By FHSU Foundation
Few things made Fort Hays State University alumnus Mike Morgison happier than getting his hands dirty. From a messy, rough-and-tumble boy to a skilled man who could reassemble almost anything he pulled apart, Mike exemplified the value of hard work. Before he passed away in 2022, Mike put a gift in place to help FHSU students with similar interests. His sister, Patty Brandenburg, and her husband, Eldon, returned to Hays in April for an emotional and intimate reception on campus. During the event, the couple announced Mike’s legacy, a gift of $502,000 in support of construction management scholarships within FHSU’s Department of Applied Technology.
Mike was taught how to work hard from a young age. His family owned the Dodge City Sand Company, better known as the Sand Pit, a repurposed 90-acre lake filled with sediment. He and Patty, born 13 months apart, and their younger brother Bill would spend afternoons in the pit, getting dirty and having fun. As much playing as they did in the pit, they worked even harder. Mike learned how to operate bulldozers and deliver sand as a teen, logging long hours to help the family business thrive. He worked for his dad and uncle at the Sand Pit after high school while chipping away at his associate of arts degree from Dodge City Community College. Coming to Fort Hays State was the next step in furthering his education.
Despite Mike’s original plan to attend Fort Hays State for the social aspect, he was also serious about his education. This get-to-work attitude helped him earn his business degree from FHSU in 1983 and land a job as a foreman at J-A-G Construction in southwest Kansas following graduation.
“Mike was the type of person who would do anything in the world for you and help you in any way he could. But you better take care of business. He believed that if you didn't have time to do it right, when would you have time to do it again?” said Patty.
Shortly before Mike’s passing in 2022, he visited FHSU’s campus to see the newly constructed Center for Applied Technology building and meet students pursuing similar careers. Kim Stewart, Department of Applied Technology Chair, brought a glimmer to Mike’s eyes when he shared more about some of the hands-on internships students were participating in.
When he met with applied technology students two years ago, Mike had already become a member of the Fort Hays State University Wooster Society. Named for FHSU’s fourth president, the Wooster Society honors individuals who have chosen to leave a legacy through planned giving. Mike understood the importance of paying it forward and supporting students as they prepared for careers in construction management.
During the April reception on campus, Patty and Eldon had an opportunity to meet one of those students, Bryson Rupp.
Bryson recently graduated from Fort Hays State with a Bachelor of Science in technology studies with an emphasis in construction management. Though he never met Mike, his life impacted Bryson, who was hired thanks to a connection he made while at a career fair that Mike and Kim collaborated on creating.
“Mike Morgison’s legacy will be that of opportunities. We, the students of applied technology, are immensely grateful to him for this legacy of opening doors. Many future construction management students will benefit from this generous gift,” said Bryson.
Patty closed her remarks by sharing Mike’s hope for the students his scholarship will impact.
“Mike’s dream was to provide a scholarship to people like him, who weren’t afraid to work hard, get down in the dirt, play in the concrete, never give up, and see the future,” said Patty.
Make a difference in students’ lives. Becoming a Wooster Society member like Mike is only one option for leaving a legacy at Fort Hays State. If you’re thinking about leaving your mark on an area of campus, the FHSU Foundation team would happily schedule a no-obligation meeting to discuss options that meet your needs. Visit foundation.fhsu.edu, call 785-628-5620, or email [email protected] to learn more.