Two new programs are coming up soon as part of eight free history lectures for the public at the Finney County Historical Museum in Garden City, both focusing on aspects of the immigration that has shaped Garden City and Finney County.
The sessions will be presented by Derek Ramos, assistant city manager for Garden City, at noon on Feb. 14 and 7 p.m. on Feb. 20.
The programs are part of the History at High Noon and Evening at the Museum series, with lunch hour segments usually taking place at noon the second Wednesdays of the month and evening programs at 7 p.m. each third Tuesday, January through April.
Prior to joining the city, Ramos worked with Edward Jones Financial as a licensed financial advisor, then as a project engineer in the construction industry with Tatro Plumbing, followed by nine years as dean of physical planning and facilities management at Garden City Community College. Ramos earned an associate in science degree at GCCC, a bachelor of science in business administration from Kansas State University and a master of business administration from National American University.
He served a three-year term on the Kansas Hispanic and Latino American Affairs Commission, a seven-member board that advises the governor’s office and addresses public policy in areas ranging from education and health to business. The group also works with the Kansas Hispanic Legislative Caucus and several state agencies.
Those who attend either program should use the museum’s north entrance. Beverages and cookies will be provided, and listeners are welcome to bring their own lunch or dinner, if desired. The series is sponsored for the Finney County Historical Society by the Western Kansas Community Foundation.
The present series began in January with segments about developments of 100 years ago in 1924. It will continue with two same-day sessions in March about historic church structures in Western and Central Kansas, and parallel presentations in April about an extensive oral history project being conducted through the Finnup Foundation Trust.
