Wichita State News: Faculty/Staff

Education intern connects people to art at Ulrich Museum

Art history major Loryn Leonard interns with the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University, nurturing her passion for art and education.

She began her college career in Texas as an art education major and was required to take a three-dimensional studio art class.

"I took metalsmithing and became riveted with it ever since," she said.

In metalsmithing, she worked with nonferrous metals such as copper, brass, silver and gold, and used traditional craftsman techniques to create contemporary art forms.

"Metalsmithing is an art form that is delicate and difficult," she said, "so if there is anything that I have gained, it is patience."

Leonard received her Bachelor of Fine Art in metalsmithing and jewelry from the University of North Texas in 2007.

Leonard is at WSU pursuing her second undergraduate degree in art history.

"I felt apprehensive about continuing my education in metalsmithing," she said. "Although (it) is my passion, I decided to focus on the academic side of the art spectrum."

She is trying to encompass the entire art history spectrum in her studies.

"Art history has always fascinated me," Leonard said. "I believe that art history is intertwined with a society's socio-cultural background."

But her favorite aspect is learning about the different methodologies in art, how they're applied to socio-cultural beliefs and how art is a reflection of those ideals.

"Researching artists that are new to me is like discovering an ancient relic," she said. "It's exciting to learn how the artist was influenced by his or her surroundings or how the art itself impacted their culture."

Leonard is also participating in a medieval and renaissance certificate program, which is similar to working on a thesis. She must research and present a topic to a board to receive her certification.

And she is trying to start a contemporary arts society for WSU students to raise awareness of current art events and to promote professional practice.

Leonard began an internship with the Ulrich Museum in July working with Aimee Geist, the curator of education and Teresa Veazey.

Her responsibilities include researching artists, guiding tours, advocating for student membership, assisting in education marketing and preparing museum events.

"Interns like Loryn are invaluable," Veazey said. "They're always willing to help out with museum tours, artists' lectures, opening parties, anything and everything that happens at the museum."

"My favorite part of my job, and I joke with (my boss) about this, is taking the golf cart out on errands," Leonard said.

But truthfully, Leonard said she enjoys leading tours and being the bridge from the art to the viewer.

Interning with the Ulrich Museum will prepare her well for a future career coordinating the education department of a museum.

"Being an education intern has provided me with invaluable experiences," she said. "I get a behind the scenes glance at the internal clockwork of a museum."

The education curator takes an exhibition and creates various activities and events that comply with the art, she said, essentially connecting people with art.

"Loryn wants to work in an art museum when she graduates from WSU, and nothing will look better on her resume than a year's experience working at the Ulrich," Veazey said.

After she receives her undergraduate degree, Leonard plans to attend graduate school in 2011, write books about her research and possibly teach art history in the process.

In her spare time, she reads and continues to work on metalsmithing in her make-shift basement studio to keep her skills fine-tuned.

WSU's Center for Entrepreneurship announces Coleman faculty fellows

The Center for Entrepreneurship in the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University has announced the new Coleman Faculty Entrepreneurship Fellows awardees.

They are Steven Skinner from the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Ngoyi Bukonda, Toni Pickard and Ron Stephen from the Department of Public Health Sciences.

The fellows program is sponsored by the Coleman Foundation. The purpose is to increase and build support for entrepreneurship education across the WSU campus.

The faculty fellows will engage in projects that foster self-employment education and strengthen the efforts to grow entrepreneurship education.

They were selected from a number of applicants because of their desire to enhance student learning in their areas as it relates to entrepreneurship. Enhancements may include:

Creating and teaching an entrepreneurship class within their discipline that leads to the course becoming an ongoing offering

Modifying an existing course by incorporating elements of self-employment education to the course, leading to it becoming an ongoing offering

Sponsoring, advising and supervising student-led entrepreneurship educational efforts such as new student businesses

Development of experiential entrepreneurship education programs within their department or college

In addition to the naming of the faculty fellows, Lyn Goldberg has been named the Center for Entrepreneurship Faculty Fellow for 2009-2010. Goldberg is from the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders.

