Wichita State News: Graduate School

WSU doctoral student globalizes Wichita music class

Wichita State University grad student Lisa Lutz is interested in globalization; more specifically, she is interested in making relationships and communication global for students in her district.

Lutz works in the USD 259 district office in secondary curriculum and instruction.

"If I'm going to be a leader in education, then I feel I should educate myself to the highest degree that I can," Lutz said.

Her doctoral project is focused on global education and building lasting relationships between Wichita students and students in other countries.

Her research subjects are high school students in a USD 259 music class. The students will work with others around the world to compose a piece of music.

She is studying how they work together and how their perceptions of each other change over time.

Graduate School Assistant Dean Mara Alagic said Lutz put a lot of time and careful thought into the design of her project.

"(The project) aims to help us understand more about how collaborative music performance can improve the development of a global mindset," Alagic said.

The other schools participating are in Spain, Austria and Japan. Lutz traveled to each country to set up her project. The Ollie A. and J.O. Heskett Graduate Fellowship funded her travel.

Lutz wants to expand her project through the K-12 curriculum in Wichita classrooms to offer all students global interaction before they enter the work force, which she said expects such skills.

She hopes the experience will give the students a global mindset as well.

She said globalization is "beyond an understanding." To her, globalization is "to have a compassion for the human spirit regardless of where" it is.

"As a result of the multiple communications they have, they will gain a broader understanding and acceptance of others with the potential to develop some sustainable relationships," she said.

While there is the ability to globalize the curriculum of every subject, Lutz chose music because it doesn't pause at language barriers.

Language is a challenge, but Lutz said it is a give-and-take opportunity and fully part of the global experience. Connections will be made in multiple time zones, and students will have to work through that.

Lutz doesn't want her project to be a one-year, one-classroom event in Wichita. She wants to see it implemented in every classroom in the district.

"This could go somewhere," she said. But she needs someone to facilitate the project to expand it community wide.

Her desired outcome would be to have global concerts, occurring at the same time in each participating country, where students can play the music they've composed.

Regardless if Lutz's concert happens, Alagic said: "The outcomes of her project will inform further global learning initiatives, particularly in the area of music education, in USD 259, and broader as she's intent to publish her findings at national and international levels."

Faculty/staff news update, summer 2009

Faculty/staff news update, summer 2009

As the academy of faculty and the staff at Wichita State University engage in externally supported research, training and service activities consistent with the university's mission and vital to its growth, this column will recognize grants, honors, awards, presentations and publications, new appointments, new faculty, sabbaticals, retirements and the deaths of our current and former colleagues.

AWARDS, HONORS AND WSU GRANTS

Les Anderson

Les Anderson, professor, Elliott School of Communication, received the Kansas Press Association's Clyde M. Reed Jr. Master Editor Award. Anderson, former owner of The Ark Valley News in Valley Center, was recognized for a lifetime of contributions to the newspaper industry.

Ted Ayres, vice president and general counsel, attended the 56th Annual National Security Forum at the Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. During the week of May 18-22, about 130 civilian leaders in business, education and government met with senior military leaders to explore current and future national security issues facing the United States.

Albert Goldbarth, Adele Davis Distinguished Professor of Humanities, has been made an honorary member of Harvard's chapter of Phi Beta Kappa as part of providing this year's commencement poems for the chapter. Read the article and hear his speech at www.harvardmagazine.com.

Grady Landrum, director of disability services, qualified to play in the Wheelchair U.S. Open Tennis Tournament, Aug. 31-Sept. 6, in St. Louis.

Patricia McDonnell, director, Ulrich Museum of Art, has joined the board of directors for the College Arts Association, based in New York. The CAA boasts an international membership of 14,000 individuals and more than 2,000 institutions.

Cheryl Miller, assistant dean, Liberal Arts and Sciences, and David Kamerer, former visiting assistant professor, Elliott School of Communication, received first-place honors from the National Federation of Press Women 2009 Communications Contest. Sharon Iorio, dean of the College of Education, and Wilma Moore-Black, assistant director/curriculum coordinator, TRIO Communication Upward Bound, won third-place national awards, and Les Anderson, professor, Elliott School of Communication, received an honorable mention. NFPW will hold its awards banquet at the national conference Sept. 10-12 in San Antonio.

Michael Palmiotto, professor, School of Community Affairs, was awarded a May/June Fulbright Specialist Award to Serbia, where he lectured to University of Belgrade Law and Security faculty, met with American Embassy officials, traveled to Kragujevac for three lectures at the University of Kragujevac, and attended and presented a paper at an international police conference in Macedonia.

