My name is Curtis Wolf. I grew up in Hays, graduating from TMP-M in 1998. I attended FHSU from 1998 to 2005, receiving my BS in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and my MS in Biology.
In December 2022, I received the Outstanding Service Award from the FHSU Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics.
What do you do now for a living? How did you end up choosing this career path?
I work for FHSU as the Kansas Wetlands Education Center director, located near Great Bend, KS, at Cheyenne Bottoms. The Center offers community engagement for FHSU. We are a visitors center for people visiting Cheyenne Bottoms and an education center offering environmental education programming and special events for schools and the public. KWEC was recently recognized internationally with the Star Wetland Centre Award by Wetland Link International.
After graduating from FHSU, I was a biology instructor at Barton Community College for four years. At that time, FHSU was completing work on KWEC, and I applied and was hired as the director in 2009. The KWEC position was unique and had a lot of flexibility in deciding the direction the Center would go. It was a great way to combine my love of biology and nature with educating people about it.
Why did you choose to attend FHSU?
Attending FHSU was a given for me coming out of high school. I was a good student but relatively quiet and shy, so staying near home was what I wanted to do. My family had close ties to FHSU. Both grandpa and grandma Wolf worked at FHSU for a combined 60 years in the grounds and custodial departments.
My parents met while attending FHSU, and both graduated with degrees. All my siblings (and most of their spouses-8 total family members) attended FHSU for at least two years, and 6 of us completed FHSU degrees. I knew FHSU would give me a quality education and the opportunities I was looking for.
What are your favorite memories from your time as a student?
The biology department was exceptional for me. The faculty was amazing. I met so many lifelong friends through my classes and other activities. The field experiences in the biology department created my best memories. Research and collecting field trips for ichthyology, ornithology, herpetology, and mammalogy, as well as attending professional meetings, were some of the best times I’ve ever had. These opportunities to get out in the field and see what biologists do helped me immediately realize that biology was what I wanted to do.
What advice do you have for current or prospective FHSU students?
There are so many opportunities presented to you during your college career. Take advantage of every opportunity. Do not be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try things you normally would not.
Tell us about someone at FHSU who has left a lasting impression:
Basically, all the biology faculty. I consider many of them more than just colleagues today; many are personal friends now. My graduate adviser Bill Stark and undergraduate advisor Greg Farley were instrumental in my college career. Others that had a huge influence were Elmer Fink, Joe Thomasson, Mark Eberle, Rob Channell, Bob Nicholson, and Jerry Choate.
In what ways are you proud to be a Tiger?
Throughout my career, I have realized how well-known FHSU’s Biology Department is. When we attended professional meetings as a student, everyone knew who FHSU was and had some connection to FHSU. It was amazing to realize I had professional access to a huge network just by being from FHSU.
Also, I realize how broad FHSU’s footprint is today. FHSU has a more significant impact on the region and beyond than most people realize.
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