WSU teacher programs already reflect White House goals

The College of Education at Wichita State University is in the process of meeting the teacher-training reforms recently outlined by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan in a speech covered by the Associated Press ("Official: Colleges don't prepare teachers," Oct. 22 Wichita Eagle).

Thanks to a U.S. Department of Education grant worth $6.2 million over the next five years, WSU's education faculty can continue work on a program that advances teacher preparation for urban education. Funds for development of the Urban Teacher Preparation Program at WSU came from the DOE's teacher quality partnerships grant program.

In his speech, given to Columbia University's Teachers College, Duncan called for an overhaul of college teacher preparation programs. He cited two common complaints from teachers: not enough hands-on training in the classroom; and not enough learning about how to use data to improve instruction and boost student learning.

Sharon Iorio

In fact, said WSU Education Dean Sharon Iorio, WSU actually started reforms in its teacher preparation program two years ago with a seed grant from the Kansas Board of Regents.

"WSU is likely one of the first universities to hit the ground running with the new delivery programs for teacher preparation on a large scale with all undergrads involved," said Iorio.

The new program at WSU will add deeper layers to already existing partnerships with Wichita public schools by sending teacher candidates into high-need schools.

"Not only are our WSU students preparing in these schools, faculty from the colleges of education, fine arts, and liberal arts and sciences will be helping our students in these schools as well," Iorio said. "There is no other program that we know of than the professional development schools model we use at WSU that will give teaching students more time in school classrooms."

In addition, Iorio pointed out that all undergraduate students at WSU are taught about creating tools for data collection in a course early in their programs, and they complete mini-research projects in methods and student teaching. These projects require the collection and analysis of data in terms of the whole class, two individuals and two groups. WSU students cannot graduate without meeting the competency on these assessments.

Graduating students at WSU consistently give high marks regarding preparedness in the College of Education's exit survey, Iorio said. In turn, those who end up teaching in Kansas are highly rated by their employers, according to a 2009 College of Education survey sent to Kansas schools that hire WSU undergraduate teacher education candidates.

Iorio said the survey asked the employers to rate the candidates as either highly prepared, moderately prepared or slightly prepared. Results found that about 74 percent of Kansas employers who hire WSU undergraduate teacher education candidates consider them "well prepared" to enter their first year of practice and an additional 23 percent of employers consider WSU candidates "adequately prepared."

Taken together, said Iorio, 97 percent of employers feel WSU candidates are prepared for their first days of teaching.

For more about the state of the nation's teacher preparation, the American Association of Colleges of Teacher Education has responses to the secretary of education's speech at http://www.aacte.org.

Hand sanitizer versus soap and water

CBS News recently reported that sales of hand sanitizer jumped more than 40 percent since the H1N1 flu virus began spreading across the country.

Millions of people are reaching for a dollop at work, in restaurants, or anywhere on the go. FactFinder 12 Investigators wanted to know if all the fuss was justified.

With help from a Wichita State University germ expert, we put hand sanitizer to the test against good old soap and water.

"I like germs. They're so cool. It's amazing what they can do," said Microbiologist Fawn Beckman," as she prepared for an experiment.

Read full story

WSU's 'Cosi fan tutte' a comic tale of love and faithfulness

Wichita State University's Opera and Musical Theatre Series will present "Cosi fan tutte" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, Nov. 19-21, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 22, in Miller Concert Hall.

The opera, by W.A. Mozart and L. Da Ponte, will be presented in Italian with English titles. "Cosi fan tutte" translates to "They All Do It."

Can women be faithful? That's the question posed by the greatest writing team of the 18th century. Two young soldiers are convinced their girlfriends are incapable of fidelity. Their cynical older friend maintains that "they all do it." The witty, sophisticated comedy, subtitled "The School for Lovers," features Mozart's melting melodies and Da Ponte's enlightened script.

The plot centers around a wager: The young soldiers bet their older friend that their sweethearts will remain faithful to them, even if they are called off to war. To test the girls, they fake a departure but return disguised as "Albanians." The bogus foreigners proceed to court the girls, who at first reject them. But spurred on by their misogynistic maid, the girls eventually agree to a date. Confusion, jealousy, forgiveness and, finally, wisdom result.

