Category: Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Thank you to all who supported Wichita State on Founders’ Day of Giving. With your help, WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement raised more than $125,000 from 300+ donors to support the programs, departments, activities and organizations that make a difference in the lives of Shockers year after year.

Your commitment to the university helps ensure the student experience at WSU goes beyond the classroom, helping Shockers succeed through applied learning activities and extracurricular support.

WSUFAE thanks everyone for helping advance Shocker Nation.

WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement’s annual day of giving is nearly here. Thursday, Sept. 14, join thousands of Shocker alumni, students, employees, parents and friends to celebrate our history and invest in our future.

It’s all possible at Wichita State; but it’s only possible through your support. Join WSUFAE this Founders’ Day to support what you love at WSU.

Join WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement Thursday, Sept. 14 to celebrate Founders’ Day of Giving and help make the university all that it can be.

It’s a day for all of Shocker Nation to come together to lift Shockers up by supporting the program, team or department that means the most to you.

Help spread the word to make this Founders’ Day of Giving the best yet.

Jessie Rainey and Ted Kimble have been named as new associate vice presidents for development at the Wichita State University Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE).

Jessie Rainey, who led development efforts for the Barton School over the last five years, stepped into her new role on Aug. 7. In her new position, she will supervise fundraising efforts for the Barton School, Fairmount College, the Honors College, the College of Applied Studies and the College of Innovation and Design. The WSUFAE will soon begin the search to fill Rainey’s former role of senior director of development for the Barton School.

The other role will be filled by WSU alum Ted Kimble, joining the WSUFAE team on Sept. 1 from the University of Texas, Southwestern Medical Center. Kimble will oversee development efforts for the College of Fine Arts, the College of Health Professions, University Libraries, the Graduate School and the College of Engineering.

“We recently evaluated the structure of our development team to better support the university’s fundraising priorities,” said Darin Kater, senior vice president for development at the WSUFAE. “As a result, we determined having two AVPs that will help lead our team, build strong relationships and support major gift fundraising efforts was the right path forward.”

Friday, July 28 is the final day to register qn organization to fundraise on Founders’ Day of Giving. Ambassadors will be able to continue signing up to support any registered organization throughout the month of August.

For questions, reach out to aaryn.bennett@wichita.edu.

The Board of Directors of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement welcomed back Mike James ’71, to the board for another term beginning July 1.

The board is chaired by Lynn Nichols, retired chairman and CEO of Yingling Aircraft Inc. Dan Peare, ’82/85, serves as immediate past chair; Shawn Penner, ’92, is board treasurer; Sheryl Wohlford,’82, serves as secretary; and Jay Smith, ’79, is board chair elect. Other returning board members include Pamela Ammar, ’80; Susayn Brandes, ’81; Wayne Chambers, ’72, ’79; Jeff DeGraffenreid, ’88; Junetta Everett, ’79; Kelly Harrison, ’94; Shadi Marcos, ’96; Marilyn Pauly, ’72; and Elizabeth King. President Rick Muma is an ex-officio member.

Jane McHugh, ’80, will exit the board at the end of June at the completion of her term.

The search committee to find the next president and CEO for the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) has been selected. The committee will be co-chaired by Lynn Nichols, current board chair for the WSUFAE, and Jay Smith, incoming board chair. Other members include Dorothy Cohen, Shirley Lefever, Anthony Muscat, Kevin Saal, Maggie Topping and Amy Williams. Rick Muma and Elizabeth King will serve as committee advisors.

The planned timeline will have someone in the role by Jan. 2, 2024.

Join WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement in celebrating Josh Gould, director of information services at the WSUFAE, on his recent recognition of an Impact Award from Blackbaud, a software company for nonprofits. The award is part of its 2023 Innovation Grant and is given to an individual who has created a resource for the platform that helps accelerate impact. Josh’s custom application within the program has already been adapted by other IT professionals around the world.

As one of only eight Innovation Grant recipients, Josh will get the opportunity to work with Blackbaud developers to build a custom application, giving him exposure to new skills and the chance to create something useful for the entire Blackbaud community.

Join Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement for Founders’ Day of Giving 2023 to support the programs that mean the most to the campus community.

Sign up to be an ambassador and help spread Shocker Pride and encourage donations by sharing how campus services make a difference in “Lifting Shockers Up.”

Getting started is as easy as filling out ambassador registration form. For questions, reach out to emily.mullins@wichita.edu.

Help the Wichita State Foundation and Alumni Engagement celebrate the outstanding accomplishments of Shockers around the world with the 2023 Heritage Alumni Awards.

Submit a nomination today for young alumni, social impact and alumni achievement.