By TISA MASON
Fort Hays State University
I love it when young alumni remind us why we do what we do—why we teach, mentor, and build programs that stretch beyond the classroom. Kiley Whipple is one of those students. A recent graduate of Fort Hays State University, Kiley embodies the spirit of a Tiger: bold, compassionate, and committed to making a difference.
Originally from Ingalls, Kansas, Kiley graduated this spring with a perfect 4.0 GPA, earning dual degrees in Agricultural Education and Secondary Education. Her academic excellence is matched only by her dedication to service and leadership. From her work as a VIP Ambassador to her role in the registrar’s office, Kiley has left her mark on nearly every corner of our campus. And now, she’s blazing a new trail—one that connects agriculture, education, and community in a way that’s never been done before at FHSU.
This summer, Kiley took on a pioneering role as the lead organizer and educator for the first-ever FHSU Farm to Plate summer camps, a collaboration between our Department of Agriculture and the Sternberg Museum Science Camps. These camps, designed for children ages 6 to 11, offered an immersive week-long experience in agriculture, food science, and sustainability. From soil health and gardening to animal science and nutrition, the camps answered one simple but profound question: Where does our food come from?
Kiley’s leadership was instrumental in transforming this idea into reality. Selected as a local food fellow through the K-State Extension Farm to Plate initiative, she spent four weeks preparing the camp curriculum and logistics, followed by two weeks of hands-on camp instruction. Her vision was clear: to give children meaningful, tactile experiences that would spark curiosity and foster a lifelong appreciation for agriculture.
“The summer camps were really successful,” Kiley shared. “We wanted to make sure the kids had as much hands-on experience as we could get in the week they were here with us.”
And hands-on they were! Campers interacted with live animals, including pigs, goats, calves, and sheep. They fed a bottle calf brought in by Kiley’s own family, explored gardening techniques, and learned about production agriculture. They even climbed aboard a combine brought by Carrico Implement. Community partners like Harvest Hays and Midland Marketing provided engaging presentations and activities that brought the food system to life.
Kiley’s humility and gratitude shine through when she talks about the people who helped make the camps a success. She credits Dr. Sophie Ano, chair of the FHSU Agriculture Department, and Polly Pfeifer, the department’s administrative assistant, for their tireless coordination and support. She also praises Gene Hanson, Mark Weve, and the entire University Farm team for their readiness to jump in and assist wherever needed.
“There are so many people I need to thank,” Kiley said. “It was a real community effort.”
That phrase—community effort—is at the heart of everything Kiley does. Whether she’s mentoring young students, collaborating with local organizations, or preparing to teach agriculture and advise FFA at WaKeeney High School this fall, Kiley brings people together. She builds bridges between generations, between communities, and between education and real-world experience.
Kiley’s work with Harvest Hays this summer is another example of her heart for service. This social enterprise, run by The Arc of Central Plains, empowers individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities through high tunnel farming.
As she begins her new teaching role in WaKeeney, Kiley will also be pursuing her master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction right here at FHSU. Her commitment to lifelong learning and educational excellence is a testament to the values we hold dear at Fort Hays State.
I am incredibly proud of Kiley and the legacy she is building. Her story reminds us that education is not confined to textbooks or lecture halls—it lives in the soil, in the barn, in the conversations between a child and a farmer. It thrives when we connect knowledge with action, and when we empower students to lead with heart.