The opera's six characters are played by WSU graduate and undergraduate students sharing the roles, and Opera Kansas artistic director Edward Ehinger as the cynical Don Alfonso. Mark Laycock conducts the WSU Symphony.

Marie Allyn King

Lighting is by David Neville, and costumes by Rebecca Maholland. Marie Allyn King directs; musical preparation is by Robert Glasmann.

Fiordiligi will be portrayed by Jessica Walkup/Cearria Turner; Dorabella by Danielle Rohr/Erin Mundus; Despina by Leanne Scaggs/Meghan Zuver; Ferrando by Theodore Dvorak/Aaron Short; Guglielmo by Kyle D. Wheatley/Matthan Black; and Don Alfonso by Ehinger/Yung Jin Lai.

The first cast member listed after the character will perform Nov. 19 and Nov. 21; the second cast member listed will perform Nov. 20 and Nov. 22.

National Opera Week

Wichita State University is participating in a nationwide celebration of the thrilling art form that is opera. Professional companies, community groups and university programs are all helping to spotlight operatic activities. WSU's production of "Cosi fan tutte" is part of this new initiative.

Opera Talks

Ticket holders are invited to join Marie Allyn King, director of WSU Opera and Musical Theatre, 30 minutes prior to each performance for an informal and entertaining talk about the history of the opera, the plot and musical structure, composer and librettist. Opera Talks take place in Miller Concert Hall.

WSU's criminal justice program receives national ranking

The Southwest Journal of Criminal Justice has ranked Wichita State University's criminal justice program No. 7 in the nation for the number of books written by criminal justice faculty.

Thirty universities were ranked by the journal study.

The study is a good indicator of how productive Wichita State's criminal justice program is. Typically programs that offer a doctorate and also have a large number of faculty produce the most books.

Michael Birzer

Michael Birzer, director of WSU's School of Community Affairs, said this ranking speaks volumes about the quality of Wichita State's criminal justice faculty.

"When you consider the fact that we were ranked above many of the country's larger criminal justice programs that have three and four times the number of faculty is impressive," Birzer said. "We were ranked above many other criminal justice programs that would be considered elite programs."

PODCAST: Security cameras watch holiday shoppers, thieves

This WSU Newsline Podcast is available at http://www.wichita.edu/newslinepodcast. See the transcript below:

You're listening to the podcast edition of the Wichita State University audio newsline. Learn more about WSU — the home of Thinkers, Doers, Movers and Shockers — on the Web at wichita.edu.

Holiday shoppers may be too busy to notice, but they're being watched by security cameras. To some, these cameras provide a level of comfort or security. To others, they are an invasion of privacy. Whether people are actually safer or not, Wichita State University criminologist Paul Cromwell says security cameras aren't a major deterrent.

Cromwell: "Recent research shows that the deterrent effect or the prevention effect of closed circuit television is not as great as it once was thought to be. Apparently there is a small positive effect from a deterrence and prevention standpoint, but not the great effect that once was thought."

Few statistics back up the helpfulness or effectiveness of surveillance cameras, yet cities, businesses and schools across the country are installing the devices by the thousands.

Cromwell: "There's been a tremendous growth in the use and extent of closed circuit television. Originally, 10, 15 years ago, it was primarily in banks and in convenience stores and such kinds of businesses as that. Over time, because they have at least the appearance of being very effective, they've been moved to schools and other locations, other retail businesses and so forth."

And Cromwell says the use of security cameras is expanding to outdoor locations.

Cromwell: "More recently we are beginning to see a lot more outdoor sights, traffic control for example, street corners, sidewalks, parks, locations where the general public is apt to be at risk."

So what is the main purpose of security cameras? Cromwell explains.

Cromwell: "There appears to be two main purposes of closed circuit television. One is the prevention or deterrence, and the other is enforcement or apprehension of criminals."

From a law enforcement perspective, Cromwell says security cameras have proven to be somewhat successful.

Cromwell: "From an enforcement or apprehension point of view, closed circuit television does appear to have a greater role and a greater effectiveness. Once the offense has occurred, the modern closed circuit television with better ability to identify has been fairly effective across a variety of crimes."

