12/03/14
Regardless of value, each and every contribution made toward student scholarships makes a difference in the lives of Tigers at Fort Hays State University. While a $50 scholarship may not sound like much in the present time, back in 1954 it was enough to cover all of Darrell Seibel's tuition. Having just returned from his honeymoon with the former Marilynn Weigel, Darrell was thrilled to learn he had been awarded the Dr. M.C. Cunningham Senior Scholarship.

Darrell and Marilynn Seibel announced during a news conference today a gift for scholarships that will make a difference in the lives of future FHSU students. The total gift is $200,000, including $100,000 from the Seibels and $100,000 as a matching gift from Edward Jones.

Darrell and Marilynn met at Ellis High School, where they graduated in 1951. At FHSU, Darrell received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture with minors in botany and education. After graduating, Darrell taught at Munjor and coached basketball and baseball.

His career took a turn in 1962 when the St. Louis-based investment firm Edward Jones recruited him for its office in Hays. Back then, the Hays office was one of 20 the firm had; today, Edward Jones has more than 13,000 offices in North America.

Darrell and Marilynn's connection with FHSU goes beyond their personal educations. All seven of the couple's children attended Fort Hays State. Moreover, the couple has also contributed to the university in several other ways. In 1997, the Seibels worked with then-president Dr. Edward H. Hammond in gifting 27 acres of land to the FHSU Sternberg Museum of Natural History. Darrell also had the opportunity to travel with Dr. Hammond to China and witness FHSU's impact at its partner university in the East. The Seibel family has great respect for the work Dr. Hammond did for FHSU and is excited for a new era at the university with Dr. Mirta M. Martin, who succeeded Hammond as president.

"First and foremost, we appreciate gifts that help our students, so I want to express our sincere thanks to Darrell and Marilynn and to the firm, Edward Jones, for their generosity," President Martin said. "The gift means even more, though, coming as it does from two people who are so much a part of the FHSU family. In addition to their history of financial support, they are full participants in the life of our university. We see them regularly at university events, so they are great supporters of our students not just financially but in person.

"It's great to see both of you today on this important occasion," the president said, "and it's even better knowing that I will see you in the days, weeks, months and years ahead at many other Tiger activities."

While back in 1954 Darrell's $50 scholarship was enough to cover his tuition, it is no secret that higher education in the 21st century costs much more than $50. With that in mind, the Seibels and Edward Jones established the $200,000 scholarship fund with the FHSU Foundation. The fund will be used to support scholarships for juniors or seniors at FHSU who are originally from Kansas and who are earning a finance, economics or management degree while maintaining a GPA of 2.5 or higher.

"I hope that this scholarship fund can affect students now just like the Cunningham scholarship did for me in 1954," said Darrell, who is a member of the university's Half Century Club. "FHSU has served me and my family very well. I know the Foundation, the great faculty and our new, youthful, energetic president, Dr. Martin, will utilize these scholarships for worthy students who will give back to the university, the state and the nation in the American way."

"The couple's contribution, along with the Edward Jones matching gift, is accountable toward FHSU's Power of One scholarship campaign," said Tim Chapman, president and CEO of the Foundation. "With 28 days to reach our goal of $12 million, our campaign total to date is $11.85 million."

The campaign, in recognition of the 27 years of leadership by former President Hammond, started in December 2013 with a goal of reaching $8 million by the end of 2014. When the initial goal was met in June, the Foundation set the bar even higher with a new goal of $12 million to be met before the end of 2014.

"I'm so excited to be here to recognize Darrell and Marilynn today for their commitment to Fort Hays State University," Chapman said. "I've known the Seibels for more than 40 years and attended school with their sons, Jeff and Greg, back in the day. Their involvement in Hays and our university family is second to none."

To learn more about the Power of One scholarship campaign and how to make a contribution before the end of the year, visit foundation.fhsu.edu or call 785-628-5620.