A SkyWest jet taxiing at the Hays Regional Airport.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
SkyWest Airlines, which provides passenger service at the Hays Regional Airport, is bidding on passenger service at the Salina Regional Airport. Its proposal to the U.S. Department of Transportation includes adding a flight that would benefit both Salina and Hays.
“It would be a swing flight from Chicago to Denver that would stop in Salina and Hays each way,” Hays City Manager Toby Dougherty told city commissioners Thursday night.
“One flight would leave Chicago at 10:40 a.m., land in Salina at 1 p.m., land in Hays at 2 p.m. and then turnaround and head to Denver. There would be a flight leaving Denver at 2:30 p.m. It would stop in Hays, it would stop in Salina, and then it would wind up in Chicago at 8 p.m.,” Dougherty explained.
“That would be the net effect of the change.” The two daily flights to Denver would remain “roughly the same schedule,” he added.
SkyWest has asked for community input and support of its proposal.
Dougherty has reached out to the Ellis County commission, Fort Hays State University, and HaysMed encouraging their support. The city has already received a letter of support from Eagle Communications, the parent company of Hays Post.
“Any letters we get we’ll add to the pack to send to the Department of Transportation.”
City commissioners were more than happy to unanimously agree to signing a letter of support.
“This is a great step forward,” said Commissioner Henry Schwaller. “People have been wanting flights to Kansas City. We’re going to have a flight to Chicago. That’s even better.” “Very exciting,” echoed Commissioner Sandy Jacobs.
“I think this is unbelievable news for us,” agreed Mayor Shaun Musil. “The people of Hays have loved SkyWest ever since we’ve had it but they keep asking for something going east. This is an opportunity that would surpass that.”
SkyWest flights currently go twice a day between Hays and the Denver International Airport where passengers can connect to flights across the country.
(Click to enlarge)
If DOT awards the contract to SkyWest, the additional flights would be initiated April 18, 2018, according to the airline. Dougherty anticipates a formal announcement from DOT about the contract in late December or early January.
Some Hays residents are already aware of the possible flights.
“Melissa Dixon (executive director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau) made the announcement Wednesday night during the Santa Claus Fly In at the airport,” Jacobs said. “There was a lot of people there for that event and they were really excited about it as well.”
The CROSSROADS/Total Praise group from Hays has been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall as part of Distinguished Concerts International New York’s (DCINY) “Appalachian Winter: A Bluegrass Christmas.”
Joseph Martin, composer, has produced an original score for the event, which he will also conduct at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 27.
Caitlin Leiker, 14, a freshman at Hays High School, will be one of the youngest performers in the production.
Melody Barton, the Leiker’s next door neighbor, is a member of CROSSROADS/Total Praise and has worked with Martin before. She contacted Martin about Caitlin, and he suggested Total Praise bring Leiker along to perform in New York. Five people from the group, including Caitlin will perform at Carnegie Hall. They are Barton, Hannah Barrett, Lee Fisher and Lynn Fisher.
“I knew that she has been in Honor Choirs, the Ad Astra Festival Choir, competed in District and State Competitions, getting high ratings, and participating in community and school musical productions,” Barton said of Leiker. “I knew that she had a lovely voice and was able to read music very well!”
Jodie Leiker, Caitlin’s mother, said the trip should be a good experience as Caitlin will be exposed to more mature voices through the show.
Leiker has been singing since she could talk. She also plays piano. She won the Hays Middle School talent competition two years running.
She performed this summer in “Mary Poppins” with the Hays Community Theatre and at the Ad Astra Music Festival in Russell. She is a citizen in the HHS’s upcoming performance of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame.” She taught herself to juggle for the festival scene of the musical.
Leiker loves to sing and perform. She said her favorite part of performing is seeing the end product.
“The hard work is tough going into to it, but the final product when it just all pays off … You put in all this hard work, and just to see the polished product at the end of it … It just feels so good to perform,” she said.
She said she is nervous, but “It is a really good nervous. I am really excited to go.”
She has ambition to try out for the Hays High Chamber Singers next year. However, her ultimate dreams for her music are humble.
