Center for Great Plains Studies

Situated in the Tallgrass country near trails that opened the West and where the cowboys and cattle culture started, ESU has always considered the study of the grasslands as a primary responsibility to Kansas and the region. The responsibility became an exclusive one of ESU when the Kansas Board of Regents approved the Center for Great Plains Studies in 1977. ESU is the only university in the United States intended to inform, to interest, and to promote appreciation of the sprawling and colorful North American midcontinent grasslands.

Coughlen Natural Area

Consists of 44 acres of tallgrass prairie located nine miles southwest of Emporia along the Kansas Turnpike. Undisturbed prairie, old fields in various stages of succession, a spring, a stream, and a small impoundment makes this a useful area for class field trips and for student research.

F.B. Ross and Rena G. Ross Natural History Reservation

This is a 200 acre outdoor classroom-laboratory located approximately 14 miles northwest of the university campus. This area was deeded to the university in 1961 by Mr. and Mrs. Felix B. Ross of Emporia. The primary functions of this reservation are to provide an area for education and research in the sciences and to preserve, in a natural state, a segment of the tall grass prairie community. In addition to the 200 acres deeded to the state, the Ross's have made available on a lease basis, adjoining tracts totaling 840 acres. The reservation contains a variety of habitat types among which are virgin tallgrass prairie, woods, old fields in various stages of succession, a prairie stream, a small lake, and a large pond. Physical facilities include two large classroom-laboratory buildings, a shelterhouse, small experimental ponds, a weather station, many animal enclosures, a 40-foot observation tower, wildlife feed patches, and two mobile units for short term overnight stays. In addition to the classes regularly scheduled at the reservation, numerous undergraduate and graduate research projects are in progress in the area; each spring and summer, hundreds of elementary and secondary students, scouts, and adult groups take guided nature tours along the reservation nature trail.

Johnson Geology Museum

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences maintains a teaching, research, and public display of geological specimens, predominantly of Kansas, in rooms 106 and 107 of Cram Science Hall. The collection and program responsibilities reside in the Division of Physical Sciences.

The museum, which was dedicated in October of 1998, contains the Hamilton Quarry Fossil Assemblage, the Tri-State Mining Display, the Hawkins and Calkins Indian Artifact Collections, and a western Kansas fossil mosasaur, among other items.

Jones Institute for Educational Excellence

The Jones Institute for Educational Excellence, housed within The Teachers College, contributes to the broad goals and mission of the college by providing school districts, state agencies, national organizations, and other groups with services such as the following:

• Reading Recovery (needs to be followed with registered title mark -- circle with R) personnel training
• Support and guidance for national teacher certification candidates
• Analysis of present and future policy trends impacting education
• Assistance with the development, editing, and printing of policy studies, education-related books, text materials, handbooks, articles, and brochures
• Staff development through conferences, seminars, workshops, and in-service activities
• Development of school improvement plans and curriculum plans
• Development of demographic, financial, and facilities projections for school districts
• Customized services and programs
• Training and development programs

Kansas Business Hall of Fame

The Kansas Business Hall of Fame recognizes Kansans who have distinguished themselves in business, leadership roles, philanthropy, and contribution to society. New inductees are announced each year at the annual meeting of the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) meeting in Topeka. The Hall of Fame web site is http://www.emporia.edu/n/www/kbhf/

National Teachers Hall of Fame

Founded in 1989, the purpose of the National Teachers Hall of Fame is to be the driving force within the United States in recognizing and elevating the exceptional qualities possessed by the teachers of yesterday and today, as well as, stimulating, cultivating, and reproducing those same qualities in the teachers of tomorrow. The National Teachers Hall of Fame is also committed to preserving the rich heritage of the teaching profession in the United States.

• The goal of recognizing and elevating the exceptional qualities of teachers will be accomplished through a comprehensive recognition program.
• The goal of stimulating, cultivating, and reproducing the exceptional qualities of teachers will be accomplished through the development of a center for teaching excellence.
• The goal of preserving the rich heritage of teaching and the task of celebrating teaching will be accomplished through the development of an exhibition center.

The premier event sponsored by the Hall of Fame is the annual teacher induction program held during the last two weeks in June. It features activities in Washington, DC and in Emporia, KS. The National Teachers Hall of Fame is located at 1320 C of E Drive in Emporia, KS. The Hall of Fame is open 9-5 during the week and 9-12 on Saturday, and at other times by appointment.

Norman R. Eppink Art Gallery

A variety of exhibitions from museums, galleries, and artists, as well as works by the faculty and students of ESU are displayed in the Norman R. Eppink Art Gallery, located on the first floor of King Hall. These exhibitions provide students and faculty an opportunity to view historically important works of art and works by selected contemporary artists. Each year the gallery schedules an annual art faculty exhibition and an annual art student exhibition. Also, each year the art gallery organizes and hosts the National Invitational Drawing Exhibition which features selected works in drawing media by prominent American artists. Often exhibiting artists participate as visiting artists and speak at the weekly Wednesday Art Forums.

Peterson Planetarium

This is an instructional and service facility within the broad domain of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. It is located in the basement of Cram Science Hall. Administrative and program responsibilities reside within the Division of Physical Sciences. The planetarium was remodeled in 1995-96 and contains a state-of-the-art projector.

The planetarium, a unique visual aid, enables a graphic presentation of many astronomical concepts or principles: daily and annual motion of celestial objects, astronomical coordinate systems, and stellar and constellation identification. The planetarium may also be used as a setting for consideration of many cultural concepts related to humankind's heritage.

A number of public lectures of general interest are planned for each academic year. There is a nominal charge for admission to these programs

Reading Woods

Acquired by the University in 1971, Reading Woods is the western most penetration of a segment of the eastern deciduous forest brome in Kansas; it is located about 15 miles northeast of Emporia (1/2 mile west and 1 1/2 miles north of Reading). Because of its unique plant and animal life , ecology and geology, it is kept as a preserve in a relatively undisturbed state. University use of this land is limited to class research studies by faculty members and students through approval by the Division of Biological Sciences.

Schmidt Natural History Museum

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences maintains for teaching, research, and public display, comprehensive collections of extant vertebrates collected throughout the state of Kansas. These are housed in the basement of Breukelman Science Hall. A research collection of bird and mammal skins from various parts of the world is maintained in the bird-mammal range and is used primarily by advanced students, visiting scientists, and faculty.

Last Updated April 17, 2007