Cassie Pfannenstiel Rodriguez, formerly of Hays, of Walden & Pfannenstiel has opened a new law practice in Lenexa. Rodriguez is a 1997 graduate of Hays High School, a 2001 graduate of Fort Hays State University and a 2004 graduate of University of Kansas School of Law. The law practice will focus on bankruptcy, domestic and estate issues.

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Jeff Bieker has joined the firm of Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball as a staff accountant in the Hays office. The Hays native graduated from Fort Hays State University in 2005 with a bachelor's degree in accounting.

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Hays Board of Realtors President John A. Holub and Hays Multiple Listing Service President Doug Williams recently recognized Realtors from the Hays Board of Realtors that attended the 2009 Kansas Association of Realtors Convention in Wichita. They are: Larry Bieker, Sandra Brungardt, Kelly Ellner-Leiker, Rocky Feltis, Les Herrman, Priscilla M. Hunt, Lisa Krull, Helen Mayo, Betty Waldschmidt and Lany Whitney of Dean Ellner Inc., Realtors; Jeffrey Brull, Kathy Schmeidler and Patty M. Stull of Coldwell Banker Executive Realty; Sherry E. Dehaan, Dale F. Haselhorst and John A. Holub of Realty Executives of Hays; Michelle L. Funk, Lynden D. Klein, Jennyfer L. Toepfer and Doug Williams of Advanced Real Estate Company; Laura A. Sadeghi, Adele M. Shaver and Errol G. Wuertz Sr. of Heartland Realty of Hays; Marybeth Fisher of Landmark Realty.

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The AFLAC regional office in Hays has announced agents Jody Hipp and Shawn Schwarz recently qualified for their seventh national convention, and Vonda Capo, district coordinator, has qualified for her fifth national convention. As recipients of these awards, Hipp, Schwarz and Capo will receive special recognition at the upcoming convention in New York. Qualification for the convention is based upon excellence in service and sales.

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Five Kansas broadcasters will receive Kansas Association of Broadcasters awards during the organization's convention in Topeka. Gary Shorman, president of Eagle Communications in Hays, will receive the Distinguished Service Award and be inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest award given by the KAB. Shorman joins other current and former Eagle employees to receive the Distinguished Service Award including Bob Schmidt in 2000, Kay Melia in 1981, Ken Jennison in 2001, Joe Engel in 2004, Bob Davis in 2006 and Mike Cooper in 2007. Shorman joins other past Eagle Hall of Fame recipients including Schmidt in 1972 and Engel in 2004.

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Shannon Wilson, formerly of Hays, has joined the staff of Kennedy and Coe, certified public accountants and consultants, in the firm's Wichita office. Wilson graduated from Fort Hays State University with at bachelor's degree in accounting. She graduated from Hays High School in 2004.

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Danielle Briggs has been named September employee of the month at Stromgren Althletics. Briggs is a clipper in the production area and has been with the company since May.

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Jack Cochran has been named one of the winners of the Kansas Health Care Association's Marty Hegarty Distinguished Citizen Recognition awards. Cochran won in the environmental service worker category for his work at Golden Living Center in Wilson. The awards ceremony was this month in Wichita.

