Author: Caelin Bragg

Cory Newen, a senior human resource management major, is working with Red Cross to host a blood drive on campus in honor of his late daughter, Iman Newen, who passed away Jan. 17 at nine months old.

Iman was hospitalized at Children’s Mercy in Kansas City, and Cory Newen and the rest of Iman’s family found hope when she received a blood donation. Now, Cory wants to pass that hope along to others.

“One day, someone, somewhere donated blood to Kansas City and it went to my daughter. That gave my wife and I hope,” Cory said. “I would like to help instill that faith and hope in other families.”

Cory is planning this blood drive with members of his team in his Building Remarkable Teams course as part of his major. The donation times are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 in the Heskett Center.

To donate, visit redcrossblood.org, enter sponsor code “WICHITA STATE” and schedule a time to donate.

Donors will receive a $15 gift card by email, plus a chance to win a $5,000 prize.

Anna Brake, a junior in Wichita State’s Honors Baccalaureate program, got involved in research her freshman year after reading about a project to develop a wearable fetal heart monitor. Now, she’s helping improve access to prenatal care in rural and underserved communities.

Wichita State University’s research emphasis includes opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, and extends across campus from aerospace to ancient civilizations and business administration to biochemistry.

Working a paid internship in Shocker Athletics means working nights and weekends. The deadlines are constant – before a game, during a game and after a game. 

WSU students are learning the importance of teamwork and communication in order to handle the pace and conditions as part of the athletic department’s creative team.  

Knowing they are serving as a conduit from all 16 Shockers sports to their fans makes it a job they enjoy. 

“There is always something happening with each sports team,” said sophomore Bryan Chavez, a journalism and media production major from Dallas. “We’re providing for fans, and they’re relying on us. That’s what makes it a fun job.” 

Student Health Services is offering current WSU faculty and staff the ability to schedule their HealthQuest physical exam and lab work April 1 through July 31.

If you do not have a primary care provider and currently have private insurance through your employment with WSU, call to schedule your appointment with Student Health providers at 316-978-4792.

Dr. Mary Liz Jameson, professor in the Department of Biological Sciences in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was elected to be one of the 2024 American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellows. The AAAS Fellows are recognized for their extraordinary contributions to the sciences.

Dr. Jameson has been with Wichita State since 2008. She joins two other members of the WSU community who have been previously elected: Dr Coleen Pugh, dean of the Graduate School, who was elected in 2010; and Dr. Susan Sterrett, Curtis D. Gridley Distinguished Professorship in History and Philosophy, who was elected in 2016.

Riding a five-match-long win streak, the Shocker women’s tennis team slotted in at no. 49 in the April 1 Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) computer rankings.

The Shockers (11-6) have been ranked in each top 75 rankings so far this season and this is its second time breaking into the top 50. The Shockers have won 10 of its last 12 matches after a 1-4 start, with its most recent victory being a 4-1 win over the UTSA Roadrunners March 30 at the Wichita Country Club.

Wichita State has wins over three teams ranked in this week’s poll in Kansas State (61), Tulsa (45) and Kentucky (42). Among teams in the American Athletic Conference, the Shockers have the fifth highest ranking behind Florida Atlantic (29), Charlotte (40), Tulsa (43) and Rice (48).

In singles, sophomore Xin Tong Wang was once again ranked in singles, slotting in at No. 94. Her highest ranking since Feb. 5 when she was ranked No. 89. Wang is one of only two AAC players to be ranked in singles.

The Shockers are set to play its final home matches of the year in a doubleheader against North Texas at 10 a.m. and Creighton at 4 p.m. Friday, April 4.

The Office of Civil Rights, Title IX & ADA Compliance (CTAC) is offering training for volunteers interested in serving as advisors and/or hearing decision-makers. Advisors and hearing decision-makers play an integral role in Title IX investigative and hearing process.

What is an advisor?

Advisor means a person chosen by a party, or appointed by the university, to accompany the party to meetings related to the resolution process, to advise the party on that process and to conduct cross-examination for the party at the hearing, if any.

What is a hearing decision-maker?

Hearing decision-makers are those with decision-making and sanctioning authority within the university’s Formal Grievance process.

When will this training occur?

Participants will have the option to attend one of the following:

• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 7 (location TBD)
• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8 (virtual option on Zoom)
• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11 (location TBD)
• 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Thursday, June 26 (virtual option on Zoom)

To RSVP, contact Stephanie Hearnen at stephanie.hearnen@wichita.edu or 316-978-5184.

Listen to Dr. Nick Solomey, professor of physics, as he sits down with Dr. Austin Nelsen, post-doc in the Jefferson Lab at the University of Virginia and graduate from Wichita State, to discuss what he’s been up to following his time at WSU.

The College of Fine Arts (CFA) will hold its 2025 Hall of Fame at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 10 in Wiedemann Hall. A reception will follow in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room. The event is not ticketed and is open to all members of the WSU and greater Wichita communities.

This year, five recipients are being recognized for their achievements and contributions to the College of Fine Arts:

• Bikki Bevelhymer, Inaugural benefactor for Digital Arts Scholarships and graduate of the Barton School of Business.
• Martin H. Bush, Nationally recognized art historian, educator, consultant and gallery director, and founder of the Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection.
• Alan and Sharon Fearey, Award winning community art patrons; are deeply engaged in the arts, both through their personal collection and their ongoing support of institutions like the Ulrich Museum. Alan is a 1968 graduate of Wichita State with a degree in chemistry.
• Javier Ignacio, Nationally renowned Broadway performer, who trained in the musical theatre program at Wichita State.  
• Linda Starkey, Nationally recognized musical theatre educator, musician, performer and director, and a distinguished figure in the Wichita arts scene, particularly at WSU, where she taught for forty years. She was instrumental in forming the Musical Theatre Degree program and served as director of the School of Performing Arts for more than a decade before retiring in 2022.

The College of Fine Arts congratulates the recipients of the 2025 Hall of Fame awards and thanks all of those who support the college’s efforts to advance the interests of the arts at WSU and the greater Wichita community.

For additional information, contact Wendy Hanes, assistant dean in the College of Fine Arts, at 316-978-6002 or wendy.hanes@wichita.edu.

The eighth cohort of Rudd Scholars includes 14 Kansas high school seniors who have chosen to attend Wichita State.

• Ke’Ahjahnae Rice – Highland Park High School
• Juan Flores-Hernandez – Wichita North High School
• Nayeli Andrade – Wichita South High School
• Conner Huddleston – Goddard High School
• Jailyn Millar – Little River High School
• Kailee Mendoza – Winfield High School
• Lily DiNuzzo – Saint John High School
• Jeena Moore-Kirby – Wichita Heights High School
• Jordan Prue – Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
• Cristofer Correa-Sandoval – Wichita Northwest High School
• Arizvel Tavarez – Wichita East High School
• Erica Thompson – Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
• Lillian Delgado – Valley Center High School
• Brody Anderson – Burlington High School

Each Rudd Scholar will receive a full-ride scholarship, which includes tuition, fees, on-campus housing and considerable networking and coaching support along the way.