HAYS, Kan. – The Fort Hays State University Foundation recently appointed three new members to its Board of Trustees: John Francis, Rod Lake, and Heidi Weis.

John Francis is a 1981 graduate of FHSU with a degree in Business Administration Economics. He and his wife, Nancy, currently reside in Great Bend, where John owns and operates Francis Financial Services, Inc. Carrying that leadership into the Fort Hays State Foundation, Francis is a past Board of Trustee member, having served on the Executive Committee and the Investment Committee. His involvement with the Foundation also includes being a Leadership Circle member, an “I Fed the Tiger” sponsor, and a Wooster Society member.

Rod Lake received his degree in Communication from Fort Hays State in 1980. Longtime supporters of FHSU, he and his wife, Charlene, live in Dallas, where he is retired from a career in communications. He was also a stay-at-home parent for 20 years and is a competitive cyclist. Lake has been involved with the FHSU Foundation as a Leadership Circle member and University Ambassador.

Heidi Weis graduated from FHSU in 1995 with a degree in Foreign Language and History. Weis also holds an MBA and Juris Doctor from the University of Kansas. She currently serves as managing director for Deloitte Consulting and lives with her husband, Jeremy, and their family in Mission. She has had a variety of career experiences with Deloitte, including supporting diversity and inclusion through leadership and consulting of various women’s initiatives.

The current Foundation board is comprised of 54 alumni and friends of the university, with each trustee serving a four-year term. Each trustee actively participates in a variety of activities contributing to the educational and financial success of the university and the FHSU Foundation.

“I can’t thank this dedicated group of Tiger supporters enough for their generosity and for their gifts of time, talent, and treasure,” said Jason Williby, FHSU Foundation president and CEO. “This group has made an incredible impact on Fort Hays State University, on our Foundation’s fundraising efforts, and the overall success of our Journey campaign. This group alone has donated more than $16 million toward the university’s Journey campaign!”

These trustees come from a variety of education and industry backgrounds representing all five colleges at Fort Hays State University. Current trustees reside in a variety of states including Kansas, Missouri, Texas, California, Connecticut, Arizona, and Illinois. For the full list of trustees, visit https://foundation.fhsu.edu/board-of-trustees.

Trustees were recently back on campus for their annual business meeting and trustee weekend activities. With a full schedule of events on Friday, members started their visit with a public dedication and celebration of FHSU’s Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design. Trustees heard from Schmidt Foundation trustees, current students, and Fort Hays State President Dr. Tisa Mason. In addition to tours of the Schmidt Foundation Center for Art and Design, trustees got a first peek at the university’s stunning new Fischli-Wills Center for Student Success, which was completed just weeks ago. Trustees heard updates from various areas of the university, visited with FHSU leadership, enjoyed lunch in the newly renovated Peter Werth Black & Gold Room within the Memorial Union, and cheered along to “In Heaven There Is No Beer” during a private performance from the FHSU Tiger marching band, Tiger Debs, and cheer squad. They ended their Friday celebrating a successful Journey campaign and hearing from outgoing trustee chair, Curtis Longpine, and incoming chair, Kevin Faulkner. 

On Saturday, trustees attended their annual business meeting, then came back together for a fun evening attending FHSU’s 12th Annual Tiger Auction and Dinner.

“I look forward to welcoming our Board of Trustees back to campus each year,” Williby added. “They definitely get an insider view of what’s taking place on our campus, and this year was no exception.” 

The Foundation serves as the fundraising arm of Fort Hays State University. It raises and manages all funds that are entrusted to it for the benefit of various needs in support of the university and it works closely with FHSU to support the university's initiatives.  

To learn more about the Fort Hays State Foundation, visit https://foundation.fhsu.edu or contact the office at 785-628-5620 or foundation@fhsu.edu.