Tatro receives PSU Outstanding Alumni Award

Tatro

Tatro is one of four graduates of Pittsburg State University who will receive a 2009 Outstanding Alumni Award during homecoming festivities at PSU this week. The four recipients will be recognized during a reception at 6 p.m. Friday in the Heritage Room of the PSU Overman Student Center, as well as at the PSU homecoming game on Saturday at Carnie Smith Stadium.

"Outside of professional recognition, being recognized by your peers and colleagues, I can't think of any greater honor than being recognized by one's alma mater," Tatro said. "And what a great way to enjoy homecoming weekend as well."

Tatro, a graduate of the PSU College of Education, has served as president at FSCC since 2007. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as dean of learning services and chief academic officer at Garden City Community College from 1998-2007, and as a social science instructor at GCCC from 1995-1998.

As president at FSCC, Tatro is responsible for managing the educational functions of the college, implementing programs, developing the school's operating budget, and serving as the college's chief administrator. He serves as a liaison between the FSCC Board of Trustees, the college and the community, the Kansas Board of Regents, the Kansas Legislature, and other agencies that affect higher education.

Tatro said it is difficult for him to choose which of his many responsibilities he enjoys the most.

"It's so varied and so different everyday," he said. "One advantage of being president at a small community college in a small community is that I can be involved in many operations, and in community and economic development. I can be involved in many internal processes and procedures, and give support for faculty and students ... it's a variety ... at a large institution I would get segmented away from all of that."

Tatro earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from PSU in 1994, and a master's degree in psychology from PSU the following year. He completed his Ph.D. in the Community College Leadership Program at Colorado State University in 2007. He is a native of Glasco, Kan.

Some professional highlights of Tatro's career at FSCC include the fundraising and construction of the Danny and Willa Ellis Family Fine Arts Center, the college's receipt of a $2 million United States Department of Labor Community-Based Job Training Grant, and a $900,000 Kresge Foundation Challenge Grant. He has also led the creation of the National Junior College Athletic Association-sanctioned Citizens Bank Bowl football game, and the reaffirmation of the college's accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission.

Tatro has been highly involved in the local community since coming to Fort Scott. He serves as the founder of the Fort Scott Community Visioning Steering Committee, the Youth Activities Team, and as a member of the Good Neighbor Action Team. He also serves on the boards of Mercy Health Systems of Kansas, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Bourbon County, the Bourbon County Economic Development Corporation, and the Presbyterian Village Retirement Community. He is the incoming vice-president of Fort Scott Kiwanis and is a past board member of the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce.

Tatro said he is a firm believer in getting the public involved in the college's plans, events and activities.

"The college is and should be an economic development and community development engine," he said. "The college should be the cultural hub of the community and a major player in the community we invest in."

At PSU, Tatro was repeatedly honored as an outstanding student by the Department of Psychology and the College of Education. He was also a PSU Presidential Scholar, was very involved in student government, worked as a resident assistant and in the Overman Student Center, and was part of the PSU Honors College, he said.

"I had great experiences there in the early 90s ... I have some amazingly fond memories," he said.

Tatro and his wife, Melissa, are the proud parents of three sons, Garrett, Ethan and Evan.