By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
GREAT BEND — Curtis Wolf and the Kansas Wetlands Education Center (KWEC) continue to pile up accolades. Just a few weeks after KWEC received international recognition for its efforts to promote nature and the conservation of natural resources, Wolf was given a Fort Hays State University Faculty Outstanding Service Award. FHSU Dean of the Werth College of Science, Technology, and Mathematics Grady Dixon handed Wolf the award and called it well-deserved.
"This year was kind of challenging for him for a number of reasons," Dixon said. "He had some turnover in staff, then he had some shortages for an extended period. He was not willing to let that derail his programs that people have come to expect. He really stepped in and covered a lot of roles that he's not expected to normally. And he didn't complain about it. It was noticed by other people in his staff, and they really appreciated it, and I really appreciated it."
Wolf and KWEC staff have maintained a high level of programming at the facility even as Cheyenne Bottoms endures a drought. The center adapted with activities like the treasure hunt for old World War II shells, and changing the popular turtle races to minnow races at local events.
"If you've visited the Wetlands Center recently, you may have noticed there is no water to be seen in Cheyenne Bottoms," Dixon said. "That just adds a level of difficulty to everything he does. Again, he's always a great advocate. He hasn't let that slow him down. He's still happy to give you a tour and tell you all about it.
"But it just makes things a little more challenging, so we've been really appreciative of his efforts. We try to give out that award every year to somebody within our college for going above and beyond, or sometimes it's for years of great service. He definitely checks both of those boxes."
FHSU honors outstanding faculty or staff each semester in the area of teaching, scholarship, and service. Wolf, the KWEC director, was recognized for going above and beyond this year, including his efforts to chair a search committee to hire a collections manager at the FHSU Sternbern Museum of Natural History in Hays.