1st-gen college grad now heading PSU program & helping women through new boutique

PITTSBURG, Kans. — Years of dreaming and goal setting are paying off big time for a Pitt State grad. Her journey started years ago in Mexico with a father who wanted more, leading to a daughter who’s a first-generation college graduate.

“We are at my new storefront Three Degrees limited here in Pittsburg,” said Sandra Cobos Schroeder, Pittsburg.

Sandra Cobos Schroeder is still easing into her new boutique, which is not just any shop.

“It’s not. I wanted to open it to be able to give back to the students that I work with, and to women who I saw needed some help. So that’s really the meaning behind it,” she said.

Sandra is tapping into her love of business casual clothing. Three Degrees is open part-time, just three days a week.

“We donate part of our profits back to the community and specifically women and children in need,” said Sandra.

Challenges she can relate to. Sandra immigrated from Mexico at the age of nine, with her father wanting something more for his family. That included a college education, which for Sandra meant Pitt State.

“I looked at a lot of colleges. And when I came to Pitt State something just felt right. To this day, I can’t tell you what it is but I remember walking around campus and feeling like this is it,” she said.

She got a bachelors in psychology and Spanish, then a masters and an EDS, and had her daughter Luna along the way.

“She really was the motivation to keep pursuing higher degrees. Once she was born, she was diagnosed with hydrocephalus and just being aware of the developmental delays that could be a result of her condition. I decided that I wanted to be the best advocate, I could be for her,” Sandra said.

Luna has made tremendous progress.

“She’s just so incredibly smart. I’m very proud of how far she’s come.”

And her professional life is hitting a new milestone. After working at K-12 schools, Sandra is now the director of the PSU school psychology program.

“And I look forward to training other school psychs and sharing with them the passion about the field,” she said.

Which leaves her with a full-time job and a part-time boutique, not to mention 24/7 responsibilities as a mom.

“It’s been hard, but it’s been very fulfilling. And I recognize the opportunities I’ve had along the way, though. I didn’t do it alone. And that’s my purpose. I want to empower other women to know that they can do it too,” she said.

Pittsburg, Kan. hometown girl enjoys her first National #1 single

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — I met Jennifer Schott about five years ago. She “came home” to Pittsburg, Kan., to perform in a fundraiser concert for Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Four States. It was a songwriters showcase concert at the new Bicknell Family Center for the Arts. It was an acoustic setting with Nashville songwriters performing their songs that other artists had made famous.

There were 4 songwriters that evening including Jennifer, and Barry Dean, who grew up in Pittsburg.

I lived in Nashville and worked in the music industry for many years. I can tell you firsthand the life of a songwriter — a storyteller — is different from being an artist. They collaborate a lot. Have songwriting appointments where they come up with new ideas and share melodie’s and lyrics with others, hoping to create that special song an artist will put “on hold” for an upcoming recording.

Jennifer has written many hit singles over her 20+ years as a writer. While performing here in 2017 she shared about growing up in Pittsburg and the people she remembered dearly. Shared about her late father, who was the Woodwinds Professor at PSU. She shared her heart and memories through her songs, including her hit single “This Town Still Talks About You”, made popular by Natalie Hemby.

This past summer Jennifer had a surprise breakthrough #1 song that is redefining her place as a songwriter. She co-wrote the single, “7500 O.B.O.” in 2018, at an appointment with songwriter friend, Nathan Spicer.

Jennifer was kind enough to let us catch up with her as she is still enjoying her hit single that is now Tim McGraw’s 45th #1 single of his career.

Q: Tell me about 7500 OBO, what part did you have in the writing?

JENN: I co-wrote the song with Matt McGinn and Nathan Spicer, two guys that I really respect and love working with. It was October 1, 2018, and it was a really fun day in the writing room. I feel like all 3 of us got caught up in what was happening. I’d say mostly I was helping lyrically that day. Nathan had a song idea called “F-150” and had made a track that had a good groove to it. We didn’t really know where we were going directionally, but Matt started listing things like you hear in our first verse and we just went with it. I feel like I really jumped in starting at the back half of the 1st verse. When we got to the chorus, we kind of just wrote into the actual title, which Matt came up with, but then we all debated what the actual cost should be. $7500, $8500? We settled on $7500 because of the way it sounded and fit into the lyric.

Q: Where did you draw your part (lyrically) from?

JENN: I remember my first car, and there are a lot of memories that were made in it – from driving up and down Broadway to getting it stuck in the mud with some of my high school girlfriends. There’s something sentimental about a car or truck and those memories, and I think that’s where all three of us were coming from when were were writing the song. Then of course thinking of an old love, and the times shared driving around together and how those memories remain right there in the vehicle…we knew what we needed to say.

