WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Fall 2017

Vocalist of Note

BY CONNIE KACHEL WHITE

In May 1981, when she walked across the commencement stage, LaVerne L. Baker ’56/56/81 claimed the distinction of becoming the first African American to earn a doctorate at Wichita State. Her PhD is in communication sciences and disorders. She also held a master’s degree from Purdue University and two bachelor’s degrees from the University of Wichita – all in communication sciences and disorders.

Baker’s work as a speech language pathologist included practicing at the Winfield State Hospital and Training Center in Winfield, Kan., and at public schools in Kansas, California and Ohio. Her professional career also featured 18 years of academic teaching at Phillips University in Enid, Okla., the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette, and Xavier University in New Orleans. After retiring from teaching CSD, she became director of the GEAR Up program at Kansas State University in Manhattan. On the occasion of the 25th anniversity of her 1956 graduation from WU, Baker wrote the WSU Alumni Association: “I have had a variety of career experiences, which have provided opportunities to meet many wonderful and interesting people.”

She loved to travel, visiting Jamaica (where she also lived and taught music for two years), the West Indies, Africa, Canada and Europe, and she was avid about developing her creative abilities, especially as a vocalist and poet.

This educator, poet and noted singer of Negro Spirituals died Sept. 10, 2017 in Manhattan.

 


IN MEMORIAM

For Love of Prairie

Donald A. “Doc” Distler, whose German last name – appropriately enough for a biologist – means thistle, was a member of Wichita State’s biological sciences faculty for more than 50 years.

A Conductor's Touch

Jay C. Decker ’56 – Wichita native, 1955 winner of the Naftzger Young Artist Award for his cello performance and music education graduate of the University of Wichita – was first tapped as conductor of the WSU Symphony Orchestra and concurrently associate conductor of the Wichita Symphony in 1971.

Vocalist of Note

In May 1981, when she walked across the commencement stage, LaVerne L. Baker ’56/56/81 claimed the distinction of becoming the first African American to earn a doctorate at Wichita State.

Vivacious Shocker

E. Jean (Cline) Curry '48/76 served as president of Wheaties and was named Homecoming Queen during her senior year.

Shocker Historian

George Milo Platt, WSU associate professor emeritus of public administration, received the 1997 WSU Recognition Award from the WSUAA.

Night of Stars Star

Monty Hall hn '71, star and producer of the TV show "Let's Make a Deal," emceed the 1970 Night of Stars nationally televised benefit for those directly affected by the Wichita State football plane crash.

Sports Hall of Famer

Don W. Lock '70 was a two-sport standout athlete at the University of Wichita from 1954 to 1958.

Motion Graphics Pro

Navarro Linzey d’Artagnan Parker ’97 was an Emmy-winning motion graphics animator who posted more than a decade of experience in post production and motion graphics in Los Angeles, San Diego and Wichita.

In Memoriam

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