12/11/13 hb/ks
At a news conference this morning, Fort Hays State University officials announced the Power of One scholarship campaign with a goal of raising $8 million by Dec. 31, 2014. The $8 million goal represents a 400 percent increase over normal fundraising expectations for the FHSU Foundation over a year's time.

"The No. 1 need for FHSU students is scholarship dollars," said Tim Chapman, president and CEO of the Fort Hays State University Foundation. "This fundraising initiative will not only support our students, but it will recognize Dr. Hammond's 27 years of leadership and success here at Fort Hays State University. 

Chapman added: "The real importance of this initiative is to raise support for general scholarship needs. National trends show a push toward restricted funds, and, in order for Fort Hays State to have the ability to attract quality students, general scholarship dollars are a must."

The university has come a long way since Dr. Edward H. Hammond's arrival in 1987. Throughout Dr. Hammond's tenure, assets of the FHSU Foundation have grown substantially. The amount of scholarship dollars that were available to FHSU students in 1986, the year before President Hammond arrived, was $424,073. In fiscal year 2013, which ended June 30, there was $1,921,387 available to well-deserving Tigers. That was the most recent period for which an audited total was available.

Although more scholarship dollars are available today, the university's student enrollment has grown by leaps and bounds. When Dr. Hammond began his presidency at Fort Hays State, student enrollment was 5,538. Now it stands at 13,441. President Hammond has been instrumental in increasing enrollment throughout three modalities - on-campus, online and internationally - despite a decreasing population in the university's primary service area.

In fact, The Chronicle of Higher Education has named FHSU the third-fastest growing university in the United States. With that level of growth, help from alumni and friends is needed now, more than ever before, to ensure that the best and brightest students are given the support that they deserve. 

"Leading Fort Hays State University has been the most challenging and rewarding work of my 47-year career in higher education," President Hammond said at the news conference. "It has been a great privilege and I'm proud to be a Tiger! Throughout my 27 years of presidency I have been blessed to have met so many wonderful and generous individuals. Your support has been tremendous, and I hope that you'll consider continuing that support with our Power of One scholarship campaign." 

Dr. Hammond added: "FHSU is counting on alumni and friends of the university as sources of future funding. Your contributions allow Fort Hays State to attract and retain the best and brightest students. Please join me in stepping up to the plate and supporting the Power of One campaign."

Supporting the Power of One scholarship campaign and giving to a deserving Tiger is easy. Simply visit http://foundation.fhsu.edu, click on "Make a Gift TODAY" in the top right-hand corner and select FHSU's Greatest Need as your area of designation.

The Fort Hays State University Foundation is an independent, non-profit corporation designated to receive gifts on behalf of the university. Anyone interested in contributing to Fort Hays State may contact the FHSU Foundation at 785-628-5620 or foundation@fhsu.edu or visit the website at http://foundation.fhsu.edu.