07/25/24

By: FHSU Alumni Office

HAYS, Kan. – Fort Hays State University will honor six exemplary alumni during Homecoming, which is scheduled for October 3-5.

“This group of individuals demonstrates the versatility of our graduates across all fields and disciplines. We couldn’t be more excited to celebrate them and acknowledge their incredible work,” said FHSU President Dr. Tisa Mason.

Award recipients include:

Alumni Achievement Award

• David Bauer ’68, Kearney, Neb.
• Dale Herl ’01, Independence, Mo.
• Jennifer (Mardis) Kitson, ’76, ’80, ’92, Hays

Distinguished Service Award

• Donald “Don” Reif Jr. ’82, Hoisington

Young Alumni Award

• Ernestor De La Rosa, ’12, Topeka
• Tre’ Giles ’15, Portland, Ore.

Visit www.FHSUhomecoming.com/awards to learn more about the criteria by which these distinguished individuals were chosen.

Homecoming 2024 Honoree Profiles:

Alumni Achievement Award

Dr. David Bauer ’68, Kearney, Neb.

Though Dr. David Bauer had always loved music, it was on the campus of Fort Hays State University where he began to hone the talents that led to his lifelong success. Thanks to the mentorship from his FHSU music instructors, Dr. Donald Stout, Mr. Lyle Dilley, Dr. Leland Bartholomew, Mr. Norman Jennings, and Mr. Patrick Goeser, Bauer developed the skills needed to kickstart a career in choir direction.

After graduating from FHSU, he earned a Master of Music Education degree from the University of Missouri Conservatory of Music in Kansas City and a Doctor of Education degree from Arizona State University. Bauer taught secondary choral music across Kansas for eleven years before transitioning to instructing collegiate-level students. He helped students fine-tune their voices at the University of Nebraska-Kearney for 35 years before retiring in 2019. He continues to be the artistic director of the Platte River Singers, a community choir he created in 2013.

Bauer has enjoyed 56 years of marriage to his wife, Ann, who is also an FHSU alum. The couple has five children, sixteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. This year, the couple received the “Friends of Kearney” award from the Kearney, Nebraska, Chamber of Commerce for contributions and leadership within their community.

Dr. Dale Herl ’01, Independence, Mo.

Dr. Dale Herl's 11-year tenure as the Independence School District (ISD) superintendent has been marked by transformative leadership and an unwavering dedication to student success. He has propelled the district to new heights with a solid foundation that was built during his four years as ISD's Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Finance. Herl oversees 30 schools with more than 15,000 students and is driven to prepare students for college and their future careers. Under Herl’s leadership, a recent initiative has empowered students within the district and led to a surge in academic achievement. When Herl began serving as superintendent, the ISD offered six courses for college credit, which has grown to more than 90 courses, giving students a head start on their futures.

A lifelong learner, Herl earned his bachelor's degree in mathematics education from the University of Nebraska-Kearney, a Master of Science in Educational Administration from Fort Hays State University, and a doctorate from Wichita State University. Actively engaged in community service, Herl is a Rotary Club and Lions Club of Independence member and previously served on the Centerpoint Hospital Board of Directors and ISD Foundation Board.

With four children who graduated from Independence School District schools, Herl's investment in the district mirrors his professional commitment to shaping every student’s future.

Jennifer (Mardis) Kitson ’76, ’80, ’92, Hays

Jennifer Kitson grew up in Pratt, never dreaming that she would leverage her education from Fort Hays State to lead her to where she is today. She has become a recognized leader in school psychology and an expert in advocacy, school mental health, community collaboration, and sustained system change supporting child well-being outcomes.

Kitson received a bachelor's and master’s in psychology and an education specialist in school psychology degrees at Fort Hays State. She had three professional careers over 45 years, including as a school psychology practitioner and coordinator of a $3 million federal grant in Ellis County, a co-leader for a federally funded national center providing training and assistance to communities in 50 states focused on achieving positive outcomes for children and youth, and as an FHSU Department of Psychology instructor and school psychology program director. Kitson’s state and national leadership were recognized as she received the 1997 KASP School Psychologist of the Year, 1999 NASP School Psychologist of the Year, 2022 KASP Lifetime Achievement Award, and 2024 NASP Legend in School Psychology.

