Hays Post
The Hays community will once again come together this spring to celebrate the life and legacy of a local tourism leader while supporting future professionals in the field.
The 2nd Annual Jana Jordan Memorial Run and Walk will take place April 18, offering participants a chance to honor Jordan’s impact and contribute to a scholarship that continues her work through Fort Hays State University students.
Organized by FHSU’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program in partnership with the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau, the event highlights Jordan’s lasting influence on both the university and the broader tourism industry.
Jordan, who passed away in 2019, served as a mentor to many, including Stacey Smith, director of FHSU’s Tourism and Hospitality Management program.
“Jana poured so much into this program and into the students,” Smith said. “This event is a meaningful way for us to honor her while also helping the next generation pursue careers in the tourism and hospitality field.”
The run will begin at 9 a.m. at Lewis Field Stadium and includes both a 5K and a one-mile walk.
Registration is $20 and comes with a T-shirt and entry into prize drawings. Participants are encouraged to register by April 15, but can register the day of the event as well. Registration will begin at 8 a.m.
Sign up for the race can be completed here: https://runsignup.com/Race/KS/Hays/TourismTrot
Prizes will include Fly Hays tickets, concert passes, restaurant gift cards and gym memberships, with awards presented across multiple age divisions.
Along the route, runners and walkers will encounter facts and displays that illustrate the importance of tourism and hospitality in Hays, throughout Kansas, and the rest of the world—an industry Jordan championed throughout her career.
A native of Dodge City, Jordan graduated from Hanston High School before continuing her education at Colby Community College and earning a communication degree from FHSU in 1977. She began her career as an international tour guide and went on to lead the Hays Convention and Visitors Bureau for 26 years, helping shape tourism and economic development in the region.
Her connection to FHSU remained strong after the Tourism and Hospitality program launched in 2008. Jordan played an active role in promoting the program, supporting students and helping establish scholarships.
“You don’t forget the people who invest in you,” Smith said. “This is our way of continuing what she started.”
Students are also playing a key role in bringing the event to life. Delanee Bedore, president of FHSU’s Eta Sigma Delta honor society, said helping organize the run gives students valuable real-world experience while honoring Jordan’s legacy.
“Being part of this event has been incredibly meaningful for our group,” Bedore said. “It’s a chance for us to gain hands-on experience while also giving back to a program and a person who made such a lasting impact.”
Bedore added that the event goes beyond planning logistics. “We’re not just organizing a race—we’re helping to tell Jana’s story and support future FHSU students,” she said. “That makes the experience even more rewarding.”
Community members who are unable to participate can still support the Jana Jordan Tourism and Hospitality Scholarship through donations at this link: https://foundation.fhsu.edu/jana-jordan.
Organizers hope the event continues to grow as both a tribute and a tradition—bringing people together each year to remember Jordan and invest in the future of tourism. Please join us for fun and prizes on April 18th!
You can follow the FHSU Tourism & Hospitality Management program and see more on the event on Facebook (www.facebook.com/fhsuthm) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/fhsu_thm/)