Category: Kudos

Usha Haley — W. Frank Barton distinguished chair in International Business and professor of management recently gave an interview to Newsmax about the issue of China’s hoarding of food, and the ramifications for national security. She informed Newsmax that China’s stockpiling of food stemmed from various political and historical factors and that China was not solely or even mainly responsible for the current spike in food prices in the United States.

More than 780 Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences students earned a spot on the fall 2021 Dean’s Honor Roll. The students who completed at least 12 graded credit hours with a 3.500 grade point average were recognized at special ceremony April 15.

“We are extremely proud of our honorees, and are delighted to be able to celebrate them and encourage them to continue to pursue excellence in their program of study,” Andrew Hippisley, dean of Fairmont College of Liberal Arts and Sciences said. “They exemplify persistence and dedication, and we support them in their academic journey to become more.”

Umama Ali, a Wichita State Public Health Certificate graduate student who works with the Institute for Health Equity Advances, presented at the Center for Research for Infant Birth and Survival (CRIBS) symposium on April 13. Ali was the only graduate student who spoke at the event which was hosted by CRIBS and the KU School of Medicine-Wichita. Ali discussed the growing prevalence of gestational diabetes, the disparity between urban and rural mothers and the importance of a healthy weight before pregnancy. 

The Haysville Chamber of Commerce presented the annual Gold Star Award to the Wichita State Haysville and WSU South teams April 2. The Gold Star Award recognizes businesses who have made a significant collaboration of time and services in furthering education and the City of Haysville.

WSU Haysville opened in 2018 with the Haysville School District and the City of Haysville’s encouragement and collaboration in post-secondary education for high school students, high school graduates and adult learners. The award demonstrates the appreciation and importance of WSU’s mission in outreach and collaboration with local communities.

Two Wichita-area teachers who graduated from the School of Education were recently recognized for their outstanding work in the classroom by the White House with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST). PAEMST is the highest award kindergarten through 12th grade mathematics and science teachers can receive from the U.S. government.

A team from Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research has received international recognition for a design that would allow WC19 certified manual and power wheelchairs to be used as a seat on board commercial airlines.

The Fly Your Wheels Suite — designed by NIAR researchers and students in the Advanced Virtual Engineering and Test Labs (AVET), in collaboration with Collins Aerospace and Q’Straint — can be implemented near the first-class cabin of a single-aisle aircraft, such as a Boeing 737.

The Office of Adult Learning at Wichita State University would like to express its congratulations to the recipients of the Adult Learner of the Year Awards (ALOTY). The third annual ALOTY ceremony was held on March 10 to recognize outstanding adult learners and those who support them.

This year, the ALOTY was Nick Rodriguez, an adult learner who demonstrates academic success, leadership skills, and the pride of Wichita State University.

The Community Partner Award winner was presented to Alpha Sigma Lambda, an organization that strives to support adult learners nationwide and has impacted the success of countless students at WSU.

Kim Sandlin, director of Student Success, was presented with the WSU Partner Award for her constant support and contributions to the success of adult learners at WSU.

Thank you to those who attended the ceremony, and congratulations winners on all your hard work!

On March 12, Japanese-language students from Wichita State participated in the annual Japanese Language Contest in Kansas City sponsored by the Heart of Japan-America Society. A total of 72 students competed from 11 schools in categories that included Japanese calligraphy, poetry, a karuta card game, culture quizzes, kanji bees, and four-panel manga.

The following WSU students won awards at the contest:

• Megan Dahna, second place for English-language Tanka poem and third place in the culture quiz
• Sheridan Peterson, third place for English-language Tanka
• Arianna Fonseca, an honorable mention for her Japanese Tanka poem

Officer Dorion was recently presented the Dottie C. Miller Award by the Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy, and Leadership. Officer Dorion was recognized with this award for his continual support of the Greek community at Wichita State.