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FHSU Higher ed MSE program ranked among the best

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FHSU University Relations

Started in 2013, the Master of Science in Education with an emphasis in higher education student affairs has become one of the fastest growing programs at Fort Hays State University.

The first year the concentration was only offered to on-campus students but is now offered to virtual students as well. FHSU’s HESA program was just ranked as the best experiential learning by OnlineMasters.com, which analyzed every online masters in higher education in the nation.

“While all of our programs in the department are online, our HESA program is unique in that it is offered fully as either an online program or a face-to-face program.” said Dr. Brooke Moore, interim chair for the Department of Advanced Education Programs.

This semester, the program had 24 on-campus and 48 virtual students.

“The program is successful because of the high quality of our program and the price point we are able to offer it,” said Dr. Edward Hammond, professor for Advanced Education Programs. “Our program was built on the research by NASPA that identified 10 core competencies of successful student affairs administrators.”

Each class in the program is built around one of the 10 competencies.

“One really unique part of our program is the amount of faculty who have been practitioners in full-time student affairs positions currently, as well as some who have worked for FHSU in the past,” said Ashley Templeton, current graduate student.

Many students enrolled in this program are already working on a college campus and wish to further their education to continue their career in higher education.

“Having full-time professionals share their experience with us is valuable beyond measure as we are learning from individuals who are in the shoes we hope to fill one day at institutions around the country,” said Templeton.

FHSU promotes experiential learning in HESA through the implementation of two practicums where students must work with a university or college for 150 hours on projects or activities that address four of the competencies.

“Another really awesome part about the HESA program at FHSU is a requirement of our degree is to have two practicums throughout our time here,” said Templeton.

“We are able to place candidates from the HESA program in student affairs internships here at FHSU, but also around the state and nationally,” said Moore.

Students who study in this concentration must prove in a final portfolio presentation that they have grown in all 10 of the competency areas.

“I don’t know of another program that has that kind of integrated commitment to a competency based practice,” said Hammond.

The ranking can be found at https://www.onlinemasters.com/best-degree-programs/education/higher-education/.

SCHLAGECK: The Christmas spirit is not what you drink

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John Schlageck writes for the Kansas Farm Bureau.

Many, many traditions exemplify Christmas – a decorated tree, colored lights, gift giving, parties and turkey or ham dinners. Most of these traditions are recent additions.

The greatest gift associated with Christmas is the one of caring for one another. This gift is also the ultimate Christmas story – God’s love for man.

A tradition that continues in our family is going to church and Midnight mass. In the small, northwestern Kansas community where I grew up, church was the spiritual and social center for life among rural farm people. As a youngster, I remember mother dressing us in our Sunday best and then bundling us up for the walk to St. Martin of Tours.

Magic dwelled inside our church during Christmas. On the right side, miniature statues of cattle and sheep surrounded Mary, Joseph and the Christ child. On the altar, candles flickered as their dark, tongued-shaped shadows danced on the sacristy wall. Christmas carols streamed out of the choir loft as organist Lilly Kingston offered her gift to the newborn babe.

I enjoyed every minute of the service, but it was pure torture to stay around and visit in front of the church afterwards. While we attended church services, Santa dropped by our home.

I couldn’t wait to run home and rip open packages. Like every other youngster, I counted the days. It seemed like Christmas would never arrive.

As a young child, I don’t remember seeing Santa until I was 4. That’s about the time the jolly, old fat man dropped down our chimney with gifts galore.

While Santa was a big part of Christmas in our family, the Christ child was of course more important. My family did a good job balancing the two.

My parents grew up during the Great Depression. Anything that cost money was rare at Christmas. Gifts for mom and dad consisted of useful things like clothing and maybe one toy for each child – if crops and harvest had been bountiful. Ice cream and fresh oranges were always a special treat reserved for the celebration of the Christ child.

We were more fortunate in the gift department. Santa always came to our door toting a bulging burlap bag filled with toys. You see, the Schlageck children were very good little girls and boys – at least that’s the way we pictured ourselves, especially before Christmas.
Probably my favorite gift was a “wind-up” toy train. I played for hours with that wonderful gift. If this wasn’t heaven, it was the next best thing.

Until the mid-60s our family always celebrated Christmas with a real tree. Then plastic, artificial trees dominated the market. Unfortunately, we erected one too.

