Meet the February 2017 Students of the Month
On-Campus Student: Shane Mata
Shane is a senior at Fort Hays State University majoring in Organizational Leadership. He is originally from Sublette, Kansas. Shane's favorite class so far in his coursework has been LDRS 670: Leadership and Personal Development. He has enjoyed this class the most because of the assigned texts: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie. He is also grateful for the experience he gained through the numerous two-minute speeches that class members had to make. Shane got involved with Leadership Programs because of a suggestion from a degree analyst after visiting about his career interests. Shane enjoys participating in HALO and intramurals at Fort Hays when not in class. He also works at the Student Service Center on campus at Memorial Union.
Virtual Student: Christine Bayer
Christine, a senior Organizational Leadership major from St. Louis, Missouri, was selected as the April 2012 Virtual Student of the Month. Christine became involved in the department when several of her Fort Hays colleagues "encouraged (her) to consider taking classes through FHSU Online." Christine said she "spoke with Christie Brungardt and signed up immediately because of the passion with which she spoke about the subject." Christine's favorite class throughout her coursework has been Civic Leadership. She said that LDRS 640 made her "re-examine (her) youthful perspective of the Civil Rights movement in our Country through the assigned reading of Walking with the Wind by John Lewis." She mentioned, "In addition to the historical changes this movement had on our society, the book introduced me to ordinary individuals who did extraordinary things- something that each of us is capable of." Outside of academics, Christine enjoys gardening and reading. She also helps organize the collection of school supplies and toys for the U.S. Marine Corps Operation Care with her sister. The latter is currently deployed to Bagram Air Force Base in Afghanistan. Christine will be graduating this summer.
International Student: Meng Meng (Rita)
Rita is a sophomore at our partner university, Shen Yang Normal University in Shen Yang, Liaoning, China. Rita is currently a dual major in International Finance and Organizational Leadership. Rita chose to get involved within Leadership Programs because she knows that the study of leadership "is significant for her future," as it helps in "the relationship between people, groups, and in collaboration." Her favorite class has been LDRS 302: Introduction to Leadership Behavior. Rita's hobbies include participating in English and music clubs, playing basketball and volleyball, and listening to music.