National organization honors FHSU's Hammond with its NASPA President's Award

Dr. Edward H. Hammond, president of Fort Hays State University, was selected by the NASPA Board of Directors as the recipient of the 2013 NASPA President's Award for his ability to advance the quality of student life on campus and his exemplary support of student affairs professionals at his university.

Dr. Hammond will receive the award in March during the 2013 NASPA Annual Conference awards ceremony in Orlando.

President Hammond has proved to be a remarkable leader as he has advanced the quality of life for both domestic and international student populations, set high standards for campus community members, collaborated continually with faculty and administrators across departments, developed a technically savvy campus environment, and created a financially viable institution despite global economic woes, leading to higher retention rates and affording invaluable educational opportunities to students.

"He is a fierce student advocate and has maintained a relentless focus on the importance of the delivery of 'high touch' student services. He pays close attention to how the university promotes student learning and supports both individual and institutional initiatives that continue to expand learning boundaries," Dr. Joey Linn, FHSU's registrar and associate vice president for student affairs, wrote in his letter of support.

During his 25-plus years as FHSU president, Dr. Hammond has:

--Increased enrollment to more than 13,200 students in three modalities -- on-campus, Virtual College and China -- despite a decreasing population in the university's primary service area;

--Launched annual Student Recognition Programs to award scholarships to academically outstanding high school seniors in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska;

--Established private scholarships for African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American students;

--Developed a mobile learning and living environment that includes wireless connectivity throughout the FHSU campus;

--Created the Western Kansas Policy Development Board and the Western Kansas Educational Compact; and

--Increased the FHSU Foundation's assets from $8.2 million to more than $50 million in the past 20 years.

"Dr. Hammond was a vice president for student affairs early in his career, and students have always remained his 'magnetic north,'" said Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU's vice president for student affairs. "He has unquestionably, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs."

Mason said that when decisions are being made, President Hammond often repeats his guiding principle: "Everything we do at FHSU is about helping students succeed."

About the Award

The President's Award gives special recognition to a college or university president who has, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs.

About NASPA

Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (www.naspa.org ) is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. NASPA serves a full range of professionals who provide programs, experiences and services that cultivate student learning and success in concert with the mission of member colleges and universities. Founded in 1919, NASPA comprises more than 13,000 members in all 50 states, 29 countries and 8 U.S. Territories. Through high-quality professional development, strong policy advocacy and substantive research to inform practice, NASPA meets the diverse needs and invests in realizing the potential of all its members.

For more information on NASPA awards, see www.naspa.org/programs/awards or contact Stephanie Gordon online at press@naspa.org or by calling 202-719-1166.