“Everybody dreams of making it big with the things that they love, but if I can find one person and be an inspiration to them — one person younger than me saying when I get older I want to be like them,” she said. “I am meeting all kinds of people just in the high school musical that I am looking up to — just amazing people with amazing talents. They have been there for me as friends. I want to be that friend, just somebody who is looked up to and inspires somebody to be better.”
Leiker also has an interest in visual arts and hopes to study graphic design while in high school. She could image herself as an art director for a magazine or movies.
The Leiker family plans to head to New York about a week in advance of the concert. Caitlin has never been to the city. They plan to see “Anastasia” on Broadway because Caitlin was in a past production of “Anastasia.” They also plan to go skating a Rockefeller Center, see the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, see the Rockettes and go on a Christmas lights tour.
The Hays USD 489 $78.5 million school bond failed Tuesday night by more than 1,000 votes, with 60 percent of voters casting ballots against the proposal.
Superintendent John Thissen said Tuesday night he thought the tax increase and the duration of the bond were factors in the bond’s defeat.
The 30-year bond would have increased taxes on a $150,000 home by $16.43 per month.
Thissen said the facility needs have not gone away, and the district will need to bring another bond forward.
“I would say the results are a point of reference we work from at this point,” he said. “We are about trying to create a plan that the community would support and this definitely indicates this was not, at this point. We need to end up doing more work. There is no question that the buildings still need attention.”
Lincoln Elementary School and Washington school, where the Early Child Connections program is housed, are both more than 90 years old. Lincoln had a major sewer line break Tuesday, which is being worked on today. The school has had significant boiler problems, and the boiler is difficult to repair because it is obsolete.
Thissen said he did not think the “no” vote was a vote against all facility improvements at Hays schools. He said the district needs to keep working on its plan.
“A bond issue for schools is not like a competition between two teams to determine who is the visitor,” Thissen said in a written statement Wednesday. “It is actually more like the components of the same team trying to make decisions for the betterment of the whole team or community. The challenge is much like owners, managers or coaches have on professional teams. We have a range of feelings as great as people wanting for their children what other children have in other communities to people who see money put into to schools as having nothing to do with them. … The challenge is that we as school employees work for all of them.”
Thissen said school officials are public servants. He added it is common for districts to propose multiple bonds before one is accepted by the community.
“Roads, water and electricity are a few parts of a community that are viewed as essential and are regularly utilized by all,” he said. “Public education is compartmentalized much differently by many people. Our task is to work with everyone and develop a plan that can be embraced by the public. Our task also includes making sure the plan is responsible for the needs of our children for years to come. This will be accomplished.”
The district’s next steps will be to conduct surveys and review why those who voted no did so. Thissen said he did not think waiting to move forward with another bond issue would benefit the district.
“When you end up having that kind of number that is not for it, it is important to determine specifics of what were the main details about it that were just not agreeable,” Thissen said. “It may not be a matter of just the total dollars. It may have been other factors involved, and we need to move on from there.”
School Board President Lance Bickle, who was re-elected Tuesday night, said he was disappointed in the vote, but said the board will continue to move forward with maintenance and facilities improvements regardless of the bond defeat. The district still plans to move forward with a major upgrade to the Hays High School HVAC system in the coming year.
Mike Walker also won a seat on the school board Tuesday night. He served as a member of the Community Vision Team that helped develop the bond.
“I am frustrated that it went down,” he said. “I understand that anytime you are asking people to raise their own taxes, it is going to be a long shot. I am not shocked. … It is a little ridiculous to think it is a surprise it went down. I am a bit surprised it went down. I thought we had a better chance of getting it passed”
Chris Dinkel, also a member of the Community Vision team, said he thought the district put together a good plan and he was also disappointed the bond failed.
“The needs of the district aren’t going to go away,” he said. “A bond is never defeated; it is just pushed back. We are going to have to do something, but we are going to have to see what it is in the coming months and years.”
The bond would have built two new elementary schools to replace Lincoln and Wilson schools. Renovations would have been done to Roosevelt Elementary School, the middle school and high school, including the addition of a new auditorium at HHS.
O’Loughlin Elementary School would have been renovated to accommodate the Westside program, Early Childhood Connections and the Learning Center.
