Author: Carmen Hytche

President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case cordially invite you to the Wichita State Holiday Party from 2 to 5 p.m. Dec. 3 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Shirley Beggs Ballroom. The President’s Executive Team will greet faculty and staff, and attendees will receive a complimentary holiday glass while supplies last (one per person). The holiday party is a come-and-go event.

A general arrival time is appreciated to assist our catering staff in preparations. Kindly RSVP for one of three time slots to let catering know when you are planning to attend by Friday, Nov. 21.

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards recognize faculty and staff for exemplary, dedicated and caring service to Wichita. The reception to meet and greet the honorees and recognition ceremony were held May 9 in Woolsey Hall.

The 2025 President’s Distinguished Award honorees are:

Faculty Senate:

• Susan H. Castro, Department of Philosophy, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• BreAnn M. Gilkey, School of Social Work, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• John Hammond, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

University Staff Senate:

• Amber Anderson, Online Education, Division of Academic Affairs
• Susan McCoy, Department of Chemistry, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Sharmon Holcomb, Registrar’s Office, Division of Academic Affairs
• Stephanie Cockrell, Graduate Programs, W. Frank Barton School of Business

University Staff Senate – Wayne Carlisle Award:

• Christopher Leonard, Counseling and Psychological Services, Division of Student Affairs

The honorees for the 2025 University Faculty Awards were recognized May 9 in Woolsey Hall. The university faculty awards recognizes excellence in teaching, research and creative activities.

The 2025 University Faculty Award honorees are:

• Excellence in Teaching: Brian Rawson
• Leadership in the Advancement: Jen-Chi Cheng
• Young Faculty Scholar: Reagan Murnan
• Academy for Effective Teaching: Mary Liz Jameson and John Watkins
• Excellence in Research: Shuang Gu and Xiaolong Li
• Excellence in Creative Activity: Robert Thomas
• Excellence Award for Community Research: Rachel Showstack
• Faculty Risk Taker: Angela Beeler
• Young Faculty Risk Taker: Davi Soares
• Excellence in Accessibility: Jason Li
• Excellence in Online Teaching: Kate Kung-McIntyre

The honorees for the 2025 University Faculty Awards will be recognized at 3 p.m. May 9 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom. The reception to meet and greet the honorees will be held at 2:30 p.m.

The university faculty awards recognizes excellence in teaching, research and creative activities.

2025 University Faculty Award honorees:

• Excellence in Teaching: Brian Rawson
• Leadership in the Advancement: Jen-Chi Cheng
• Young Faculty Scholar: Reagan Murnan
• Academy for Effective Teaching: Mary Liz Jameson and John Watkins
• Excellence in Research: Shuang Gu and Xiaolong Li
• Excellence in Creative Activity: Robert Thomas
• Excellence Award for Community Research: Rachel Showstack
• Faculty Risk Taker: Angela Beeler
• Young Faculty Risk Taker: Davi Soares
• Excellence in Accessibility: Jason Li
• Excellence in Online Teaching: Kate Kung-McIntyre

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards will recognize faculty and staff for exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the Wichita State community at a ceremony at 9:30 a.m. May 9 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

A reception to meet and greet the honorees will be at 9 a.m. the same day.

Honorees were selected by their peers from the university’s Staff Senate and Faculty Senate.

The 2025 President’s Distinguished Award honorees are:

Faculty Senate:

• Susan H. Castro, Department of Philosophy, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• BreAnn M. Gilkey, School of Social Work, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• John Hammond, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

University Staff Senate:

• Amber Anderson, Online Education, Division of Academic Affairs
• Susan McCoy, Department of Chemistry, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Sharmon Holcomb, Registrar’s Office, Division of Academic Affairs
• Stephanie Cockrell, Graduate Programs, W. Frank Barton School of Business

University Staff Senate – Wayne Carlisle Award:

Christopher Leonard, Counseling and Psychological Services, Division of Student Affairs

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

The 2025 event did not take place as planned, but to help shape future Barton Speaker Series events, take a moment to complete this brief survey. The survey closes at 11:59 p.m. Wednesday, April 23.

You’re cordially invited to the James J. Rhatigan Tree Dedication ceremony at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 on the north side of the Rhatigan Student Center.

The dedication ceremony will be at the James J. Rhatigan tree. The tree was donated by President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case in honor of the former dean of students and vice president for student affairs emeritus for his unwavering advocacy for students at Wichita State.

A reception with cookies and coffee will immediately follow the dedication ceremony in the lounge north of the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center. Confirm in-person attendance by April 15.

Note: In case of inclement weather, the dedication ceremony and reception will be in the lounge north of the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center.

Join a come-and-go retirement celebration in honor of Dr. Anthony Vizzini from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, March 6 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. Remarks begin at 4:30 p.m.

You are cordially invited to join the National Employee Appreciation Day celebration with President Rick Muma and his executive team from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 7 east of Rhatigan Student Center.

Confirm attendance by RSVPing online by Monday, March 3 to meet the executive team, have a hamburger or hotdog and enjoy yard games.

WSU faculty and staff are cordially invited to meet Dr. Monica Lounsbery, the incoming senior executive vice president and provost, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 23 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room. Remarks by President Rick Muma and Dr. Lounsbery will be at 3 p.m.

Please respond to the Monica Lounsbery meet and greet RSVP by Wednesday, Jan. 22.

Lounsbery will take over the SEVP and provost role from Dr. Shirley Lefever, who after 20 years at Wichita State retired in December.