ADMINISTRATION
Dean of Students
Cheryl Anderson, former director of the Office of Student Involvement at Oregon State University, is WSU’s new dean of students, effective Oct. 21. “Cheryl brings a breadth of experience and tremendous enthusiasm,” says Ron Kopita, WSU vice president for student affairs. “She clearly made a hit with the students who visited with her, and she has the skills and abilities to hit the ground running.” The dean of students is responsible for student life and related development programs and services. Says Anderson, “Being a native of southern California, I was naturally attracted to the university being located in an urban and ethnically diverse setting. I am extremely delighted to have been chosen as WSU’s new dean of students. I am looking forward to joining the WSU family.”
ATHLETICS
WSU Drops New Athletics Logo
WSU athletics had its wheat logo updated as part of a comprehensive branding project to better promote its name and a national image. The new mark featured “Wichita State Shockers” instead of “WSU.” But because of widespread criticism of the new mark, Director of Athletics Jim Schaus decided to drop it. “After evaluating the feedback from our various constituency groups,” he says, “I felt that it was in the best interest of our athletic department to go a different direction and make a change.” The nixed logo was created by the New York-based Phoenix Design.
ENGINEERING
Accreditation Kudos
All six programs in WSU’s College of Engineering have been accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. Two programs — computer and manufacturing engineering — were accredited for the first time. Aerospace, electrical, mechanical and industrial engineering received continuing accreditation.
LIBERAL ARTS
Another Award for Goldbarth
Albert Goldbarth, the WSU Adele Davis Distinguished Professor of Humanities who won the National Book Critics Circle Award earlier this year, is among the winners of the PEN Center USA’s Literary Awards, winning in the creative nonfiction division for his work Many Circles: New & Selected Essays, published by Graywolf Press.