Secured entrances, storm shelters and right-sized classrooms were also part of the bond proposal.
It has been more than 25 years since Hays passed its last bond issue.
Thissen did not have the exact amount the district spent on the bond proposal. It paid for multiple informational flyers that were sent to residents. Money was raised separately through the vote yes campaign for other promotional efforts for the bond. The district architectural firm, DLR, also invested in the project, but passage of the bond was a condition of payment.
A voter Tuesday morning at the Hays Recreation Commission.
Although Election Day has passed, questions remain about exactly who will be serving in some seats in Ellis County.
On the Hays City Commission, incumbents Shaun Musil and Sandy Jacobs won handily, with 3,202 and 2,719 votes respectively. But the third commission seat on the ballot remains in question.
Dustin Roths examines the final unofficial results during a watch party at his jewelry store.
Candidate Chris Dinkel earned the most votes in unofficial results, with 1,806, with Dustin Roths close behind at 1,789 votes. However, with 65 provisional ballots left to be counted, those results could change.
Ellis County Clerk Donna Maskus said her staff will work through the provisional ballots to see if they can be accepted into the vote total. She added there also were six advanced ballots that were hand-delivered to polling stations, allowable through a change in state law this election cycle.
In addition, any mail-in ballots that were postmarked on or before election day that are delivered by Friday also could be counted.
In Ellis, the situation is even more complicated, with both provisional ballots and write-ins leaving the school board race in limbo.
In the race for three seats on the Ellis USD 388 board, Jared Schiel (443 votes), Mike Gaschler (313 votes) and Vic Winter (213) were the top three vote-getters, with Brian Fischer close behind with 209 votes. However, all the candidates fell short of the write-in vote total of 463. Those write-ins have yet to be calculated.
The Ellis mayoral race also theoretically could be affected by the provisional and other uncounted ballots. The spread between incumbent Dave McDaniel (294 votes) and challenger Dena Patee (236 votes) was just 58 votes.
Ellis Co. Clerk/Election Officer Donna Maskus and balloting assistant Curt Weilert
The Ellis County Clerk calculated a 39.1 percent turnout for the election. Maskus said more details on the provisional and write-in voting could be available Wednesday morning.
Click HERE for the complete unofficial election results.
Chris and Don Bickle with HaysMed President/CEO Eddie Herrman
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
HaysMed President and CEO Eddie Herrman has been on the job just since Oct. 26 and he already knows the generosity and legacy of Hays businessman and philanthropist Don Bickle and his wife, Chris.
Herrman thanked the Bickles for their gift of $1 million to the HaysMed Foundation “Powerful Technology, A Look Inside” campaign during a Friday news conference at the hospital.
“We know there are a lot of changes in our industry. The biggest change we have going forward is really technology,” Herrman said. “In medicine, we’ve always been on the cutting edge when it comes to science. We’ve probably always lagged behind a little when it comes to technology. That’s one of the areas we’re really trying to leverage at this point.”
In recognition of their gift, the HaysMed Bone, Joint & Spine Center will be renamed the “Don and Chris Bickle Bone, Joint & Spine Center.”
Bickle, who was also celebrating his 90th birthday Friday, told the crowd he first would speak “on script,” which drew an appreciative laugh.
“Chris and I are truly honored to be here today. Today we’re helping to fund a CT scanner, but more importantly the gift will support quality specialty healthcare for all our families, friends and neighbors in the region,” Bickle said. “We must all remember that we will only remain excellent if continue to invest in our community now and in the future. We hope our investment in HaysMed will insure this progress in years to come.
“Now, I’m off script,” he continued, which drew another laugh.
Bickle talked about his appreciation and thanks to recently retired HaysMed CEO Dr. John Jeter, telling Herrman “you’ve got some pretty big shoes to fill. But there’s no question in my mind, you’re the man to fill those shoes,” he said while leading the crowd in a round of applause.
Bickle also gave credit to the Hays Commerce Bank for helping guide him in his philanthropic management.
“If I was half as smart as I get credit for, I could be damn dangerous,” Bickle quipped. The crowd laughed again.
“I can tell you there’s no way I could give the amount of money that I’m giving and have in the past, without the help of Commerce Bank.
