06/27/14 hb/kb

Most would agree that teaching is one of the most important jobs in the world. It leaves a lasting impression on future generations. Without the guidance of gifted teachers, many individuals wouldn't be where they are today.

Fort Hays State University greatly values teachers and strives to provide a quality education for the educators of tomorrow, and the university's Department of Teacher Education has recently been strengthened by a generous contribution from a Fort Hays State alum and anonymous donor.

The donor was born and raised in Kansas and has loved school since the age of 5. This person was introduced to Fort Hays State in 1948 and began taking summer classes as a student. The individual earned an undergraduate degree in 1956 and, later on, both a master's and specialist's degree and then proceeded to teach for many years before retiring.

Now, the donor has given $124,000 in the hope of helping students earn a quality education at Fort Hays State. The fund is an open-ended account, which means additional contributions may be made by family, friends or whoever wishes to support it.

"I believe that education is vital to our future and hope that this gift will help students who, perhaps without this support, wouldn't be able to attend FHSU," said the donor.

The funds will provide scholarship support for a student enrolled in the teacher education program at FHSU. Recipients must have graduated from a high school in Osborne or Ellis counties and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The scholarship is renewable for four years as long as the student remains in good academic standing.

"Many of our students are balancing school with full-time jobs and families," said Tiffany Hester, coordinator of clinical practices in FHSU's Department of Teacher Education. "This gift will definitely help ease the financial burden that many of them face."

She added, "Scholarships are especially important for pre-service teachers because, while teaching is very emotionally rewarding, salaries are also very modest."

To join this donor in supporting deserving students in FHSU's Department of Teacher Education, other donors can make a gift today simply by visiting https://secure.fhsu.edu/foundation and list the "Endowed Scholarship Fund for Education" as your area of designation.

To learn more about supporting students at Fort Hays State University, please visit the FHSU Foundation website at foundation.fhsu.edu or contact the Foundation office at 785-628-5620 or email foundation@fhsu.edu.