UNIVERSITY NEWS
R-E-S-P-E-C-T
Some interesting news was gleaned from the 2004 edition of The Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges: Wichita State is one of the most underrated schools in the nation. Based on Kaplan’s National Guidance Counselor Survey, the guide also lists Ball State University (Ind.), the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and the University of Houston. Pittsburg State University was the only other Kansas university on the list.
Incidentally, no Kansas schools were listed in the dubious distinction categories of Hot and Trendy or Animal House School Parties and Pranks.
NEW HIGHS
For the 10th consecutive year, Wichita State has set a record amount of grant and contract funding for research, training and service projects. In total, the university received $33,428,248 for fiscal year 2003, an 11 percent increase when compared to FY 2002. WSU soared to new highs for the number of awards (252) and dollar amount of proposals submitted ($63.6 million).
Activity highlights include a $462,000 National Science Foundation grant awarded to Michael Van Stipdonk, assistant professor of chemistry, who will use mass spectrometry to identify proteins in the body to better understand the metabolic pathways, cellular signaling and biochemistry of disease.
Two U.S. Department of Energy Grants totaling $140,000 have been awarded to James Locke, associate professor of aerospace engineering, for wind turbine blade research. His work focuses on structural design and manufacturing improvements for medium to large-scale wind turbine blades. If such blades can be economically developed, the cost of wind energy will be equal to or less than conventional gas- and coal-fired electricity. Successful development of wind sites in Kansas will enable the state to be an energy exporter, resulting in significant economic activity.
A $100,000 grant from Microsoft will aid Barbara Chapparro, director of WSU’s Software Usability Research Lab, to examine attempts to make online reading performance comparable to reading from paper. A new Microsoft technology for enhancing the appearance of online text is being tested in experiments.
WSU’s Division of Student Affairs, with Deltha Colvin as principal investigator, has received a Gear Up Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. The project expands efforts in Kansas to enhance student achievement and increase the number of students graduating from high school and enrolling in postsecondary institutions. Students in foster care are a priority. This is a five-year, $12,500,000 grant that involves other Kansas universities and community colleges.
ENGINEERING
BLOWIN’ IN THE WIND/ ROCKIN’ LIKE A HURRICANE
Scott Miller, professor of aerospace engineering, is a man of diverse interests. A proponent of wind farms, Miller suggests that, given the amount of wind that moves through Kansas, the state is under utilizing a potentially rich energy source.
Miller says the farms, which use wind-propelled turbines to generate power, aren’t the eye and ear sores some perceive them to be: “A lot of people relate turbines to aircraft. People think that the turbine is going to sound like a propeller, and it doesn’t. In reality, it’s much quieter, and it’s slower turning and very pretty.” Plus, he adds, “Wind turbines have become much more cost-effective from the point of view that in recent years new technologies have been employed, and they are much more efficient.”
On a wind-related front, Miller assisted fellow researchers from Kent State University in studying Hurricane Isabel just before she hit the East Coast in September. Miller says research results will help him in running future wind tunnel tests.
LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES
POLPARAZZI
Ronald Reagan did it. Arnold Schwarzenegger, too. And WSU political scientist Jim Sheffield says citizens will probably see even more actors and entertainers throwing their hats into the political ring, thus making the 2003 California gubernatorial recall race a vision of things to come. That race yielded no fewer than four bids from musicians and actors from both the A and C list.
One advantage that newly elected Schwarzenegger held over, say, Cruz Bustamante, was simple: name recognition. Says Sheffield, “They can parlay that into a lot of attractiveness to voters pretty quickly.” He adds, “Politics is becoming increasingly part of our pop culture. It’s very closely allied with entertainment, in a lot of quarters.”
GOOD PRESS
Wichita State’s Elliott School of Communication has honored advertising executive Al Higdon ’61 with the school’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. Higdon founded Wichita-based Sullivan, Higdon & Sink in 1971. The agency grew to become the largest advertising, marketing and public relations firm in Kansas.
Higdon was honored during an Oct. 22 reception at the All American Club at Eck Stadium. Higdon gave a free, public talk about his career and accomplishments, which include winning the Wichita Advertising Executive of the Year award in 1979 and the Public Relations Professional of the Year award in 1990. A longtime supporter of his alma mater, Higdon was previously recognized with a Board of Trustees Award for his significant contributions to the partnership between WSU and the greater Wichita community.
