Through the years, the Hays business community has proven its generosity in support of Fort Hays State University and its students. Robert Long, owner and manager of a popular Hays restaurant, Taco Shop, serves as a prime example.
Taco Shop previously had three $1,000 annual scholarships available to their FHSU student employees at the restaurant, and Long recently added two additional $1,000 scholarships.
“With everything that's been going on, we had five employees apply for scholarships this year instead of three,” Long said. “I didn’t want to turn anyone down, and I know that every little bit helps.”
Long is a former Fort Hays State student himself, coming to campus in 1992 to take courses in accounting, marketing, and management. Although he never graduated, he remembers his time as a student well. Through his experience, he knows how expensive college can be and wants to help his employees have the best possible chance of success in reaching their dreams.
Long understands the challenge that his employees face in trying to work while going to college. He began working at the Taco Shop himself when he was a college student, noting there were times when he had to close the store and did not leave the shop until 4 a.m. Over the years, he worked his way up the chain to become the system manager. In 2014, he became the general manager, and eventually took over the lease in 2016 as the establishment’s owner.
The Taco Shop scholarships started out as what Long describes as “a combination of an incentive and a reward.” The aim is to give students the motivation to keep working hard but also to recognize their accomplishments thus far and experience the satisfaction of the team working together. While the scholarship recipients are generally very appreciative, some are shy. Others express their gratitude through letters or photos, which he enjoys. Parents sometimes approach Long, thanking him for the financial support and in helping their children learn job skills.
When Long began his business career, he was taught that labor is the biggest cost in running a business and the necessity to keep labor low. However, as the world is changing, he sees labor as an investment. Doing more for his team members, whether by increasing hourly wages, allowing time off, or providing scholarships, may potentially retain employees. More importantly, it can improve their quality of life.
“We’re all trying to get through life,” Long said. “It’s just a philosophical approach of trying to do more to help everyone.”
After 28 years working with a multitude of student employees, Long still finds it “exciting to see kids come to college, find real success and move on. It’s part of the process.”
Fort Hays State thanks Robert Long and Taco Shop for offering these employees and FHSU students the chance to kickstart their education and find that success.
For information on how easy it is to establish a scholarship for FHSU students, visit www.foundation.fhsu.edu/create-a-fund or contact the Fort Hays State University Foundation at 785-628-5620 or [email protected]. Scholarships can be named in honor of yourself, your business, a friend, or family member.