FHSU Alumni Office
Fort Hays State University will honor six outstanding alumni during Homecoming weekend, which is scheduled for September 25-27.
“This year, we're recognizing an incredible group of Fort Hays State alumni,” said FHSU President Dr. Tisa Mason, “Each award recipient embodies the definition of Tiger spirit through and through, and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate them at Homecoming.”
Award recipients include:
Alumni Achievement Award
- Police Commander, Benjamin A. Kelso ’14, ’17, San Diego, Calif.
- Michelle (George) Dillard ’11, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Distinguished Service Award
- Dr. Jeffery “Jeff” Curtis ’77, Hays
Nita Landrum Award
- Dr. Michael “Mike” Slattery ’73, ’77, ’89, Hays
Young Alumni Award
- Dr. Sara Brungardt ’08, ’11, Scottsdale, Ariz.
- Jacie Hoyt ’11, Stillwater, Okla.
Visit FHSUhomecoming.com/awards to learn more about the criteria by which these distinguished individuals were chosen.
Homecoming 2025 Honoree Profiles
ALUMNI ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Police Commander, Benjamin A. Kelso ’14, ’17, San Diego, Calif.
Benjamin Kelso is an experienced and highly motivated police commander with the San Diego Police Department. With 35 years of dedicated service, Kelso has excelled in numerous roles, including police captain, lieutenant, and sergeant, overseeing divisions such as neighborhood policing, traffic, youth services, and homeland security. He is known for his expertise in community policing, collaborative partnerships, and leadership in developing high-performing teams.
A graduate of the FBI National Academy, Kelso holds two advanced degrees from FHSU – including a Master of Liberal Studies in Organizational Leadership and a Master of Professional Studies in Criminal Justice.
Kelso serves on several boards and has contributed as an adjunct faculty member for the University of San Diego since 2015. In 2022, he was recognized as one of San Diego's Top 50 Black Leaders of Influence. Kelso is a passionate advocate for community engagement and has been instrumental in building trust between law enforcement and local communities.
Michelle Dillard ’11, Highlands Ranch, Colo.
Michelle Dillard is a fifth-grade math teacher in Littleton Public Schools at Ford Elementary School in Centennial, Colo. She believes that all students can be math people and have the ability to thrive. Dillard began her journey in education after earning a Bachelor of Arts from Dallas Baptist University and a Master of Education in English for Speakers of Other Languages from FHSU.
She has been a classroom teacher for 20 years, with a focus on mathematics instruction and student engagement. Dillard has served on district teams in Littleton Public Schools to develop curriculum, lead professional learning, and support her school’s transition to an International Baccalaureate program. She is also an active member of the Colorado Council for Teachers of Mathematics and a National Board-Certified Teacher.
Dillard has received a Fulbright Teachers for Global Classrooms Program Award and was recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching, the highest national recognition for K–12 STEM and computer science teachers. With a passion for empowering students and a commitment to global learning, Dillard continues to inspire curiosity, confidence, and a love of mathematics in every classroom she enters.
DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD
Dr. Jeffery “Jeff” Curtis ’77, Hays
Known for his devotion and untiring dedication to improving lives through cardiology, Dr. Curtis has spent his career serving others with compassion. He began his education at Fort Hays State University, earning a Bachelor of Science in General Science, and later an MD degree from the University of Kansas. Dr. Curtis completed an Internal Medicine residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center, followed by subspecialty fellowship training in cardiovascular medicine at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He was honored as an FHSU Young Alumni Award recipient in 1987. Today, Dr. Curtis is a fellow of both the American College of Cardiology and the American College of Physicians and remains board-certified in internal medicine and cardiology.
Dr. Curtis was instrumental in bringing the DeBakey Heart Institute of Kansas at Hays Medical Center to life, where he practiced until 2021. In 2022, he joined Fort Hays State University’s Health and Wellness Center as its medical director, where he continues to promote wellness for students, faculty, and staff.
Beyond medicine, he has provided generous support, leadership, and service to the Hadley Foundation, Boy Scouts of America Troop 101, the FHSU Foundation, the Symphony Society, and the Hays Arts Council. Dr. Curtis currently serves on the FHSU Foundation Board of Trustees. His career reflects a deep commitment to service, both in medicine and in the community.
