Reflecting on Tiger Nation

It's that time of year again! Kathay ponders the year...

I had a little night out with my favorite fellas this last weekend--our Honorable Director, Kevin, and my husband Jason (also a member of the HC). We took Kevin to his first ever Tiger basketball game! They won but it would have been fun either way because, well, we always have fun. 

Kevin, Kathay, and Jason

Kevin mentioned that as he looked around he was surprised when he saw someone he didn't know. That made me think about how many people make it to every game, every event. I can even tell you where they sit. If I don't see Joey Linn (our VP for Student Affairs) in his spot I almost get a little bit worried! The Fort Hays senior leadership crew isn't known for sitting still, they are constantly on the move. This isn't always the case at other universities and we are lucky to have people who are so invested in connecting with everyone they can, in many different ways. 

But let's not forget who else shows up. Hundreds of students commit their time and effort to be on teams, to play in bands, to display their art, to engage in research, to volunteer, to travel, to work. These are not (necessarily) degree requirements. Sure, they are often rewarded with scholarships and valuable experiences but you can get in and out with a degree without doing that, if you choose. Honorables don't usually take that route, nor do so many others who are just as committed, notably student athletes. Jason has recently found a passion for Tiger basketball and he's always so impressed with the dedication these students put in day after day. I've always been extra excited about Tiger basketball because we have a whole crew of Honorables who are there for pep band and a few on the cheer team. (Don't think we don't love all our athletic programs but it's basketball season, afterall, so it's at the front of our minds.)  

When some of us are finally breathing a sigh of relief after the official end of classes, athletes and musicians sacrifice days of their breaks and put so much work into their passions. They bring Tiger Nation together.  

They aren't doing it alone either. Countless coaches, assistants, trainers, administrators, drivers, media staff, and beyond are there alongside them. When we all leave Gross Memorial Coliseum and file out of the parking lot to our respective stop sign lines, and Victor E. goes to curl up in his den, not everybody leaves. Someone has to get things back to a pristine state. Janitorial and maintenance crews, inside and out, make it look like nobody was ever there. They sweep up our dropped popcorn, they change bulbs, they find forgotten mittens, they fix things when storms whip through, they keep all the floors amazingly shiny, they tend to water main breaks (but thankfully not terribly often). From our cherished Mark who diligently keeps our Forsyth basement looking like we don't make frequent messes, to the crews who set up commencement just to take it back down and set up for a game, they are working tirelessly to make sure Tiger Nation has a nice place to be together. 

For everyone who does more than they need to, who works harder so others don't have to, who spends hours off the clock, who takes those urgent calls at weird hours, who are working invisible jobs...we see you. We appreciate you. Sometimes it feels like too much. It was a challenging semester for many but we got through it. Students get overwhelmed, staff get overworked, leadership gets overburdened. It's the reality of our work, sometimes. The vast majority of people you'll meet on campus are here because they value the work we do. We all do it very differently and we all value different things about it, but we don't call it Tiger Nation because we're all the same. We call it Tiger Nation because it takes everyone to keep it roaring along. It takes different minds to find paths to the same goals. It takes big jobs and small jobs to get where we need to be. It's not perfect, and the path isn't always clear, but we try our hardest--from top to bottom--to make sure we're all going together. 

As we like to say in the Honors College: "Progress, not perfection."
May we all find rest when it can be had.
May we all find what brings us joy during the holiday season.
May 2023 be a year of continued progress! 

Senior Profile: Grace Carder

 Grace is from Concordia, Kansas. She will graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Secondary Education. This spring she will be traveling to Latvia for an exchange program, where she plans to work on an Arts Entrepreneurship Certificate. When she returns she hopes to attend graduate school or work as a high school art teacher. She's taking her adventures one at a time, for now! 

Grace recently joined the Sigma Nu Tau Honor Society. She loves traveling, teaching, and cats...so as long as there are cats in Latvia, she's going to have an amazing spring! 

Grace has developed an amazing support system over the years here at FHSU; she says: 
"My family are my biggest supporters, they are always there no matter what and I could not have gotten this far without them. I have also become very close with many of my professors in the Art Department. Brian Hutchinson, Juana Estrada-Hernandez, and Jee Hwang have taught me so much throughout the time I have been able to work with them. I know that they will be mentors I can always reach out to for guidance and support. I have also had the opportunity to work with professors in other departments. Rick Edgeman has provided me with many opportunities that have helped me to grow professionally as an entrepreneur and has become a valued mentor. During my time at FHSU, I have been able to work with many amazing people, I would not be where I am if not for the relationships I have been able to build throughout the past three years." 