Rosalind Scudder, professor, Communication Sciences and Disorders, has received the Kansas Speech-Language-Hearing Association's "Honors of the Association" for 2009. The award recognizes members who have made distinguished contributions and service to the field and the association. Scudder's award will be presented during the KSHA convention at the Hyatt Regency Wichita, Oct. 1-3.

PRESENTATIONS AND PUBLICATIONS

Mara Alagic, assistant dean, Graduate School, associate professor, curriculum and instruction, is the guest editor for the September special issue of Journal of Mathematics and Arts devoted to mathematics education. The journal is published by Taylor & Francis (UK).

Daniel Bergman, assistant professor and chair, secondary science education, had "Quality questions" published this summer in New Teacher Advocate.

Frankie Brown, director, Human Resources, presented "What do Employers Really Want?" in July at the Statewide Diversity Job Fair hosted by Wichita's Urban League.

Cindy Craig, social sciences librarian, University Libraries, and Curt Friehs, business librarian at Kansas City, Kansas Public Library (previously of University Libraries) presented original research at the American Libraries Association Annual Conference in July in Chicago. They also presented a research poster at the conference. Their research article "Assessing the Effectiveness of Online Library Instruction with Finance Students" was published last winter in the Journal of Web Librarianship.

Lynne Davis, Ann and Dennis Ross Endowed Faculty of Distinction in Organ, presented a performance on WSU's Marcussen organ of French composers for the June 18 closing concert of the American Guild of Organists region 6 convention in Wichita, and the June 28 opening concert of the AGOs region 5 convention in Detroit. In July, she performed at the Cathedral of St. Michel and St. Gudule in Brussells, Belgium.

Karen Hayes, assistant professor, and Alicia Huckstadt, professor and graduate program director, School of Nursing, presented their research, "Improving Clinical Care of Hypertensive Patients," at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Conference, Nashville, Tenn., on June 18.

Alicia Huckstadt, professor and graduate program director, nursing, had her chapter "Health promotion" published in Chronic Illness: Impact & Intervention.

C. Nicholas Johnson

C. Nicholas Johnson, director of dance, and Sabrina Vasquez, dance faculty, performed with the Alithea Mime Theatre dance company for the International Mime Festival in Warsaw, Poland, Aug. 22-31. Johnson is artistic director for Alithea, and Vasquez is co-director. Current and former WSU dance students joined the pair for the Warsaw festival.

Patricia McDonnell, director, Ulrich Museum of Art, contributed an essay on artist Marsden Hartley to the forthcoming exhibition publication for Cezanne and American Modernism, organized by the Baltimore Museum of Art and Montclair Art Museum.

Martha J. Smith, associate professor, School of Community Affairs, co-edited two special issues of Security Journal with Bonnie Fisher, University of Cincinnati. The first issue is Insecurity in the Ivory Tower: Understanding and Responding to Students' Victimization and Fear. The second issue, Women's Security: Critical Perspectives on Assessment Techniques and Preventive Responses, also includes an article by Smith, "A Six-Step Model of Potential Victims' Decisions to Change Location."

Liorah Golomb, assistant professor and humanities librarian, was co-author of "Navigating the MLA Bibliography: Performance Across Vendor Platforms, published in the Journal of Electronic Resources Librarianship. Her co-author was Aline Soules, California State University.

Virginia Kay Williams, assistant professor and acquisitions librarian, was co-author of "Graphic Novels in Libraries Supporting Teacher Education and Librarianship Programs," in the July Library Resources and Technical Services. Her co-author was Damen V. Peterson, Mississippi State University. Williams' review of the book "Analyzing Library Collection Use with Excel" by Tony Greiner and Bob Cooper was published in the same journal issue.

NEW FACULTY AND NEW POSITIONS

These faculty members recently achieved full professor status: Les Anderson, Elliott School of Communication, Wilson Baldridge, modern and classical languages, Alex Chaparro, psychology, David Eichhorn, chemistry, C. Nicholas Johnson, performing arts/dance, Rhonda Lewis-Moss, psychology, Chunsheng Ma, mathematics and statistics, Linda Mitchell, curriculum and instruction, Chinyere Okafor, English and women's studies, Keith Pickus, associate provost, history, Prakash Ramanan, computer science, Michael Rogers, Center for Physical Fitness and Aging, Jim Wolff, Barton School of Business, Charles Yang, engineering, and Robert Zettle, psychology.

