CONTENTS

Wichita State's history is punctuated with times of rapid change: transitioning to a city university, making the jump to a state institution, becoming an Innovation University ...

Construction is underway in earnest on Wichita State’s Innovation Campus. Steel and concrete are changing the landscape of the southeast quadrant of the university’s main campus as the first two innovation buildings take shape.

With the love and support of John and Aimee, family and community members, former colleagues and students, caregivers at Wichita hospitals, including Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, and even strangers, Julie Dombo ’84 is recovering at an ever accelerating pace.

Shocker Notes

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

Shocker Snapshots

Twenty-one teams vied for top prizes in the WSU Alumni Association-hosted Shocker Open, a fundraiser in support of WSUAA programming and Wichita State student scholarships awarded through the alumni association.

Rockin’ the Roundhouse is over; half the school year is nearly gone; and now it’s time for my first message as Chair of the WSUAA.

WuShock and Wichita State men’s basketball head coach Gregg Marshall were the two Shocker centers of attention for Women United for the Shockers members who came together Sept. 23 in Charles Koch Arena’s Champions Club for heavy hors d’oeuvres, cocktails and much convivial conversation.

As members of Wichita State’s Class of 1965 returned to campus for their 50 Year Reunion’s opening reception Oct. 1 at the Woodman Alumni Center, Courtney M. Marshall, president and CEO of the WSU Alumni Association, greeted each of them and their guests.

Some 500 Shockers turned out for the WSU Alumni Association’s biggest fundraiser of the year on Oct. 24 at Charles Koch Arena. As always, attendees vied for silent and live auction items, enjoyed special Shocker entertainment and personalities — and were treated to wagonloads of food and drink.

New Zealand is renowned throughout the world for its spectacular scenery and friendly people.

Bob Long ’64, who was part of three championship seasons with the Green Bay Packers from 1965 to 1967, was on campus this fall as a WSU Distinguished Alumni Speaker.

WSUAA News and Events

As I come to the end of my first year as president and CEO of the Wichita State University Alumni Association, it is with excitement for the future that I share my greetings.

President John Bardo challenges us to "go create," introduces us to the newest member of his executive team –– and shares plans to hit the road for a number of alumni gatherings across the country in the new year.

Joseph Shepard has made Shocker history as only the second African American to head Wichita State’s Student Government Association.

WSU music professor Mark Foley says the best part of his job is “working with students and seeing their energy.
They have dreams. My job is to help them reach that dream.”

Wichita State’s School of Art, Design and Creative Industries has a single overarching mission: to offer students degree programs that meld knowledge gained in the classroom with the know-how of practical experience for a “contemporary creative education unlike anything else in Kansas.”

The Shocker's On the Hill Greek page celebrates WSU's Greek-letter organizations, their members and alumni members.

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

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

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

Wichita's Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport opened with fanfare this past June 3. ICT's new gateway to the city has a strong Shocker presence.

Ryan Schrader ’15, a 2015 Senior Honor Man at WSU, has landed his first job after graduating as an account associate at Taphandles LLC in Seattle.

Business savvy Dan Weller ’95/97 cruises the stages of the world with Florida Georgia Line.

A lifelong dog lover who has had poodles as pets since she was 12 years old, Joan Davis ’91 began entering her dogs in American Kennel Club and United Kennel Club agility competitions back in 2000.

Poet and counterculture icon Allen Ginsberg beat a newsworthy path to Wichita at least twice in the 1960s — and once, on Monday, Feb. 21, 1966, his destination was Wichita State, the Campus Activities Center Ballroom, to be specific.

A young Rocky Both was thrilled to have his photograph autographed by one of his sports idols, Bob Long ’64, a former Shocker athlete who was a wide receiver with the Green Bay Packers at the time he signed “To Rocky, my friend.”

Willie Jeffries was honored for his “coaching legacy” by South Carolina State’s athletics department, in conjunction with the SC State Former Athletes Association, during a special weekend of events held Oct. 16-17 in Orangeburg, S.C. When Wichita State hired Jeffries in 1979 from SC State, he entered the sports history books as the first African American head football coach at a Division 1A university.

The Shockers opened the season ranked No. 10 nationally. Sports Illustrated’s David Gardner and Luke Winn, among others, proclaimed Fred VanVleet and Ron Baker the best backcourt in the NCAA. All of which puts pressure on Wichita State to perform.

The Shockers are coming off a highly successful season after winning their third-straight MVC regular-season and tournament titles, while also collecting a school-record 29 wins, a program-best 17 MVC victories and earning a berth into the NCAA Tournament for the third consecutive season.

With a sweep of Evansville and an assist from a Southern Illinois loss, the Shocker volleyball team clinched the Missouri Valley Conference regular-season title, the MVC Tournament’s No. 1 seed and a first-round MVC Tournament bye.

Shocker Sports News and Notes

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

Leaving lasting legacies are these Wichita State University alumni and friends.

"The only way to end the brain drain of artists and other free thinkers is to make an end of present politics, invite the wild ones back, give them lots of money and set them loose on the town." — Allen Ginsberg, The Sunflower, Wichita, 1966

Wendy L. (Newell) Mosiman ’91/09 is an advanced practice nurse who serves as a clinical nurse specialist at Via Christi Health in Wichita.

Each year, a number of state and local firefighting organizations join together in honoring a Kansas firefighter for heroic actions above and beyond the call of duty. This year, Rob B. Kanaga ’97, is their choice of Firefighter of the Year.

Megan Morgan ’06 wanted to work in the sports world, and knew finding the right foundation was of the utmost importance.

David J. Stone ’99 took the long route to his career in education.

Newsworthy info about alumni and university personalities and events — all packaged up in bite-size reads, complete with original illustrations by Wade Hampton.

The Shocker is published twice annually, during fall and spring semesters, by the Wichita State University Alumni Association (WSUAA) for association members and other selected audiences.