Fort Hays State University
Fort Hays State University (FHSU) is a public university in Hays, Kansas. It is the largest university in western Kansas, and the fourth-largest of the six state universities governed by the Kansas Board of Regents, with a total enrollment of approximately 15,100 students.
Former names
Western Branch of the Kansas Normal School (1902–1914)
Fort Hays Kansas State Normal School (1914–1923)
Kansas State Teachers College of Hays (1923–1931)
Fort Hays State College (1931–1977)
"Forward thinking. World ready."
1902
$116.5 million (2020)[1]
$155.5 million[2]
Jill Arensdorf
851
Remote town[5], 200 acres (0.81 km2)
Tiger Media Network
Black and gold[6]
Victor E. Tiger
The campus[edit]
The main campus sits on 200 acres (0.81 km2) of the 4,160 acres (16.8 km2) owned by the state and deeded to the university. The campus property includes more than 40 limestone-faced buildings. Big Creek, a winding stream that traverses the campus, not only enhances the beauty of the campus, but also serves as a natural laboratory for students in the biological sciences. The campus is located just to the west of the Hays business district, two miles (3.2 km) south of Interstate 70. Several businesses in downtown Hays cater specifically to FHSU students.
Oktoberfest and homecoming weekend[edit]
Each year, Fort Hays State holds a celebration called Oktoberfest. It is a celebration of the Volga German heritage of Ellis County. It is held at Frontier Park in downtown Hays on the Friday before FHSU's homecoming. For entertainment, there is polka music and various booths that serve a variety of German food and beer. The first keg is tapped around 11:00 a.m. which officially begins Oktoberfest. There is also a homecoming parade on Saturday morning where student organizations decorate floats or walk in the parade for FHSU spirit. The homecoming football game begins Saturday afternoon.
Albertson Hall
Gross Memorial Coliseum
Malloy Hall
Pickens Hall
Plymouth Schoolhouse
Sternberg Museum of Natural History
Tomanek Hall
