Wichita
Coleman Hill Cookout
More than 180 Shocker baseball fans gathered for a pregame cookout on Coleman Hill for the April 24 game against Missouri Valley Conference rival Creighton at Eck Stadium, Home of Tyler Field. Sponsored by Pepsi Bottling Group and the House of Schwan, this association event featured food, fun, drinks and the excitement of Shocker baseball. Attendees lunched on grilled hamburgers and hotdogs. Among those joining the fun were Stuart Faure with his group of 10 Shocker fans, Randy Fritzler ’77/04 of Mulvane, Kan., Vernon ’72 and Linda ’69 Farmer of Bel Aire, Kan., and Bob fs ’03 and Dorothy ’47 Ream of Wichita.
Distinguished Nurses
Members of the WSU Nursing Alumni Society hosted their 15th annual meeting May 6 at the Woodman Alumni Center. Highlights included the presentation of the 2005 Distinguished Honorary Alumni Award to Roberta Thiry ’58 and the honoring of notable 2005 nursing students Nellie Smith and Kaleena Bauck, for their service to the community and university. Attendees were treated to dinner, drinks and remarks from Michael Goodwin ’73/76/80, society president, and Peter Cohen, dean of the WSU College of Health Professions.
Society business featured the announcement of newly elected officers: Kathy Winslow ’04, treasurer; Debra Wagner ’99 and Bonnie Tandoc ’80/94/00, board of directors members. Event attendees included Gladys Alley ’75, Rick ’73 and Belinda ’75/82 Childs, Nancy Flowers ’76 and Debbie Hinnen ’75/78.
Rumble in the Jungle
Nearly 70 alumni and friends dared up-close encounters with selected animals at the Sedgwick County Zoo for a June 11 Spring Fling sponsored by Pepsi Bottling Group and the alumni association. The afternoon featured a buffet lunch plus an African Veldt ZooLab including artifacts and hides of African animals — and an eye-to-eye encounter with a 4-year-old alligator.
Among attendees were Don ’78/85 and Joan ’97 Adkisson of Derby, Kan., Brett ’02 and Diane Morrill and Marvin fs ’84 and Susan ’85 Kempf, all of Wichita.
Schaefer Breakfast
Stan Schaefer ’87, aeronautical engineer and 20-year NASA veteran, spoke to a crowd of more than 80 space enthusiasts on April 26 at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall. During Schaefer’s NASA career, he’s amassed a hefty resume filled with science-and-technology adventure stories and feats of engineering that have played major roles in furthering the success of America’s space explorations.
Among those in attendance were Brenda Gile-Laflin ’89/91, Steve fs ’78 and Vicki ’76 Martens, Linda Matson ’84/88, Greg Sevier ’75, Mel ’50 and Kay Snyder and Gary Steed ’74/89.
Senior Breakfast
Wichita State seniors Jennifer Holthaus and Drew Sell welcomed nearly 300 fellow seniors and other special guests to the Sixth Annual Senior Breakfast, in honor of 2005 graduates and sponsored by Capitol Federal Savings, the WSU Alumni Association and the WSU Division of Student Affairs. The April 19 event featured WSU First Lady Shirley Beggs hn ’05 leading the singing of the university’s alma mater.
Shocker Baseball Tent Party
More than 200 baseball fans met under the Shocker “big top” for a May 25 pep rally sponsored by Citizens Bank of Kansas and the alumni association. Traditional ballpark fare — popcorn, pretzels, Cracker Jacks, licorice and beer — were on hand for attendees, including Jane Detterding, Citizens Bank of Kansas president; Gene Stephenson, Shocker head coach; Gary Cundiff ’87; and Mike “The Voice of the Shockers” ’71 and Debbie ’94 Kennedy.
Volunteer and Board Appreciation
Association volunteers and board members were recognized at a June 21 reception at the Woodman Alumni Center. Among the 50 attendees were Max ’57 and Lois ’56 Hubbard, John fs ’50 and Sher ’72 Hurst, Shelly Moore and Joe Palacioz ’71/76.
