National organization honors FHSU's Hammond with its NASPA President's Award
Dr. Edward H. Hammond, president of Fort Hays State University, was
selected by the NASPA Board of Directors as the recipient of the 2013
NASPA President’s Award for his ability to advance the quality of
student life on campus and his exemplary support of student affairs
professionals at his university.
Dr. Hammond will receive the award in March during the 2013 NASPA Annual Conference awards ceremony in Orlando.
President Hammond
has proved to be a remarkable leader as he has advanced the quality of
life for both domestic and international student populations, set high
standards for campus community members, collaborated continually with
faculty and administrators across departments, developed a technically
savvy campus environment, and created a financially viable institution
despite global economic woes, leading to higher retention rates and
affording invaluable educational opportunities to students.
"He is a fierce
student advocate and has maintained a relentless focus on the importance
of the delivery of 'high touch' student services. He pays close
attention to how the university promotes student learning and supports
both individual and institutional initiatives that continue to expand
learning boundaries,” Dr. Joey Linn, FHSU's registrar and associate vice
president for student affairs, wrote in his letter of support.
During his 25-plus years as FHSU president, Dr. Hammond has:
--Increased enrollment to more than 13,200 students in three modalities
-- on-campus, Virtual College and China -- despite a decreasing
population in the university’s primary service area;
--Launched annual Student Recognition Programs to award scholarships to academically outstanding high school seniors in Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska;
--Established private scholarships for African-American, Hispanic and Asian-American students;
--Developed a mobile learning and living environment that includes wireless connectivity throughout the FHSU campus;
--Created the Western Kansas Policy Development Board and the Western Kansas Educational Compact; and
--Increased the FHSU Foundation's assets from $8.2 million to more than $50 million in the past 20 years.
"Dr. Hammond was a
vice president for student affairs early in his career, and students
have always remained his 'magnetic north,'" said Dr. Tisa Mason, FHSU's
vice president for student affairs. "He has unquestionably, over a
sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student life on campus
by supporting student affairs staff and programs."
Mason said that
when decisions are being made, President Hammond often repeats his
guiding principle: "Everything we do at FHSU is about helping students
succeed."
About the Award
The President's
Award gives special recognition to a college or university president who
has, over a sustained period of time, advanced the quality of student
life on campus by supporting student affairs staff and programs.
About NASPA
Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (www.naspa.org
) is the leading association for the advancement, health and
sustainability of the student affairs profession. NASPA serves a full
range of professionals who provide programs, experiences and services
that cultivate student learning and success in concert with the mission
of member colleges and universities. Founded in 1919, NASPA comprises
more than 13,000 members in all 50 states, 29 countries and 8 U.S.
Territories. Through high-quality professional development, strong
policy advocacy and substantive research to inform practice, NASPA meets
the diverse needs and invests in realizing the potential of all its
members.
For more information on NASPA awards, see www.naspa.org/programs/awards
or contact Stephanie Gordon online at press@naspa.org or by calling 202-719-1166.