Of course, some people are concerned that security cameras are an invasion of privacy.

Cromwell: "Probably the greatest issue with regard to closed circuit television and the growth of it has been the privacy issue. The courts have held that there's no right to privacy in a public place, although there are a number of individuals and groups that are campaigning against closed circuit television in public places, primarily due to a fear of invasion of a greater level of privacy, such as looking through the bedroom windows or restrooms or fitting rooms in stores and so forth."

Cromwell explains why the concern about the cost of monitoring security cameras is overrated.

Cromwell: "There's been some concern about the cost of monitoring closed circuit television and, for the most part, most closed circuit TVs are not monitored. The information is simply stored on a hard disk of a computer, and after a crime has been committed then law enforcement can go back and review the tape for that particular period of time. So, that cost of monitoring is really a lot less than it might be thought."

Surveillance cameras may be gaining in popularity, even if their effectiveness is in question. Several regional studies have yielded discouraging results, such as a University of California Berkeley report that showed San Francisco's 68 surveillance cameras have apparently not deterred criminals from committing assaults, sex offenses or robberies.

The effectiveness of security cameras will continue to be debated, but there's little debate that they won't be going away anytime soon.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for Wichita State University.

Global sales is the focus of upcoming Word Trade Council event

The World Trade Council of Wichita and the Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA) will host a reception, dinner and keynote address, "Export Strategy & Success of Research Products Co. – Division of McShares Inc. and Viobin USA," at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road.

The event will feature an EMBA research project by Wichita State University students Amy Shoemaker, Mickey Hines, Saeed Cheema and John Walker, who will present their findings on "McShares Enriched Grain: Exporting Nutrition to Mexico."

Dharma deSilva

CIBA Director Dharma deSilva said the project is a unique opportunity for the participating company and students to benefit from real-world research collaboration efforts.

The keynote address, "Successful Strategies for Increasing Global Sales," will be given by Monte White, president and CEO of Research Products Co., a division of McShares Inc. McShares was a finalist for the 2009 Governor's Exporter of the Year Award.

Reservations can be made by fax at (316) 978-3698, online at www.wtc.wichita.edu or by e-mail at wtc.ciba@wichita.edu. Reservations and payment are due by Monday, Nov 16.

The cost is $25 for WTC members, $30 for nonmembers and $15 for students.

WSU Concert Chorale to feature harpist, tenor

The Wichita State University Concert Chorale with harpist Ann Glasmann and tenor soloist Aaron Short will perform a variety of choral works at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 12, in Wiedemann Recital Hall.

A highlight of the concert will be Benjamin Britten's "Choral Dances from Gloriana," which appear in the composer's opera. The 15-minute work will feature Ann Glasmann, instructor of applied harp at WSU. Glasmann is in her 21st year of teaching at Wichita State University.

Also featured is tenor soloist Aaron Short, a senior vocal performance major who recently was awarded "Singer of the Year" by the West Central region of the National Association of Teachers of Singing.

The program will also include works by Renaissance, Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary composers, including Sweelinck, Debussy, Mellnas, Purcell, Haydn and Mendelssohn. The program will conclude with two spirituals, "Deep River" and "Great Day."

Concert Chorale has been conducted since 1987 by Robert Glasmann, associate professor of choral music and opera at WSU.

Glasmann also serves as artistic director and conductor of the Wichita Chamber Chorale. He also conducts the adult choir at St. James Episcopal Church.

How To Talk To: Your Children

By the time a child goes to school, some of the most important learning has already taken place.

Parents are a child's first teacher, starting when they are just days old.

It doesn't take money or special training to talk to a child.

Professor Kathy Coufal from Wichita State University explains how to do it.

"Talking about what we are doing all the time, giving labels to the actions and objects in their environment, talking to them about even what we're thinking."

Read full story.

How to talk to a person with disabilities

What happened to you? Do your legs move? How long will you be in that chair?

Innocent questions from a curious child are not unusual, but when those questions come from an adult, it's rude, and not the questions you'd usually ask someone you just met.

