GREETINGS FROM WICHITA STATE UNIVERSITY!
More than 13,000 of you believed in the present and future of Wichita State during fiscal year 2009, making generous and valuable contributions. You supported numerous existing and new funds for people and programs, as mentioned in Elizabeth and John’s letter (see link below).
In addition, endowments were created during the 2009 fiscal year for specific future projects launching WSU into a world of groundbreaking and innovative thinking — once again making our university a leader in learning excellence. Let me tell you about a few of them.
One of the most ambitious projects was the kick off of the Advanced Education in General Dentistry facility campaign. With the initial pledges from Delta Dental of Kansas and the Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation and other gracious contributors, history in the making occurred. The program is the only dental education program in Kansas — and it’s at Wichita State University. The doors to the new AEGD building are anticipated to open in 2011, but fundraising for it continues to be a high priority with a total price tag of $6.6 million. Our goal is that this program and high-tech facility will bring dentists to Kansas for continued education, therefore keeping them here to help eliminate the shortage of dentists in some Kansas communities.
Project Lead The Way is being funded in great part by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation through a five-year $2 million grant. The program offers teacher training, school certification and a rigorous, hands-on, project-based curriculum that provides middle- and high-school students with real-world applications in pre-engineering courses. Furthermore, it exposes them to engineering careers and prepares them for college majors in engineering and other technical fields.
The concepts of the baseball and golf indoor practice facilities brought in nearly $1.2 million in cash and pledges from committed donors like you. Both facilities will enable our student athletes to practice year-round regardless of the weather and will be a valuable recruiting tool as coaches strive to sign the most talented student athletes possible.
Thank you for your investments and collaborations to ensure tomorrow’s success of the students, faculty, staff and programs of Wichita State. Please continue to join us as Shockers focus on the future.
Respectfully,
Donald L. Beggs
President
Wichita State University