Jean Brickell, associate professor, College of Health Professions, has been named chairperson of Medical Technology.

Mary Koehn, associate professor and associate dean, College of Health Professions, has been named acting chairperson of the School of Nursing.

Craig Owens, assistant professor, music education, has been appointed director of jazz studies for WSU.

Linda Starkey has been appointed director of the School of Performing Arts.

Phil Bowers has been promoted to assistant director of TRIO Disability Support Services.

IN EMERITUS

The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and Research recently announced the 2009 emeritus faculty: Judith Johnson, associate professor (history); Susan Kovar, dean and professor (Graduate School and kinesiology and sports studies); Mahmoud Edwin Sawan, professor and chairperson (electrical and computer engineering); Ram Singhal, professor (chemistry); Juanita Tate, associate professor (nursing); and Phillip Thomas, dean and professor (LAS and history). In addition, Ron Kopita, vice president (campus life and university relations), has been granted emeritus status.

IN MEMORIAM

John Ballar Breazeale, 83, retired WSU administrator, died June 6 in Houston. Breazeale's career at WSU included serving as chairman of the physics department, dean of the Graduate School, vice president for Academic Affairs and director of the Institute for Aviation Research and Development. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma Ruth. Survivors include daughters Susan (Stuart) Twemlow of Houston, Barbara Schaecher of Salt Lake City, and Rachel (Steve) Mackey of Topeka; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Memorials can be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association or the American Diabetes Association.

Moya Diane Dickerson, 61, accounting, died Aug. 14 in Wichita. She is survived by her husband, Paul; son Kevin (Christine) of Colorado Springs; daughter Kristina (John) Andrews of Muvane; three grandchildren; sister Sandei (Alan) Fain; brothers Matthew (Hazel) of Enid and Randy (Patti Waibel). Services have been held.

Lois Amy (Howard) Gunter, 94, retired from the financial aid department, died June 7. Preceded in death by her husband, Preston,; sisters Dorthea Underwood and Lola Kreis; brother Bill Howard. Survivors include daughter Judy (Knute) Fraser of Wichita; sons Gary (Dianne) Gunter of Denver and Mike (Patti) Gunter of Austin; six grandchildren and five great-grandchildren; sister Audrey Collins of Hutchinson; brother Ben (Mary) Howard of Merced, Calif.; many nieces, nephews and dear friends. A memorial to benefit low-income children has been established at College Hill United Methodist Church in Wichita.

Jack Mitchell, 85, former University of Wichita football coach, died July 6 in Arizona.

Wendell Peete, 62, system administrator in the Media Resources Center, died Sept. 5 in Wichita. He was preceded in death by daughters Demetra Lynn and Melody Ann, granddaughter Taylor and father J.B Peete. He is survived by his wife, Phyllis; daughter Winona; son Wendell Jr. (Georgia); grandsons Ocean and Austin; mother Helen Culton; sisters Philomene (Sherman Keeling), Tonette Crowley, Margaret Culton-Davidson (Mathis); brothers Thomas, Michael, George and Ricky Culton; and stepmother Nellie Peete and family. Services have been held.

Joshua Locke Yearout, 33, archivist, Special Collections, University Libraries, died July 7 in Wichita. He is survived by his wife, Amy; daughter, Grace; parents Charlene and Phil Yearout of Andover; sister Jessie Horning of Andover; grandmother Yvonne Critchfield of Hill City. Memorials may be made to the Grace H. Yearout Memorial Fund c/o Emprise Bank, 257 N. Broadway, Wichita, KS 67202.

IN OTHER NEWS

Albert Goldbarth

Albert Goldbarth, Adele M. Davis Distinguished Professor of Humanities, was interviewed for an Aug. 17 television broadcast, "Junk Man: Poet and Professor Albert Goldbarth," on "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer" (in the NewsHour Poetry Series) on PBS. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=761

Dotty Harpool, director of graduate studies, lecturer, marketing, Barton School, was interviewed for a July 23 Wichita Eagle article, "Dillons branches out with gas." http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/cnews/?cnid=817

Dean Headley, associate professor, was quoted in a June 18 Wichita Eagle article, "marketing and entrepreneurship, contributed to the article, "Fighting for every sale." http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=713

Doug Hensler, dean, and Kate Kung-McIntyre, assistant dean, Barton School of Business, contributed to a July 6 Wichita Eagle article, "WSU students go abroad to acquire global business skills." http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=722

