07/17/24

By: FHSU Foundation

HAYS, Kan. – First-generation Fort Hays State University graduate Jeff Kesler always hoped to pay it forward to FHSU students but was unsure where to begin. His experience at FHSU provided the opportunities and mentors to make his decades-long career in banking possible. With a newly established scholarship, Jeff hopes to show Fort Hays State students that banking is more than a financial institution; it is a powerful platform to serve the communities they call home.

Jeff grew up in Quinter, Kansas, and had never considered a career in banking. He vividly remembers the phone call that changed his perspective and life. The call was from former FHSU Director of Career Services, Dan Rice, sharing he’d found the perfect post-graduate job for Jeff. Taking a banking position in Texas hadn’t crossed his mind, as he was dead set on becoming a chief financial officer, but the opportunity was too good to turn down.

Jeff took a chance, packed up his Toyota 4Runner, and moved to Texas. He had a misconception that banking only provided loans and services. However, he quickly learned how central the relationships built around banks can be to a community, especially for those looking to start a business or purchase a home.

Today, he serves as Veritex Community Bank president of the Dallas Fort Worth market. Every day, he wakes up looking forward to making connections and leading his team with compassion and confidence. During a recent conversation with the FHSU Foundation, an area of campus immediately caught Jeff’s attention. The Robbins Banking Institute, which prepares students to pursue careers in the banking industry, perfectly aligned with how he wanted to give back. His plan became clear. He and his wife would start the Jeff and Tara Kesler Banking Scholarship to support aspiring bankers at FHSU.

Jeff has valued his work over the past several decades and is excited to help students at Fort Hays State enter the field he’s grown to love.

Want to start a FHSU scholarship of your own? You can do so for as little as $1,000. If you are unsure where to start, the Fort Hays State Foundation team is more than happy to set up a no-obligation visit to explore how you, too, can make a difference. There are endless areas across campus to support, and their team can help you find the perfect fit, just like they did with Jeff and Tara. Visit foundation.fhsu.edu or call 785-628-5620 to see how you can impact students at FHSU.