Category: Accolades

The College of Education, in partnership with Wichita Public Schools, was recognized with the 2026 Exemplary School-University Partnership Award from the National Association for School-University Partnerships.

The NASUP Exemplary School-University Partnership Award honors distinctive school-university partnerships that demonstrate sustained impact and ongoing contributions to educator preparation. The WSU-WPS partnership, established in 1995, is one of the longest continuously operating school-university collaborations in the region.

The W. Frank Barton School of Business was recognized by the State of Kansas and Gov. Laura Kelly with a proclamation honoring the Barton School’s centennial year.

The proclamation honors the Barton School’s enduring impact on the economic and social vitality of Wichita and its role in preparing generations of business leaders, entrepreneurs and professionals.

Dr. Bayram Yildirim, professor in the Department of Industrial, Systems and Manufacturing Engineering, was recognized with 2026 IISE Fellow Award from the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers.

The Fellow Award recognizes outstanding leaders of the profession who have made significant, nationally recognized contributions to industrial and systems engineering. A fellow is the highest classification of IISE membership.

Amy DeVault, senior educator of journalism and media production in Elliott School of Communication, was recognized as a 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.

This honor recognizes Held’s profound impact on the state’s cultural vitality. After a storied career performing over 80 major roles at the world’s premier venues — including the Metropolitan Opera and the Vienna State Opera — Held returned to his alma mater to cultivate the next generation of vocal artists.

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

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

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 the 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.