WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Fall 2017

Motion Graphics Pro

BY CONNIE KACHEL WHITE

Navarro Linzey d’Artagnan Parker ’97 may well have been the best known Shocker you never knew. It’s likely you know his work, though. Parker – who earned a bachelor’s degree in communication with an emphasis on electronic media at Wichita State – 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.

While at Wichita State, he worked at WSU TV. After working at several of Wichita’s local television affiliates, he moved to San Diego where he became an award-winning senior broadcast designer for the CBS affiliate KFMB TV 8. After returning to Wichita in 2006, Parker began motion graphics work at IMG on films such as “Transformers” and “Iron Man.” He also began focusing his attention on the specialized field of Fictional User Interface design.

In 2012, he was offered a job in Los Angeles to work on the superhero film “The Avengers,” which was produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. Once settled in LA, he worked at a variety of facilities providing his talents in motion graphics to a wide variety of projects – everything from TV commercials, to trade show presentations, to video games, to blockbuster Hollywood feature films. His credits include “Ant-Man,” “Ender’s Game,” “Oblivion,” and “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.”

Parker died June 12, 2017 in Los Angeles.

 


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.