Jason Park of South Korea, is a KAMS senior at FHSU.
FHSU University Relations
Jason Park, a Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science student at Fort Hays State University, won the application division at the Midwest Regional Conference of the Consortium for Computing Sciences in Colleges in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Park presented an algorithm learning platform, Algorithm Visualizer, a Web-based interactive platform that visualizes any kind of algorithm step-by-step and shows how to implement algorithms in code.
His success in the computer science field has continued from his junior year, when he won first and second place in the advanced division of the programming contests at the University of Kansas and Kansas State University. He also won a sponsor award at the HackDFW hackathon in Dallas.
“Park has taken advantage of the many opportunities provided by FHSU and KAMS,” said Dr. Roger Schieferecke, executive director of early college programs.
“He is a great example of a driven student who seeks out opportunities to learn and grow within his academic discipline. We are proud of his accomplishments and are excited to see what more he can accomplish,” he said.
Park, from South Korea, will take his skills to Harvard in October to compete in the invite-only competition: HackHarvard 2017.
Elizabeth Rupp, Document Control Coordinator at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, recently graduated from the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) Leadership Institute. The 16th Leadership class graduated 32 students on September 7 at the Kansas Hospital Association Annual Convention and Trade Show in Wichita, Kansas. Students were nominated by their hospital’s CEO to be part of this select group. They represent the future leaders of Kansas hospitals.
Helping to build future health care leaders is important to the Kansas Hospital Association. “We are committed to strengthening and promoting the leadership capacity of hospital employees in Kansas,” said Tom Bell, president and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association. The KHA Leadership Institute was established to help hospitals provide professional development opportunities that accentuate the personal skills and abilities needed to facilitate positive change and innovation in Kansas hospitals.
The 2017 Leadership Institute class was diverse. They represented a wide geographic distribution of hospitals from Norton to Leavenworth and Parsons to Liberal – there was representation from all parts of the state. Students had been working in health care for as little as one year to more than 20 years. Several students have been in management positions for more than 10 year while others were brand new to management position. Some students also are supervisors, supervising a range of employees, from a few to more than 50 employees.
It is important to note that the students nominated to participate in this program were not selected because they needed to learn “management skills”. They were nominated because their CEO recognized their potential to be future leaders and wanted to help cultivate that development. Each one of these students made a personal and professional commitment to expand their skills by attending all six courses of the Leadership Institute.
The curriculum was structured to enhance each student’s leadership abilities. Course#1 focused on explaining the difference between leadership and management, identifying organizational values and creating a positive organizational climate. Course #2 examined conflict and how to effectively manage it. Course #4 focused on team building – including how to lead a team and how to be part of a team. Courses #5 and #6 were at the KHA Annual Convention and Trade Show. Students learned about the challenges facing health care in the future.
Rupp works in the HIM department and has been a HaysMed associate since 2015.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
Elementary education teachers edged out special education teachers in the tally of unfilled teaching positions handed out at the September State Board of Education. That list of vacancies is at best conservative, but if you consider the number of waivers granted to teachers to cover special education, that is easily the greatest shortage field and has been for over a decade. Why?
Before the 2003 “Redesign” of teacher education, special education was a field that a college student could pursue without taking any other teaching major. But across the U.S., some states were moving to special education being an add-on to a teacher license. In other words, you trained to be a math or English or elementary or other teacher, and then tacked on the special education endorsement afterwards. That seemed to be the wave of the future, so Kansas also changed to special education being an add-on. Kansas colleges and universities moved their special ed coursework to master’s level.
That was a bad decision. That nationwide trend did not continue, and for good reason. Many students who graduated from high school had seen first-hand the dedication of special ed teachers helping their classmates, and they went to college with the inspiration to go into special education to help others. But that had to be put on hold while they studied a content teaching field. By the time they finished that endorsement, years had passed and that inspiration was long gone. As veteran special ed teachers retired, the shortage grew dramatically.
Several years ago, the Kansas State Board of Education corrected this error and made special education again an initial endorsement. We would expect that the university education schools across Kansas would now be into their second year of training a new generation of special education teachers to soon reduce that shortage. We would be wrong.