“But it boils down to this. The Good Lord looks down and he says ‘Dummy, it looks like you need help again.’ And He’s right. I did.”
A primary component of the Powerful Technology Campaign is a CT scanner that captures detailed images of vital organs in a fraction of a second while reducing the radiation dose up to 82 percent from traditional CT scanners. Another initiative of the campaign is replacement of all patient monitors which will integrate with the electronic medical record system. Two catherization labs will also be renovated.
Dr. Tom and Debra McDonald, Powerful Technology Campaign co-chairs
Campaign co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra kicked off the news conference as they announced $2.7 million has been received raised towards the $3 million goal. Recent major gifts included more than $50,000 from HaysMed Associates, $50,000 from the HaysMed Volunteers, and $25,000 from the Cecil and Brenda Crawford Family-Crawford Supply.
Don Bickle was surprised with a cake celebrating his 90th birthday.
The event concluded as a surprise birthday cake, baked by HaysMed food service, was rolled out while the crowd, led by Bickle, sang a happy birthday song to him.
The United Way of Ellis County has just reached the halfway point of its campaign — but still needs your help.
The campaign has raised $227,000 of its $450,000 goal. The organization has two months to reach its goal.
The United Way is in its last week of its online fundraising auction, which will come to an end at 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. All proceeds of the online auction benefit the United Way and its partner agencies.
One of the signature items is a African photo Safari to Zulu Nyala private game reserve. The retail value on the trip is $5,950, and the minimum opening bid is $1,500. This does not include airfare, but there is an exclusive opportunity for an airfare discount through South African Airlines.
Situated near Hluhluwe, Kwa Zulu Natel, South Africa, the reserve will allow visitors to experience elephant, rhino, leopard, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, hippo, zebra, nyala, dudu, crocodiles and other more plains game.
The trip includes six days and six nights accommodation at Zulu Nyala Heritage Safari Lode, or Heminway Luxury Tented Camp (depending on availability). Two game viewing drives per day on Zulu Nyala Game Reserve (morning and afternoon drives). Meals are included.
Two safari packages are up for bid. The high bidder will set the price at the auction and the back-up bidder should pay the same high bid price. The winners of the auction have up to two years to take the trip. More information is available on the bid site or call the United Way office at 785-629-8281.
Some of the other items include a Traeger grill, a 32-inch Smart television, a $250 gift certificate to Ashley Furniture, a 3-piece entertainment center with a retail cost of $2,825, FHSU season basketball tickets, Dustin Colquitt Kansas City Chiefs autographed mini football.
Other items include restaurant gift certificates, home decor, apparel, sports memorabilia, service gift certificates and Hays Recreation Center gift memberships, among many other items.
Night of Giving
The United Way conducted its Night of Giving Friday night at Big Creek Crossing. The event raised $1,400 with 70 supporter tickets purchased, which was down from $2,000 last year. There was music, wine tasting, and appetizers provided by each of the participating stores.
“UWEC is very appreciative of the support of Big Creek Crossing and the participating merchants for the wonderful and entertaining atmosphere,” Sherry Dryden, United Way of Ellis County executive director, said via email Monday.
United Way has dine out days Tuesday at Pizza Hut (5 to 8 p.m.), Sip ‘N’ Spin all day on Nov. 13 and Whiskey Creek on Nov. 28 ( 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.). A percentage of each of these restaurants’ proceeds on these specified days will go to United Way.
Buckeye Wind Energy will host an open house on from 8 to 11 a.m. Friday to celebrate Veteran’s Day.
The morning will include tours of the operations and maintenance building at 1043 Buckeye Road.
“Please join us at our O&M Building as we celebrate the contributions of our veterans and share our gratitude for their sacrifices,” Buckeye officials said in a news release.
The public is invited and coffee and doughnuts will be available.
Directions to the Buckeye O&M building: From the intersection of U.S. 183 & I-70, travel 7 miles north to Buckeye Road, then west 5 ½ miles.
Hays High School will perform the musical “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” Nov. 10-Nov. 12.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theater and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.
The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in 15th-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be “Out There,” observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools.
Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda.
Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though — the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies — and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all.
