Members of Wichita State’s Class of 1966 returned to campus May 5-8 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation.
and James ’66 Sanders. The traditional luncheon was
held at a new location this year, the All American Club
at Eck Stadium.
Among the reunion highlights were a campus tour led by James J. Rhatigan, WSU vice president emeritus of student affairs, a class dinner at Wichita’s Candle Club, and a 50-Year Club Luncheon at the All American Club at Eck Stadium, where class members saw their names up in lights on Tyler Field’s big-screen scoreboard — and were inducted into the university’s 50-Year Club.
“Welcome, everyone, to this traditional WSU Alumni Association event — a celebration of our collective history as Shockers,” said Courtney M. Marshall, WSUAA president and CEO, in her opening remarks at the club luncheon.
“Today, we’re here to share our Shocker pride and recognize the members of the Class of 1966 who are with us today to be inducted into WSU’s 50-Year Club, membership in which honors alumni who graduated from our great university 50 years ago — or more.” Marshall went on to set a temporal background by noting some pop culture trivia from the 1960s: 1966 was the year the first episode of “Star Trek” was broadcast, for example, and among the top songs of the year were “I’m a Believer” by the Monkees and “Wild Thing” by the Troggs.
WSU’s 50-Year Club in 1990. At right is Dean Demer
and to the left is Anand Desai, WSU business school
dean.
She then turned the podium over to Dr. Rhatigan and WSU President John Bardo, who each gave special remarks. Other university administrators in attendance included Tony Vizzini, provost and senior vice president; Sandra Bibb, dean of the health professions college; and Anand Desai, dean of the business school.
Representing the WSU Foundation were Darin Kater, senior director of development for planned giving and University Libraries, and Kara Johnson, director of special events.
Marshall then introduced members of the 50-Year Club who were in attendance.
Members recognized were Roger Zwemke from the Class of 1965; Gerry Sibley, Class of 1960; Marjorie (Wolfe) Swofford, Class of 1956; Hank Farha and Jo Brown, Class of 1951; and Alice Jones of the Class of 1940.
Members of the Class of 1966 were then inducted into the 50-Year Club. Each new club member was presented a medallion.
Shockers at the 50-Year Club Luncheon.
“The medallion,” Marshall said, “commemorates your accomplishments since your graduation, and symbolizes your lasting connection with your alma mater.”
Receiving medallions were Robert Boling, who lives near Sedgwick, Kan., Norm Conley of Wichita, Dave Crockett, also of Wichita, Jim Hockett of Topeka, Kan., Janice (Marten) Kamen of Wichita, John and Pat (Kemp) Morton of North Newton, Kan., James Sanders of Wichita, Bob Swofford of Sapulpa, Okla., and Keith Thompson of Westminster, Colo.
As a fitting close to 50-Year Club induction ceremonies, Jo Brown ’51 led luncheon-goers in singing the Alma Mater: O’ Wichita, here’s to you!
