Wichita State's presidential priorities in action |
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In the past month, I’ve written and spoken quite a lot about my three presidential priorities: accelerating applied learning opportunities for our students, growing research and innovation at Wichita State, and focusing on freedom of expression.
But these aren’t just words to use on PowerPoint presentations and during speeches. At Wichita State, we’re living these priorities every day. Below are a few examples of how we’re working toward a better Shocker Nation.
Applied learning: More than 5,000 Wichita State students last year gained real-world experiences through internships, research or co-ops, allowing them to work side by side with professionals in their chosen industry, build professional networks and resumes, and earn a paycheck.
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The United Way recently announced that it has been granted a Youth Service of America grant. The $15,000 grant was awarded based on an application submitted by Jadie Chauncey, who is a senior in social work at Wichita State. Jadie, a Junction City native, works as a community impact intern at United Way. “This experience has helped me gain valuable life skills, as well as work skills, that I will use throughout my life,” Jadie said. “Aside from career preparedness, this experience has helped me learn about, and grow more connected to Wichita.” Additionally, Wichita State students Ngoc Vuong and Jordy Mosqueda contributed to the key parts of the application.
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In the News at Wichita State |
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Wichita State to begin search for permanent provost |
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Wichita State University will soon begin conducting a national search for a permanent provost and executive vice president, which is currently held by Dr. Shirley Lefever in an interim capacity.
Lefever, who previously served as dean of WSU’s College of Applied Studies, stepped into the role in October 2020 after Dr. Rick Muma, the office’s former occupant, was appointed interim president and eventually university president.
“When Shirley was asked to immediately pivot into a new role at Wichita State, she did so seamlessly and without hesitation,” Muma said. “The entire Shocker community is grateful for her work and her continued dedication to the university.”
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Shared governance transitions leadership roles |
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Wichita State’s shared governance units usher in new leadership in the coming months.
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Unclassified Professionals Senate and University Support Services Senate leaders Trish Gandu and Randy Sessions (respectively) were instrumental in merging the two senates into one Staff Senate, which will be led by Gabriel Fonseca during the 2021-22 session.
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Faculty Senate president Dr. Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn will pass the baton to Whitney Bailey for the upcoming academic year.
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Rija Khan has been reelected as student body president for the 64th session of the Student Government Association. Kamilah Gumbs will serve as vice president.
“The extraordinary leadership of the university’s shared governance units has been indispensable during the pandemic, providing frequent communication and assurances to their constituencies, while working tirelessly to keep our community safe,” said Dr. Rick Muma, Wichita State president.
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Opera star Karla Burns built a legacy of music and drama around the world |
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Karla Burns’ legacy of music and drama is one of Wichita State University’s most prominent contributions to the performing arts.
Burns, 66, died June 4 in Wichita. She attended Dunbar Elementary School and graduated from West High School. At Wichita State, she earned bachelor’s degrees in music education and in speech/theater, both in 1981.
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Barton School of Business launches Alumni Council |
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The W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has partnered with the WSU Alumni Association to launch the college’s first alumni council. The Barton School of Business Alumni Council consists of professionals who received their bachelor’s or master’s degree from the business school and represents different regions, degrees and backgrounds. The diverse, global group serves as leaders of numerous companies. The council membership can be found on the council’s website.
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Shocker alumni rowers realize dream of building boathouse on Little Arkansas |
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The Wichita Rowing Association founded Wichita State University crew in 1974, and that shared history remains important to many former Shockers.
On May 8, the WRA dedicated its $250,000 Riverside Rowing Center Boathouse at Riverside Park on the Little Arkansas River. The project, privately funded, involved many former Shocker rowers who spent decades dreaming, planning and working toward construction. They remain committed to nurturing the sport because of the influence it’s had on their lives.
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Acting for Digital Arts now offered at Wichita State |
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Whether their goal is to be Gollum in “Lord of the Rings” or a character in the next version of “Call of Duty,” Wichita State University students now have the option to specialize in motion-capture acting through a new concentration within the School of Digital Arts.
The School of Digital Arts (SODA) was founded in 2019 and is the fourth school within Wichita State’s College of Fine Arts program, which encompasses the Bachelor of Applied Arts (BAA) in Media Arts program. The BAA program already includes concentrations in animation, audio production, filmmaking, game design and collaborative design.
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FirePoint's Future Innovators internship brings underrepresented students into DoD's talent pipeline |
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The FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University has welcomed the first class of students into its Future Innovators Program, a new engineering internship opportunity aimed at introducing historically underrepresented students into the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) technical talent pipeline. |
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Softball coach Kristi Bredbenner creates her atmosphere of success off field |
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Coach Kristi Bredbenner and Wichita State softball ended a landmark season in the NCAA Norman Regional. While the post-season run ended against No. 1 Oklahoma, the accomplishments of the 2021 Shockers and Bredbenner's role in building the team are worth a closer look.
Bredbenner's time at Wichita State includes three NCAA berths, three conference regular-season titles and Wichita State’s first trip to an NCAA regional title round in 2018. She coached conference players of the year in the Missouri Valley Conference (Cacy Williams in 2014 and 2016) and the American Athletic Conference (Wright in 2018 and Sydney McKinney in 2021).
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Shocker baseball ends season with third-place finish |
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Wichita State baseball saw its 2021 season come to an end after falling to the Tulane Green Wave, 12-2 in seven innings, in an elimination game in the American Athletic Conference Baseball Championship on May 28 at BayCare Ballpark.
Wichita State ends its season with an overall record of 31-23, including an 18-13 record in The American – the most wins the Shockers have had in the AAC since joining the conference before the 2018 season. WSU's third-place finish in the conference regular-season standings also marks a program-best since joining the AAC.
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Men's tennis finishes season with 15-9 record |
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Wichita State men's tennis had a year to remember, having made it to the NCAA Team Championships and sending a player to the NCAA Singles Championships for the first time since 2016. The team entered the NCAA Team Championships ranked No. 33 and they finished the season with a 15-9 record. This was the program's first at-large bid, with all the other NCAA appearances being auto-bids. The Shockers had five ranked wins, the most in a single season in program history, and the most since three in both 2018-19 and 1982-83. The team's 5-1 victory over No. 22 Memphis was the highest-ranked win since beating No. 12 Oklahoma State in 1985. The victory over No. 29 Pepperdine was also impactful, as they are regularly one of the top teams in the nation. |
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