Mom decorated our house with brilliant red poinsettias. While she was decorating, she would tell us the legend of how the poor Mexican boy prayed to Christ for a gift he could give. As he arose from his knees a poinsettia plant grew at his feet. The boy broke off the branches and took the beautiful poinsettia to the altar.

Our dining room table was a celebration of food during the holiday season. Christmas dinner consisted of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, cranberries, fresh-baked crescent rolls, green peas and a relish dish. For dessert, pumpkin pie and freshly whipped cream was the fare that completed the feast. That was our favorite, and my mother made the best.

Mom also made chocolate fudge with walnuts. I ate too many walnuts as a 5-year-old, so I picked out the walnuts and ate only the fudge. Homemade peanut brittle was another specialty my mother made for us during Christmas.

As a youngster I had plenty to be thankful for during the holiday season. A wonderfully decorated home, the smell of baking turkey and the anticipation of Christmas are memories I will cherish forever.

This Christmas, like so many folks, we will celebrate Christmas with our family and friends. We celebrate Christmas in our home with traditions of our own.

Christmas is truly for children and those who love them. The joy we see in the eyes of a child will remain always in our hearts.

Remember during this holiday season that joy springs from the heart of anyone dedicated to caring and helping others. The Christmas spirit dwells inside each of us.

This holiday season, say a prayer of peace for all, and worship the Christ child like many have for more than 2,000 years.

Merry Christmas.

John Schlageck is a leading commentator on agriculture and rural Kansas. Born and raised on a diversified farm in northwestern Kansas, his writing reflects a lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion.

Moran applauds passage of ‘remarkable’ bipartisan prison, sentencing reform

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OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) – Tuesday applauded the Senate’s passage of the First Step Act, S.3649, of which he is an original cosponsor, to reduce recidivism, promote public safety and improve fairness in the sentencing of federal crimes.

“The First Step Act is a remarkable bipartisan achievement,” said Sen. Moran. “Supported by the president, a supermajority of the United States Senate, and law enforcement and advocacy groups from across the political spectrum, this legislation will allow non-violent offenders to serve time that fits their crime and then, importantly, provide them the opportunity to re-emerge as productive members of society. This legislation is an important first step in promoting a fair and effective criminal justice system, and as chairman of the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work to make certain law enforcement has the tools it needs to remain tough on crime and provide former prisoners a second chance at life.”

Included in the First Step Act is reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, which includes grant programs for drug rehabilitation, vocational training, mentoring, and other reentry and recidivism reduction initiatives. Sen. Moran’s CJS Appropriations Subcommittee overwhelmingly voted to fund the Second Chance Act’s grant programs at $90 million for FY19.

This comprehensive package aims to reduce crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction and professional development programs. It recalibrates certain mandatory minimum sentences, grants greater discretion for judges in the sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes and clarifies congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms. It also preserves the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. The legislation allows petitions for retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act to be considered on an individual basis to reduce sentence disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses.

Under this legislation, savings generated by the reforms would automatically be reinvested into law enforcement programs to further reduce crime and improve community safety.

Items to note:

Approval grants state authority to continue Medicaid program

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KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced Tuesday that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the state’s 1115 waiver extension application. The 1115 waiver grants the state of Kansas the authority to operate KanCare, the state’s managed care program.

“I want to thank Administrator Seema Verma and the rest of the Trump administration for approving our 1115 wavier extension,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “With the extension, our state can continue to be innovative in the way we address the health care needs of Kansans.”

“I want to congratulate Governor Colyer and his team for their hard work and commitment to serving Kansans,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “The renewal of KanCare will strengthen their program by expanding access to substance use disorder treatment and other supportive services and ensure that this program will continue to deliver value to their state.”

The approved Kansas 1115 waiver extension application included the state requesting authority to implement a supported employment pilot for individuals with disabilities; a waiver of the 15-day monthly maximum on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Institute for Mental Disease (IMD) utilization for members ages 21-64; and request to extend the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program until an alternative payment model (APM) model will be in place. To gain CMS approval of the 1115 wavier extension the state also had to demonstrate that the federal expenditures were going to be less with the proposed waiver versus operating a program without a waiver.

“It was a collaborative effort and I couldn’t be prouder of the state Medicaid staff that worked on this effort,” said State Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf. “The CMS team led by Deputy Administrator Mary Mayhew was fantastic and the assistance from our partners at Navigant Healthcare and Optumas, our actuary firm, were instrumental in our success in getting the waiver extension approved.”

