Tigers from near and far came home to Hays, America for the Homecoming Weekend celebration October 10-12. A multitude of events sponsored by the Alumni Association and various groups on campus provided a wide array of activities for Tigers of all ages to enjoy.
The College of Education had its first ever Homecoming reunion, and Alpha Gamma Delta held its 60th anniversary celebration reunion during Homecoming.
Cold and windy temperatures did not deter golfers from the annual Tiger Alumni and Friends Golf Tournament. The event kicked off alumni-related activities on Thursday, Oct. 10 at the Smoky Hill Country Club with 42 teams participating. The tournament included a silent auction in support of the Post Rock Region Scholarship, presented to students attending FHSU from the Ellis and surrounding counties region. Tiger football fans enjoyed a Q&A luncheon with Coach Chris Brown, who entered his ninth season as head football coach.
Friday Oct. 11, was packed full of events. The Center for Art and Design held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the grand opening of the new building, and the College of Education held the 40th anniversary celebration and open house to recognize the Plymouth Schoolhouse’s move to the FHSU campus in 1979. The morning also featured the 50th Anniversary celebration of the founding of the Half Century Club, which also honored the 50- and 60-year classes of 1959 and 1969.
The 2019 Alumni Association awards recipients were honored Friday evening at the Awards & Recognition banquet for their personal and professional successes and service to their communities, the university and the world at large. This year’s Alumni Achievement Award recipients were Buck Arnhold ’74, ’76, ’80, Olathe, Kan.; Kevin Faulkner ’83, ’83, Pebble Beach, Calif.; Dr. Leigh (Bunn) Goodson ’94, Tulsa, Okla.; and Michael Miller ’85, ’86, ’93, Kansas City, Mo. Honored with the Young Alumni Award were Cole Engel, Ph.D., CPA, ’07, ’07, ’09, Hays, Kan.; and Joshua Snider ’05, El Paso, Texas. This year’s Distinguished Service Award recognized Dr. Christie (Patterson) Brungardt ’01 and Dr. Curt Brungardt ’81, ’84, Council Grove, Kan.
Before sunrise on Saturday, Oct. 12, over 50 runners gathered to participate in the Tiger 5K Run/Walk. Runners/walkers made their way through the finish line with Kevin Sander, Topeka, Kan., leading the pack with a time of 18 minutes and 31 seconds. Specialty reunion groups, the classes of 1959 and 1969, the College of Education and Alpha Gamma Delta, enjoyed time to visit and reminisce during their respective breakfasts.
Following the Tiger 5K, the annual parade down Main Street, coordinated by the Center for Student Involvement, included more than 90 entries from bands to floats to youngsters lining the street in anticipation of the excitement. For the first time during Homecoming festivities, Oktoberfest was a two-day event, and following the parade, many attended day two of the annual tradition.
That afternoon, Tiger fans enjoyed tailgating festivities, including the College of Education Maker van and Tiger Teacher Nation Band, before cheering our Tiger football team to victory against Emporia State University 19-3 with a dominant defensive performance.
A big “thank you” is extended to all attendees, participants, sponsors and partners who made Homecoming 2019 another huge success here at dear Fort Hays State University! Join us for Homecoming 2020, tentatively scheduled for Oct. 1-3!