s.