I feel like I especially connected with where we went in the 2nd verse. I remember being a teenager and accidentally backing into a concrete parking barrier over in a parking lot at Pitt State. That’s was the jumping off point for our lyric…” back bumper’s got a dent from her backing into a mail box first time she drove it”

Q: I know when you were here in 2017 you shared your song — THIS TOWN STILL TALKS ABOUT YOU… and talked about your father and the legacy of music in your family. What would your dad say today about your current success?

JENN: I’ve thought about my dad so much in the past few weeks and I know he would be so thrilled and proud for me getting to celebrate the song hitting #1. I’m so grateful that I was brought up in a home full of music, and for all the time I got to spend in the music department at Pitt State where he taught for so many years. I have so many great memories of going to his student’s recitals, and music camps, and even studying the flute with him. He and my mom were so supportive of me when I was first getting my start in Nashville. I remember calling them when I was 24 and telling them I was leaving my full-time job to pursue songwriting, and they were nothing but encouraging. I’m incredibly grateful for that.

Q: What are two favorite memories of SEK/PITT or maybe a trip to Joplin from years past?

JENN: There are too many to count! A few things that come to mind are my childhood summers spent performing in musicals through Pittsburg Community Theater and Pitt State. My mom and dad were always in the orchestra…such wonderful memories. Also my time as a cheerleader at PHS and those football Friday nights at Hutchison Field. I will slip in a third, and that is my time spent working at KKOW radio on my summers home from college. My time there was really pivotal in me falling in love with country music. I don’t think I’d be in Nashville without my time at the radio station. As for Joplin, lots of great memories too. Specifically, I remember going to Joplin for dinner before senior prom. And lots of trips to the Northpark Mall as a teenager!

Q: Nashville has been your home so long… is it now your “hometown”? Or Will SEK always be “home”?

JENN: SEK will always be home. I’m so thankful for where I grew up, for my teachers, my dear friends and family, and for all the good people in the community. Pittsburg is what shaped me and no amount of time or distance will ever change that.

Q: What’s next for Jenn Schott right now? Writing with anyone? Great plans in the immediate horizon?

JENN: I’ve got a really busy fall coming up that includes lots of writing! I’m grateful to work with an amazing music publisher, Red Creative, and we’re always focusing on booking my calendar with writing combinations that are inspiring and intentional. I write with a lot of artists which is always a lot of fun, and will just keep trying to write the best songs possible and hope that they continued to get cut. I’m also just really trying to take in the present moment and celebrate the success of 7500 OBO. I’ve been writing full time for 22 years and this is my first #1. The long journey makes this moment all the sweeter, so I’m really trying to soak it all in. The song has been voted as one of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association’s “Ten Songs I Wish I’d Written” and my co-writers and I will get to perform the song on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium at the awards ceremony in September. Lots to celebrate and be thankful for!

For more on Jennifer Schott and to keep up with her exciting career, click here for her website.

Here are her socials where you can follow her:

PSU honors nurses in White Coat Ceremony

PITTSBURG, Kans. — If the pandemic taught us nothing else, it taught us the importance and utter selflessness of nurses. At Pittsburg State Friday, about 100 nursing students were honored during their White Coat Ceremony. The white Coat Ceremony is relatively new to nursing students. In the past, it was mostly used for those becoming doctors.

“White Coat Ceremony is an opportunity to really recognize these beginning students who have made a tough decision to enter healthcare and have demonstrated that commitment. So it reflects that transition from learning in the classroom to actually applying that knowledge in the clinical setting,” said Dr. Barb McClaskey, Professor, Master Advisor.

“I chose to be a nurse because I have a passion for helping people. It’s such a great profession to get into so many different opportunities,” said Madison Strupe, Student.

Nearly every hospital in the area offers nurses huge signing bonuses – depending on the area of study, some could receive as much as $20,000 dollars.

SE Kans. businesses show pride with Paint the Town Red

PITTSBURG, Kans. — Business owners in a southeast Kansas community show their hometown pride through paint. It’s part of the 17th Annual Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce Paint the Town Red event. A total of 27 Pittsburg area businesses have decorated their stores in some type of manner.

Tori Colvin with the Chamber says judging of the entries takes place Wednesday morning, with the winner being announced on the KSN news at noon.