The HHS cast is comprised of 70 students with a total of 100 involved with the pit orchestra and crew. This high school has moved the annual musical from the 12th Street Auditorium to Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center for the first time. The students have been practicing in the wrestling room at the high school and moved to the Beach/Schmidt stage this week.
“It is a wonderful cast and a classic show. It’s a great show based on the Victor Hugo novel,” chorale director Johnny Matlock told KAYS morning show host C.D. DeSalvo in a recent on-air interview. “It’ll be entertaining.’
Erin Muirhead plays the love interest in the show, the gypsy Esmeralda.
“My favorite part about her is that she is very sensitive,” Muirhead said, “and she just wants to help people and make the world a better place. It has been a lot of work so far, but I think it will be worth it.”
Ryan Will plays Quasimodo, the hunchback.
“Quasimodo is really cool to play because he is a complicated character. He struggles because he is physically deformed. Frollo hides him away in a bell tower, and he wants to have friends and have love and that kind of thing, but Frollo denies him that, so he has this struggle throughout the musical of finding that.”
Eric Adams plays archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo.
“He’s trying to do what he sees best except that is generally definitely not the right thing to do,” Adams said.
This is a Disney production. In the Disney movie, everyone lives happily ever after, but in the original novel, that was not the case, Matlock said. This production follows the novel more closely.
“We have enjoyed that because there is some great meaning in there,” Matlock said. “This is set in the 15th century when people would look on people like Quasimodo and he was an outcast. They wanted to keep him in the bell tower. It poses the question to us, ‘How do we treat human beings?’ We as a cast have been working through that. This was set in the 15th century in Paris by Victor Hugo, but we are still struggling with those issues today.”
Tickets are $10 and on sale now. The Hays High box office is open from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 2 to 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 4. It is located at Hays High School in front of the Lecture Hall. Enter through the main doors. You can also call 785-628-4628 to order tickets or book tickets online. Friday, Nov. 10 and Saturday, Nov. 11’s performances will be at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday’s performance will be at 2:30 p.m., all at the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center on the Fort Hays State University campus.
The $1 million gift from Don and Chris Bickle was announced Friday on his 90th birthday.
HAYSMED
At a news conference on Friday, the HaysMed Foundation announced that businessman and philanthropist Don Bickle and his wife, Chris, are donating $1 million to the HaysMed Foundation “Powerful Technology, A Look Inside” Campaign.
“We believe it’s important to commit to hometown organizations and we have a deep appreciation for HaysMed, their staff and the healthcare they provide,” stated Bickle. “Today we’re helping to fund equipment, but more importantly the gift will support quality specialty healthcare for all of our families, friends, and neighbors in the region.”
In recognition of their significant leadership gift, the HaysMed Bone, Joint & Spine Center will be named the “Don and Chris Bickle Bone, Joint & Spine Center.”
Campaign co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra McDonald talks about recent donations as Don and Chris Bickle look on.
Campaign co-chairs Dr. Tom and Debra McDonald announced that $2.7 million had been received in gifts and pledges towards the $3 million goal. Recent major gifts included more than $50,000 from HaysMed Associates, $50,000 from the HaysMed Volunteers, and $25,000 from the Cecil and Brenda Crawford Family-Crawford Supply which endowed a fund.
A primary component of the Powerful Technology Campaign is a CT scanner that captures detailed images of vital organs in only a fraction of a second while significantly reducing the radiation dose up to 82% from traditional CT scanners. Another initiative of the campaign is the replacement of all patient monitors which will integrate with the electronic medical record system and offer a more comprehensive way to monitor patients’ health status. The renovation and equipment of two catheterization labs, and gifts for endowed funds are two other projects of the Campaign.
HaysMed President and CEO Eddie Herrman stated, “The Powerful Technology Campaign will help keep HaysMed on the cutting edge of technology for better diagnoses and treatment for the communities and patients we serve and help us maintain our place as a vital healthcare provider.”
Ruth Heffel, Executive Director of the HaysMed Foundation, encouraged people to consider investing in the Campaign for the health of citizens in the region.
Dr. Tisa Mason, president of Valley City State University and former vice president for Student Affairs at Fort Hays State University, was named the 10th president of Fort Hays State University during a Board of Regents meeting at FHSU today.