NITA LANDRUM AWARD
Dr. Michael “Mike” Slattery ’73, ’77, ’89, Hays
Dr. Mike Slattery’s distinguished career in education spans decades, leaving a legacy at Fort Hays State University and in Kansas schools. While at FHSU, Dr. Slattery earned a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education, along with a Master of Science in Secondary Education Administration, and an Education Specialist in Education Administration degree. He finished his education at Kansas State University with a Doctor of Education in Educational Administration.
After working in various Kansas school districts, Dr. Slattery taught for 22 years in FHSU’s College of Education. Following retirement, his connection to Fort Hays State has remained strong. An advocate for FHSU, Dr. Slattery regularly attends on-campus and athletic events and cheers on the Tigers any chance he can. Dr. Slattery served nine years on the Alumni Association Board of Directors and has remained a generous supporter of Fort Hays State.
He has been personally and professionally involved with the FHSU Athletic Association, the Kansas Association of Secondary School Principals, and the Koch Crime Commission Schools Task Force. A recipient of numerous honors, including the Cunningham Outstanding Educator Award, Dr. Slattery’s commitment to education extends beyond the classroom.
YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD
Dr. Sara Brungardt ’08, ’11, Scottsdale, Ariz.
Quickly becoming a standout in the field of OCD and anxiety, Dr. Sara Brungardt is a licensed professional counselor, speaker, and founder of CalmOCD. She and her clinical team have created a successful practice across the Western United States in Arizona and Utah, and telehealth services in eleven other states. Dr. Brungardt holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and a Master of Science degree in community counseling, both from Fort Hays State, along with a Ph.D. in general psychology from Northcentral University.
Her early career included work as a match specialist with Big Brothers Big Sisters before moving into clinical counseling and ultimately specializing in OCD and anxiety treatment. Under her guidance, CalmOCD has earned the Best of Scottsdale Award for three consecutive years based on providing evidence-based, life-changing care. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Brungardt regularly presents and leads her field at conferences and workshops across the country.
Dr. Brungardt’s patients find her expertise comforting, compassionate, and professional, reflecting her passion for the field and helping others. Through her innovative leadership and dedication to accessible, high-quality care, Dr. Brungardt is reshaping the landscape of OCD and anxiety treatment.
Jacie Hoyt ’11, Stillwater, Okla.
A standout on the court and the sidelines, Jacie Hoyt has built a reputation as one of the most dynamic leaders in women’s college basketball. She began her basketball career at Hoxie High School and went on to play at Wichita State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. Jacie then came to Fort Hays State University to complete her master’s degree in communication. An injury ultimately cut short Jacie’s plans to play at Fort Hays State, but she didn’t let that end her love of basketball.
Instead, she took on a graduate assistantship under FHSU women’s basketball coach Tony Hobson and pivoted her attention to coaching. After graduating, she became an assistant coach in Nevada and at Kansas State University. Jacie was named to the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association 30 Under 30 in 2017 during her last season at K-State. That same year, she was named head coach of the University of Missouri-Kansas City, leading them to a regular-season championship in 2020.
Currently in her third season as head women’s basketball coach at Oklahoma State University, Jacie has been credited with one of the nation’s largest program turnarounds in the 2022-23 season. Her team finished 4th in the Big 12 and earned an NCAA berth in her first year. With a proven track record, Jacie is shaping Oklahoma State into a women’s college basketball powerhouse.
Alumni Award Recipient Meet and Greet
If you know any of these extraordinary individuals, join us in congratulating them at a come-and-go Alumni Award Meet and Greet on Friday, September 26, from 9:30 AM– 11:30 AM, in the Moss-Thorns Gallery of Art on FHSU’s campus.
Visit FHSUhomecoming.com/awards to nominate an FHSU alumni or friend of the university you believe is worthy of recognition or to view past award recipients.
Check out FHSUhomecoming.com for a sneak peek of events that will take place throughout Homecoming weekend. For questions, please contact the FHSU Alumni Office at [email protected] or 785-628-4430.