“We have our division one, division two, division three and with the Community Favorite Award, that is sponsored by Evergy, you can go online to our website and you can vote for your favorite business out of the entire decorating competition. And Security First Title was our winner last year,” said Tori Colvin, Special Events, Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s theme is “Rock and Roll In the Jungle.”

In addition to pride, there’s a lot more on the line for the winner, including sky box tickets for the winning entry.

PSU Porter Hall hosts first art exhibits of fall semester

PITTSBURG, Kans. — People are getting their first look at the first art exhibits of the semester at Pittsburg State. Both are inside Porter Hall. “We Are The Change” by Susan Ferguson — is in the University Gallery where a lot of the art is done through weaving. “Demographica” by Tom Birkner — is in the Harry Krug Gallery and serves as a visual record of modern life. Both will also be beneficial to students.

“They get the opportunity to see working artists showing in the gallery spaces incorporating what they do into their own coursework and for their future,” said James Oliver, PSU Department of Art Chair.

“Demographica” will be on display through October 12th.

“We Are The Change” through October 26th.

PSU Workforce Initiative Program

PITTSBURG, Kans. — As hundreds of students start a new school year at Pittsburg State University, the school is starting something new as well.

“We want to make sure these students come out ready to go, whether they’re going to come and take jobs in Pittsburg in this community right here or in other communities right there,” said Stacy Butcher, CDL Business Development & National Sales Acct Manager.

The new workforce initiative at Pittsburg State University is hoping to do just that. The school has partnered with local Miller’s Professional Imaging to get students workforce experience.

“Starting this semester, kind of our pilot program, we’re hoping to get 20-30 students. Different majors, backgrounds, degrees, we’ll bring them in, they’ll work full-time hours after they finish with school or the semester and gain some on-the-job experience,” said Daniel Rank, Miller’s Professional Imaging HR Director.

Not too far down the road, CDL Electric is creating new positions in a variety of different fields.

“We’re going to pick 10 students, we’re going to put them in five different divisions, our electrical, our sign, our marketing, our HR, and our engineering,” said Butcher.

Pitt State and the companies have worked to create a financially viable experience as well. On top of making money on the job, students can potentially use the internship to fund their education.

“If these students meet this certain criteria, we’re going to reward them with a scholarship. In this day and age, the cost of living and everything is going up, we want to make sure that when these students come in they are able to earn a little bit and have this thing pay for their school,” added Butcher.

While helping the companies find potential candidates to fill the positions they have available.

“After Thanksgiving until Christmas, we’ll hit our peak volume and it gets pretty busy,” said Rank.

“So we’re going to bring these kids in, we’re going to train them the way we do it here at CDL, and hopefully with these guys after they graduate step into CDL as full time,” added Butcher.

PSU Community Fair welcomes students to community

PITTSBURG, Kans. — Pitt State students now know more about what their campus — and the Pittsburg community — have to offer.

And it’s all thanks to the university’s annual Community Fair, which took place Tuesday on The Oval.

It’s put on every year by the Campus Activities Center — and features a large number of Pittsburg area businesses and campus organizations. All there to showcase their goods and services to PSU students.

“I just think it’s cool to kind of know what you have around and what resources are available to you at all times. I think it’s pretty helpful. People just need to actually use the resources, or at least come and just listen and see what there is,” said PSU sophomore Olivia Haley,

“I got a little squishy, so I didn’t think I’d get that, but I got some candy, a frisbee for my dog, little handouts. Nothing crazy,” said PSU senior Tori Derosa.

The next big event at Pitt State is Paint the Town Red week. It begins next Monday.

PSU Cares program helps freshman every step of the way

PITTSBURG, Kans. — Classes are right around the corner at Pittsburg State University — and as incoming freshmen prepare for their next big step in life, Pitt State is trying to help them every step of the way.

“We’re going to connect them with the right offices right away, the right people on campus, the right peer-mentors on campus, folks who can really assist them in their transition process and answer their questions,” said Heather Eckstein, PSU Student Success Programs Director.

Pittsburg State University’s campus is starting to liven up ahead of the start of classes on Monday. Over the summer incoming freshmen have been getting their bearings through the PSU Cares program.

“It’s the last session after a summer of sessions for students who are arriving from quite a distance. We’re going to orient them to Pittsburg State, they’re going to get enrolled today, they’ll meet some fellow students, and at the end of the day have their PSU ID card and be ready to start classes,” Eckstein added.

“It makes every bit of difference for new students. It would be a huge disadvantage if you were lost and all that, so it’s good to walk around the campus and get a feel for it,” said Jude Wolfe, PSU Incoming Freshman.