But when a person has a visible disability, people forget boundaries and feel they can ask or say anything.

(Grady) Landrum runs Wichita State University's Disability Services Office. But he also has personal experience; he's used a wheelchair since a car accident in the 1970s.

Landrum says things have changed since then; people with disabilities are integrated in the community, thanks in part to laws that ensure opportunity and accommodations. But people with disabilities often find they are still stereotyped.

"Some people do come up and they talk louder or slower to you like you have some type of mental disability in association with your physical disability," Landrum says.

Read full story.

WSU playing leading role in 'Mikado'

It's a busy time at the School of Music at Wichita State University.

Mark Laycock, director of orchestras, will conduct the school's production of Mozart's "Cosi fan Tutte" in Miller Concert Hall in three weeks, then turn around and lead Menotti's "Amahl and the Night Visitors" with Opera Kansas on Thanksgiving weekend.

Paul Brodene Smith, assistant professor of voice at WSU, will spend the coming days helping young singers prepare for debuts in the upcoming shows.

Across the street in Jardine Hall, Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts, will toil at administrative duties, office work necessary to keep the School of Music and other departments running.

All three educators, though, will step away from their daily routines to work on an off-campus project — Wichita Grand Opera's production of "The Mikado."

Gilbert & Sullivan's frothy comic opera will be presented next weekend. Laycock, Smith and Miller will play significant roles in the production.

Read full story.

WSU Madrigal, Chamber Singers to appeal to 'inner child'

The Wichita State University School of Music will present "Songs for the Inner Child," featuring the WSU Madrigal Singers and Chamber Singers, with guest choir the Wichita West High School Madrigal Singers, at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20, in Wiedemann Recital Hall.

Tom Wine

The Madrigal Singers, directed by Tom Wine, will open their program with a charming piece titled "Children's Letters to God," based on actual letters from kindergarten students. The concert includes a wide variety of children's nursery rhymes that are set with contemporary jazz harmonies.

"The melodies will bring back childhood memories," said Wine, "while the accompaniment will challenge the listener to enjoy these tunes at a new level of complexity and sophistication."

Also on the concert is a setting of the e. e. cummings poem "in time of daffodils." The seemingly simple idea that a flower understands its need to grow, Wine said, is also a test for adults to live life to the fullest.

The Madrigals first sang the piece for the annual Oct. 2 WSU memorial of the 1970 football plane crash.

The Chamber Singers, Kyle Wheatley, director, will begin the concert with the beautiful Ave Verum Corpus. Using the childhood theme, the singers have a medley called "Birthdays: Round Numbers" in honor of those special celebrations that end in zero.

"It promises to be a musical Hallmark moment," said Wine.

The Wichita West High School Madrigal Singers, Matt Webber, director, will present music from a variety of historical styles.

For information, contact Wine at (316) 978-3103, or call the WSU College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233.

WSU Theatre to present classic Greek play 'Medea'

The classic Greek play "Medea" by Euripides will be presented by the Wichita State University School of Performing Arts at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22-Saturday, Oct. 24; and 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, in Wilner Auditorium.

"Medea" is often referred to as a timeless tale of ultimate retribution and offers this line, from Robinson Jeffers' adaptation of the play, describing the scorned Medea: "For she is not meek but fierce, and the daughter of a king. … She is learning what it is to be a foreigner, cast out, alone and despised."

Cast aside for another by the husband whose life she saved, Medea is the classic Greek tragedy of a woman driven to horrific revenge. Although written more than 2,000 years ago, her story of abandonment and the resulting atrocities could be ripped right out of today's headlines, according to Ed Baker, WSU technical director and assistant professor.

Jeffers' adaptation of "Medea," the first major American adaptation of the play, was written for Judith Anderson for her 1948 Broadway performance. It was subsequently used for the 1982 Broadway production starring Zoe Caldwell. Both actresses won the Tony Award for their portrayals of Medea.

A bonus talk-back event will be held on Oct. 22 immediately following the opening night's performance. The panel discussion will include ideas, concepts and the story of the play. Everyone is invited.

