Notable Alumni of Emporia State University
Emporia State University (ESU), a public university located in Emporia, Kansas, has a rich history dating back to 1863. Over the years, it has produced numerous accomplished individuals who have made significant contributions in various fields. This article highlights some of the most notable alumni of Emporia State University, showcasing their diverse achievements and lasting impact.
A Legacy of Excellence
Emporia State University is one of the oldest public universities in Kansas. The institution has evolved from its origins as the Kansas State Normal School to a comprehensive university offering a wide range of programs through its seven schools, one college, and one institute. These include the School of Business and Technology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Library and Information Management, School of Science and Mathematics, School of Visual and Performing Arts, School of Applied Health Sciences, The Teachers College, and the Institute of Interdisciplinary Studies.
The Emporia State University Distinguished Alumni award is the highest honor bestowed upon a graduate by the ESU Alumni Association. Awarded each fall during Homecoming, it recognizes the outstanding professional accomplishments of ESU's finest graduates. Since the inception of the award program in 1960, over 200 alumni have received this prestigious recognition. Candidates are nominated by fellow alumni and ESU faculty, with the final selection made by the Alumni Association Board of Directors. Past recipients have included teachers, research scholars, humanitarians, administrators, public servants, doctors, lawyers, and leaders in business, industry, and the military.
Notable Alumni Profiles
Below are profiles of some of the most notable alumni from Emporia State University, showcasing their diverse achievements and contributions:
Ross Bjork: A prominent figure in collegiate athletics, Ross Bjork currently serves as the athletics director for The Ohio State University. Prior to this role, he held the same position at Texas A&M University, University of Mississippi, and Western Kentucky University. His extensive experience also includes positions at the University of Miami, UCLA, and the University of Missouri.
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William Coffin Coleman: An entrepreneur and innovator, William Coffin Coleman was the founder of the Coleman Company, a well-known manufacturer of camping equipment. Beyond his business ventures, Coleman also served as the Mayor of Wichita, Kansas, from 1923 to 1924, demonstrating his commitment to public service.
Panayiotis Zavos: Born in Cyprus, Panayiotis Michael Zavos, also known as Panos Zavos, is a physiologist who emigrated to the United States. Zavos has been a subject of controversy for making unsubstantiated claims that he can clone human beings.
Vicki Myron: An accomplished author and librarian, Vicki Myron is best known for her book "Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World," co-written with Bret Witter. The book, which tells the story of a cat she found and cared for at the Spencer Public Library, became an international bestseller, captivating readers with its heartwarming narrative.
Al Feuerbach: A former track and field athlete, Allan "Al" Dean Feuerbach competed in the shot put at the 1972 and 1976 Olympics, achieving fifth and fourth place finishes, respectively. Despite missing the 1980 Games due to the United States boycott, he received a Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of his athletic achievements.
John Doll: A Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 39th district since 2017. He has a diverse political background, having previously served as a member of the Kansas House of Representatives and as the mayor of Garden City, Kansas.
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Fred Kipp: Fred Leo Kipp played professional baseball for the Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees. He is the last living player to play for both the Brooklyn Dodgers and the New York Yankees.
Walter A. Huxman: An American attorney, politician, and jurist who served as the 27th governor of Kansas and a United States circuit judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit.
Sam V. Stewart: Samuel Vernon Stewart was an American attorney and Democratic Party politician, an attorney, former Montana Supreme Court Justice and the sixth Governor of Montana.
Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy: Representative from Kansas. After her election, she was married to Daniel M. McCarthy, who served in the Kansas State Senate, and thereupon served under the name of Kathryn O'Loughlin McCarthy. She was the first woman elected to Congress from Kansas.
Garin Higgins: An American college football coach and former player. He is the head football coach for Emporia State University, a position he has held since 2007.
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Evan Lindquist: An American artist and printmaker who was appointed to be the first Artist Laureate for the State of Arkansas. He concentrated on the medium of copperplate engraving for more than 50 years.
William A. Bloomer: A distinguished military figure, William A. Bloomer achieved the rank of brigadier general, becoming the first black field artilleryman to be promoted to this rank.
Gary Sherrer: An American former politician. He was the 45th Lieutenant Governor of Kansas from 1996 to 2003.
