University Service Citation Award Recipients Tyler Curtis

The connections Tyler Curtis (BSE 01-English and Social Sciences; MS 04-Educational Administration) enjoys with Emporia State University are as deeply rooted as the picturesque trees opposite Plumb Hall. He’s a two-time graduate, a former employee and an unabashed supporter of all things black and gold.

“Emporia State really does what I think it professes to do, which is transform lives,” he said. “It transformed mine.”

Curtis, ESU’s former director of Alumni Relations and assistant vice president for University Advancement, is steadfastly committed to giving back to his alma mater with his time and talents. As an undergraduate, Curtis was active in Phi Sigma Kappa, Associated Student Government and several leadership organizations. As an alumnus, he’s a member of the Kellogg Society, which honors individuals who have made planned estate gifts to ESU; he’s served as a Day of Giving ambassador; and he received the Outstanding Advocate Award in 2023. He also has assisted in the creation and maintenance of several scholarship funds at ESU.

Today, Curtis is the chief development officer for the Kansas Methodist Foundation and serves as a commissioner for the city of Emporia.

“Emporia State has been a part of my life for 26 years now,” he said, “and it’s been a huge reason for any success that I have had. I really do give credit back to ESU. It’s an honor and privilege to serve the university.”

Curtis’ fondness for his years as an ESU student extends beyond the normal recollections of Greek life and Hornets games. He vividly recalls faculty members who went beyond the basic job descriptions of teaching classes and keeping office hours. They cared about students’ well-being and welcomed conversations, he said. If Curtis were to advise today’s students, he’d encourage them to take advantage of the smorgasbord of activities and organizations a university campus offers.

“There is a transactional piece to the university experience,” he said. “You pay tuition, and you get to go to class and learn from people. But there’s so much more to university life.”

Curtis wants today’s current students and young alumni to recognize the value of the relationship between graduates and their alma mater. Given that graduates can gaze in the rear-view mirror and see the myriad things the university has done for them, he believes they should also welcome opportunities to assist their alma mater.

That spirit of volunteerism has long been a hallmark of Curtis’ adult life. He expects it will continue, too.

“I’m happy to be a part of the Emporia community,” he said. “In some ways, I feel like now that I’m not employed by the university I am better positioned to advocate for the university. I feel like now I have an even stronger voice for the university.”