“Kerri, that’s cooler than a Canadian coolfront.”
Those words reaffirmed to Kerri Soukup that she belonged in the graphic design program at Fort Hays State University.
Her success after graduating shows that FHSU instructor Chaiwat Thumsujarit knew talent when he saw it. For the past 22 years, Kerri has worked for the advertising giant Leo Burnett and is currently an Executive Creative Director.
Kerri has stayed close with Fort Hays State since she started her career by participating in design student portfolio reviews. These in-depth looks at student work can lead to a student receiving a highly coveted internship opportunity at Leo Burnett.
Now, Kerri has decided to start giving back in an even more personal way: the ks coolfront award.
Inspired by the words she heard from Chaiwat, Kerri established the ks coolfront award to support a design student with $1,000.
The goal behind the award is to encourage a student when they may need it the most. Kerri's goal in establishing the award is to show students they have support and their hard work is noticed and valued.
Announcing the first ks coolfront award winner
Kerri joined a Fort Hays State design class over Zoom in January to talk with students about her journey inside the FHSU graphic design department, including the project where she had heard those impactful words.
She revealed to the students that she had secretly been working with Chaiwat, as well as Karrie Simpson Voth, the FHSU Graphic Design Department Chair, and Travis Schlitter to learn about the students and see their work.
During her time with the class, Kerri highlighted four students, reviewed a recent project of theirs, and offered individual encouragement. She then surprised FHSU student, Jacob Olson, by announcing he was the first recipient of her $1,000 ks coolfront award.
After he was announced as the award recipient, Jacob said, “I don’t even really know what to say. It feels good when stuff is noticed. I have a lot of people to call."
Thank you, Kerri, and the thousands of FHSU supporters like her, for giving back to Fort Hays State in your own unique way.
If Kerri's actions have inspired you, learn more about establishing your own fund by visiting foundation.fhsu.edu/create-a-fund.