The 2015 winner of the Hays Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year Award is Dr. Stacey Smith of Fort Hays State University.

The award, presented at Thursday’s annual banquet, is sponsored by Sam’s Club and awarded in recognition for service to the people and city of Hays for the past year. This person has given of themselves for the betterment of our community. The recipient must have community involvement during the past year.

Smith is an Assistant Professor and the Director of the Tourism and Hospitality Management Program at FHSU. She served as 2014 Board President for the Downtown Hays Development Corp., assisting with their events, such as Wines & Steins, Blues & BBQ, and Core2Campus.

She also serves on the Visitors and Conventions Bureau board and participates with the Ellis County Coalition of Economic Development.

She was the co-President of the O’Loughlin Elementary Parent Teacher Association in 2013/2014 school year.