The last decade and a half have seen a conversion from professionally-trained teachers in all fields to assembly line “teaching-the-standards” not only in K—12 but also in higher education. Rather than reinstating their prior effective undergraduate special ed teaching programs, the universities of Kansas are dragging their heels, whimpering over “what standards are we going to have to meet?” as if they can’t train teachers without a checklist from Topeka. We would not think much of a medical school that had to wait around to be told what to teach doctors, and rightly so. The elementary level special ed standards are now out, but the secondary standards are still being developed.
That means that there will not begin to be production of special ed teachers at the elementary level for 3-4 more years, and even later for secondary! Meanwhile, the Kansas State Board is faced with how to handle the Kansas special ed shortage NOW!
Some problems have no good immediate solutions. Past short-term fixes have often diluted down requirements or “lowered the bar.” But this is no time to approve programs that farm out special ed to questionable adjuncts in impersonal online programs. Inspired freshman special ed teacher candidates deserve fulltime qualified faculty teaching face-to-face, just as these special ed graduates will be teaching K—12 students face-to-face.
It is past time for Kansas higher education to step up to the needs of our special ed children. Kansas special-needs students should not be shortchanged with half-trained teachers.
John Richard Schrock is a professor at Emporia State University.
GREAT BEND, Kan. – Karee Dinkel shot a one-over-par 73 and won the Great Bend Invitational by 12 strokes and led the Hays High girls’ golf team to the team title Tuesday at Stoneridge County Club. Emily George finished third with a round of 83. Emily McGuire was 10th with a 99.
The Indians shot a 360 and edged Garden City by five strokes to claim the Western Athletic Conference championship.
Dinkel was named the WAC Player of the Year. Teammates Emily McGuire, Emily George and Brittani Park received all-conference honorable mention. Mark Watts was named the WAC Coach of the Year.
Team Finish
1. Hays High 360
2. Garden City 365
3. Great Bend 417
4. Liberal 426
5. Dodge City 446
Top 10 Medalists
1. Karee Dinkel-Hays High, 73
2. Alyssa McMillen-Garden City, 85
3. Emily George-Hays, 86
4. Corey Mein-Liberal, 89
5. Elena Lemke-Garden City, 89
6. Morgan Cabral-Garden City, 92
7. Chesney Moore-Dodge City, 95
8. Kaitlyn Kirk-Liberal, 98
9. Kaylee Keller-Garden City, 99
10. Emily McGuire-Hays, 99
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The Latest on the mass shooting in Las Vegas
A U.S. law enforcement official says FBI agents met Marilou Danley at the airport in Los Angeles late Tuesday night. She is the girlfriend of Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock.
Immigration documents show Danley had been abroad for weeks and was in the Philippines on Sunday when Paddock opened fire on a crowd, killing 59
A Filipino official says Paddock traveled at least twice to the Philippines, where his girlfriend was born.
The official said Paddock visited the Philippines in 2013 and 2014, around his birthday, staying for five to six days on both occasions. There were no immediate details available about those trips.
The Filipino official was not authorized to discuss the trips publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity.
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3:45 a.m.
The Australia-based sisters of Las Vegas gunman Stephen Paddock’s girlfriend say they believe Paddock sent her away so she wouldn’t interfere with his plans to go on a shooting rampage.
Marilou Danley’s sisters were interviewed by Australia’s Channel 7 TV network with their faces obscured and their names withheld. They said they were surprised to learn Danley had gone to the Philippines two weeks ago.
One sister tearfully said: “I know that she don’t know anything.”
The woman said Danley is “a good person” who would’ve stopped Paddock had she been there.
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2 a.m.
A nephew of Stephen Paddock’s girlfriend says he’s stunned by the actions of the Las Vegas gunman and didn’t even know that Paddock was interested in guns.
Jordan Knights’ aunt is Marilou Danley, a 62-year-old who recently returned to the United States from a weekslong trip abroad. The Australian man says he spent time in Las Vegas with Paddock and Danley just a few months ago.
Knights told Australia’s Channel 9 from his home near Brisbane, “It seemed like he just looked after my aunty and that was it.”
The 23-year-old said he didn’t give Paddock another thought until he was identified as the gunman who killed 59 people and wounded more than 500 on Sunday.
He said that Paddock “didn’t seem like he was the type of guy to do that.”
