05/16/14 dp/sk/jgm Hutchinson News

Kiowa County Signal, Merchant's Directory

HAYS, Kan. -- Two Fort Hays State University students received the Dr. Edward Hammond Leadership Scholarship for the 2014-15 academic year. The scholarships were awarded at the Half Century Club spring reception May 2.

In remarks at the reception, HCC president Twilla Wanker, '57 alumnae, said that both recipients have displayed the highest standards in academic excellence, campus or community involvement and leadership skills.

Michaela Sasse, Gaylord, is majoring in biology with a minor in leadership studies. She is on the Deans Honor Roll and is a member of the Fort Hays State Honor Society, the Distinguished Scholars Program and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.

She has been a Peer Mentor for the L3 (Live. Learn. Lead.) Learning Community, is an Anderson VIP Ambassador and has completed a leadership studies certificate curriculum. Her campus and community involvement includes participation in Up 'til Dawn, Martin Luther King Jr. Service Day, Red Cross Blood Drive, Tiger Day, Poverty Awareness Week, Swipe Out Hunger food packaging and Kid's Voting just to name a few.

Sasse plans to become an optometrist and practice in a rural area.

Brandon Taylor, Greensburg, is majoring in management with the intent of continuing his education to earn an MBA. He is on the Deans Honor Roll and is a College of Business and Entrepreneurship Honor Scholar.

He is a member of the Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity and the Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He has served as Alpha Lambda Delta vice president, National Collegiate Scholar secretary and as SPURS treasurer. Taylor is the Student Government Association treasurer and most recently was elected Alpha Kappa Psi vice president of fundraising. He is a member of the Memorial Union Policy, the Scholarship Environment, College of Business Student Advisory and the Undergraduate Research Experience committees.

His campus and community endeavors include Tigers in Service Paint-a-Thon, Up 'til Dawn Letter-Writing Campaign, Trick-or-Treat so Others Can Eat, and Swipe Out Hunger. He also has taken part in an alternative winter break with Tigers in Service to New Orleans to aide in hurricane recovery.

The Half Century Club started the Hammond Leadership Scholarship in 2012 when they surprised President Hammond with an endowed $10,000 scholarship recognizing his 25 years at the helm of FHSU. The fund has grown to more than $100,000, thus enabling the HCC to award two $2,500 scholarships.

Established in 1916, the Fort Hays State University Alumni Association serves the population of FHSU graduates by identifying needs and providing solutions. More than 56,000 graduates live throughout the United States and approximately 74 foreign countries.

For more information, contact the Alumni Office at 785-628-4430, toll free at 1-888-351-3591, or by email at alumni@fhsu.edu.