Jeremy Hill

Jeremy Hill, director of the Center for Economic Development and Business Research, was quoted in a July 13 Wichita Business Journal story, "Sedgwick County approves AirTran subsidy." http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=726

Jeremy Hill also was interviewed for a June 25 KAKE Channel 10 story, "Kansas bankruptcy levels lower than national average." http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=718

Stanley Longhofer, director of the Center for Real Estate, was quoted in a July 28 Christian Monitor article, "US home prices rise. Is it time to buy?," about the Case Shiller index. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/newsrelease/?nid=739

Gary L. Miller, provost and vice president for academic affairs and research, was interviewed for an Aug. 16 Wichita Eagle article, "WSU lab building stellar reputation," about WSU's Advanced Networking Research Center. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=759

Michael E. Rogers, research director of the Center for Physical Activity and Aging, was quoted in an Aug. 3 Boston Globe column, "Sweat equity," on fitness for aging women. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=744

Victoria Shaffer, assistant professor of psychology, was interviewed for an Aug. 26 Incentive Insights Podcast from Incentive magazine about her research comparing the cash and noncash awards in corporate incentive programs. http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=774

Levente Sulyok, assistant professor, and Robert Bubp, associate professor, foundations, drawing and painting, were interviewed for a July Mercury-Register (Chico, Texas) article, "Two artists portray their interpretations of place," about their summer exhibition at the 1078 Gallery.

John Tomblin

John Tomblin, executive director of the National Institute for Aviation Research, was quoted in an Aug. 23 Wichita Eagle article, "Stimulus could pay for CIBOR site." http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/wsunews/news/?nid=768

New entrepreneurship certificate offered by WSU business school

The Barton School of Business at Wichita State University will offer a new Graduate Certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation in fall 2009.

The certificate is an opportunity for individuals in the community to receive advanced study in the field without completing a degree program.

Tim Pett

"There is a definite need in our community for accelerated offerings during this economic downturn," said Tim Pett, director of the Center for Entrepreneurship. "This is a chance for professionals in a variety of disciplines – the arts, sciences, health professions and engineering – to gain exposure to the challenges that entrepreneurs and existing businesses face in developing innovations into commercial products. There is much more to starting a business than a business plan."

The certificate, which consists of 12 hours of graduate level classes such as technology entrepreneurship and new product development, may be completed in as little as two semesters plus summer. No prerequisite courses are required for the program and all classes are offered in the evening.

Participants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year institution.

Applicants must be admitted to the WSU Graduate School as a non-degree candidate and pay a $35 application fee.

Anyone interested is encouraged to call the Graduate Studies in Business office at (316) 978-3230 for more information.

The Barton School also offers a similar 12-hour certificate program in Enterprise Systems and Supply Chain Management.

WSU enrolls 14,235 students for spring semester

Enrollment at Wichita State University in spring 2009 is 14,235 students, an increase of 143 students, or 1 percent, compared to spring 2008, according to the official enrollment report given to the Kansas Board of Regents following the 20th day of classes.

It is the highest spring enrollment at WSU since spring 2004, when there were 14,685 students enrolled.

The higher enrollment is largely attributed to former students returning to WSU, an increase of 296 students compared to spring 2008.

WSU students also enrolled for more credit hours. Students are taking 147,579 credit hours in spring 2009 compared to 142,182 in spring 2007, an increase of 5,397 credit hours or 3.8 percent.

It's the second highest number of credit hours for a spring semester in WSU history. The only time students took more credit hours in spring was in 1983 when students enrolled in 148,978 credit hours.

The average undergraduate credit hour load in spring 2009 increased to 11.15 credit hours compared to 10.90 in spring 2008. The average graduate credit hour load also increased to 7.31 from 6.98 in spring 2008.

"We are especially pleased to see our students taking more credit hours," said Ron Kopita, vice president for campus life and university relations. "Our goals of providing appropriate financial support and necessary courses appear to be working, thus allowing our students to move more quickly toward completion of their degrees."

Here is a breakdown of enrollment statistics by college and the Graduate School: http://www.wichita.edu/thisis/newsresource/enrollment_stat.asp.

Local students complete degrees at Wichita State University

More than 825 students completed their degrees at Wichita State University in fall 2008.

Undergraduate students who have attained a grade point average of 3.9 out of a possible 4.0 received the summa cum laude award; those with an average of 3.55 received the magna cum laude award; and those with an average of 3.25 received the cum laude.

