WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement

HUGE NEWS: Wichita State University has been nationally recognized as a leader in engineering research. We’re proud to rank No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering research and development expenditures and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D expenditures. These rankings highlight WSU’s commitment to driving innovation and advancing technology in collaboration with industry leaders. Learn more about how this recognition reflects the university’s impact on the research community and beyond: ?? https://lnkd.in/giVf3XJt Wichita State University College of Engineering | National Institute for Aviation Research

??Our Thanksgiving potluck was a wonderful reminder of the joy and camaraderie that make our team so special. From delicious food to a lively trivia competition—and the warm welcome we extended to our retired colleagues—it was a day filled with connection. We are so grateful to be able to celebrate moments like these!?

Today we had the honor of celebrating our 22 newest members of the Society of 1895, recognizing the legacies they are creating by including Wichita State in their estate plans. The generosity of these individuals will touch the lives of students, faculty and staff throughout the WSU community in generations to come, and we are deeply inspired by the heritage of hope and possibility they are creating.

This morning we had the pleasure of reconnecting with many familiar faces at the annual Retired Faculty and Staff breakfast, and it was a joy to celebrate the decades of service those in attendance have given to the university and honor those who are no longer with us. We were also proud to recognize the 31st recipient of the Laura Cross Distinguished Service Award - Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost. For those who aren't familiar, this award was established in 1991 to recognize faculty and staff whose dedication and professional accomplishments have enriched Wichita State through their years of service. The namesake and first recipient, Laura Cross, was a 1925 graduate of Fairmount College who went on to serve WSU for more than 70 years! We are thrilled to celebrate Shirley's incredible contributions to our university with this recognition.

On this #NationalPhilanthropyDay, we want to celebrate the incredible dedication of our team. Their passion for service goes far beyond the requirements of their roles here on campus, which they excel at day in and day out. Our staff collectively volunteers more than 1,700 hours annually with 40+ different organizations—showing their commitment to strengthening our community and making a difference. Thank you for your generosity, time, and passion to embody the spirit of philanthropy and bring positive change to so many! ??

Shocker Pride Scholar Nicolas Perilla Rivera knew affording education would not be easy, but that didn’t stop him from chasing his dream. He moved across countries to pursue aerospace engineering at WSU, and his dedication has earned him several scholarships to fund his education. This crucial support has helped him prioritize academics while relieving the financial stress of college. Now a junior, his story emphasizes the value of student support in higher education. Check out his story: https://lnkd.in/g2quNGh8

If you're a Shocker fan, you're likely familiar with basketball star Ronald Baker. But his recognition as our 2024 Young Alumni Award recipient goes far beyond the court. We loved chatting with the many individuals who have worked with him throughout his career, from his time as a student to his current role championing sports medicine with Ascension Via Christi. Thank you to Frank Ojile, Gretchen Torline, Ryan Hillard and Travis Francis for your help creating this video recognizing Ron as an outstanding representation of what it means to be a Wichita State Shocker.?

We are thrilled to welcome our newest team member, Juliet Salinas! A WSU graphic design alumna, Juliet says she is excited to return and support her alma mater. Supplied with previous experience working at a local marketing agency, she will be invaluable to our marketing team, where she will step into the role of graphic designer to help create and refine branded materials to support initiatives across the organization. Outside of work, Juliet enjoys spending time with her dog, going on bike rides and catching up on movies. Welcome to the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement, Juliet!

Established in 1955, the Alumni Achievement Award is one of the highest honors given to Wichita State University alumni. When you hear from our 2024 recipient, Junetta Everett, and a few of the individuals who have watched her excel throughout her career, it's easy to understand why she has earned this recognition. Thank you to John Rolfe and PAMELA AMMAR for sharing just a few of the ways Junetta has contributed to building our community!

Our annual alumni award season wouldn't be complete without sharing the videos that showcase the passion and drive of these outstanding members of Shocker Nation. If you joined us for our Heritage Gala last week, you've already seen these incredible stories be told, but we're excited to share them to a wider audience! In this video, Diana Ho, our 2024 Social Impact Award recipient, explains where her passion for vision care was born. She is joined by Joseph Shepard, MPA and Julia Thatcher, who have witnessed her community investment firsthand through the years.?