News

Emporia State University lost a dear friend when Dr. Harry Stephens, a former administrator and current ESU Foundation trustee, died on Saturday. Dr. Stephens was “Harry” to all who knew him, and his love for students, our university and our community was at the forefront of everything he did.

Sadly, I must share with you that James Calvert, former professor in our physical sciences department, died Saturday. During his 32 years at Emporia State, Jim also served as President of the Faculty and interim department chair. Jim always worked for his students and their success.

Emporia State University will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 11, to make needed repairs to the campus electrical system. During the closure — between 6 a.m. Aug. 11 to 6 a.m. Aug. 12 — the campus will have no power. All buildings will be closed and locked.

I am very pleased to tell you that the federal government today rescinded its guidance that would have forced Emporia State international students to leave the United States if we must move to remote classes. The guidance, originally issued July 6, was rescinded to resolve a federal lawsuit brought by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Many of you have heard in the media of the newly proposed Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) guidelines impacting international students studying in the United States.

I want to thank all who watched yesterday’s Town Hall in which I discussed our Fiscal Year 2021 budget. I also appreciated the thoughtful questions you asked.

Emporia State’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will host an open forum inspired by the events surrounding the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The virtual event is open to the larger community.

A walk in the park, a jog through the neighborhood, a trip to the store — these are just a few of the everyday events that many of us take for granted. But for some members of Hornet Nation, even these everyday activities are frightening.

An Emporia native, ESU alumnus and military veteran with more than 30 years of experience is the new Director of University Facilities at Emporia State. Bill McKernan has served as interim director since September 2019.

Dr. Jim Persinger, professor of psychology, and Kaylee Lacey, freshman pre-nursing major, were interviewed in November for NBC’s Today Show about parents using the Life360 app to keep track of their adult children. The finished package aired Jan. 7.