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12:09 a.m.
The investigation of a gunman who killed 59 people at a Las Vegas concert now shifts to his girlfriend, who has returned to the United States from the Philippines.
Sheriff Joseph Lombardo says investigators are hoping to get some insight from Marilou Danley on why her boyfriend Stephen Paddock opened fire on a concert crowd from a high-rise hotel room.
Danley had been out of the country for weeks before the shooting. A law enforcement official says she arrived on a flight from Manila to Los Angeles where FBI agents were waiting for her late Tuesday night.
The official wasn’t authorized to publicly discuss the matter and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Las Vegas to meet with
Fire crews on the scene of Monday’s fire- photo courtesy Manhattan Fire Dept.
MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a 21-year-old woman in a Manhattan apartment fire.
The Riley County Police Department says the Monday night fire was intentionally set. Bond for the suspect is set at $75,000. Police say she was sent to the hospital. Her condition wasn’t immediately known.
SMITH COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a case of illegal hunting in north-central Kansas.
Throughout the summer, Region 1 Game Wardens in Kansas worked on an investigation in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Game Wardens, according to a social media report.
During the investigation it was found that deer were illegally harvested in Smith County, Kansas from 2013-2016 by non-resident deer hunters. Authorities seized antlers as evidence. The investigation was turned over to the Smith County Attorney in late August. Charges are pending.
Today Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 11am, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 60. East northeast wind around 11 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Tonight A chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 59. East wind 6 to 9 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Thursday A 50 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Cloudy, with a high near 78. South southwest wind 7 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Thursday NightA chance of showers and thunderstorms, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 8pm. Cloudy, with a low around 63. South wind 8 to 13 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Friday Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 8am, then a chance of showers between 8am and 2pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. South southwest wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Friday Night Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 49. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas City, Kansas, man who called himself rapper C-Los El Gran was sentenced to 14 years in prison for participating in a $4 million drug trafficking ring.
U.S. Attorney Tom Beall says 30-year-old Carl Sierra pleaded guilty Tuesday to conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. As part of his plea, he admitted being a member of a drug trafficking conspiracy led by his half-brother, Edwin Pacheco. Authorities say they distributed methamphetamine throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Investigators used confidential informants and electronic surveillance to monitor Sierra’s conversations with Pacheco, during which they discussed the drug distribution.
Police on the scene of Tuesday’s investigation photo courtesy WIBW TV
SHAWNEE COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a shooting and continue to search for suspects.
Just after 2p.m. Tuesday, officers were dispatched to a call for reported domestic violence in the area of the 2200 block of SE Davies in Topeka, according to a media release.
As officers approached the scene, they witnessed one man firing a hand gun at another man at the intersection of 22nd and SE Davies.
The victim ran to the northwest while the subject who fired the gun ran from the officer to the south east. A perimeter was set up and a K9 track was attempted, but the officers were unable to locate the suspect.
No injuries were reported as a result of the aggravated assault and area schools were notified and put on lock down for a short period of time while officers searched for the suspect.
Anyone with information relating to this crime is asked to call the Topeka Police Department.
Effective immediately, Eighth Street between Milner and Vine streets has been opened to two-way traffic.
The reconstruction of Eighth Street has moved into Phase 4, which allows traffic to move in both directions. Eastbound traffic remains in the south lane and westbound traffic is allowed in the center lane. The north lane remains closed to traffic as the contractor finishes up sidewalk and other work behind the north curb line.
All businesses on both sides of Eighth Street have new driveways and full access to Eighth Street. This traffic control configuration is scheduled to last through the remainder of the project. The entire project should be complete by the end of November.
DODGE CITY, Kan.-Dodge City scored four first half goals and three second half goals as they routed Hays High 7-1 on Tuesday evening at Memorial Stadium in Dodge City. The Red Demons scored in the 12th minute and did not look back. Dodge led 4-0 at the half and scored the first goal of the second half to lead 5-0.
Hays High would get their only goal of the match in the 55th minute when Brian Cisneros found Matthew Goodale streaking toward the goal for the tally. Dodge would score two more and finish with the six goal victory. The Indians had their five game winning streak snapped with the loss and drop to 9-4 overall. They will travel to Liberal on Thursday to face the Redskins for the second time this season.
