By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
Fort Hays State University celebrated its affiliation with Fort Hays North Central Technical College in Hays and Beloit and Northwest Kansas Technical College in Goodland during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Thursday in Hays.
The ceremony included speeches from North Central Tech President Eric Burks, Northwest Tech President Ben Schears and FHSU President Tisa Mason.
Burks said the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Hays Downtown Pavilion was appropriate given that the pavilion had been developed through a partnership.
"This pavilion was a collaboration between Fort Hays State University and Fort Hays Tech North Central," he said. "It shows what we can create and build together when we work together."
The affiliation aims to tackle workforce challenges in the area while providing opportunities for students entering the job market.
Burks said the collaboration stems from a position of strength, not weakness. Discussions about the collaboration have been ongoing for more than three years.
Schears said it has been thrilling to meet and connect with members from the other colleges dedicated to helping the next generation.
"All three institutions are healthy, successful, and we're darn good at graduating students and getting them into the Kansas workforce," Schears said.
All three entities offer construction and healthcare programs and have long partnered to serve students, businesses, and communities throughout rural Kansas.
With $15 million in funding from the Kansas Legislature, FHSU is expanding its nursing program and making additions to Stroup Hall, the nursing building.
The college hopes to open the doors to the addition in 2027.
Sarah Wasinger, president and CEO of the Chamber in Hays, said the three institutes are beacons of opportunity and drivers of economic prosperity in western Kansas.
Wasinger said the coalition of businesses, industries and communities will concentrate on creating opportunities for students, fostering entrepreneurship and addressing challenges.
Wasinger said the affiliation will focus on creating opportunities for students, expanding entrepreneurship and solving workforce challenges.
"The spirit of collaboration is alive and well in the heart of Kansas. We celebrate that and give our deep appreciation to the leadership, faculty, staff and students who made this possible," she said.
To celebrate the partnership, Mason read a limerick aloud about the unity of the university and technical colleges for the betterment of Hays.
"With our communities, we gather and cheer; three colleges join, our mission is clear. Fort Hays' brand we embrace, we're enhancing our space, helping students and towns persevere... together we'll grow, knowledge will flow, building futures with passion and grace," she said.
Gerard Wellbrock, the eighth voice of the Fort Hays State Tigers, emceed the affiliation event, which began with performances by the FHSU Tiger pep band and Tiger cheerleaders.
Following the ribbon-cutting, live music by Wade Richard entertained attendees as they enjoyed the evening festivities and snow cones.