Enclosed are names of local students who are among the fall 2008 graduates at Wichita State University. For a complete list of fall graduates from WSU, go to http://www.wichita.edu/gradlist.

WSU enrolls more than 14,000 students and offers more than 60 undergraduate degree programs in more than 150 areas of study in six undergraduate colleges.

The Graduate School offers an extensive program including 42 master's degrees that offer study in more than 100 areas; a specialist in education degree; and doctoral degrees in applied mathematics; chemistry; communication sciences and disorders; human factors and community/clinical psychology; educational administration; physical therapy; and aerospace, electrical, industrial and mechanical engineering.

Wichita State offering new master's in computer networking

The Kansas Board of Regents has approved a new Master of Science in Computer Networking degree in the electrical engineering and computer science department at Wichita State University.

New students will begin being admitted for fall 2009. Current WSU graduate students may transfer to the new program beginning in the spring 2009 semester.

Edwin Sawan

Demand for networking experts to design, deploy, support and maintain computer networks is expected to multiply exponentially as more small businesses and individual citizens "go online," said Edwin Sawan, interim chair of the department.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in the computer networking area is projected to increase by 27 percent in the next 10 years.

Graduates of the new program at WSU will have expertise in hardware and software technologies, which will prepare them for a career to meet the growing demand for networking experts.

Program structure, requirements

The Master of Science in Computer Networking is a comprehensive degree program. The curriculum structure provides the students with an integrated experience in system engineering, economics, architecture and policies of computer communication networks. These topics are covered in the required core courses.

The program encompasses courses offered by departments in several colleges, including the College of Engineering, the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and the Barton School of Business.

The comprehensive nature of the program aims at enhancing the strong ties that WSU has with various companies, including Cisco Systems and LSI, among others.

To fulfill the degree requirements, a student must complete the courses on an individual plan of study to be approved by an adviser, the graduate coordinator and the dean of the Graduate School.

The program is intended for graduate students with a bachelor's degree majoring in engineering or an area related to information technology. Students from other areas may be admitted conditionally and will be required to complete some undergraduate courses to be prescribed by the graduate coordinator at the time of admission.

To qualify for admission, a student must have a GPA of at least 3.0 in the past 60 hours of undergraduate study.

Wichita State graduates nurses at a faster pace

The accelerated nursing program at Wichita State University is making up for the lack of nursing professionals.

According to Phyllis Jacobs, assistant professor and director of undergraduate curriculum at the School of Nursing, the accelerated program was created to help alleviate the nursing shortage, particularly in Wichita, one of the largest health care communities in Kansas.

The program also addresses the waiting lists for the traditional baccalaureate nursing classes.

Students involved benefit by being able to start their careers in a shorter period of time.

"Accelerated students take the same courses and have the same number of hours in the clinical areas as traditional students," Jacobs said. "Graduates from the accelerated program will be equally as well prepared as those graduating from the traditional BSN program."

The program is considered self-funded, which means the $20,000 students pay in tuition covers all program costs. Proceeds from tuition fund three full-time faculty, part-time clinical instructors and support staff.

To be accepted into the program, students must have a 3.0 GPA and a bachelor's or higher degree in another field or 90 hours of college credit.

Chris Pelton, one of the first students admitted into the program, said he enrolled because of the shorter time period.

"I enjoy the challenge," he said.

The program is structured differently from the traditional, which lasts 24 months. The accelerated curriculum lasts only 15 months, so there is no downtime between being in class and being at a clinic.

"The accelerated program is nonstop," Pelton said. "For some, the program is more difficult due to the intense nature of the schedule."

Jacobs said students need to adjust to the fast pace of the program, and she advises them not to have an hourly job because they will be busy with class, clinical experience and study.

"In the beginning, the schedule was hectic," Pelton said. "I think everyone had to adjust to this new idea of being in school sometimes for 40 hours a week."

The majority of students' time is spent in the classroom. Students are in the hospital, or clinical setting, for eight hours on Mondays.

"Right now, we are at Wesley hospital," Pelton said. "Clinical is about working with patients and nurses to learn."

Before enrolling in the program, Pelton worked as a phlebotomist drawing blood for lab specimens at a Wichita laboratory. He chose to major in nursing because he enjoys working with people.

"I love the interaction and the variety that it brings," he said. "It is a profession that involves caring about people."

His mentor, John Coslett, chief nursing officer at the Kansas Spine Hospital, first introduced him to nursing.

"He answered all of my questions and told me about his experiences and career," Pelton said. "It really appealed to me and influenced me in my decision to go into the program."