The board voted unanimously to appoint Mason.
“As the board thought about what type of leadership would be best to carry Fort Hays State University forward, we looked for a candidate with an innovative and entrepreneurial spirit that would be able to carry forward the goals of our Foresight 2020, which is our strategic plan for higher education in Kansas,” Board of Regents Chairman David Murfin said. “Equally important was identifying someone who was capable of advancing Fort Hays State’s tradition of providing accessible, high quality education to our state and the community.”
Mason said trying to hold back tears, “As Dorothy said, ‘There is no place like home.’ It is truly an honor to have this opportunity to work with you again — people I know to be valued colleagues who care about students and serve with a spirit of restlessness always evolving and innovating in ways that matter.”
Mason thanked the Board of Regents and the search committee.
“I was lucky to call myself a member of the Fort Hays State University community for several years, and I have many fond memories of the students, faculty and staff, so toady I am absolutely thrilled to rejoin this great institution to rekindle old friendships and many new ones as we work together to carry this university into the future.
Dr. Tisa Mason
“I am excited to lead an institution that has a leadership team with synergy and vision, with a faculty that thrive on excellence and engagement with students and staff who are committed to removing barriers to student success and celebrating their personal transformation. And to the students, I am eager to get to know you and your hopes and dreams and how you want to make a difference in this world.”
Students, faculty, staff and community members nearly filled the lower level of the Beach/Schmidt Performing Arts Center for the announcement.
“I know starting this journey that I am warmed by a fire that others have built,” she said. “I look forward to honoring the past as we build our future together. Thank you for this magnificent homecoming. It is fabulous to be back in Hays, America.”
In a short interview before the announcement, Mason said she hoped to build relationships during her transition and create goals together. She spoke about her first actions as president.
“Obviously, relationship building, getting out and talking to people, hopefully hosting some listening sessions and, again, getting to know people,” she said. “Even though I have been here for six and half years, there are some new players and I want to come back with some new eyes, relearn the institution and fall in love with it all over again. And then really focusing on the leadership team and make sure we are moving together with some clarity with our next step forward.”
Mason said she will continue to work on enrollment growth. She worked on enrollment projects while VP of student affairs at FHSU, and Valley City State recorded record enrollment growth and retention under her direction. Mason said she had some ideas should would bring from Valley City State, but would listen to and learn from the FHSU faculty and staff on what may be best for the FHSU campus. Valley City State had a strong virtual presence, with 46 percent of its students taking online courses.
“I think the best ideas come from listening and listening to other people’s voices,” she said. “I’ve got lots of thoughts, but I want to spend the next few months getting to know everyone and the institution once again on a very deep level.”
Mason said she hopes to build on what she learned at Valley City State.
Valley City State University was able to set up a three-year undergraduate program under Mason’s guidance and was able to pursue new revenue opportunities as it was getting ready to add an activated carbon plant to its heat plant. Mason also had the opportunity to work closely with the community on workforce development, something she hopes to carry over into her new job at FHSU.
Mason said she thought she was coming into a university that has kept tuition low and has a strong financial outlook.
“When you invest your money personally, they tell you not to put all your eggs in one basket, and that what this institution has done. It has diversified its revenue sources with … the China program to understanding and being a leader in distance education. With the disruption of technology and everything changing so fast, this institution is so poised to build on a strong history for an amazing future.”
Mason said her decision to leave FHSU to take the job at Valley City State was difficult. She thought she would stay at Valley City, but the call came for the job here and she decided this was going to be part of journey.
“I think that I am uniquely qualified because I have been a successful president. I have been at a lot of different institutions, so I bring a lot of best practices from different institutions, and I spent six and half years here. I know this institution very well. I am an external candidate, and an internal candidate and successful president.”
Joey Linn, FHSU vice president for student affairs, worked under Mason when she was VP of student affairs.
“I am excited to have her back on campus and taking leadership of the university,” he said. “I am absolutely confident that she will propel Fort Hays into the future and do great things while she is our new president.”
Linn continued, “I think Fort Hays should feel confident that it was able to attract a candidate as good as her. I am sure she had a lot of options for her future. For her to be interested in coming back and being president of the Fort, I think says a lot for what we have done as a university. With her as our leader and president, there is no level to what we can do into 2020 and 2025. I am excited to get her here and begin working with her again.”
