Seven new members join FHSU Alumni Association Board of Directors
06/19/13 kp/jgm
HAYS, Kan. -- The Fort Hays State University Alumni Association Board of Directors has announced the addition of seven new board members.They were introduced June 7 at the board's summer meeting in Hays. New to the board are Lea Ann (Scott) Curtis, Topeka; Chad Fowler, Andale; Dr. Eric Grospitch, Overland Park; Mitchell Hall, Anthony; Mike Koerner, Hays; Dr. Ken Ruder, Petersburg, Ky., and Twilla (Brown) Wanker, Holly Lake Ranch, Texas.
Curtis, a testing and ADA coordinator with the Washburn Institute of Technology, received a bachelor's degree in elementary education in 1976 and a Master of Science in education administration in 1982, both from FHSU. She will serve a four-year term.
Fowler graduated from FHSU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in finance in 1999. He is a compliance manager and vice president with Wells Fargo and will serve a four-year term.
Grospitch, dean of students at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, graduated from FHSU in 1993 with a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing and in 1997 with a Master of Science in counseling and guidance. He was appointed to a four-year term.
Hall received a Bachelor of Arts in political science from FHSU in 2005. He is the owner of H2O Drilling LLC and Hall Family Land and Cattle LLC. He will serve a four-year term.
Koerner, operations/systems manager with Eagle Communication, received a Bachelor of Science in information networking and telecommunications, media studies, in 2000, followed by a Master of Liberal Studies in general studies (INT) in 2005, both from FHSU. He was appointed to a four-year term on the board.
Ruder graduated from FHSU in 1962 with a Bachelor of Arts in communication. He holds professor emeritus status with Southern Illinois University and will serve a four-year term.
Wanker, a retired elementary school teacher, received a Bachelor of Science in 1957 in home economics. She will serve on the Awards and Recognition committee of the board for a two-year term as a Half Century Club representative.
"These highly talented Fort Hays State alumni bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the FHSU Alumni Board of Directors," said Debra Prideaux, FHSU executive director of alumni and governmental relations. "We are fortunate to have seven of our most talented graduates assist us in furthering the overall success of the Association."
The Executive Council of 2013-2014 is composed of Dr. Marcella "Marcy" (Johnson) Aycock, Sedgwick; Chuck Sexson, Topeka; Dr. Stephanie (Groninga) Bannister, Manhattan; Dennis Spratt, Lawrence; Daron Jamison, Hays; Tracy Metzger, Hutchinson; Dr. Mary (Johansen) Martin, Hays; and Dr. Diane (Pfeifer) Scott, Broomfield, Colo.Aycock serves in her second year as president of the board. She is a 1984 FHSU graduate with a bachelor's degree in art education. She is the director of the Early College Health Science Academy at Butler County Community College.
Sexson is the director of the Concealed Carry Licensing Unit in the office of the Kansas Attorney General. He received a Bachelor of Arts in sociology in 1972. He will serve the board as vice president and is a member of the Awards and Recognition committee.
Bannister serves as chair of the Awards and Recognition committee. She received her bachelor's degree in communication from FHSU in 1992. She works as the associate director of housing at Kansas State University.
Spratt graduated from FHSU in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in physical education. He is the vice president of Wealth Management Group of Kansas City Inc., in Overland Park. He will serve as chair of the newly-established Chapter Development committee.
Jamison earned a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership and Bachelor of Business Administration in management in 2003, both from FHSU. He works as the finance and business development supervisor with Nex-Tech Wireless LLC and serves the board as Finance and Operations Committee chair.
Metzger serves as chair of the Membership and Marketing Committee. He graduated from FHSU with a Bachelor of Business Administration in computer information systems in 1996. He is vice president and chief technology officer at Lowen Corporation in Hutchinson.
Martin, an associate professor of marketing at FHSU, serves as an at-large member of the board and is on the Membership and Marketing Committee. She earned a Master of Business Administration in management from FHSU in 1991.
Scott is a self-employed consultant and life coach. She graduated from FHSU in 1988 with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and in 1990 with a Master of Science in counseling and guidance. She serves as an at-large member of the board and is on the Awards and Recognition committee.
Other members of the board are Jon Armstrong, Hays, assistant director of admissions and transfer coordinator, FHSU Office of Admissions; Molly (Bircher) Aspan, Tulsa, Okla., attorney, Hall Estill; Josh Biera, Garden City, lieutenant, Kansas Highway Patrol; Monte Broeckelman, Beloit, chief financial officer, Farmway Coop Inc.; Rich Dreiling, Wichita, retired; Kevin Moeder, La Crosse, senior vice president and regional manager, Farmers Bank and Trust; Denise (Stegman) Riedel, Overland Park, owner, Riedel Communications and freelance consultant and writer; Dave Voss, Colby, network development manager, Centene Corp. Sunflower State Health Plan; and Gordon Zahradnik, Lyons, artist, Art of Z.
Retiring board members Brenda (Moore) Herrman, Brian DeWitt and Barry Yoxall were recognized for their 24 years of cumulative service, each serving two four-year terms.
Established in 1916, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association serves the population of FHSU graduates by identifying needs and providing solutions. More than 52,000 graduates live throughout the United States and approximately 73 foreign countries. The board is a 24-member governing board that sets the policy and direction of the association in developing life-long relationships between the university and alumni.
Board nominations are accepted as positions become available. For more information, visit www.goforthaysstate.com, email alumni@fhsu.edu or call 785-628-4430 or toll free 1-888-351-3591.
For a complete listing of FHSU Alumni Board of Directors, visit http://goforthaysstate.com/abod
06/19/13 kp/jgm