Jory Collins: An American women's college basketball coach currently serving as the head coach for the North Dakota State program. From 2010 until 2018, Collins was the head coach at Emporia State University.
Jeff Longbine: A Republican member of the Kansas Senate, representing the 17th district since 2010. Longbine has served as Vice President of the Senate since 2017.
William R. Poage: Representative from Texas from 1937 to 1978.
William S. Hill: Representative from Colorado for nine terms. His career was largely focused on agriculture.
Homer Woodson Hargiss: An American athlete and coach. As an American football coach during the sport's early years, Hargis was an innovator. He was among few coaches in using the forward pass and the huddle, now staple features of the game.
L. M. Gensman: Representative from Oklahoma.
Edward H. Hammond: An American educator and former president of Fort Hays State University.
Bill Tidwell: An American university sports administrator and former college track and field and cross country coach.
Don Dennis: An American middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in 1965 and 1966 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Bob Fornelli: An American college baseball coach and current head baseball coach at Pittsburg State University. Previously, Fornelli coached at his alma mater Emporia State University from 2004 to 2018.
Jacqueline Vietti: An American retired educator, most notably serving as Butler Community College's president in El Dorado, Kansas, for nearly two decades.
James Dean Pruner: An American painter, printmaker, draftsman, zinemaker, sculptor, and poet.
Andy Tompkins: An American educator in Kansas. Prior to his previous post at Wichita State University, he served as interim president at Fort Hays State, as well as the president of the Kansas Board of Regents from 2010 to 2015.
Roy Evans: A pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched from 1897 to 1903 for six different franchises.
Dale Emerson Saffels: An American lawyer, legislator, and United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Representative from Kansas.
Gene Johnson: An American football and basketball coach. His innovations in basketball include being credited with creating the full court press.
Minnie Steckel: An American teacher, psychologist, clubwoman, and an activist involved in the women's poll tax repeal movement.
Grant F. Timmerman: Representative from Nebraska from 1951 to 1953.
Louis F. Burns: An American historian.
Katie A. Sellon: An American educator and author.
Barbara Kiefer Lewalski: Guggenheim Fellow in 1967; William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of English and American Literature, Emerita, Harvard University.
W. Don Dennis: Pitched for St. Louis Cardinals.
Steve Henry: Drafted by the NFL St. Louis Cardinals.
George Munday: NFL player for Cleveland Indians, New York Giants, Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Gunners.
Other Notable Mentions
In addition to the individuals listed above, several other Emporia State University alumni have achieved recognition in their respective fields:
- Lizeth Magaña (BS Physics 2016): Named a Future Investigator in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST19) program.
- Shane Wilson (BS Economics 2014): The new executive director of the American Legion Boys State of Kansas Leadership Academy.
- Max McCoy: English, Modern Languages and Journalism, whose book, âElevations: A Personal Exploration of the Arkansas River,â was named a Kansas Notable Book for 2019.
- Chris Delay (BSE 2000): The new executive director of the Great Plains Theatre in Abilene.
- Marion Mariathasan (BSB Computer Information Systems 1999): Profiled in Green Market Report.
- Brock Nehls (BS Recreation, 2010): Recently named an assistant baseball coach at Emporia State.
- Malik Hluchoweckyj: Signed a professional contract with KK Bratunac of the Bosnia BiH Liga.
- Hassan Thomas: Signed with Sampaense Basket of Portugal Proliga.
- Tyra Jones: Signed a professional contract with AD Cortegada in the Spanish Womenâs League.
- Brianna Schmitz: Nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year.
Athletic Achievements
Emporia State University has a proud tradition of athletic excellence, with numerous alumni achieving success at the collegiate and professional levels. Some notable athletic achievements include:
- Homer Woodson "Bill" Hargiss: An innovator in college football coaching, Hargiss was among the first to use the forward pass and the huddle.
- Arthur Schabinger: Credited with throwing the first forward pass in college football history.
- Rusty Addleman: Earned the title of NAIA All-American for football in 1959.
- The Lady Hornets basketball team: Won the 2010 NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Championship.
- The softball team: Appeared in three Women's College World Series and won the first AIAW Division II national championship in 1980.
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