The Fort Hays State University Alumni Association Board of Directors has announced the addition of eight new board members for the 2020-21 fiscal year.
New members announced at the first-ever virtual June 12th board meeting were Jimmy Brough, Topeka; Elizabeth Gerber, Scott City; Dr. Ryan Ruda, Garden City; Dr. Tamera Schlegel, Centennial, Colo.; Tomi Schwandt, Wichita; Derrick Tice, St. Francis; Tara Vance, Norton; and Tina Wick, Wamego. Each is beginning a two-year term.
Brough, a sales specialist with the Brad Noller American Family Insurance agency, earned two degrees from FHSU – a degree in general studies in 2012 and a 2013 degree in management. He will serve on the Membership and Marketing Committee.
Gerber, a school psychologist with the High Plains Educational Cooperative based out of Ulysses, earned three degrees from FHSU – a bachelor’s degree of psychology in 1999, a master’s degree in school psychology in 2001 and an education specialist degree in school psychology in 2003. She will serve on the Membership and Marketing Committee.
Ruda, the president at Garden City Community College, is a 1997 FHSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies and a 1999 graduate with a master’s degree in Counseling and Guidance. He will serve on the Finance and Operations Committee.
Schlegel, a retired attorney and dean of students at Cherry Creek Schools in Colorado, is a 1983 graduate of FHSU with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She will serve on the Awards and Recognition Committee.
Schwandt, an adjunct instructor for the department of political science at FHSU, is a 2007 graduate from FHSU with a bachelor’s degree in political science. She will serve on the Membership and Marketing Committee.
Tice is the director of marketing for Invictis Crop Care LLC. He graduated from FHSU in 1996 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing. He will serve on the Awards and Recognition Committee.
Vance, the executive director for the Norton County Community Foundation, is a 2004 graduate of FHSU with a bachelor’s degree in organizational leadership. She will serve on the Finance and Operations Committee.
Wick is the owner of CORE Marketing and is a 1990 graduate of FHSU with a bachelor’s degree in art. She will serve on the Membership and Marketing Committee.
“We are pleased to welcome eight new directors to the FHSU Alumni Board of Directors,” said Tammy Wellbrock, interim director of alumni association. “They represent alumni from all parts of the state of Kansas, as well as a representative from Colorado. All bring valuable insight and energy to the association as we continue our commitment to strengthen Fort Hays State University.”
The 2020-21 Executive Council is comprised of Mike Slattery, Ed.D., Hays; Chelsey Ladd, Hays; Dr. Kendall Krug, Hays, Betty Johnson, CFRE, Lawrence, Brooke Oleen Tieperman, Denver, Colo; Mari Tucker, Topeka; and Doug Wright; Humboldt.
Slattery will serve as the board president. He is an emeritus FHSU professor of education administration and received three degrees from FHSU: 1973 BS Physical Education, 1977 MS Education Administration (Secondary) and 1989 EDS Education Administration (Superintendent).
Ladd will serve as the board vice-president. Ladd is the Manager of Constituent Services for the Office of Senator Jerry Moran, and graduated in 2008 with a bachelor of science degree in Organizational Leadership and a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science.
Krug, an optometrist with this own practice, Krug Optometry, graduated from FHSU in 1983 with a bachelor’s degree in General Science. He will serve as the chair of the Awards and Recognition committee.
Johnson, a 1980 FHSU graduate, received a bachelor’s degree in communication. She is president of Betty Johnson and Associates. She will serve as the chair of the Finance and Operations committee.
Tieperman is the program manager for the Environment, Energy and Transportation, National Conference of State Legislatures, and is a 2001 graduate from FHSU with bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and communications (public relations). She will serve as the chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee.
Tucker, a partnership liaison for registered nurse education at the Washburn School of Nursing, has earned two FHSU degrees, a bachelor of science in computer information systems in 1986 and a master of business administration in management in 1987. She will serve as an at-large member of the Executive Council.
Wright is the clinical director of the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center. He is a 1994 FHSU graduate with a bachelor’s degree in psychology and will serve as an at-large member of the Executive Council.
Other members of the board:
• Larry Daugherty ’62, ‘66, Russell, is a retired educator and president of the Half Century Club. He will serve on the Awards and Recognition Committee.
• Dean Lavielle ’71, ‘93, Newton, is a retired high school principal and will serve on the Finance and Operations Committee.
• Eric Norris ‘09, Lawrence, librarian for the State of Kansas, and will serve on the Awards and Recognition Committee.
Denise Orth, associate professor of Allied Health, will serve on the board in an ex-officio position as a faculty representative; and Haley Reiter, Hays, incoming president of the FHSU Student Government Association, will also serve on the board in an ex-officio position as a student representative.
Retiring board members were recognized for a combined 24 years of service: Jennifer Brantley, Wichita; Mike Koerner, Hays; Leo Lake, Manhattan; Rob Schocke, Castle Rock, Colo.; and Lance Tilton, Chapman.
Established in 1916, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association serves the population of FHSU graduates by identifying needs and providing solutions. More than 70,000 graduates live throughout the United States and approximately 77 foreign countries.
The board sets the policy and direction of the association in developing life-long relationships between the university and alumni.