WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI MAGAZINE
Fall 2004

Exemplary Kansas Woman

BY ANNA PERLEBERG

Carol RutledgeOn a 1979 alumni questionnaire, Carol M. (Brunner) Rutledge '77 asked for "an emphasis on growth of alumni, job-wise, self-improvement — or just exploration." Her own life emphasized all three.

Rutledge, a free-lance writer and researcher for the Kansas State Board of Education, wrote tirelessly. Among her published works are The Story of Wichita, a textbook used in Wichita schools, The Women of Hypatia, about a Wichita women's organization, Dying and Living on the Kansas Prairie and other books about the Ark Valley Lodge and Wichita's black community. (Her bachelor's degree is in minority studies.)

Her sense of community led her to found the Historic Midtown Citizens Association, where she was active in the preservation of inner city homes and schools. She also organized efforts to save historic buildings such as the Murdock House and the Occidental Hotel and produced "Shakespeare in the Park" during the 1980s.

In addition, she made two unsuccessful bids for the Sedgwick County Commission. But one of these defeats was within 46 votes of overturning a 20-year career politician — a good showing that encouraged other women to be active in city politics. Her constant working, improving and exploring made her an exemplary Kansas woman.

Rutledge died Sept. 9 in Topeka, Kan.


IN MEMORIAM

Commitment to Excellence

Warren Armstrong, former WSU president leaves a lasting legacy.

Beat Maverick, Educator

T. Lee Streiff '55 cast a long shadow in the fields of literature, education and archaeology.

The Ad Man

Kerry Gray fs '74 never finished the English degree he began at Wichita State — perhaps the only endeavor he didn't see through to success.

Exemplary Kansas Woman

On a 1979 alumni questionnaire, Carol M. (Brunner) Rutledge '77 asked for "an emphasis on growth of alumni, job-wise, self-improvement — or just exploration."

In Memoriam

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