Pelton has been given support from his family and close friends, and the students and faculty in the program. He said being in smaller classes helped him get to know his teachers.

"They have always been very supportive of us and understanding of our needs," he said. "One of the benefits of being in a smaller program is that they are not afraid of trying new learning techniques."

Cara Metzinger, another student in the accelerated nursing program, said she wanted to get her life started in a career she loves.

She said her schedule is hectic, but Virginia Teel, assistant professor and director of the program, maps out the students' schedules in the beginning.

"We have some of the most amazing professors I have ever had," Metzinger said. "They truly enjoy nursing and are passionate about teaching what they know to us."

Metzinger leans on family and friends for support. She said her mother, who attended WSU for nursing, understands what she's experiencing and the struggles she faces.

"My parents are the backbone of my ability to stay calm and in control of my life right now," she said.

Before enrolling in the program, she volunteered as a pre-nursing student at the Kansas Medical Center.

"I was able to circulate to all the different areas they have," she said, "and see what the nurse does on a daily basis."

Metzinger toyed with the idea of attending medical school, but after going through the nursing program, she has found her place.

"It is a perfect match for my energy level and caring personality," she said.

She loves working with children and would enjoy the neonatal ICU, pediatrics or the labor and delivery areas of nursing.

"I have always been a caregiver," she said. "It was ingrained in me at a young age, and I am finally ready to follow that calling."

Because of this program, which accepts 30 students each year, the university is able to enroll additional students in the original nursing curriculum. WSU is graduating more prepared nurses, which benefits the community.

Business student awarded McGowan scholarship

Wichita State University has awarded the 2008-2009 William G. McGowan Scholarship to Stephen Mariga, a graduate student in WSU's W. Frank Barton School of Business.

Award value for the scholarship is the general cost for the senior year of undergraduate studies or one year of graduate work. The scholarship provided for the 2008-2009 academic year will cover WSU's actual tuition cost or $18,000, whichever is less.

Scholars are selected based on academic performance, a grade point average of 3.0, financial need and submitted essays. Attributes such as scholarship, talent, leadership qualities, character and community involvement are also considered.

The applicant must be a full-time student, currently enrolled as a business major. The student must also be recommended by a faculty member of the business school, with final decisions made by the dean of the business school.

Mariga has a bachelor's degree in economics and accounting and is working toward a master's degree in business administration. On campus, he has worked as a peer tutor and a graduate staff assistant in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. He has instructed at the Kenya College of Accounting and the Thika Institute of Technology, as well as Maryhill High School in Nairobi, Kenya.

The William G. McGowan Scholars program, funded by William G. McGowan, co-founder of MCI Communications Corporation, recognizes academic success and distinction of students pursuing a major in an accredited business school. It was created to encourage leadership, interpersonal skills and academic, campus and community involvement.

Case closed: Grad student headed to CSI position

It was love at first autopsy for Wichita State University graduate student Carla Patton. The 41-year-old California native is the newest crime scene investigator for the Wichita Police Department.

Fresh on the job as of May 13, Patton is doing her part to snuff out crime in the city. Her new position comes in the same week she graduates from WSU with her master's degree in criminal justice.

Patton has been interested in the court system and law enforcement for many years and began her undergraduate studies at WSU in fall 2002.

"I think it is fascinating how small pieces of evidence by themselves don't necessarily prove anything," she said, "but put them together, and they can tell what crime was committed and how. For those who die and the cause and manner of death aren't known, the body tells the tale."

She and her parents moved to Wichita from Oxnard, Calif., in 1989 because they grew tired of the traffic and smog, choosing Kansas because her father is originally from here.

When Patton earned her bachelor's degree, she also won Senior Honor Woman, the highest award given annually to five women graduating from the criminal justice department.

After winning the prestigious award, she was motivated to continue for a master's degree, which she did in 2006.

Before going to college, Patton worked in retail management. She eventually decided college was something she needed to do.

"What WSU taught me was what I put my mind to, I can do," she said. "It gave me a sense of confidence and achievement."

Patton said her time spent at WSU has been more than worthwhile. Being in the classroom with WPD lieutenant and WSU lecturer Kenneth Landwehr was one of her most memorable experiences.

In order to help students gain a real sense of what working in the law enforcement field is like, Landwehr didn't protect the class from the brutality of cases.

"He gives you the whole enchilada," she said. "I took both of his classes while he was trying to catch BTK, and after he and his team caught him, we gave him a standing ovation in class."

