Category: Kudos

Thank you to those who volunteered to help with the high school state baseball, softball and track events that took place on campus recently. There were more than 30,000 athletes, coaches and spectators in attendance. Volunteers gave over 5,000 people golf cart rides and distributed more than 3,000 bottles of water. Additionally, Wichita State Connect served as the recovery station where attendees could relax in lounge furniture, play yard games and enjoy the A/C between games and events.

Thank you again to all the volunteers for helping welcome these visitors to campus and providing a positive experience. Mark your calendars for next years events, May 30-31, 2025.

Kristyn Waits, faculty member in the College of Innovation and Design and assistant director of the Open XR Lab, recently received the inaugural Artemis Educator Award during the NASA SUITS Test Week May 19-25 in Houston.

The award recognizes educators who go above and beyond to inspire, motivate and elevate their students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

You can read more about the NASA SUITS Test Week earlier this month and learn more about CosmoShox on its website.

Wichita State plays a pivotal role in advancing aerospace research and economic resiliency in southern Kansas, which was highlighted in a case study from the Brookings Institution. From spearheading workforce development initiatives to driving technology adoption among small and midsized manufacturers, WSU’s collaborative efforts, including those through WSU Tech and NIAR, are shaping the future of the region.

Pathway to Nursing, a collaboration between Wichita State University and Kansas State University, is celebrating its first cohort of graduates. This program, which aims to supply nurses to rural Kansas, admitted its first cohort in fall 2022: Elyssa Lenz, Carly Howard, Jana Rosich, Alexis Streeter, and Kelby Wilson.

This achievement would not have come without the collaboration of the esteemed faculty and staff at both universities. For more information about this program, please email Dr. Laura Sooby, assistant director of the Pathway program, at laura.sooby@wichita.edu or visit our website.

The Wichita State University Teacher Apprentice Program (TAP) is receiving the honor of being named ‘Educator of the Night’ as part of Credit Union of America’s Educators’ Night at the Wichita Wind Surge baseball game at 7:05 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at Riverfront Stadium.

The recognition highlight’s TAP’s excellence in teacher education. Representing the program for the ceremonial first pitch will be Jill Wood, WSU TAP coordinator, and Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost.

Usha Haley’s, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Chair in International Business, research on the efficacy of sanctions and boycotts against multinational companies operating in South Africa during apartheid was covered in the Financial Times.

Usha has also written a book on the issue, “Multinational corporations in political environments: Ethics, Values and Strategies,” and has excerpts available online.

Starting April 14 is Telecommunicators and Dispatch Week, and everyone is encouraged to celebrate telecommunicators and dispatchers for their work behind the scenes keeping campus informed and safe.

The campus community is invited to share their stories of how they’ve made a difference, or simply drop a note of appreciation, at police@wichita.edu.

Congratulations to Dr. Gregory Hand, dean of the College of Health Professions, and Dr. Voncella McCleary-Jones, associate dean of the College of Health Professions, for receiving Wichita Business Journal’s 2024 Healthcare Hero Awards. The awards were presented during a banquet on April 2 at the Wichita Marriott.

Health Care Heroes recognizes outstanding healthcare professionals for their contributions to improving health care in Wichita and the surrounding area.

Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Chair of International Business and director of the Center for International Business Advancement, had her NSF-funded research covered in oilprice.com as significant research on how Chinese investments can affect oil prices and technology development in U.S. shale gas.

The article, “Chinese Investments In U.S. Shale Gas Have Been Bad For The Sector,” can be accessed online.

With a focus on oil and gas, alternative energy and geopolitics, Oilprice.com says it “is the most popular energy news site in the world.”

Dr. Nick Solomey, professor in the Department of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics, provided insights on what has been described as the “Great American Eclipse” to KWCH on April 8.

He discussed the mechanics of a solar eclipse and what viewers should do to safely watch the eclipse.