"Medea" stars students Kylie Jo Jennings in the title role of Medea; Sara Turner as Nurse; John Keckeisen as Jason; and, filling the other roles, Alex Johnson, Ashley Ulmer, Heather Miller, Chelsea Daniel, Chad Kimmons, Justin Wilson, Andrew Fayette, Sean Gestl, Ashley Cravens and Sarah Schwartz.

Bret Jones

"Medea" is directed by WSU Director of Theatre Bret Jones, with student designers Todd Mika (scenic), Brandon Cheney (lighting), Nick Smith (sound), A.J. Kellison (projections), and faculty designers Betty Monroe (costumes) and David Neville (projections).

For tickets, contact the College of Fine Arts Box Office at (316) 978-3233. General admission is $10 with discounts available. "Medea" is rated PG-13.

PODCAST: Economy changes boomers retirement plans

This WSU Newsline Podcast is available at http://www.wichita.edu/newslinepodcast. See the transcript below.

You're listening to the podcast edition of the Wichita State University audio newsline. Learn more about WSU — the home of Thinkers, Doers, Movers and Shockers — on the Web at wichita.edu.

Rick LeCompte

The 77 million Americans in the baby boom generation face an economic storm: The Wall Street meltdown trampled retirement nest eggs and many are struggling to get back into the work force. Rick LeCompte, a personal finance expert at Wichita State University, says the economy certainly has changed the thinking of many boomers.

LeCompte: "There was a fear in the 1990s that due to the stock market gains, we'd be set up with a mass level of early retirements by baby boomers. Now we're looking at baby boomers actually working past, actually having later retirements maybe than their parents."

The recession will end, the economy will recover and the aftershocks will subside. But it may take longer to repair some long-held assumptions about investing and retirement planning.

While the economic crisis has forced baby boomers to rethink retirement, there may be a positive result. The financial crisis has forced them to look ahead. And, as LeCompte notes, many boomers will live longer and be healthier than their parents' generation.

LeCompte: "The big issue in retirement planning is longevity risk. Longevity risk is a situation where a person outlives their retirement savings. The longer our life expectancies are, the more likely that is to happen, so that requires individuals to probably save more and plan for a longer life."

LeCompte explains some options for the baby boom generation.

LeCompte: "Options available to hedge your retirement risk would be a person could save more, which would require you to spend less. Some people might take on second jobs. Others may choose to invest in less risky portfolios to make sure that the money they have is there when they get to retirement age."

LeCompte says those younger than 60 probably can afford to take some financial risks to get a potentially higher return on investments.

LeCompte: "For individuals under 60, it may not be the best time for them to move all their money out of more risky investments, because they're going to need some return, but they need to consider their portfolio choices and what they invest in. You may want to move to a less risky portfolio, but you still have to have some risk in order to get the return you need to finance your retirement."

So, what have we learned from the economic meltdown and its impact on retirement planning? LeCompte explains.

LeCompte: "The lesson from the meltdown in markets over the last year and a half should be that anybody getting close to retirement doesn't want to have 100 percent of their investment in common stock or equities, because by the time they retire, if they retired at that point of time in March of 2009, they would be having 50 percent less than they had planned to retire on."

If a national survey is any indication, baby boomers are making some changes in their retirement planning. One in four affluent 60-year-olds are changing their retirement plans and 40 percent are downsizing their lifestyles, according to a national survey from Bell Investment Advisors conducted in 2008.

Those who will be hurt the most are those who are not saving for retirement. According to the third Real Life Retirement Survey by Charles Schwab:

1. Almost 40 percent of Americans are not saving for retirement at all.

2. Despite market losses, 60 percent of the Americans who are saving have not altered their thinking about at what age they will retire.

3. Survey respondents have, on average, saved less than 20 percent of what they acknowledge they will need in retirement.

The lack of preparedness is not limited to young people, as those age 55-63 have on average just a quarter of what they acknowledge is needed for retirement.

The Schwab survey concludes that Americans need a reality check on what they can actually accomplish in terms of when they can afford to retire, and as to the level of comfort and security that will exist. Greater savings are needed to avoid what will otherwise be inevitable results.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for Wichita State University.