"We believe it is so appropriate that Jana's Campaign's new executive director is a KU Law School graduate," said Christie Brungardt, assistant professor of leadership studies at Fort Hays State University.

Brungardt's daughter, Jana Mackey, had just completed her first year of law school at the University of Kansas when she was slain by an ex-boyfriend in 2008. Since her death, family and friends created Jana's Campaign Inc. with the single mission of reducing domestic and dating violence.

Eric Sader, a Salina native, will assume his new responsibilities this coming June in Hays. Sader will be graduating from the University of Kansas this May with both a law degree and a master's of social work degree. He concentrated in social work administration and advocacy practice. He received his bachelor's degree from McPherson College, where he was a triple major in communications, history, and philosophy/religion and was also student body president. His undergraduate work included study experiences in New Zealand and China. His academic career includes numerous awards, honors and scholarships. In 2011, Sader was recognized as an honoree of "KU's Men of Merit" program.

Sader's work background includes legal, research and administrative experience with the University of Kansas Medical Center and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services of Kansas City; the University of Kansas and Douglas County Sheriff's Office of Lawrence; and the American Federation of Government Employees (AFL- CIO) of Washington, D.C.

"We are extremely excited to add Eric to our staff," said Curt Brungardt, Jana's stepfather, board president of Jana's Campaign and director of FHSU's Center for Civic Leadership. "He brings a wealth of knowledge and key experience to this position. Most importantly however, Eric has the passion and the heart for making a real difference on the critical issue of gender-based violence."

"Jana's Campaign is the perfect organization where justice meets action in the promotion of healthy relationships free from abuse and coercion," said Sader. "Gender-based violence is a women's issue, but it is also a men's issue, and a human issue. I look forward to serving an operation named after an activist who understood that oppression of one is the oppression of all. I am blessed to enter the Campaign knowing its focus on impact, and I am eager to apply my own talents and resources to the challenges that lie ahead."

For more information, contact Curt Brungardt, cbrungar@fhsu.edu, 785-650-2134, or Eric Sader, graduatemail.sader@gmail.com, 785-820-7121. The website iswww.janascampaign.org, and video is available at www.janasstory.org.