WICHITA
Congratulations, Seniors
A Nov. 29 congratulatory luncheon at the Rhatigan Student Center Ballroom was held in celebration of Wichita State's fall 2011 graduates. An undertaking of the alumni association, Academic Affairs & Research and Campus Life & University Relations, the event featured addresses from WSU President Don Beggs and WSU Alumni Association President Tyler Heffron '02. Other highlights included a video tribute for the seniors, senior gift giveaways and, at the event's close, the singing of the alma mater. Among alumni attendees were Mildred Edwards '96/99/08, Chloe Odle '10 and Larry Ramos '98.
Final Four Shockers
As the fourth of five breakfast presentations in the 2011-12 WSU Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series, five members of the 1964-65 Shocker basketball team returned to campus March 6 to share memories of their record-setting season. Dave Stallworth fs '65, John Criss '67, Bob Powers '69, Mohamed Sharif fs '66 (formerly Kelly Pete) and Tommy Newman '68 participated in a panel discussion moderated by longtime Shocker sports broadcaster Mike Kennedy '71. The 1964-65 team posted a 19-7 record, won the Missouri Valley Conference title, moved through regional competition — and headed to the NCAA Final Four in Portland, Ore., where they tangled with and lost to defending national champions UCLA.
Honors Banquet Draws Crowd
Capitol Federal was the presenting sponsor of the Shocker Honors Scholar Banquet held Oct. 11, 2011, at the Preferred Health Systems Multipurpose Center, Charles Koch Arena. The event attracted about 250 students and some 420 parents, alumni and university officials. The banquet's purpose was twofold: to recognize the academic achievements of local high school juniors who are in the top 10 percent of their class and to introduce them to Wichita State — an introduction that has proven successful since almost 40 percent of student attendees later enroll at WSU. Featured speaker Alex Kanelakos '07, an aerospace engineer at NASA, spoke about the opportunities his WSU education brought him.
Insights from a D.C. Insider
The Hon. Scott Stucky '70, associate judge with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, spoke Jan. 31 at the Marcus Welcome Center as the third speaker in the 2011-12 WSU Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series. Stucky shared some of his knowledge about Congressional procedures and operations gained in his work as general counsel of the Senate Committee on Armed Services. Among the event attendees were Jim Dougherty '69/70/03, Mike Roach '69, Eric Melgren '79 and Gunner Way '66.
Music at the Barn
Bob Scott '60, founder and executive director of Chamber Music at the Barn at Prairie Pines in Maize, Kan., was the second presenter in the 2011-12 WSU Distinguished Alumni Speaker Series. Scott — who earned his master's degree in choral music education at WSU, taught high school choral music and has performed in numerous operas and other musical productions — spoke Dec. 6, 2011, at the Marcus Welcome Center about how he and his wife, Patsy, founded and built their unique Prairie Pines enterprise. Breakfast attendees included Diane Cubbage '74, Leon Greene '54 and Connie Bonfy-Stewart '86.
Not Back to School Bash
Sat., Aug. 18 — We're Not Back to School Bash, Duerksen Amphitheatre. The annual bash, now in its sixth year, brings young alums together to socialize and celebrate the fact that they've completed their formal education and are not getting ready to head back to school. The event features food, drink, games and live music.
RnR: Be Part of the Tradition
Sat., Sept. 29; 6 p.m. — Rockin' the Roundhouse, Charles Koch Arena. RnR, the premier fundraising event of the WSU Alumni Association and a noted fall Shocker social event, offers food, drinks, entertainment and silent and live auctions.
For a complete roster of WSU Alumni Association events and activities, including travel options, visit wichita.edu/alumni.
