Author: Julia Wright

Four clinical mental health counseling students from Wichita State have launched the “Are You Theorious?” podcast. Greg Chewning, Alec Dulaney, Damian Montanez and Timber Keller aim to foster community and inspire creativity in clinical mental health.

Covering topics like counseling theories, emotions, diagnoses, relationships and client experiences, the podcast seeks to spark wonder, aid in personal growth and empathize with listeners. Drawing from their Wichita State experiences, the podcast serves as a platform to share insights, with weekly episodes featuring group discussions, smaller formats and insightful monologues.

Wichita State University Esports clinched victory in the ECAC National Championship for Valorant, capping off a successful fall 2023 season. Key players Truman Nguyen, Tyson Nguyen, McKaleb Unruh, Caleb Allen, and Kevin Nguyen showcased exceptional skill and teamwork. This marks WSU’s second consecutive ECAC championship and affirms its dedication in a challenging season.

WSU teams also performed strongly in various other esports titles, securing notable rankings. Looking ahead, the team is gearing up for the NACE Starleague conference in late January, hosted by the National Association of Collegiate Esports. Travis Yang, Wichita State esports director, emphasized the team’s resilience and anticipates continued success in the dynamic world of collegiate esports.

Students, faculty and staff from Wichita State’s physical education program attended the Kansas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (KAHPERD) convention Nov. 9-10 at Century II in Wichita, where they won the KAHPERD College Bowl, an event with three rounds (two activity and one quiz) in which all the attending physical education programs compete for a prestigious traveling trophy. The last time WSU won the trophy was in 2018.

In addition to winning the College Bowl, Sarah Schaar, senior, physical education major, was voted in as president-elect for the Future Professionals Committee, and Olivia Butler, program coordinator, earned an event management position on the executive board during the KAHPERD convention.

Dr. Sun Young Lee, assistant professor for the School of Education in the College of Applied Studies (CAS), has been selected for the Spalding Faculty Fellowship for the 2023-24 academic year. Recognized for her exceptional research productivity and ambitious national and international scholarship plans, the honor was conferred by Dr. Jennifer Friend, dean, CAS.

The Spalding Faculty Fellowship includes a grant of $6,987 for fiscal year 2024, allowing allocation for various purposes, including travel, equipment and graduate assistants.

This Fellowship is a tribute to V. Jean Spalding and her late husband, Lee (Leland) Spalding, who were dedicated volunteers in the Wichita community. Lee’s graduation from Wichita State in 1964 with a degree in management and Jean’s invaluable work in the budget office of USD 259 showcased their devotion to various community projects, including American Red Cross blood drives, Helping Hands through Central Christian Church, Via Christi Hospital and Partners in Caring. Their legacy of selfless service to their church, family, friends and community embodies their commitment to education at multiple levels.

The Spalding Faculty Fellowship is a testament to Jean’s dedication to education and aims to provide support for academics and research.

The College of Applied Studies (CAS) hosted the 2023 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Oct. 20 to officially induct the Class of 2023 selections into the CAS Hall of Fame, and to recognize them for their achievements and impact on the college.

The Class of 2023 CAS Hall of Fame inductees:

• Dr. Marcus Ballenger – Professor and associate dean emeritus, is an award-winning teacher and scholar who authored innovative language arts textbooks and created the college’s Cooperative Education program.
• Dr. Jeri Ann Carroll – Professor emerita in early childhood and elementary education, a scholar and leader in professional development schools and program review, and former department chair and president of the WSU Faculty Senate.
• Dr. Orpha Duell – Professor emerita in educational psychology, is a distinguished teacher and nationally recognized scholar, and former department chair and president of the WSU Faculty Senate.
• Mr. Rick Pappas – Former educator in physical education, is an award-winning teacher at WSU after a distinguished career teaching in USD 259. He is nationally recognized as a curricular leader for innovative approaches to physical education.
• Dr. Michael Tilford – Former college faculty and dean of the Graduate School, and a national leader in minority studies. The annual Michael Tilford Conference on Diversity and Multiculturalism is named in memory of Dr. Tilford.

For more information about the CAS Hall of Fame, including categories and criteria, the nomination process, the selection committee and process, visit the CAS website.

Join faculty, staff and students from the Department of Human Performance Studies (HPS) for a series of TWalks (walk and talks) to promote physical and mental health.

Upcoming events:

• 1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6
• 8 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28

Wear comfortable walking shoes, grab a bottle of water and socialize step-by-step. All are welcome to come and go as their schedules allows during the 50-minute walk. The walking route (e.g., trek around campus, walk the HC track, walk the YMCA track) will be determined based on the weather.

Attendees will meet in the Heskett Center lobby by the stairwell.

College of Applied Studies students are invited to attend a scholarship application session for the next academic year from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Nov. 9 in 266 Rhatigan Student Center, Pike Room.

There will be expert assistance to help students fill out scholarships. Come hungry for success and pizza at the event at no additional charge. Students should bring their laptops to the session.

Sport Management, Recreation and Tourism Lab (SMART Lab) in the Department of Sport Management invites the campus community to attend a complimentary speaker session with Marshall Cho to learn more about leadership and resilience to embrace diversity, equity and inclusion at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26 in 010 Devlin Hall.

Reservations will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis as only 40 seats will be available. RSVP by Sunday, Oct. 22. For questions, contact Dr. Wonyoung Kim at 316-978-5445 or wonyoung.kim@wichita.edu.

The College of Applied Studies announced that Travis Yang, director of Shocker Esports, has been nominated for the Scholars – Collegiate Gaming Awards Program Director of the Year.

Since joining Wichita State in 2021, Yang has played a pivotal role in driving the growth and success of the university’s Esports program. Public voting is open for, which is open daily until Nov. 20.

Credit Union of America (CUA) and the College of Applied Studies (CAS) have partnered to launch the “Credit Union of America Teacher Licensure Test Program Fund.” This initiative aims to provide financial support to Wichita State students pursuing teaching careers by covering the costs of mandatory licensure exams. Over the next four years, CUA plans to contribute $33,000 annually to assist eligible students during their final semester.

Eligible students will receive invitations to apply for funds during the final semester of their educator preparation programs.

Available funding will be awarded with a priority distribution approach as follows:

• Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) students
• Initial Teacher Licensure Program students with demonstrated financial need
• Initial Teacher Licensure Program students without demonstrated financial need

The fund helps alleviate the financial burden of Praxis tests required for Kansas licensure, making it easier for aspiring educators to access these vital examinations and achieve equitable access to their teaching aspirations.

In 2022, CAS observed a significant number of graduates completing Praxis tests for initial teacher licensure in Kansas, resulting in estimated annual testing expenses exceeding $60,000. The Credit Union of America Teacher Licensure Test Program Fund addresses this financial barrier, providing essential support to aspiring educators. Approximately 50% to 60% of WSU’s pre-service teacher candidates have a low Expected Family Contribution below $3,000, and this fund aims to promote equitable access to teacher licensure for all students.