Category: News

Alec Bohm, a Wichita State Alum and a member of the Philadelphia Phillies, has been nominated for the 2021 Roberto Clemente Award. This prestigious Major League Baseball award is given annually  to the player who best represents the game of baseball by their character, community work, philanthropy and positivity on and off the field. Nominees are selected by their team.

Bohm, who graduated from WSU in 2018, was a first-round pick in the 2018 draft. Alec was runner-up for National League Rookie of the Year in 2020.

Alec contributes to helping others whenever possible through the Alec Bohm Foundation. The foundation’s various projects, both in the United States and Africa, are described in detail at the link below. Baseball fans can also vote for their favorite nominee at this link.

In 2020, Wichita State University faculty, staff, administrators, student, and community leaders were asked to serve on presidential task forces as part of a commitment to shared governance and transparency. The findings from these efforts have helped shape and refine the priorities and strategy of the university.

The work of these task forces is complete. Their insight may inspire further initiatives that serve Wichita State’s vision and mission.

Student feedback helped guide the design of Frank and Kay Woolsey Hall. They asked for collaboration, and they asked for caffeine.

“Coffee, safety, a welcoming environment and a chance for people to come together,” said Emily Patterson, executive director of facilities planning at Wichita State University. “I don’t think coffee is an official pillar, but it’s helpful.”

Shocker Printing Solutions will close today, Sept. 16 for staff training.

During this time, the service window will close, but customers will still be able to submit their print jobs via the online storefront.

Wichita State’s HEALTH  (Health Education Advocates for Leadership, Teamwork, and Humanity) Student Association in the Department of Public Health Sciences (PHS) was recently awarded $10,000 in grants as part of the Kansas Beats The Virus initiative. The funds will be used to support the promotion of COVID-19 testing and vaccination, and to engage in targeted, on-campus risk reduction.

HEALTH was founded in 2005 by students in the Department of Public Health Sciences. It is currently led by President Shazia Ahmed, vice-president Storm Dial, secretary Cheyenne Nguyen, and treasurer Kari Coster. Dr. Amy Drassen Ham serves as HEALTH faculty advisor, and Tara Nolen (a former HEALTH President) and PHS adjunct instructor, serves as the community advisor.

Since its inception, HEALTH has conducted more than 50 applied community development projects related to campus tobacco, sexual health, mental health and COVID-19.

Wichita State University Campus Recreation and the University Police Department teamed up this summer to teach more than 200 children life skills such as swimming, healthy living and goal setting.

The program was made possible by the Michael Phelps Foundation Grant received by Campus Recreation. The no-cost program was through the Boys and Girls Club. The intent is to help children from lower income families who may not have access to these activities at home or school.

Dr. Charles Burdsal, community psychology Ph.D. coordinator and professor of psychology, passed away on Sept. 10, 2021, in Wichita. He was 77 years old and still actively teaching classes at Wichita State University. Burdsal was born in 1944 in Kansas City, Missouri, and moved to Texas in the 1950s. He earned a bachelor of arts and doctorate from Texas Tech University.

He began teaching at Wichita State in 1972. During the almost 50 years of service to the university, Burdsal worked as department chair in psychology and helped establish the doctoral programs for the department. He was also in charge of the Social Science Research Lab. He loved gardening, traveling, and photography.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Thaddie Burdsal. Charlie is survived by his wife of 41 years, Jeanne Burdsal; stepdaughter, Kristin Morgan (Craig); granddaughter, Kaitlyn Watson.

What is a first-gen student? A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parents or legal guardians have not completed a bachelor’s degree and students who are the first person in their immediate families to attend a four-year college or university to attain a bachelor’s degree.

• The First Gen Coordinating Council (FGCC) is happy to introduce The Alpha Alpha Alpha (Tri-Alpha) a first-generation honor society open to all first-generation Wichita State students, faculty, staff and alumni. Tri-Alpha membership is built to support and advocate for the academic excellence of first-generation college students.
• FOCUS ON FIRST-GEN: This week we highlight Cheryl K. Miller, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Senior Assistant Dean for Academic and Staff Operations.
• F1RST-GEN T-Shirts are available in the RSC Shocker Store for $12.
• If you’re interested in being featured as a first-generation profile, contact fgshockers@wichita.edu.

In this month’s issue of Forward Together, President Rick Muma writes about Digital Transformation and how it’s driving Wichita State University’s research and applied learning initiatives, as well as helping to diversity the Kansas economy. Other topics discussed include the following:

• WSU-NIAR WERX receives 777 aircraft for Kansas Modification Center passenger-to-freighter conversion
• Shocker Promise will cover tuition and fees for eligible Sedgwick County freshmen
• Long-lost sundial finds new home on WSU campus
• T-Mobile internship led to career options for WSU student
• Scholarship aimed at underrepresented students welcomes inaugural class
• NIAR helps South Kansas earn Defense Manufacturing Community designation
• WSU researcher awarded $100K NEH grant for accessibility app
• Wu Crew Reads promotes literacy at Wichita school
• $125K grant will assist WSU in boosting businesses in underserved communities

A new, yearlong, interdisciplinary program focused on developing women leaders with a global, innovative mindset will start this fall at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University. The Widener Global Leaders Program, made possible by a gift from Peri Widener, is designed to create a transformational experience and foster an inclusive community for women majoring in business, communication or fine arts.

“This unique coalition of business, communication and music is an exciting opportunity for our female students and for the university as a whole,” said Dr. Shirley Lefever, interim provost at Wichita State University. “When our different colleges put their resources together in programs like this, our students receive a more versatile, powerful and wholistic experience.”