WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Summer 2006

CONTENTS

FEATURES

Laughter Squared

Angelman Syndrome, an uncommon genetic disorder too often misunderstood and misdiagnosed, is an all-too-serious condition involving speech impairment or lack of speech, seizures, mental and motor retardation — delightful blue eyes, a mysterious fascination with water and giggles. Lots of giggles.

100 Years of Shocker Hoops

For a century now, Shocker basketball has energized the Fairmount College, University of Wichita and Wichita State communities with its spirit.

Creating Drama

For 25 years, the head of Wichita State’s Media Resources Center, Mike Wood, has quietly chronicled anecdotes and advice from some of America’s most critically acclaimed playwrights.

Tunnel Vision

Born in the South in the 1940s, the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing has advanced stock car racing from a local hobby to America’s second most popular televised sport.


MAIL

Mail

Shockers from all points write in.


SHOCK TALK

Shock Talk

Shockers everywhere, at events long ago to happenings just the other day, always have something interesting to say.


AT THE CENTER

Shocker Faces

Shocker personalities show up everywhere. Take a look!

Shocker Re-Group

Graduates from the University of Wichita’s Class of 1956 gathered on campus April 20-22.

Director's Corner

Debbie Kennedy, WSU Alumni Association executive director, provides a wrap-up of the year.

President's Corner

Dave Dahl pens his “adieu” message.

Shocker Zen & CaddyShock VI

Perhaps the Shocker golfers of CaddyShock VI didn’t exactly “achieve total consciousness,” as was the golf tournament’s thematic goal.

WSU Drive Your Pride and Legacy Scholarship Recipients

Thanks to the 1,029 Shockers sporting WuShock on their Kansas license plates, more than $160,000 has been added to scholarship funds.

Happenings

WSUAA News and Events

Thank You, Heritage Fund Contributors

The Heritage Fund provides crucial support for the continuation and growth of current association programs, as well as providing for the initiation of new areas of service.


ON THE HILL

Archival Gold

Albert Goldbarth, distinguished professor of humanities at Wichita State, is among America’s most respected living poets.

Points of Discovery

Amber Hardin and Jerry Elmore spent a good number of hours this spring semester on display, as it were.

Award-Winning Entrepreneurial Venturers

Wichita State’s Students in Free Enterprise Team became a regional champ in Denver, Colo., on March 29.

Gleanings

These Gleanings entries survey the current university scene and feature original illustrations by Scott Dawson ’86.


SHOCK ART

Shock Art

A gallery of both literary and visual art, Shock Art showcases work by Wichita State University alumni, faculty and students.


WANDERINGS

Native Son

Gordon Roger Alexander Buchanan Parks, WSU President’s Medal recipient, photographer, film director, author and musician, born Nov. 30, 1912 in Fort Scott, Kan., died March 7 in New York.


QUOTED

Quoted: Elizabeth King

Elizabeth King comments on changes in higher education, balancing family life and work, playing Abraham Lincoln, two pet monkeys — and a true confession.


ALUMNI NEWS

Tip of the Iceberg

Since April Beaty ’98 graduated from Wichita State with her bachelor’s in nursing, she has worked as a traveling nurse.

Who's That Astronaut?

Astute readers may remember Blake Robbins ’88 from an Alumni News story in the fall 2005 issue of The Shocker.

Striking Off Into the Sunset

Many people find themselves at a loss upon retirement from a long career. Not Roger McClure ’67.

A Global Reach

For two loyal Shocker fans, even fighting the war against terrorism in Baghdad or Afghanistan can’t keep them from rooting on Shocker baseball.


LOOK BACK

Something in Common

It’s easy to take the Rhatigan Student Center for granted.

Found Stories

In the early years of Fairmount College and then WU, Parnassus staff chose the “fairest of them all,” the Parnassus Queen.


SHOCKER SPORTS

Just in Case

Deep down, Wichita State pitcher Aaron Shafer knew the answer was going to be a firm “no,” but he asked anyway.

Kushti Oyinshi

Madina Rakhim, a native of Kazakhstan, had never been to Kansas before arriving in early January to join the Shocker tennis program.

Sports Briefs

Shocker Sports News and Notes


CLASS NOTES

Class Notes

Comings, goings, appointments, retirements, honors, accolades and other personal alumni news.


IN MEMORIAM

In Memoriam

These WSU alumni and university friends leave lasting legacies.


CODA

Road Trip

Dan Close, ’81/92 and Elliott School of Communication associate professor, shares his road trip experiences.


SHOCKER PROFILES

Graduation Story

Like all good mothers, Sara Friesen ’06 would patch up her young son’s scrapes and cuts. Years later, it was Jared ’06 who was his mother’s inspiration.

Identity Sculpting

When Marysville city officials needed help with a redevelopment project, they turned to nearby KSU and a landscape architecture class taught by WSU grad Katie Kingery-Page ’96.

The Wilflipson Show

The Internet has truly put media in the hands of the people, and creative folks like Vince Miller ’96 are embracing the possibilities.


MARGINALIA

Marginalia

Newsworthy info about alumni and university personalities and happenings — all packaged up in bite-size reads.