Here students are introduced to their new home at Pitt State, getting to know the traditions and resources the community has to offer.

“They need to understand their financial aid, and if they have questions they’re here. If they need to understand housing questions they’re here. They need to understand their housing requirements and know when they’re going to move in. They need to visit with various offices and find out about the opportunities available, so campus activities and the Student Diversity Office,” said Eckstein.

While college can be a big transition for students, PSU is making sure the student’s family members are prepared to help them on this new adventure

“They’re such an important part of this experience, even from a distance, they’re going to support their student. They’re going to go to their parents with their questions, maybe before they come to me at least initially, and so we want them to have good information and know who to call, and we want them here to help their student get started on the right foot,” Eckstein added.

The History of Gus the Gorilla

PITTSBURG, Kans. — When you’re driving through town, the spirit of Pittsburg State University is pretty hard to miss. Gus the Gorilla has been the face of PSU for almost a century. Thursday, Gus the Gorilla is known as one of the NFL’s top college mascots, but back when Pitt State first opened as the “Auxiliary Manual Training Normal School” it was another story.

“For the first 20 years, we were called the ‘manuals’ or the ‘normals’ because we were a normal school, which is an old phrase for a teacher’s academy,” said Steven Cox, PSU Special Collections & University Archives Curator.

In fact, up until 1920, the term ‘gorilla’ wasn’t really a part of the Pitt State community. This all changed thanks to a group of students who began to gather at sporting events.

“They called themselves the Gorillas, not so much as a reference to the animal, but more a term that was used for a group of rowdy young men,” said Cox.

In 1925 the university officially adopted the gorilla as the mascot.

“The logo changed about every 10 to 15 years, sometimes with the changes of the name of the university. The earlier logos, the gorilla was almost a cartoon character, grinning, not really looking all that fearful, but you see the split-face gorilla now, that kind of shows a team that means business,” said Cox.

Over the years, Gus became an intricate part of the Pitt State community. He even started a family.

“There was a female Gus, they called her Gussie, that was popular for about 20 years. They had a baby at one point.”

To this day, Gus continues to remain popular, whether it’s right here in Pittsburg, or beyond.

“It’s in front of homes all over town, in front of businesses, and the stores.”

“There are even visitors from out of town that don’t even have a tie to the university, they know the uniqueness in the mascot, and they’ll pick up the college apparel as a souvenir from their time in Pittsburg,” said Steve Scott, Gorilla Country Owner.

PSU band prepares for football season in wake of former director's passing

PITTSBURG, Kans. — While some Pitt State students are starting to return to town, others are getting ready to return to the field. We’re not talking about football though. We’re talking about the Pride of the Plains Marching Band — and whether it’s the field or the stands, they’re going to make their presence heard.

This year means a lot to the band, while it’s the beginning for many new members including the band director, it’s also about continuing the legacy of those who came before them.

“It’s one of the most important things. We come together for the first time, there’s a bunch of new people coming in and people who have been here for years,” said Andrew Chybowski, Interim Band Director.

It’s Band Camp season at Pittsburg State University. Since Monday, the 160 members of the Pride of the Plains have been practicing the drills they need to welcome people to the jungle.

“It’s something that I always look forward to, even at the beginning of the summer. I just can’t wait for band camp, even with my friends it’s the same way,” said Alejandra Cornelio, PSU Senior.

A new face is leading the performers through the upcoming season — PSU Assistant Professor Andrew Chybowski.

“I directed wind ensemble, which I’ve been doing for the past five years. I’ve been here in other capacities so we actually know each other pretty well. Today we’re doing some marching, some playing, some putting the show together, marching, and playing,” said Chybowski.

And carrying on the legacy of the band director who came before him, Doug Whitton, who passed away earlier this summer.

“We’re kind of coming together to do our best and pay tribute and honor his legacy,” added Chybowski.

“It’s hard without Doug, but someone like Chybowski stepping in, and he’s familiar with our traditions, he’s just aware of everything, it’s still just as good,” added Cornelio.

As the Pittsburg community prepares to pack Carnie Smith Stadium, band members are making sure they bring the energy.

“The first game’s always exciting, we get to do Gorilla Walk, we get to be as loud as we can, be as excited as we can, we try to get everyone in the crowd pumped up,” said Cornelio.

“I think we’ll be ready, I think we’ll always be a little nervous during that first game but also very excited and very much looking forward to it,” said Chybowski.

Everyone will be able to see the Pride of the Plains when football season starts. That’s going to be September 1st at Carnie Smith Stadium.