09/23/10 ks/kb

HAYS, Kan. -- U.S. Representative Jerry Moran will be recognized for his many years of service to Fort Hays State University when he fills the honorary role of grand marshal in the university's Homecoming parade at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 2. Earlier in the day, at 10 a.m., the congressman will also be a featured speaker at the rededication ceremony for Picken Hall.

Moran, who makes his home in Hays, is a former FHSU student and a long-time champion of higher education in general and Fort Hays State University in particular.

"Rep. Moran has been a familiar face in the annual Homecoming parade during most of my 24 years at FHSU, first as a member of the Kansas Senate and more recently as a member of Congress," said Dr. Edward H. Hammond, FHSU president. "He has worked diligently and successfully as an advocate for higher education, using education as a foundation for growing our economy. So, it is altogether fitting that we honor him on the eve of his departure from the House of Representatives."

Moran is the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate.

"Jerry truly is a friend to Fort Hays State University, and we look forward to working with him on behalf of the citizens of Kansas for many years to come," President Hammond added.

Congressman Moran has been a regular guest speaker in political science classes and at other events on the FHSU campus.

During the university's Centennial celebration in 2002, he served as host for an event in Washington, D.C., to commemorate federal legislation from more than 100 years earlier that created the FHSU campus on a portion of the vacated Fort Hays military grounds.

Rep. Moran is the 20th recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from FHSU for his eight years of service in the Kansas Senate, where FHSU, its students and faculty were a priority.

He attended FHSU in 1973 and 1974 and served the university as an adjunct professor of political science. He is a former member of the FHSU Alumni Association Board of Directors and is a member of the FHSU Foundation Board of Trustees.

He has been a strong supporter of several academic programs at FHSU, such as nursing, health education and post secondary education and joined President Hammond to announce a new partnership between the University and the Smoky Hill/Central Kansas Education Development Center to give central Kansas residents greater access to higher education.

The Homecoming parade is a popular event in downtown Hays, and the public is also cordially invited to attend the 10 a.m. ceremony at Picken Hall, which will mark completion of a $6 million renovation to re-purpose the university's oldest building as a one-stop center for student services. Picken Hall will be open for self-guided tours immediately following the ceremony.