Office of the Provost

Faculty and Unclassified Staff Handbook
Chapter 8 -- Public Affairs

Special Events and Exhibits

Art Activities

The Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art at FHSU definitely attracts the public to the University's campus. Historical and contemporary trends are reflected in the changing exhibits planned and supervised by faculty and students of the Department of Art. One very popular event is the annual national exhibition of small paintings, prints, and drawings. The Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art offers students, faculty, and invited guest artists opportunities to exhibit their work. The University and the Department of Art share with the public several avenues of searching and developing creative expression within the areas of the visual arts and provide many rich opportunities for growth in observation, sensitivity, creativity, and aesthetics. The displays and exhibitions are in the Visual Arts Center. One highly appreciated service of the Department of Art is making valuable art works available to faculty members on a loan basis for their offices and classrooms. Faculty and students are leaders among community art groups in western Kansas and cooperate with other schools and colleges in sponsoring exhibits and other art activities.

Athletics

Among the most popular activities of the University as far as the public is concerned are the athletic and sports programs. Both hometown games and games away from home attract thousands of Kansans. Over the years, interest and support of the University's patrons and friends have been continuous. Opportunities to attend are always available to the general public. Supplemental financial support of certain programs is usually very helpful, especially in the areas of scholarships and grants in aid for talented students needing financial assistance. A body of loyal supporters has grown in recent years and is essential to the continued success of the programs in health and human performance and athletics.

Greenhouse

For many people, especially groups of children, the University's greenhouse is a popular attraction. Arrangements for visiting it should be made through the greenhouse director.

Assistance in providing floral arrangements for public affairs both on and off campus should be discussed well in advance with the greenhouse director.

Museum

Fort Hays State University is the home of the internationally recognized Sternberg Museum of Natural History. This museum is visited annually by about 150,000 people who receive guided tours of the outstanding permanent exhibits and collections. Sensational temporary exhibitions leased from other institutions ensure that visitors see something new whenever they visit the museum. Educational programs are provided for school classes, museum association members and other interested citizens.

The collections of the Sternberg Museum of Natural History contain more than 3,750,000 scientific specimens, including some of the most amazing fossils ever found (for example, the famous fish–within–a–fish plus several impressive mosasaurs and plesiosaurs). Other scientific holdings include the Elam Bartholomew collection of fungi, the largest collection of fossil grasses at any museum in the world, and the largest collection of mammals emphasizing the Great Plains region. Additional holdings include scientifically valuable collections of birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, butterflies and other insects, flowering plants, fossil plants, historical materials and archaeological and ethnological artifacts. Some of these materials are on exhibit, whereas the remainder are preserved for use in scientific research and educational activities.

For museum hours and other information, call (785) 628-4286.

Musical Productions

Among popular attractions at FHSU are the many musical and dramatic productions, which are usually open to the public. Many are free and most are inexpensive to students, faculty, and the public. There are many musical organizations, some open to the public. The public is treated to frequent performances of University musical and theatrical groups. Community, state, national, and even international contributions have been made by the music and communication departments. Many faculty outside the two departments find opportunities to participate.

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