Susie Anderson, Gerald Graham, Richard Oatman, who
accepted for his father, Mike Oatman; back row from left,
Jeff Gates, Jeff Turner and Gordon Vadakin, were feted
at a gala banquet Jan. 25, 2002.
Nearly 250 Wichita State University alumni and friends attended the 46th Annual WSU Alumni Association Awards Banquet Jan. 25 at the Wichita Marriott Hotel. Two big screens for video presentations plus the stunning lighting and elegant ambience of the hotel’s Kansas Grand Ballroom set the stage for the awards ceremony recognizing the 2001 award recipients, who join an ever-growing list of extraordinary individuals who have excelled in their professions and contributed to their communities in myriad but always exceptional ways.
Honored were Jeffrey L. Turner ’73/77, Achievement Award; Dr. Gerald H. Graham and David J. ’68 and Susan W. ’72/75 Anderson, Recognition Awards; Gordon F. Vadakin ’82, the Laura M. Cross Distinguished Service Award; Jeffrey C. Gates ’98, Young Alumnus Award; and Michael C. Oatman, Honorary Alumnus, whose award was accepted by his son, Richard Oatman.
The Achievement Award is the highest honor given to an alumnus of Wichita State by the alumni association. Recognition Awards are presented to alumni or friends of the university for particular service to Wichita State or the alumni association. The Distinguished Service Award is presented to faculty/staff/employee or retired faculty/staff/employee of WSU who has provided exceptional service to the university. The Young Alumnus Award recognizes the accomplishments of a Wichita State graduate 40 years old or younger, and the presentation of Honorary Alumnus status is reserved for individuals who are not university alumni, but who have served and promoted Wichita State.
Larry Hatteberg, KAKE-TV 10 anchor and veteran broadcast journalist, served as emcee for the event, which also featured remarks from wsu President Donald L. Beggs, wsu Alumni Association President Chris Shank and wsu Alumni Awards Committee Chairperson Pamela Clancy.
Attendees included Elizabeth and Brad Anderson; Shirley Beggs; Tonya and Dave Dahl; Kelly and Jeff DeGraffenreid; Sheila and Bryan Frye; Willard Garvey; Martha, Alexandria and Garrett Gates; Vicki and Mike Germann; Carol Graham; Judy and Al Higdon; Elizabeth and Don King; Ann and Paul Konecny; Jacque and Sam Kouri; Terri Moses; Jennifer Oatman; Marilyn and Ken Pauly; Beverly and Jim Rhatigan; Felicia and John Rolfe; Priscilla and Jim Schaus; Rhonda Turner; Billie and John Turner; Joanie and David Urban; Cindy, Andrea and Kenny Vadakin; Velma Wallace; Tim Witsman; and Sheryl and Doug Wohlford.
