Summer is upon us, as are the typical winds of Kansas. I analogize those winds as the metaphorical, transformational type at the root of the changes on our campus.
Over the past year, I’ve been reminded of how much can change in a short period of time. One thing’s for certain – change is constant.
The footprint of our campus is changing. Inside this issue, you’ll read about WSU’s Innovation Campus. You’ll also find a recap of the 61st Annual WSU Alumni Awards banquet, which took place in April, when we honored a distinguished group of award recipients, all of whom have witnessed changes at WSU from unique perspectives, one from California and others from right here in Wichita.
Listening to their stories of success, we laughed, we cried, and we celebrated our connection as Shockers, a connection that transcends geography, as well as the decades.
This past year, we’ve said goodbye to mainstays within our WSU community and welcomed newcomers to our Shocker family. This issue covers the change in leadership of the opera theatre program: Marie King is retiring, and Alan Held will take up the directorship this fall.
Beyond the academic halls, WSU is a newly minted member of the American Athletic Conference effective July 1. Darron Boatright and his athletic department staff worked for months to execute this change. Best wishes to our student-athletes and coaches as they navigate the waters of The American!
Serving the WSUAA and its constituents as board chair has been wonderful. You’ll soon be introduced to a new chair and new members of the board. Amid these changes, our mission will always be the same: to connect Shocker alumni and friends. Change is constant; so is your Wichita State Alumni Association.