“We want to thank CMS for their partnership as we seek to be innovative in finding ways to create better access,” said KDHE Secretary Jeff Andersen. “This approval will make it easier for Kansans to receive the necessary care to stay healthy.”

In the original 1115 waiver extension application, the state also requested authority to implement a community engagement/work requirements program and a new community service coordination program. However, these programs are not going to be implemented in January due to direction given by the legislature through a budgetary proviso. For these programs to be implemented, the state would need to amend the currently approved waiver to negotiate the terms and conditions of those programs.

The approved version of the 1115 waiver extension will be available shortly on the KanCare website at: www.kancare.ks.gov

🎥 Hot Shots treat audience to waltzes and polka at library performance

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By GUY WINDHOLZ

It was a wet and misty 33-degree morning earlier this month when some “Hot Shots” waltzed into the Hays Public Library and proceeded to take over the south first-floor meeting room. They carried with themselves heavy metal equipment and instruments specially designed to delight the audience with a full treatment of German polkas and waltzes.

The audience of 148 ranged in age from 1 to 94 and any observer could see that they would remain captured for the duration of three hours of musical entertainment. So who were these un-masked individuals that go by the name of the “Hot Shots?”

Heading up the group was their leader, Dale Stramel, on accordion, from Pfeifer, Jimmy Rothe, guitar from the Rush County area, Kenny Windholz, from Ellis County on drums and Lee Maxwell at the ripe young age of 92, also from Ellis County, on trombone.

It was an opportunity to meet up with an old friend Lee Maxwell, brother of the late legendary trumpet player Jimmy Maxwell, known among the giants of the music world, as one of the best trumpet players in the era of ballroom music. He was a member of the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the ’40s.

Photos and videos courtesy of Guy Windholz

Knowing the event went from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the library arranged to have a selection of German foods that included the ever-popular beans and noodles, green bean and dumpling soup and topped off for those with a sweet tooth some spitzbubens and heartzchens known as Heart cookies.

Library staff members guided by Samantha Gill included Patty Rohr and Marrisa Lamer who monitored the cookies, as an unnamed individual among the crowd, being a cookie monster, would have relished any opportunity to consume a second heartzchen cookie.

While the event was billed as a Volga German Christmas performance, there were Bukovina Austrian Germans from the Ellis area mixed within the crowd. Virtually every original village or city from within Ellis County was represented among the attendees, from Ellis, Emmeram and Munjor to Schoenchen.

The Hays Public Library has much to offer the community. It is hoped on a fairer weather day this could be repeated. Visit their Facebook page to learn of other upcoming events.

Kansas man charged for series of burglaries, theft

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect for a series of burglaries.

Rose -photo Sedgwick Co.

On June 24, police responded to a suspicious character call at All Metal Recycling, 800 E. 21st Street North, according to officer Charley Davidson. Upon arrival, Officers located 30-year-old Callen Rose on the roof of the building and arrested him without incident.

Through the investigation, investigators connected Rose to multiple burglary and theft cases.

On Wednesday, the cases were presented to the Sedgwick County District Attorney’s Office who charged Rose with the multiple counts of burglary, one count of attempted burglary, two counts of felony theft, three counts of misdemeanor thefts, four counts of criminal trespass, one charge of felony criminal damage to property and one charge of misdemeanor criminal damage to property, according to Davidson.

Police search for SW Kansas sex assault suspect

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FINNEY COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a sexual assault and asking the public for help to locate a suspect.

Just after 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, police were called to the southeast area of Garden City for a reported residential burglary in progress. Upon arrival, officers went inside the residence and located an adult woman, according to Sergeant Lana Arteaga.

The initial investigation revealed an unknown man entered the woman’s residence armed with a weapon. Once inside, the man sexually assaulted the woman and caused significant injury to her.

The suspect then fled the area. The woman was transported to St. Catherine Hospital by Finney County EMS. Her injuries were not thought to be life-threatening, according to Ortega.

Due to the location of the incident, Victor Ornelas Elementary and Charles O’ Stones Intermediate Center were placed in lockdown while officers searched the area for the suspect.

The man was described as being approximately six-feet tall, brown eyes, dark eyebrows, and approximately 40 years old. He was clean-shaven, and of slim build, wearing a brown Carhartt style coat and a stocking hat.

