FHSU University Relations

The Gary Younger History and Philosophy Library was dedicated April 20 in Rarick Hall on the Fort Hays State University campus.

Younger grew up in Hays and earned dual bachelor degrees in history and philosophy as well as a master’s in history from FHSU. He was working toward his doctoral degree from Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, when, in January 2016, he and his mother, Mary Younger, were killed in a car accident.

Frank Younger, Gary’s father, worked with the FHSU Foundation to create endowed scholarships from his gift of more than $300,000. The scholarships are designated to be awarded to students majoring in history or philosophy. The gift also enabled Frank to name the history and philosophy library in Rarick Hall in honor of Gary, who spent countless hours in the room while pursuing his degrees.

“The Gary Younger Memorial Scholarships and the newly named Gary Younger History and Philosophy Library show the true essence of the university’s Journey campaign – by honoring the past and looking toward the future,” said Jason Williby, president and CEO of the FHSU Foundation.

“Frank’s generosity has ensured that Gary’s time at Fort Hays State will be honored in perpetuity by not only those who study in this library, but also by those who receive the Gary Younger Memorial Scholarships each year.”

A recipient of the Gary Younger Memorial Scholarship said the scholarship provided him a second chance at pursuing a college degree. “This scholarship helped my family and me out tremendously and has allowed me to be in college full time,” said Bryan Hirsch, a history major who plans to teach.

Several other Gary Younger Memorial Scholarship recipients attended the dedication to thank Frank Younger for establishing the scholarships in Gary’s name. Dr. Gene Rice, professor of philosophy and chair of the department, spoke of Gary’s love for learning and his wide ranging interests.

Gary Younger was a member of the Phi Alpha Theta philosophy club and winner of Outstanding Thesis for the 2011 academic year.

To learn how you can make a gift to Fort Hays State in memory or honor of someone, contact the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or email [email protected]. More information about the FHSU Foundation by is available at https://foundation.fhsu.edu/.

By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post

The Hays USD 489 Board of Education approved the purchase of new teacher laptops at a cost of $126,400 at its meeting Monday night.

The current laptops have been in use for more than six years, at least two years beyond the average usable lifespan for such devices. Superintendent John Thissen described the units as “used up.”

The district had planned to replace the laptops last year, but the board voted to use them for one additional year.

Josh Waddell, board member, asked members of the technology committee why an option to have teachers use their personal computers was not considered.

He suggested teachers could be paid $80 per year or $400 up front toward providing their own laptops or tablets. Doing so would cost $80,000, a $46,000 savings.

“The community still remembers the $100 million from the last bond election,” Waddell said. “Four out of the five conversations include why are we spending so much on technology when we have let the facilities slide by.”

Thissen asked the public to understand technology is woven together with curriculum.

Jeanie Michaelis, teacher and member of the technology committee, said she could not answer questions about such an option because the committee had not been asked to explore it.

Other districts in the state use a “bring your own device” plan, but Michaelis said the districts she knew that were using this system were all very small districts.

Scott Summers, technology director, said there could be issues with software compatibility and network use.

Board member Luke Oborny further raised concerns about the need for additional technology staff if many different computer brands and models were being used in the classroom.

Waddell suggested the district would not be responsible for maintenance under such a program.

Thissen said the “bring your own device” option could be explored in the future, but the new devices were needed urgently in order to be prepared for 2017-18 school year. A switch in policy would take time to research.

Waddell said the option had been discussed three of the four years he had been on the board. He assumed that it had been discussed by the technology committee.

Lance Bickel, board president, asked several questions about the use of iPads by teachers. Michaelis indicated teachers were using laptops for preparing lessons and the iPads for classroom instruction.

Without keyboards, the iPads are difficult to use for typing pages of lesson plans, she said.

As the meeting progressed Sarah Rankin, board member, said she was receiving angry emails from teachers who were watching the meeting live and expressing frustration about trying to use computers that did not function properly.

Marie Henderson, instruction technology specialist, told the board teachers were struggling with the current computers. She said she personally had been unable to present a project recently because her laptop crashed twice in an hour.