We are awfully fond of the whole Carder family here in the HC! 

Grace puts in the hard work and commitment to do her best work, so she makes it easy to give her all the support we can. It's been wonderful to see the things she creates and we know she will be a great support to students of her own some day. 

Until then, safe travels and adventures await! 

Senior Profile: Bethany Addleman

Bethany is originally from Plainville, Kansas but now lives in Midland, Texas. She is graduating with a degree in History. 

Bethany hopes to attend law school and earn a specialization degree in family law. She wants to help women and families through shelters, social work, and other places which would benefit from her services. She plans to do work in divorce and child custody cases but is committed to donating time to help those who need it. 

Bethany credits Hollie Marquess, of the History Department, with helping her get into the right major for her and helping with all the other things that come up during her time at FHSU. Bethany says Hollie is one of the best advisors and she's grateful for her! Kevin Amidon, Director of the Honors College, was a big help in the process of taking the LSAT and preparing for law school applications. 

She has also met great students who have helped her along. "The friends I have met in the history Discord, Chelsea Kiefer and Elizabeth Dobmeyer, have also been vital to my success here at FHSU. They welcomed me into the group and have assisted me with LSAT prep and overall just support. I appreciate everything this group has done for me."   

Bethany is committed to service and helping those in need...not just humans. She recently fostered a pregnant stray cat and helped to find homes for the babies. One of them, now named Frank Castle, is well loved in her forever home with Bethany. While she's taking a little break before applying to law school Bethany will be working on her cooking skills. 

You have the passion and drive to help others, so you're already well on your way, Bethany! We wish you the best of luck in your continued education and the important work you will do! 

Our best to Frank. 

Senior Profile: Isabel Bange

 Isabel is from Colby and is graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. She is currently a registered nurse at the First Care Clinic and plans to continue at FHSU in the Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate program. Isabel would like to become a family nurse practitioner, as well as continuing her education to become certified in wound care and diabetes. 

Her spouse, Clayton, was with her every step. He studied with her every day to help ensure her success in the nursing program. She has joked he should be getting the degree as well for all the time he's committed to her success! We love to see such commitment, on all fronts! 

Congrats on all your well earned success, Isabel!
(And Clayton.) ;) 

Keep up the great work! We know you'll do everything you set your mind to and we are all better off for having those who take such care in these challenging fields. 

Senior Profile: Taylor Kreis

 Taylor is from Shawnee, Kansas and is graduating with a degree in Biology. She's plans to continue her education in a graduate program; we eagerly await that acceptance news! 

Taylor's family and sorority sisters greatly impacted her success here at FHSU. She says, "they showed me how to be a confident leader and to always believe in myself! I would not be where I am today without their support." She held multiple executive positions in her sorority- VP Administration, VP Chapter Wellness, and Chapter President.

Wishing you the best of luck, Taylor! You'll make a positive difference wherever you go. 

Senior Profile: Malari Schroller

Malari is originally from Washington, Kansas and is graduating with her Bachelor of Arts in Music Education. 

She plans to teach high school band and may want to continue her education with additional certificates. 

Malari credits her friends and family for supporting her through everything, and believes she wouldn't be where she is today without their support. 

She's hoping to find a school where she can really make a difference and is able to implement new ideas. Malari has been student teaching and we're sure she's already making an impact! 

Senior Profile: Brett Loving

Brett is from Wichita and is earning his degree in Accounting, with a minor in Finance. He aims to work for one of the Big Four firms--Deloitte, Ernst & Young (EY), PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), or Klynveld Peat Marwick Goerdeler (KPMG). His longer term goal is to be in a position to open his own firm. 

His instructor was the first person to get Brett interested in accounting and she has since guided him toward his goal of qualifying for the Certified Public Accounting exam. 

On his professor, Dr. Glenn Growe, Brett says "he showed me what it means to be excited about accounting and just how influential it is in the business world by teaching me four of the accounting courses that I took, such as Financial Statement Analysis and Cost Accounting."

Last, but not least, Dr. Emily Breit's teaching made him more interested in the financial aspects of the business world. Brett credits Dr. Breit with helping make it possible for him to minor in finance and learn more about international business. 

When Brett isn't studying he enjoys film, video games, baseball, and football. He enjoys the little escape into a different world for a while.