Difference Makers to Receive Presidential Awards at ESU Black & Gold Gala

Deadline is Oct. 24 to reserve tickets

by Gwendolynne Larson

Emporia, KS (10/22/2025) — Seven impactful advocates for Emporia State University will be honored with presidential awards during the 2025 Black & Gold Gala on Oct. 31, a highlight of Homecoming week. The awards recognize individuals and organizations whose leadership, advocacy, and dedication have made a significant impact on the university and the broader community.

This is the third year these awards have been given by Ken Hush, president and CEO of Emporia State University.

"We know that Hornet Nation is integral to Emporia State University's success. We appreciate all who support ESU in any way," Hush said. "I am filled with gratitude as we recognize this group who exemplify ESU's values of partnership, service and excellence in advancing educational opportunity and encouraging change for higher education in Kansas."

The honorees:

Sally Sanchez, Presidential Award for Community Partnership

As president of Hispanics of Today and Tomorrow (HOTT) Sally Sanchez is a tireless advocate for education within the local Hispanic community and a strong supporter and partner of ESU. HOTT's annual Cinco de Mayo festival is a fundraiser for college scholarships. Now more than 25 years old, the HOTT's Cinco de Mayo festival has partnered with ESU since 2018. Since retiring in 2010 from Emporia Public Schools, Sanchez has offered her talents to a number of community organizations including Emporia Main Street where she currently is a board member and Emporia Community Foundation where she previously served as a trustee.

Jeremy Rusco, Presidential Award for Community Champion

Jeremy Rusco (BSB 2006 Business Administration) is a visionary leader. He founded Emporia's Dynamic Discs while an ESU undergraduate and student-athlete in football and track. He has used his business acumen to give back to his alma mater and improve the Emporia community. Rusco created a nine-hole disc golf course on the ESU campus, helped the university launch a competitive disc golf team and purchased the former Emporia Country Club to create Champions Landing, a community hub where athletes, families and friends come together to enjoy the best of what Emporia has to offer.

Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Foundation, Presidential Award for Education Ambassador

Dedicated to improving the health and education of eligible Kansans in Coffey, Lyon and Osage counties, the Walter S. and Evan C. Jones Foundation has provided scholarship assistance to hundreds of ESU students since 2008. Current scholarships include the Jones Success Scholarships, which are renewable up to a total of $7,000 over four years of undergraduate study, and the Jones Premier Nursing and Education Scholarships that are full rides for education and nursing majors each year. Through the Walter S. & Evan C. Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee, the organization has donated millions of dollars of special-project funding, including a $5 million gift to the new Nursing and Student Wellness Building going up on the Emporia campus.

Jane Reeble, Presidential Award for Spirit of Dedication

Native Emporian Jane Reeble and her late husband, Barney Reeble, have supported education since before they established the Reeble Foundation in 1996. An alumna of ESU after earning a lifetime teacher education certificate in 1953, Jane Reeble has never wavered in her support of Emporia State where the couple and the Reeble Foundation support ESU students through multiple scholarship opportunities. Although she prefers to work in the background, her efforts have not gone unnoticed. She received the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 from the Emporia Area Chamber and Visitors Bureau and in 2024 was honored with the Paul Harris Fellow recognition from the Emporia Rotary Club.

Dr. John Rich, Presidential Award for Emporia State Icon

Dr. John Rich joined the Emporia State faculty in 1968 as an instructor. He taught for 50 years moving up the ranks in what is now the School of Business and Technology, including 17 years as associate dean and a stint as interim dean. He was instrumental in the school earning AACSB accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. He remains a supporter of ESU Athletics, for which he served as Faculty Athletics Representative for 23 years. He was inducted into the ESU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2014 and a student viewing deck in the Kossover Family Tennis Complex is named in his honor. In 2017, former students in his accounting classes created the Dr. John C. Rich Distinguished Accounting Professorship.

Sam and Jeannene Hayes, Presidential Award for Leadership Advocates

Familiar names on campus during Homecoming, Dr. Sam Hayes (BS 1962 Chemistry) and his wife, Jeannene, founded the Hayes Lecture in 2011 as a way to engage Emporia State's alumni in highlighting their successes. Individuals whose leadership qualities, skills and accomplishments have led to distinction are featured in each annual lecture. Sam Hayes continues to practice dentistry with his daughter in Kansas City, Missouri. He is a past chairman of the ESU Foundation Board of Trustees and past president of the ESU Alumni Board.

Dan Hawkins, Presidential Award for Advocate for State Change

Dan Hawkins (BSB 1983 Marketing) started his career in the insurance business in 1995 before being elected to the Kansas House of Representatives in 2013. A Republican representing House District 100 in the Wichita area, Hawkins has served as House Majority Caucus Chair, House Republican Leader and House Majority Leader before becoming Speaker of the House in 2023. During his time in the Kansas Legislature, Hawkins has been instrumental in securing necessary budget funding for Emporia State and other Kansas regional public universities.

Tickets remain or the Black & Gold Gala on Oct. 31 where these presidential award recipients will be formally recognized. For more information and to reserve tickets, go online to emporia.edu/gala2025. Reservation deadline is Friday, Oct. 24.

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