The man was wearing a light gray hooded sweatshirt with unknown wording printed on the front and had a light gray t-shirt underneath. He was wearing a brown watch on his left wrist and had a large tattoo on the front of his chest. He also had three tattoos on his right ribcage where each of the three appeared to be similar to each other.

Anyone with information related to this incident, you should call the Garden City Police Department.

Cloudy, windy Wednesday

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Today A slight chance of rain between noon and 2pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 55. Breezy, with a west wind 8 to 13 mph becoming north northwest 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Tonight Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 32. Breezy, with a northwest wind 18 to 23 mph.
ThursdaySunny, with a high near 50. Windy, with a north northwest wind 17 to 25 mph.

Thursday NightClear, with a low around 25. North northwest wind 5 to 13 mph becoming west southwest after midnight.

FridaySunny, with a high near 55. South wind 5 to 11 mph.

Friday NightMostly clear, with a low around 29.

SaturdayMostly sunny, with a high near 47.

Prison for man in Kansas barbershop-based drug ring

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A man who was part of a $4 million drug conspiracy operating out of a barbershop in Kansas City, Kan., was sentenced Tuesday to 52 months in federal prison, U.S. Attorney Stephen McAllister said.

Bell -photo Wyandotte Co.

Jason Bell, 38, Kansas City, Kan., pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. In his plea, Bell admitted he was part of a drug ring with co-defendant Edwin Pacheco. Pacheco owned Cocoliso’s Barbershop at 1201 Minnesota in Kansas City, Kan., where Bell was employed.

During the course of a federal investigation, Bell sold thousands of dollars’ worth of methamphetamine to undercover investigators. Bell was arrested when investigators served a search warrant at the barbershop. They found more than 12 pounds of methamphetamine in Pacheco’s Jeep Liberty and seized more than $15,000 from the barbershop’s closet. Investigators calculated that the conspirators sold approximately $4 million worth of illegal drugs.

 

Police: Kansas man caught during alleged burglary

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SEDGWICK COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect in connection with a series of burglaries.

Moler -photo Sedgwick County

Just before 3:20 a.m. Tuesday, police responded to a larceny in progress call at a residence in the 1300 block of Coach House Court in Wichita, according to officer Charley Davidson.

Upon arrival, Officers began circulating the area and located 52-year-old Glen Moler of Wichita inside another vehicle in the 12000 block of West Briarwood Circle.

Moler was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Sedgwick County Jail.

Through the investigation, police connected Moler was  to five separate WPD cases and stolen items were recovered in connection to the cases.

Moler is being held on five counts of burglary, five counts of theft from a vehicle and two counts of destruction to an automobile, according to Davidson.

Harold Charles Weikert

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Harold Charles Weikert, 90, passed away Monday, December 17, 2018, at Showalter Villa, Hesston. He was born September 24, 1928, in rural Ellinwood, to Frank and Teresa (Heinz) Weikert. He married Rosaline Stegman on July 29, 1958 and they later divorced. He then married Darylene “Dee” B. Burns on December 15, 1967, at Medicine Lodge. She died December 19, 1981.

Coming from near St. Peter and Paul in 1958, Harold was a Great Bend resident. He owned and operated D&H Appliance Service and was a Private First Class in the Army during the Korean Conflict. He loved camping, boating and fishing. He was Captain of the Fish and Chicks boat. He was known for his gardening skills, especially his sweet corn. He was an honest, hard-working man and was very strong in his faith and love of family.

Survivors include, seven daughters, Mary Ann Shorman and husband Gary of Hays, Deann Boyer and husband Norman of Great Bend, Theresa Leiker and husband Dave of Great Bend, Diane Weikert of Overland Park, Cyndi Whistler and husband John D. of North Newton, Kathleen Weikert and Karen Merrill of Great Bend and Margaret Dirks of Great Bend; thirteen grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Darylene “Dee” B. Weikert and a brother, Victor Weikert.

Visitation and viewing will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Friday, December 21, 2018, at Bryant Funeral Home, with family present from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to greet friends prior to the Knights of Columbus Rosary and Vigil at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, December 22, 2018 at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Great Bend, with Father Ted Stoecklein officiating. There will be a Private Family Inurnment at a later date at the Great Bend Cemetery, Great Bend. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorials be suggested to the St. Peter and Paul Church Restoration Fund, in care of Bryant Funeral Home.

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