Category: Kudos

The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures and the WSU Japanese Language program extend a congratulations to the winners of the Heart of America Japan-America Society’s annual Japanese Language Contest. The contest was held on March 4 at Johnson County Community College. They are proud of the hard work that all the contestants put into the contest this year to represent Wichita State.

Students competed in several categories including poetry writing in both English and Japanese, karuta card games, online grammar and culture quizzes, calligraphy, 4-panel manga creation, and a speech presentation contest.

This year’s winners from Wichita State:

• Cameron Gillespie: First in speech presentation, second in Japanese-language tanka poem.
• Alyssa Moen: First in Japanese culture quiz, second in N5 karuta card game.
• Wren Johnson: Second in speech presentation.
• Quyen Tran: Honorable mention for calligraphy.
• Lilith Tackett: Honorable mention for English-language tanka poem.

A team of ten students from the School of Computing within the College of Engineering competed virtually and won third place in the Midwest qualifiers of the NCAE Cyber Games on Feb. 18.

As part of the competition, the team was tasked with setting up and defending a small network against cyber attacks. Additionally, a “capture the flag” component required solving challenges, such as password cracking, network traffic analysis, reverse engineering and threat hunting.

Team members, all of whom belong to the Wichita State University Linux User Group student organization, included Marcos Vera Bareiro, Carlos Renato Soverina Figueroa, Michael Foster, Jason Kurtz, Philip Lindholm, Ivan Macias, Nikilesh Samba Murthy, Mirza Shahid, Olivia Robl and Khang Tran. From the group, Macias received an award for Most Valuable Player, and Tran received an award for Most Improved Player. The competition was the first NCAE Cyber Games that included WSU student participants.

On Feb. 24, the Office of Engagement was given a Community Hero Award during Community Day at Gordon Parks Academy, STEM Leaders in Applied and Media Arts.

The Office of Engagement thanks everyone who worked hard to organize Community Day and especially thanks LaTonia Kennedy, principal of Gordon Parks Academy. It also congratulates all the other award recipients.

Upward Bound Math Science (UBMS) is a part of the federally funded TRIO programs. The goal of UBMS is to help students recognize and develop their potential in math and science, and to encourage them to pursue postsecondary degrees in those subjects.

The UBMS Scholars are the top at their high school in USD 259 academically and received a recognition dinner at President Rick Muma’s house on Feb. 17.

TRIO’s purpose is to prepare low-income and first-generation college-bound students for success in higher education.

During the recent Wichita State sickle cell awareness blood drive on Feb. 7 and 8, the American Red Cross collected a total of 51 pints of blood against a goal of 62 pints, achieving 82% of its goal. There were 71 donors who registered, including 15 first time donors.

The American Red Cross appreciates all of the donors who came out to give blood.

As a leading business school academic, Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton distinguished chair in international business and Kansas Faculty of Excellence, was recently interviewed by the Financial Times. Professor Haley explained why business school research has not had greater social impact.

Thank you to all students who took the AOD survey and congratulations to red parking spot winner Rueben Scheck.

The staff senate invites the WSU community to submit nominations of outstanding staff members for the President’s Award for Distinguished Service.

These awards recognize the dedication and excellence of WSU employees who have provided exemplary, dedicated and caring service to the WSU community that is beyond the expectations of the duties and responsibilities of their position. Selected honorees are recognized at the annual Shocker Pride Celebration.

Submit a nomination by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 to jessica.pierpoint@wichita.edu.

Do you know a faculty member who exemplifies any of the traits below? If so, nominate that person for the Wichita State President’s Distinguished Service Award.

• Distinguished service to the university
• Distinguished service to the community
• Notable outreach efforts or forging of connections among WSU and the community
• Long-term commitment to WSU through extensive committee service

Consider nominating them for the Presidential Service Award. Complete a nomination form, attach a CV that includes the nominee’s service activities, and include a letter of support. Previous recipients of this award are not eligible for nomination.

Nominations will be accepted until 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 27. Please send your nominations to leeann.birdwell@wichita.edu.

United Way thanks WSU faculty and staff for their generosity and contributions to its United Way of the Plains campaign to improve the quality of life for WSU and the neighboring communities.

United Way of the Plains supports south central Kansas and helps those in need with health, education, financial stability and basic needs. In 2022, WSU faculty and staff raised a total of $29,533.40 and 10% were first-time donors.

Because of its donors, United Way is able to collectively make a greater impact on the community and could not do so without all of its generous Shockers.