To be a part of a system that works to "solve crimes, prosecute criminals and keep order in society," Patton said, is something she is proud of.

She plans to stay in Wichita, eventually hoping to move up within the police department.

Symphonies add value to grad student's life

Born into a family that sows music into their lives, Wichita State University graduate student Stephanie Patterson is now reaping the benefits.

Patterson, who is pursuing a Master of Music in bassoon performance at WSU, was raised in Lafayette, Calif., with a family that included one cousin who plays saxophone, another cousin who plays trumpet on a riverboat and a grandfather who plays tuba in a Dixieland band near San Francisco.

Patterson left Lafayette for Oberlin, Ohio, in 2002 to attend Oberlin College and Conservatory, where she studied music performance and Russian.

Nicolasa Kuster

It was there that Patterson met WSU School of Music assistant professor Nicolasa Kuster, who at the time was at Oberlin teaching for a professor who had taken a sabbatical.

"Stephanie is an amazing student," Kuster said. "She's curious, and that's the best kind of student to have. She gives a lot of herself. She's just incredible."

Kuster encouraged Patterson to consider WSU's Master of Music program and the opportunity given to its graduate students to perform in the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. Patterson kept in touch with Kuster and later applied to Wichita State.

In 2005, Patterson traveled to Austin, Texas, for the Meg Quigley Vivaldi competition, which was designed and created by Kuster to inspire young female bassoonists in a male-dominated field.

While in Austin, she met renowned jazz bassoonist Paul Hansen. He was in a jam session when she walked up and introduced herself, and he was kind enough to let her practice with him. Patterson learned a great deal during their time spent, so much so that she said it was reminiscent of being in school.

"It was kind of like being in a sixth grade jazz band," she said. "I truly respect him as a player."

Kuster has enjoyed having Patterson in the classroom and playing beside her in the Wichita Symphony Orchestra since first meeting her as a freshman at Oberlin.

In addition to performing for the WSU Symphony and in the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Patterson has also performed on invitation at Friends University and Bethel College.

She plans on completing her master's degree in May 2009 after which she will either pursue a doctorate at the University of California-San Diego or begin looking for a position in a symphony.

"Music is important to me because it's like a job I really love to do, and if I can do that for the rest of my life it would be amazing," she said.

Free 'How to Finance a College Education' class offered at WSU

A one-day class is being held at Wichita State University that teaches parents and prospective students about the options available for paying for college.

"How to Finance a College Education" is a free financial aid planning seminar open to the public to help people learn what types of financial assistance are available and how to qualify.

The class, which requires a reservation, is from 10-11:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 9, at the WSU West Campus, 3801 N. Walker Ave.

Anyone, whether a high school student, parents planning their child's education or an adult returning to college, can learn about their financial options.

Following the presentation, WSU staff will remain on-site to answer questions.

Graduate student Larry Randle sets the bar high for himself and fellow engineers

"What is my potential?" is one of Larry Randle's favorite sayings. Those four words built an attitude that has allowed the Wichita native to earn two bachelor's degrees from two universities, train as a year-round athlete, embark on a master's degree in engineering management and secure a job at Cessna Aircraft as an industrial engineer. Not to mention, he is only 26 years old. At this point, no goal seems too high to him.

Randle played football and competed in track at Emporia State University while earning his first bachelor's degree in physics. He also competed in indoor and outdoor track while earning his second bachelor's degree in industrial engineering at Wichita State University.

Any full-time student athlete must possess drive to succeed as Randle did, but he said his determination came from growing up in an active and academic-minded household. Randle said his parents were adamant about his education.

"I had the same attitude in sports that I did in class. I'm always trying to better myself, and I was able to persist because I really wanted it," Randle said.

As a child Randle thought he wanted to be an inventor. As his education progressed, he took a liking to math and science. With some encouragement from his father, he set his sights on becoming an engineer.

In March 2005 as an undergraduate student at WSU, Randle got an internship at Cessna where he now works full-time. He said getting there was no small task.

"Time management was a struggle. Juggling group projects, work, practice and athletic events on the weekends was hard. There were courses that were almost unbearable, but being now what I wanted to be then is the most rewarding part of my experience," Randle said. "It's not even about the money; it's about making it to that point."

He said he chose to pursue graduate school for a number of reasons.

"It has a lot to do with being future minded. I am about improvement of myself. I love to learn, and I'm interested in the topics. I decided that a bachelor's degree was not enough. I can do more," he said.

