One could argue the most influential person in Hays — possibly throughout northwest Kansas — in the last generation is none other than the university president.

Fort Hays State University President Edward Hammond, the longest serving president of a Kansas Regents university, will hang up his spurs at the end of this school year.

And the challenge to find someone to fill his echoes might seem insurmountable.

Since his arrival in 1987, Hammond has overseen the university through a period of significant growth. Innovation has been the mantra, with student body growth fueled by the creation of the Virtual College, which allows students from across the state, nation and world to further their education.

Partnerships overseas not only have helped bolster the university’s financial status, but also brought to the Hays community a welcome dose of diversity, mostly in the form of the Chinese students who chose the small-town Kansas life for their education.

From new dorms to in-the-works educational buildings, from the foundation center to sports facilities, Hammond’s tenure has been pocked by good-news announcements demonstrating the best of what strong leadership can provide.

With the departure of Larry Gould from the No. 2 position of provost, the top tiers of leadership at FHSU will have changed entirely by the end of the school year. And while Hammond will stay on for a time as an adviser, the direction of the university will be one of the most closely watched stories in 2014.

And the task of those charged with finding a replacement for Hammond is daunting.

A Regents-appointed committee includes Denis Miller, chairman of the FHSU Foundation board of directors; Robba Moran, a regent from Manhattan, formerly of Hays and wife of U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran; former regent Janie Perkins, Garden City; and Andy Tompkins, president and chief executive officer of the regents. Input from the student body and faculty also will weigh into the decision. The university and regents are being assisted by Washington-based AGB Search. The firm specializes in finding candidates for top-level administrative jobs in higher education.

Hammond’s tenure will be tough to top — his presence could be nearly impossible to replace. And as Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration continues to whittle away at budgets across the board, that presence protecting northwest Kansas will be ever more important.

The Hays community is bolstered by the university on one side, the hospital on the other. With the addition of the “other legs” of the economic stool — agriculture, energy, service, telecommunications — these institutions offer us a comforting protecting from the whims of the state and national economy.

Finding the next leader of FHSU is a critical decision, and one that will ripple through another generation. Here’s hoping the right person for the right job at the right place six standing in line waiting for that job interview.

Ron Fields is news and information director at Eagle Communications.