A native of Massachusetts, Mason also served as dean of student life at the University of Wisconsin–Whitewater in Whitewater, Wis.; executive director of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and Foundation in Indianapolis, Ind.; director of student life and assistant professor at Christopher Newport University, Newport News, Va.; and assistant dean of students, Hanover College, Hanover, Ind.
In 2013, Mason received the Robert H. Shaffer Award from the Association of Fraternity/Sorority Advisors for her long-term commitment to fostering positive change in fraternities and sororities. She received the Excellence in Service to Students Award from the National Society of Leadership and Success in the same year.
Her academic credentials include a Doctor of Education degree in higher education from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.; a Master of Science degree in education from Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Ill.; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology/anthropology from Transylvania University in Lexington, Ky.
“The Presidential Search Committee did an outstanding job in identifying such an excellent candidate for us,” said Regent Joe Bain, an FHSU alumnus. “The members of the Board are also grateful to Dr. Andy Tompkins for his leadership of FHSU as Interim President.”
The next president of Fort Hays State University is a familiar face in the Hays community.
Dr. Tisa A. Mason, the former FHSU vice president for student affairs, will be named president at a 10:30 a.m. Friday news conference at Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center.
Mason left FHSU in 2014 to become president of Valley City State University in North Dakota. She also previously was dean of student life at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in Whitewater, Wis., and executive director of the Sigma Kappa Sorority and Foundation in Indianapolis, Ind.
Watch a live stream of the announcement by the Kansas Board of Regents HERE.
Check Hays Post for more as details become available.
The 8th Street reconstruction project will fully open to traffic Nov. 3, one month ahead of schedule.
By BECKY KISER Hays Post
“The road will be fully opened to traffic tomorrow.”
City Project Manager John Braun made the announcement about the 8th Street reconstruction project during Thursday night’s Hays city commission work session.
“They’re not quite finished, but the project is done almost a full month ahead of schedule,” Braun added.
The $1.49 million project between Milner and Vine will completely open Friday.
The entire project included removing and replacing the three driving lanes, curb and gutter, sidewalk, ADA ramps, driveways, replacing storm sewer inlet tops, resurfacing the sidewalk along the Montgomery ditch bridge and waterline replacement at Riley.
“Work started in May, with Phase 1 delayed due to spring rains and other construction delays,” Braun reminded the commission. “But to make up for time, much of the paving in Phase 2 was done at night. They got more work done then, before most people got up, and more than most people do all day.
“The contractor, Morgan Brothers Construction of Lacrosse, worked hard to make sure adjacent businesses always had the best access possible under the circumstances.”
Once all the concrete was cured, traffic pavement markings were put down the past few days.
“The only work that remains is some bump grinding in a couple of locations where there’s a few bumps,” Braun said. “The grinding contractor is supposed to be here next week. There won’t be any grinding on the pavement markings or in the center turning lanes. It’ll all be on the driving lanes.”
“It looks so good,” commented City Commissioner Sandy Jacobs, “and the businesses there, I talked to three or four of them, they are just thrilled.”
The sidewalk over the Montgomery Street ditch bridge still needs to be rehabbed, according to Braun. “That will happen within the next three to four weeks because the contractor time will be up by the end of the month.”
“This is a really great project and I think the commission should take credit for a lot of this,” said Vice-Mayor James Meier as the other commissioners nodded their heads in agreement.
“Not only did we fight for this (concrete pavement rather than asphalt), it was paid for in cash and it was more than $300,000 under the estimate,” Meier pointed out.
A stamped ribbon of brick was added by the contractor, Morgan Brothers Construction of Lacrosse, along the sidewalk.
A dyed stamped ribbon of brick was included behind the curb. “I love the sidewalks, the brick on it,” said Jacobs. “It’s just really aesthetically pleasing.” The stamped ribbon was part of additional side work by the contractor. “It wasn’t paid for by the city but by the contractor to spruce up the area outside of the right-of-way,” Braun reported.
“There’s a real pride factor there,” Jacobs added with a smile.
