WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Fall 2016

Of Stout Heart

BY CONNIE KACHEL WHITE

Wilson CadmanAs president, CEO and chairman of the board at KG&E, Wilson K. Cadman ’51 was called upon to use insights gained from his University of Wichita studies in psychology, as well as his own talents in getting things done.

The first Wichita native and the only person to start at KG&E at an entry-level job and become its chief executive, he served in that role from 1979-1992, one of the energy industry’s most difficult times. Faced with the OPEC oil embargo, he led KG&E to invest in new power plants. He also helped engineer the merger with Kansas Power and Light that led to the creation of Westar Energy. Named Wichitan of the Year in 1985, he was described as “a superbly competent corporate executive.”

Cadman, who served in the U.S. Navy before attending WU, began working at KG&E the year of his graduation, 1951. He kept many ties to his alma mater. He served as a WSUAA board member, for example.

Perhaps his most notable, surely his most timely, involvement with WSU was being the person to direct KG&E to install an electrical line and transformers in time to provide enough power for the 1970 benefit telecast broadcast from Levitt Arena, a star-studded fundraiser for those affected by the tragic football plane crash. Power was provided within three hours.

One of the stars was singer Kate Smith. “Today, even as an alumnus who has been to countless events over the lifetime of Henry Levitt Arena,” he once recalled, “I hear only one song when I go into the arena or see it from the street. It is Stout-Hearted Men.”

Wilson Cadman died Oct. 9, 2016 in Wichita.


IN MEMORIAM

Built for Speed

James R. Bede ’57 built his first airplane at the age of six. The aeronautical engineering graduate then proceeded to become a prolific aircraft designer whose many concepts included a micro jet – the BD-5J – that flew for a James Bond movie.

Like a Sailor Home from the Sea

Artist, writer, graphic designer, entrepreneur, civic volunteer, World War II veteran, husband, father, grandfather great-grandfather: Q. Patric Rowley ’50 was inspiring in many roles and found success in both business and the arts.

Of Stout Heart

As president, CEO and chairman of the board at KG&E, Wilson K. Cadman ’51 was called upon to use insights gained from his University of Wichita studies in psychology, as well as his own talents in getting things done.

Hospitality Maven

Celia (Friedman) Cohen ’67, born in 1923, developed the trailblazing habit of doing things not many women in her day did.

Children's Champion

James J. Snyder, Wichita State University distinguished professor of clinical psychology emeritus, proved to be an insightful teacher and productive researcher.

Devotion to Duty

Thomas C. Raum ’47, retired 18th Judicial District Court of Kansas judge, was also a World War II and Korean War veteran.

In Memoriam

Leaving lasting legacies are these Wichita State University alumni and friends.