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Fort Hays State University has added several more new full-time faculty for the 2009-2010 academic year. Wesley R. Armstrong accepted a position as the McMindes Hall director and first-year-experience coordinator. He received a bachelor's degree in computer engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Terre Haute, Ind., in 2006 and a master's degree in student affairs and higher education from Indiana State University, Terre Haute, in 2008; Patricia Blanton accepted a position as an instructor of leadership studies for the Virtual College International. She received a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Illinois-Chicago in 1977 and a master's degree in educational administration and supervision from North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, in 1993. She is a doctoral candidate in organizational management and leadership from the University of Phoenix; Claudio Carpano accepted a position in the College of Business and Leadership as a visiting professor of management and marketing. He received a master's degree in business administration from Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, in 1983. He received a doctorate of pedagogy from the University of Rome, Italy, in 1979 and a Ph.D. in philosophy in business administration from the University of South Carolina, Columbia, in 1991; Karen Du Bois accepted a position as the management and marketing course coordinator for the Virtual College International. She received a bachelor's degree in English literature and a minor in education from Eastern Nazarene College, Wollaston, Mass., in 1974 and a master's degree in business administration from Suffolk University Boston, Mass., in 1985; Brian G. Faust accepted a position as the director of student residential life. He received a bachelor's in geography and a minor in political science in 1991, from the University of Wisconsin, Platterville, and a master's in counselor education in 1996, from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire; Matthew Habiger accepted a position in the College of Business and Leadership as a instructor of economics, finance and accounting. He received a bachelor's in mathematical economics from the University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, Minn., in 2006 and a master's in economics from the University of Kansas in 2009; Stephen Chandler Herrington accepted a position as a management and marketing course coordinator for the Virtual College International. He received a bachelor's in business administration from Georgia State University, Atlanta, a master's from Webster University, St. Louis, Mo., a master's degree in international management from Thunderbird School of Global Management, Glendale, Ariz., and is a doctoral candidate in business administration from Northcentral University, Prescott, Ariz.; Conner Jostes accepted a position as an assistant football coach. He received a bachelor's in education from Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, in 2006 and a master's in administration of sports from FHSU in 2009; Jesse W. Kapellusch accepted a position as an assistant compliance and student services coordinator for the athletics department. He received a bachelor's in human services, from Lynn University, Boca Raton, Fla., in 2001; Dona J. Koenigsman accepted a position as the director of student health. She received a bachelor's in nursing from FHSU in 1994; Jon Lavieri accepted a position as an instructor of English for the Virtual College International. He received a bachelor's in creative writing from Roger Williams University, Bristol, R.I., and a master's in creative writing from Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo; Joseph Lennon accepted a position as an instructor of English for the Virtual College International. He received a bachelor's in English and philosophy from the University of Georgia, Athens, in 2002 and a master's in writing from Washington University, St. Louis, in 2006; Jorge H. Mata accepted a position as an instructor of English for the Virtual College International. He received a bachelor's in advertising from the University of Texas, Austin, in 1980, a master's in business administration in international trade from Texas A&M International University, College Station, in 1989 and an honorary doctorate from the London College for Higher Education, England, in 2009; Joseph Matar accepted a position as an instructor of English for the Virtual College International. He received a bachelor's in film studies and production from Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y., in 2005 and a master's in English literature from the University of Leeds, England, in 2008; Maxim Maximov accepted a position in the College of Arts and Sciences as an instructor of modern languages. He received a bachelor's in German and Spanish from FHSU in 1999 and a master's in German language and literature from the University of Kansas in 2001; Charlene Nichols accepted a position as the interim assistant alumni director for the FHSU Alumni Association. She received her bachelor's in journalism and mass communications from Kansas State University; Allyson Karene Plattner accepted a position as director of Wiest and Agnew halls, conference coordinator and Residence Hall Association adviser. She received a bachelor's in organizational leadership and a bachelor's in communication studies from FHSU, both in 2008; Jennifer Rajewski accepted a position as an instructor of communication studies. She received a bachelor's in dance choreography in 1997, a bachelor's in technical theatre in 1997, and a master's in stage management in 1999, all from KSU. She received a master's in stage management and theater history from the University of Missouri, Kansas City, in 2002 and is a doctoral candidate in dramaturgy at the University of California-Berkley; Sergio J. Ramirez accepted a position in the Department of Admissions as an admissions counselor. He received a bachelor's in art education from FHSU in 2009 and he is working toward a bachelor's in secondary education from FHSU; Kimberly L. Rhoton accepted a position as a management and marketing course coordinator for the Virtual College International. She received a bachelor's of business administration in management from Davenport University, Dearborn, Mich., in 2003 and a master's in international business from the University of Saint Thomas, Houston; Barbara Ricketts accepted a position as a management and marketing course coordinator for the Virtual College International. She received a bachelor's in psychology in 2001 and a master's in international business administration in 2005, both from Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.; Deborah K. Rodda accepted a position in the Department of Health and Human Performance as an instructor of health and human performance and an assistant athletic trainer. She received a bachelor's in sport and exercise science and physical education from the University of Minnesota in 1990 and a master's in exercise and wellness from Arizona State University, Tempe, in 1993; Eric J. Romero accepted a position as a visiting professor of management and marketing for the Virtual College International. He received a bachelor's in management in 1991 and a master's in accounting in 1994, both from Binghamton State University of New York. He received a Ph.D. in management from New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, in 2001; Marilyn Diane Schultz accepted a position as a management and marketing course coordinator for the Virtual College International. She received a bachelor's in criminal justice and psychology from Michigan State University and a juris doctorate from St. Louis, Mo., University School of Law; Matthew G. Thomas accepted a position in the Kansas Academy of Math and Science as a residence counselor. He received a bachelor's in English and textual studies from Syracuse University, Syracuse, N.Y., in 2004; Kathryn J. Wallert accepted a position in the Department of Arts and Sciences as an instructor of psychology. She received a bachelor's in psychology from FHSU in 2005 and a master's in clinical psychology from FHSU in 2009; Abbie K. Wedel accepted a position as a full-time teacher in the Tiger Tots Nursery Center. She received a bachelor's in elementary education from FHSU in 2009; Amanda William accepted a position as an instructor of psychology. She received a bachelor's in psychology from FHSU in 2002 and a master's of science from FHSU in 2004; Hope Wilson accepted a position as a management and marketing course coordinator for the Virtual College International. She received a bachelor's in English from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, and a master's in communications from the University of Denver; Siyaun "Grace" Zhou accepted a position in the Center for Teaching Excellence and Learning Technologies as an integrated learning technologies specialist. She received her bachelor's in business management from FHSU in 2005 and a master's in instructional technology from FHSU in 2009.

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Employees of The Hays Daily News will be honored this week at the Kansas Press Association annual advertising awards banquet. In the entertainment category, third place went to Sandra Harder and Desi Hammett for a 30th anniversary ad for Centennial Lanes; in the agriculturtal category, third place went to Joleen Fisher and Hammett for a designer landscape touches ad for Riedel Garden Center; in the ad series category, third place went to Fisher and Doug Kepka for a series for Genuine Maytag; in the sports special section, second place went to the advertising staff for a special state track preview.

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Registered nurse Lois Koerner of Hays Medical Center recently completed a case management certification course from the Commission for Case Manager Certification. Certification determines that the case manager possesses the education, skills, knowledge and experience required to render appropriate services delivered according to sound principles of practice. Koerner is a case manager in the continuing care department and has been with Hays Med since 1990.

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