Category: Accolades

Amy DeVault, senior educator of journalism and media production in Elliott School of Communication, was recognized with the 2026 Faculty Champion from the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont.

Alan Held, Ann and Dennis Ross Faculty of Distinction in Opera in the School of Music, was recognized with the 2026 Kansas Governor’s Arts Award from the Kansas Arts Commission.

The Spero program in the Barton School of Business was recognized with a 2026 Innovation Award from Wichita Business Journal.

Natalie Delacruz — Ph.D., RDH, FADHA, associate professor and assistant director of BSDH Degree Completion Program in the Department of Dental Hygiene — received two accolades from the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and Kansas Dental Hygienists Association.

Delacruz was appointed as vice president, Kansas Dental Hygienists Association.

Details: Appointed to serve as the Vice President of the Kansas Dental Hygienists’ Association, contributing to leadership, member engagement, statewide advocacy initiatives, and the planning and coordination of annual continuing education events for dental hygiene professionals. Additionally serves at the national level as an alternate delegate to the American Dental Hygienists’ Association House of Delegates, representing Kansas in national discussions and policy review.

Delacruz was recognized as an American Dental Hygienists’ Association Fellow.

Details: The American Dental Hygienists’ Association is the national association that represents the dental hygiene profession. The Certificate of Fellowship indicates that the recipient has fulfilled all ADHA requirements and has demonstrated significant contributions to the advancement of the science and art of dental hygiene.

GoCreate, a Koch Collaborative at Wichita State, was honored by the Kansas Department of Commerce with a Merit Award in the nonprofit category of the To The Stars: Kansas Business Awards.

Efrain Rueda, Police sergeant for the Wichita State University Police Department, was recognized with a Public Servant Hero Award from American Red Cross.

Natalie Delacruz — Ph.D., RDH, FADHA, associate professor and assistant director of BSDH Degree Completion Program in the Department of Dental Hygiene — was recognized as an American Dental Hygienists’ Association Fellow.

Details: The American Dental Hygienists’ Association is the national association that represents the dental hygiene profession. The Certificate of Fellowship indicates that the recipient has fulfilled all ADHA requirements and has demonstrated significant contributions to the advancement of the science and art of dental hygiene.

Carly Havner, Department Chair and Program Director of the Department of Dental Hygiene, was inducted into the Professional Fellows Program from American Dental Hygienists’ Association.

Will Parcell, associate professor and director of the Geology Field School, was recognized with the Mellon Foundation History of Science Fellowship through the University of Oklahoma History of Science Collections.

Robert C. Manske, professor in the Department of Physical Therapy, has been asked to serve on the Kansas University School of Medicine Wichita Orthopaedic Research and Publications Committee in support of WSU’s ACGME-mandated resident research program. This committee reviews research proposals and projects for orthopedic surgery residents.