“The things that we did prepare we were excited to present as the need has come to a level, as Sarah pointed from the emails, that has gone from possibly light frustration to out loud anger because they are trying to get jobs done in situations with limited time and limited resource that they are currently unable to do.”

The board passed the purchase on a 5-1 vote with Bickle voting against.

In other business, the board approved a $59,700 bid from Balfour for printing the Hays High School yearbook for the next three years.

It approved a license renewal for Edgenuity software for $96,750.

It approved $11,495 for renewal of the district’s KASB membership and $1,650 for the legal assistance fund.

FHSU University Relations and Marketing

The Fort Hays State University Alumni Association will offer two events in celebration of graduates’ accomplishments: GradFest, Thursday, April 27, and the annual Graduate/Faculty Luncheon, Friday, May 12.

Co-sponsored by the Alumni Association and University Bookstore, GradFest is scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Robbins Center, located north of Gross Memorial Coliseum. This event offers graduates the opportunity to learn about successfully navigating the graduation process, while enjoying complimentary refreshments courtesy of Chartwells Dining Service (available to the first 300 attendees).

Attendees will also have the opportunity to pick up their caps and gowns, sign up for prizes, purchase alumni memberships, Class of 2017 T-shirts, Tiger décor packs and more. All Tiger gift items are available for purchase online at www.goforthaysstate.com/gradgifts or by contacting the Alumni Office.

The Graduate/Faculty Luncheon, beginning at 11 a.m. in the Memorial Union Ballroom, honors all graduates and nominees for the Torch (outstanding graduating senior), Pilot (outstanding faculty member), and Navigator (outstanding faculty advisor) awards. The 2017 awardees are announced at this event.

Each graduate will receive one complimentary ticket to the luncheon, but must pre-register for the event. Reservations for faculty and guests may be made on a first-come, first-served basis. Tickets are $16 per person. Registrations are accepted until Friday, May 5, online at www.goforthaysstate.com/gradluncheon2017 or by calling the Alumni Office at (785) 628-4430 or 888-351-3591. Tickets will be available or pick up at the registration table in the Memorial Union on the day of the event.

Graduates are encouraged to visit the university’s Commencement website at www.fhsu.edu/commencement to learn more about the graduation weekend, including additional events and activities, cap and gown pick up times, ceremony information and more.

Established in 1916, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association serves FHSU graduates by identifying needs and providing solutions. More than 63,000 alumni live throughout the United States and in 77 countries.

For more information, visit www.goforthaysstate.com, or contact at the Alumni Office at (785) 628-4430, toll free at 1-888-351-3591 or by email at [email protected].

KDOT

The Kansas Department of Transportation has started work on a resurfacing project on an 11-mile stretch of U.S. 36 in Decatur County from the Rawlins County line to the U.S. 83 junction in Oberlin.

Project work consists of a shallow profile mill followed by application of a 1 1/2-inch overlay. Traffic in the construction zone will be reduced to one lane and controlled by flaggers and a pilot car operation during daylight hours. Minor delays, not exceeding 15 minutes, should be expected. KDOT urges all motorists to be alert, obey the warning signs and “Give ‘em a Brake!” when approaching and driving through work zones. Work is expected to be completed by mid-May, weather permitting.

APAC Shears of Hutchinson is the primary contractor on the project with a total contract cost of approximately $1.2 million. The project is funded by T-WORKS. Find out more about this and other T-WORKS projects at https://tworks.ksdot.org.

By CRISTINA JANNEY

Hays Post

The Hays school board approved a bid Monday night for repaving of Victory Road.

This road is located between O’Loughlin Elementary School at 1401 Hall St. and Thomas More-Marian High School at 1701 Hall Street.

This is a joint project between the school district and the Catholic diocese, which owns the property on which the road sits.

John Thissen, Hays superintendent, said although the road is not on school district property improvements will greatly help the district’s staff and families.

The district regularly budgets funds for concrete work throughout its properties. This year the concrete funds were not needed for other projects, so they are being dedicated to asphalt for the Victory Road project.

The $94,250 project was awarded to Paul-Wertenberger Construction of Hays, which was the lowest bidder meeting the construction specification.