Honors College

Director

ksamidon@fhsu.edu
785-628-4748
Picken Hall 123A

Kevin Amidon serves as Director of the Honors College at Fort Hays State University, where he is also Professor of Modern Languages and Instructor of Philosophy.

He studied German, economics, history, musicology, and art history in Ann Arbor, Freiburg, Princeton, Frankfurt am Main, and Berlin, and received his Ph.D. in Germanic Languages and Literatures at Princeton University in 2001. He has published a wide range of articles on critical theory, gender history and theory, eugenics, race theory, evolutionary thought, the Frankfurt School, German and American history, opera, theater, and pedagogy. His current research projects include further work on cultures of persuasion in the German biological sciences 1890-1945, and on the philosophy of music in mid-twentieth century Germany and its consequences for critical theory. During 2003-2004 he was a Postdoctoral Fellow of the Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies at the Freie Universität Berlin. He has won major university awards for his teaching three times during his career. Beyond his university duties he performs regularly as a violinist with the Hays Symphony, often as concertmaster, and pursues his hobby restoring and maintaining classic European automobile and motorcycle engines.

Professor Amidon’s repository of open-access publications can be found at: https://works.bepress.com/kevin_amidon/

Track Kevin's scholarly activity at Google Scholar, and you can learn more about all of his many interests at https://kevinsamidon.com. 

Assistant Director

kljohnson2@fhsu.edu 
785-628-4744
Picken Hall 123B

Kathay is a two-time Fort Hays State University graduate, earning her Bachelor's degree many years ago and graduating in 2023 with a Masters of Science in Education, in Higher Education Student Affairs. She is fiercely dedicated to helping her Honors "nuggets" discover their own unique path to success and committed to always keep learning about the challenges our students face and the best ways to support them. She was awarded Honorable Mention for the National Collegiate Honors Council's 2020 and 2023 Award for Administrative Excellence. Despite what Kevin always says ("I have the fancy title, but she does all the work.") they are a great team and both love the opportunity to work with so many amazing students. 

Success & Engagement Coordinator

Chesney is a junior studying Marketing at Fort Hays State University. She spends her summers lifeguarding and teaching kids swim lessons. College life has been enjoyable so far because of all the new friends she has made through living in the dorms. The only thing she would change about her time here is how much stress she has given herself procrastinating. In her free time, she enjoys reading, watching movies, and, most of all, spending time with the new friends she has made. If you have any questions or would like to chat about anything, feel free to stop by her office! (PH 123C)

Honors Ambassador

Henry is a senior from Hillsboro, Kansas. He is majoring in Biology Natural Resources and double majoring in philosophy. He is the president of and founder of the Natural Resources Club and a member of the Smoky Hill Community Choir, Esports Club, and Crew. In his free time, he enjoys reading, playing video games, hiking, and playing board games. He is often around the Honors College space pilfering snacks. Feel free to ask him any questions.

Honors Ambassador

Krissy is a junior aiming for a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Secondary Education with a focus on Painting and Drawing. She is active with the Marching Band as one of the Drumline Section Leaders (go to the games, they are fun!) and has a certification in Starbucks Barista-ing and Unsolicited Cheese Knowledge. You can find her in the Art building, the Honors College Offices, the practice field by Gross Memorial, or spending too much money on drinks at the Starbucks in the Memorial Union. Wherever you end up finding her, she is more than happy to answer any burning questions you have, or even just to talk if you were wanting a conversation!  Some of the many things she enjoys to do is play relaxing games, keep herself busy (because boredom isn’t fun), paint, hang out with friends, and try new things! So don’t be a stranger, come and say hi!

Honors Ambassador

Luke is a sophomore from Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from Kapaun Mt. Carmel, has an associates degree in welding from WSU Tech, and is OSHA certified. He currently majors in finance, but in reality is still undecided on a major. He is very active in the Honors College as the Ambassador and a Peer Mentor. He also runs on the track and field team. His event is the heptathlon in the winter and the decathlon in the spring. He spends what little free time he has napping, doing homework, or hanging out with friends. In the summer he enjoys hiking, traveling, donating platelets, and working outside. All are welcome in his office and he is happy to help anyone with any problem they may have.

Honors Ambassador

Samantha is a junior at FHSU and comes from the small town of Beloit, Kansas. She is currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Biology and a minor in Music. Her passion for music has led her to FHSU so she could be a part of the Hays Symphony. In addition to playing violin in the symphony, she is also a member of the marching band and the Natural Resources Club and is a Peer Mentor for the Honors College. Outside of class she loves to read, write, camp, hike, play D&D, geek out over books and movies, hang out with friends, and do pretty much anything outdoorsy. Sam is also an avid enthusiast for the TV show M*A*S*H. She’s watched all 11 seasons at least three times, and has a wall at home covered with various quotes from the show.