Kitson was pivotal in creating Ellis County’s Big Brothers Big Sisters program and coordinating county-wide parenting classes. Her commitment to developing resources like this in communities nationwide further acknowledges the lives she’s touched through her advocacy, passion, and knowledge.

Distinguished Service Award

Donald “Don” Reif Jr. ’82, Hoisington

Every day, Don Reif lives and works in service to others thanks to his upbringing and Fort Hays State University education. Reif grew up in Hoisington and graduated with his bachelor's degree from Fort Hays State, double majoring in political science and history. As a student, Reif was involved with FHSU’s Young Democrats and served as a Student Government Association president and senator. These experiences inspired Reif to pursue a Juris Doctor of Law at Washburn University, where he served as a research assistant and intern for the Kansas Legislature.

Reif returned to his hometown of Hoisington after law school and founded an independent firm. Still serving after more than 35 years, Reif provides expertise to clients facing business law, criminal defense, and juvenile law cases. Throughout his career, Reif has facilitated more than 150 adoption cases, finding loving homes for neglected or abused children. He has been known to kindly represent veterans, elderly, and low-income clients pro bono on a case-by-case basis. Outside of his practice, Reif has educated aspiring lawyers as an adjunct instructor at Fort Hays State University for several years.

Sharing his expertise with students isn’t the only support he provides, though. Reif established the Don E. Reif Jr. Political Science Scholarship at Fort Hays State for pre-law political science students. In 2020, he became a Fort Hays State Wooster Society member by including the university in his estate plans. Reif’s passion and love for FHSU are demonstrated through his leadership, generosity, and the legacy he’s leaving in support of future Tigers.  

Young Alumni Award

Ernestor De La Rosa ’12, Topeka

Since graduating from Fort Hays State University, Ernestor De La Rosa has been working behind the scenes to make tangible change in the communities he has called home. As an immigrant, De La Rosa has used his own experience to show the possibilities available to others following in his footsteps. At 12 years old, De La Rosa came to the United States, faced challenges learning a new language, and experienced discrimination. He persevered through many barriers to gain an education.

Due to his status, De La Rosa did not qualify for financial assistance to attend Fort Hays State. He pushed himself to earn a bachelor’s in political science from FHSU while working two jobs. This hardworking spirit carried over to other pursuits, including earning his Master’s in Public Administration from Wichita State University and leading communities in various capacities. In 2014, he became Dodge City’s Assistant to the City Manager and spearheaded several immigration and transportation projects.

In early 2023, he became the City of Topeka’s first-ever Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. De La Rosa transitioned out of the role in 2024, entering the private sector as a regional manager of local government and community affairs with ITC Great Plains Corp., a transmission-only utility company based in Topeka.

His service and mentorship to others, community enrichment efforts, and leadership demonstrate all that is possible for students seeking a degree in political science.

Tre’ Giles ’15, Portland, Ore.

Tre’ Giles, a Colorado native, brings passion, commitment, and joy to everything he does.

As a first-generation college student, Giles became a voice for others with different ethnic backgrounds. Guided by his faith, his ability to uplift those around him was well-recognized at FHSU, earning him both the Men of Merit and Diversity Ally awards. After graduating, Giles took the leadership skills he learned at FHSU to the Peace Corps.

In The Gambia, West Africa, Giles advocated for education and gender equality and created a group to spiritually support fellow volunteers during their service. He was led back to Hays and gravitated naturally to leadership positions at FHSU, Jana’s Campaign, and as a youth director at Celebration Community Church. His latest role as the Pastor of Justice and Mercy at the Bridgetown Church in Portland, Ore., has provided Giles a platform to share his faith in a larger capacity.

Giles empowers audiences in prisons, auditoriums, schools, and international venues to impact their communities through leadership and collaboration. When he’s not busy pastoring at Bridgetown, he cherishes family time with his wife, Carma, and their son, Saint.

Giles took the opportunities available to him at Fort Hays State University and has since proved that he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.

Alumni Award Recipients Meet and Greet  

If you know any of these incredible individuals, join in congratulating them at the Alumni Award Meet and Greet during Homecoming on Friday, October 4, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. in the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on campus. Visit FHSUhomecoming.com to view a full schedule of Homecoming events.

Visit www.FHSUhomecoming.com/awards to nominate an FHSU alumni or friend of the university you believe is worthy of recognition or to view past award recipients.

For questions, please contact the FHSU Alumni Office at alumni@fhsu.edu or 785-628-4430.