By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
From Arctic research to academic recognition, the 20th annual John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days honors the lasting legacy of a beloved Fort Hays State University professor.
The daylong public celebration of academic and creative work by students, faculty, and staff is set for April 24. An online showcase will run April 21–25.
Kaley Schnack, FHSU Grants Coordinator, said the event is also an effort to build familiarity within the community and spotlight the university's work.
"We continue to host this event to allow staff to be able to meet all our community members... contuning to really hone in on all of our research that we're doing at the university," she said.
Hosted by FHSU, the in-person event will feature poster presentations, author showcases, art exhibits and musical performances at various locations across campus.
Free parking, refreshments, games and open exhibits make the event welcoming and enjoyable for the public.
"We have people from all over coming to campus for a variety of events that day. It's an awesome way for everybody to see the hard work that's going into the academics and showing off the amazing and talented faculty, staff and students," Schnack said.
The John Heinrichs Scholarly and Creative Activity Days showcase academic and creative projects across various fields at FHSU, honoring a late academic mentor.
"Dr. Heinrichs was a well-loved and respected geoscience professor at Fort Hays State," FHSU Alumni Director Kim Cebula said. "It's a great way to honor him and all that he did at the university and for our students."
Heinrichs taught at FHSU from 1957 until his passing in 2014 and was widely recognized for his strong dedication to academic excellence and student achievement.
He was an internationally recognized Arctic researcher whose passion for scholarly and creative work made him a strong supporter of faculty and student research at FHSU. Cebula said his enthusiasm helped spark the launch of SACAD 20 years ago.
The times and locations for the celebration are as follows:
• Academic posters: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (presenters 1–3 p.m.), Memorial Union
• Community projects: 9–11:30 a.m., Memorial Union Ballroom
• Art displays: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. (some artists 3–4 p.m.), Schmidt Foundation Center for Art & Design
• Applied tech projects: 8 a.m.–3 p.m. (creators 9 a.m.–noon), Center for Applied Technology
• Meet the Authors: 1–3 p.m., Memorial Union Ballroom
• Music performances: various times in Memorial Union Sunset Atrium; Spring Jazz Concert at 7:30 p.m., Beach-Schmidt Performing Arts Center
"Show up on campus on the 24th, come to the union and you will definitely be able to see so much of the amazing work our students are doing," Cebula said.