05/05/26

By: FHSU Alumni Office

Hays, Kan. – The Fort Hays State University Alumni Office proudly announced the recipients of its 2026 Commencement Awards during a press conference Tuesday morning in the Memorial Union. Family, friends, and members of the FHSU community gathered to celebrate some of the university’s most prestigious student and faculty honors.

The awards recognize individuals whose academic excellence, leadership, and service have made a lasting impact on the university. Their stories reflect the spirit of Fort Hays State, highlighting not only hard work and success in the classroom but also a strong commitment to making a difference on campus and beyond.

Daniel Bechle, a senior political science and criminal justice double major, received the Torch Award, and Derek Mesa was honored with this year’s Lighthouse Award as an exceptional graduate student earning an advanced degree in Health and Human Performance. Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook was recognized with the Pilot Award for her work as a faculty member in the Department of Communication Studies, Law, and Political Science.

Torch Award

Established in 1974, this award recognizes an outstanding senior from the 2025-2026 academic year graduating class.

Daniel Bechle, Aurora, Colo., chose Fort Hays State to study political science and criminal justice while competing in cross country and track. His success has reached far beyond academics and athletics. In addition to earning a 3.97 GPA, he has co-authored a chapter in Exploring Equitable Community Campus Relationships, presented at scholarly conferences, and represented FHSU at Kansas Undergraduate Research Day.

Daniel has held an extensive range of leadership roles, having served as the president of Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, the Student Athlete Advisory Committee, and Student Research Cluster – Combating Gender Based Violence, and he served as vice-president of the College Republicans and Model United Nations. According to Dr. Christopher Olds, FHSU Political Science Associate Professor, Daniel did much more than participate in campus activities. He commended Daniel’s impact, “I give Daniel so much credit for helping to revitalize the Model U.N. program and demonstrating the full power of the university’s mission of engaged global citizen-leadership.”

During Daniel’s time here, he faced the unexpected loss of his father. Despite his personal tragedy, he persevered, completing coursework and preparing for the LSAT. Reflecting on that time in his life, Daniel said, “My time at FHSU was marked by tragedy, but it was not defined by it. It was defined by growth, leadership, scholarship, and perseverance. Fort Hays State University did more than educate me; it helped transform adversity into direction.”

Looking ahead, Daniel plans to attend law school and dedicate his legal career to prosecuting sex crimes.

Lighthouse Award

Established in 2018, the Lighthouse Award honors an outstanding graduate student who is completing a degree this year.

Derek Mesa, Holcomb, has maintained an impressive 4.0 GPA in the Health and Human Performance program and exemplifies the qualities celebrated by the Lighthouse Award through his academic achievement, service, and campus involvement. His contributions to Fort Hays State University made him a worthy recipient of this honor.

During his graduate studies, Derek pursued and presented research in collaboration with Dr. Dolechek and Dr. Phelan, while also serving as a teaching assistant. In addition, he worked as a pharmacy technician and group fitness instructor at local Hays businesses. He helped establish Exercise is Medicine – On Campus at FHSU, served as president of the honors fraternity Phi Epsilon Kappa in 2024, led health promotion events, and was selected to be a session moderator at the American College of Sports Medicine Central States Conference in Kansas City. On Sundays, Derek often volunteers at a local nursing home, assisting individuals with disabilities during recreational activities.

“Derek has been an absolute pleasure to know and work with during his graduate studies,” wrote a faculty member. “He serves as an inspirational role model to both his peers and faculty. I have watched him grow and develop into a phenomenal professional, and I look forward to seeing what he accomplishes next.”

Derek is a first-generation college student and plans to pursue his doctoral studies. “I am grateful for the many opportunities I have been given to grow,” he said. “FHSU has reinforced my love and appreciation for academia – something I hope to give back to as a professor one day.”

Pilot Award

Established in 1974, this award recognizes an outstanding faculty member.

Dr. Wendy Rohleder-Sook is known for her direct and effective teaching style, firmly rooted in a student-centered approach. She fosters a respectful and inclusive classroom environment that acknowledges and values the diverse backgrounds and perspectives her students contribute. “Ultimately, my goal is for students to become engaged learners who see the relevance of course material to their lives, communities, and future careers,” she explains.

She actively develops her teaching strategies by reading student evaluations, continuing her own learning with her peers, and by attending pedagogical training workshops. She also volunteers her time to the community as co-chair of Women Who Lead, a board member of the Hadley Foundation, and has served as the Hays High School Academic Booster Club President.

“Dr. Rohleder-Sook is one of the most impressive faculty members whom I have had the opportunity to review,” said Dr. J. David Macey, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. “She is an innovative teacher who is equally at home in physical and virtual environments, she devotes care and attention to the design of each class that she teaches, and she continuously revises her lesson plans and activities to meet the evolving needs of students and the changing landscape of legal studies as a professional discipline.”

Fort Hays State faculty and staff nominate Torch Award and Lighthouse Award candidates based on classroom excellence, leadership, participation on campus, community, or national organizations, and student, civic, or research activities. Awardees are selected by a committee of FHSU faculty and staff from a pool of nominated students.

Pilot Award candidates are nominated by graduating seniors based on classroom excellence, ongoing research, and service activities. They are selected by a committee of graduating seniors, faculty, and Alumni Office representatives.

To learn more about Fort Hays State University’s Commencement Awards or to view a list of past recipients, visit fhsualumni.com/commencement-awards or contact the FHSU Alumni Office at alumni@fhsu.edu or 785-628-4430.