05/05/22

By FHSU University Communications

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University celebrated the remarkable legacy of successful alumni entrepreneurs on the evening of May 2. A chartering ceremony on campus for Sigma Nu Tau featured the first chapter of the entrepreneurship honor society for a Kansas university.

Sigma Nu Tau was founded in 2009 to promote, recognize, and reward academic excellence in entrepreneurship and to encourage and recognize the practice of principled entrepreneurship.

In her opening remarks, FHSU President Tisa Mason welcomed back to campus three distinguished alumni who traveled great distances to attend the chartering ceremony.

Coleen Ellis (Texas) is the founder of two organizations that help people deal with the loss of a beloved pet. Ward Schraeder (Kansas City area) is a builder and a venture capitalist. Along with his daughter, Tamara, co-hosts the home renovation show “Bargain Mansions” on HGTV. Peter Werth – who lives in Connecticut and flew to Hays from Arizona for the event – is the founder of ChemWerth. The full-service generic drug development and supply company provides high-quality active pharmaceutical ingredients to regulated markets worldwide.

Dr. Nancy Church, executive director of Sigma Nu Tau, presented the university with its Sigma Nu Tau charter. Henry Schwaller IV, a member of the W.R. and Yvonne Robbins College of Business and Entrepreneurship faculty and a successful local businessman, then presided over an induction ceremony that welcomed new members to the honor society.

FHSU’s charter group is comprised of 50 members – 14 distinguished entrepreneurs, 34 FHSU student and faculty members, and two honorary members.

Former FHSU President Dr. Edward H. Hammond and former Provost Dr. Lawrence Gould were named honorary society members in recognition of their shared entrepreneurial approach to leadership that guided the university through a tremendous period of growth.

For more information about the entrepreneurship honor society Sigma Nu Tau, go to: https://sigmanutau.org/.