Fort Hays State University continued its streak of national championships in academic areas earlier this month by winning two competitions at the 65th annual conference of the International Technology Education Association in Nashville.
ITEA Conference in Nashville
Fort Hays State University continued its streak of national championships in academic areas earlier this month by winning two competitions at the 65th annual conference of the International Technology Education Association in Nashville.
FHSU, which has finished second in manufacturing at the national technology competition the past three years, won the manufacturing and communication competitions this year as well as placing third in problem solving.
It marked the ninth time in the past 17 years that FHSU has
won the manufacturing title at nationals. FHSU also has finished
second four times at nationals.
During that time span, FHSU also has won regional manufacturing title 15 times.
Another honor for the FHSU contingent at nationals went to Fred Ruda, chairman of the FHSU technology studies department. Ruda received the meritorious service award for working in the conference's registration arena for the past 10 years. Only one meritorious service award is given annually.
"These outstanding students and their sponsors are another example of the success part of Fort Hays State University's winning formula of 'affordable success,' "FHSU President Edward Hammond said in a news conference honoring the winning teams this morning
"I believe the accomplishments of our students at these contests are indicative of the quality of the technology program they are involved in on a daily basis," said Kim Stewart, assistant professor of technology studies at FHSU. "The combination of eager students, quality faculty and steadfast leadership makes an unbeatable team."
FHSU instructors who accompanied the teams to nationals besides Ruda and Stewart were Duane Renfrow and Robert Howell, assistant professors of technology studies.
Ruda, who received his bachelor's and master's degrees from FHSU, has been working at his alma mater since 1973.
He said FHSU's success in technology studies -- whether in competition or in the real world -has to do with "a combination of things."
"We have an excellent quality student, and the department makes it a strong point to teach what needs to be done in business and industry" Ruda said, "whether that's in application or understanding and knowledge."
Story by Diane Gasper-O'Brien
HAYS DAILY NEWS
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