Author: Cheryl Miller

A champion for women and water quality, a world-reknown heart surgeon, and an ambassador to Tanzania — all exemplifying the merits and advantages of a liberal arts and sciences education — will be inducted at the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame ceremony 2-3 p.m., Oct. 22 at Wiedemann Hall. Induction into the Fairmount College Hall of Fame is the highest recognition of outstanding alumni who have had a significant impact on the region, nation and world. The event is open to the public.

The inductees are:

• Quincalee Brown, 1961, BA-English; BA-speech. Brown served the Water Environment Federation as its executive director and was a founding member of the Water Environment Research Foundation. She also worked as an independent water quality and association management consultant. Prior to her work with water quality, Brown held several positions in organizations that served the needs of women in the Washington, D.C., area. She is also the former Wichita State debate coach.
• Vincent L. Gott, 1951, BS-biological sciences. Over the course of his career, Gott assisted in developing the earliest pacemaker and artificial heart valves. During his time at Johns Hopkins Hospital, he performed the first heart transplant operation, and perfected operational procedures for correcting congenital heart defects in patients with Marfan syndrome. He also trained and mentored more than 50 thoracic surgery residents and fellows. Gott will be inducted posthumously.
• Alfonso Lenhardt, 1976, MS-administration of justice. The former U.S. ambassador to Tanzania, Lenhardt has also served the U.S. Senate as Sergeant at Arms, as U.S. representative to the East African Community, and in high leadership positions for the U.S. Agency of International Development. Before holding these government positions, he had a long career with the U.S. Army, retiring as Major General.

As part of Wichita State’s observance of Constitution Week, Wendee Grady, assistant general counsel and legal foundation director of the Kansas Farm Bureau, will speak on “Opportunities in Rural and Agricultural Law” at 2 p.m. Sept. 13 at the Rhatigan Student Center (room 266)

Grady’s keynote address highlights a significant area of legal practice in Kansas.

In addition to Grady’s speech,  Lou Mulligan, Earl B. Shurtz Research Professor at the University of Kansas Law School, will present “Previewing Next Year’s Supreme Court Term” at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at the RSC (room 301).

Dr. Neal Allen — Department Chair, Undergraduate Advisor and WSU Washington and Topeka Internship Coordinator associate professor of political science — coordinated the selection of programs.

“Many of our students at Wichita State are considering legal careers, and Constitution Week this year gives them a chance to learn about different areas of legal practice and legal education,” Allen said.

Additional events for the week include informational sessions about the Washington, D.C., and Topeka internship program, how to apply to law school, and the Battin-Lester Student Research Keynote Panel. The panel will feature presentations by students speaking on topics including property and economic rights.

Two members of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences staff were honored with awards for their contributions to the college.

Kristin Brewer, from the School of Criminal Justice, received the Fairmount College Ripple Effect Award, which acknowledges a staff member’s unique level of service to students, the department and Fairmount College.

Marsyl Nelson, from the Department of Psychology, received the Fairmount College Excellent Service Award, which acknowledges appreciation for coworkers who make a difference at the department level.

Both awards include a $1,500 in professional development funds.