06/17/15
by Samantha Dean
Educators often see firsthand the academic and financial struggles that many students face. Cole Engel, an instructor in the College of Business and Entrepreneurship at Fort Hays State University, knows how real those challenges can be and took his role of instructor one step further.

With a desire to help his students achieve their dreams of acquiring a college education, Engel recently established a scholarship fund with the FHSU Foundation.

Engel, a CPA who acquired two bachelor's degrees from Fort Hays State in 2007 and an M.B.A. in 2009, said that this scholarship is his way of showing appreciation to the university and the role it played in his professional success.

"I am forever grateful for the time, talent and treasure invested in me at FHSU, and it was time to say 'thank you' by paying it forward," said Engel. "Material things in my life can wait, but the education of the next generation of accounting professionals cannot."

The first recipient of the Cole J. Engel Accounting Scholarship is Aubrey Kempke, Claflin junior. Kempke is a member of Alpha Kappa Psi, a professional business fraternity at FHSU. Engel is the faculty sponsor. Kempke also works part-time in the Department of Economics, Finance and Accounting. She has two more years at FHSU and has plans to obtain her CPA license and work with a public accounting firm following graduation.

Engel was one of Kempke's instructors her first semester, and they have worked together since.

"I was honored to receive a scholarship from an instructor that I admire and respect so much," said Kempke. "This scholarship will definitely help me financially as I continue to get my education at FHSU."

"I created this scholarship because of the financial need of students just like Aubrey," said Engel.

Engel was surprised at how simple it was to establish his scholarship fund.

"I made one phone call to the FHSU Foundation and was immediately connected with one of their staff. After reviewing a few sample agreements, I outlined the requirements that I wanted for my scholarship and signed the agreement within a week," said Engel. "The entire process was smooth, efficient and effective. I was impressed."

For more information about the FHSU Foundation, visit foundation.fhsu.edu, call 785-628-5620 or email foundation@fhsu.edu.