Hello, Hello. What?
Until that call came, it was a typical day at work for Tayssir “Ty” A. Issa ’86, proprietor of the Wichita restaurant Larkspur. But shortly after answering the phone one day this past March and asking who was calling, Shocker Issa got a bit of a shock. “You’re on the air,” the caller answered. “Howard Stern.” Issa didn’t quite believe it was the shock jock — until Stern started in with what Issa describes as “kinky conversation.” The phone call was part of Stern’s daily Sirius radio show, which regularly features Stern randomly calling people and seeing how long he can keep them on the phone. Issa talked to him for a little while, but — Issa reports — he really had to get back to his own work.
Fellow-less in Kansas
Rick Mulkey ’92, Wichita State’s new director of creative writing, briefly enjoyed the honor of a South Carolina Poetry Fellowship. But the state rescinded the prize after learning his forwarding address. Mulkey, who earned his Master of Fine Arts in poetry as a Shocker, had been serving as director of the creative writing program at Converse College in Spartanburg, S.C.
Cinderella's Story
This summer while starring in the Santa Fe Opera’s production of Cinderella, Joyce DiDonato ’92 eloped to Las Vegas with her Prince Charming. The mezzo soprano and 2006 WSU Young Alumna Award honoree wed Italian conductor Leonardo Vordoni at the Venetian Hotel in a gondola floating down Vegas’s version of Venice’s Grand Canal. “It was completely magical,” says DiDonato, who’s now performing in Madrid, Spain. The lauded international performer is planning on being in Wichita to accept her alumni award during ceremonies slated for Jan. 25. “I’m so happy I’ll be able to attend and get a Shocker fix,” she relates. “It’s been too long!”
RnR Celebs
Shockerwise, what do Martina McBride, Dr. Phil, Barry Manilow and Tiger Woods have in common? Each will be featured in auction offerings at Wichita State’s Oct. 28 Rockin’ the Roundhouse event, a key fundraiser for the WSU Alumni Association and WSU Athletics. The winning bidder on the McBride package, for instance, will nab a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the singer in person after a concert in St. Louis.
Fish Loves Cats
Cara Fish ’05 has reeled in the role of Jennyanydots, the tap-dancing cat, in the touring company of Cats. The tour, produced by Troika Entertainment of Gaithersburg, Md., opened July 4 in Charlotte, N.C. In addition to Jennyanydots, Fish understudies Grizabella, the cat that sings “Memory,” and Jellylorum, the opera-singing cat — which is just fine with Fish, who graduated from Wichita State with a bachelor’s degree in voice performance. Says Fish, “This is such a great stepping stone!”
My Fave
Whether you’re a grad of Wichita State, the University of Wichita or even venerable Fairmount College, chances are there’s a favorite professor (or coach, administrator or staffer) who comes to mind when you wax nostalgic about your college days. A particularly wise teacher who opened intellectual doors for you. Who led you to your life’s work. Who made you think. Whoever that person is, we want to know! We’re collecting stories about Shockers who made a difference in your life; visit www.wichita.edu/alumni and tell us about your fave.