His wife, Christina Randle, is also in graduate school at WSU working toward her master's degree in social work. She has also been inspiring to him in his decision to further his education.

Randle not only believes in the importance of giving back to his community, but also acts on that belief. He and his father have been coaching a Little League football team of middle school students for more than five years. He has been with the team since they were in second grade. Randle said he feels like he is a mentor and a coach to the boys. He has taught them about a lot more than football.

"If they have a school problem, we deal with that first, then sports," he said. "I want to be a positive role model for them."

In addition to investing time in coaching, for the past two years Randle has also acted as president of the Wichita chapter of the National Society of Black Engineers. One of the largest events of the year is the NSBE national conference, to which Randle will be able to take a group of young WSU men and women to network among engineers from several other universities.

"Overall, the NSBE tries to increase the number of culturally responsible black engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community," he said.

Randle plans to complete his master's degree in engineering management in December 2009.

WSU grad student Emily Therrien blossoming into a 'starlet'

The bold, confident and beautiful character known as Queenie in the recent Wichita State University production of "The Wild Party" is not much unlike the actress who portrays her in real life.

Behind all the glitz and glamour, WSU graduate student Emily Therrien is poised, well-spoken and down to earth. She and Queenie do, however, differ in one aspect: When it comes to clothing, Queenie typically dons far less.

Emily Therrien

Therrien began performing as a junior in high school in Burnsville, Minn. Since studying vocal performance at WSU, she has blossomed into a starlet with a memorable presence both on and off the stage.

For inspiration in her role as Queenie in "The Wild Party," Therrien admits she searched the Internet for all she could find on "the roaring '20s" and, for what she believes Queenie embodies, the "femme fatale."

She said she felt good about the cast's initial performance of the play, and since building on it for the regional competition, she thinks the cast is 10 times better.

Therrien, who is in her first year of graduate school, knew of WSU because her undergraduate voice teacher at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis., was a student at WSU.

Because she spends so much time on stage, Therrien said she, too, feels the pressure from society to look a certain way, like most young women today. As a result of these expectations, self-doubt and insecurity can often hinder a woman's confidence. Therrien addressed the issue from a performer's perspective.

"I think we [women] struggle with it all the time. I've been most successful when I pretend like I'm confident," Therrien said. "My friend once told me, 'If you believe you are a certain way, they [the audience] will believe it.' I try to focus on the role and my performance."

In addition to achieving many personal goals at WSU, Therrien feels she has developed into a well-rounded performer, student and future professional.

"In undergraduate school, I was very conscious of everything around me," she said. "Graduate school has made me feel so much more focused. I can worry about why I'm here, and the faculty here is great."

She also commented on the strong sense of community she has encountered at WSU.

"The connections in Wichita are an untapped source. There are so many art patrons here that are supportive of what we do," Therrien said.

Among the encouraging people she has met at WSU are "Wild Party" co-stars Alex Stoll and Taurean Everett, whom she said working beside has made her a better performer.

"They are so easy to work with, professional and amazingly talented," Therrien said.

She has also enjoyed the personal attention she has received from students and faculty alike. Therrien said her experience with students has been most memorable because they are all very welcoming.

"Whenever I asked anyone about auditions, people were so helpful. Wichita has a local, personal feel," she said.

After Therrien completes graduate school, she wants to pursue performing for at least five more years and hopes to explore another one of her passions, liturgical music.

Doctor of nursing practice degree approved for Wichita State

The Kansas Board of Regents has approved a doctor of nursing practice for Wichita State University.

It's a new degree for the state of Kansas and relatively new in the nation, said Juanita Tate, chair of WSU's School of Nursing and associate dean of the College of Health Professions.

Juanita Tate

Post-master's degree nurses can begin their doctoral studies in spring 2008, while post-baccalaureate students can begin in fall 2008. The doctor of nursing practice degree was also approved for the University of Kansas at the same as WSU's approval.

WSU and KU worked together this past year for approval of the degree, said Tate. WSU has been lobbying for the advanced nurse practitioner credential since early 2005. With a projected shortage of general care medical doctors and an increase in elderly as baby boomers age, advanced practice nurses and other health professionals are essential to help deal with the burgeoning demand, Tate said.

"It was approved because of the great need for nursing leadership in the state of Kansas," said Tate.

A graduate of the program may be prepared as a nurse practitioner, a clinical nurse specialist, a nurse educator or a nurse administrator and executive nurse leader.

The WSU School of Nursing will continue to offer master's nursing education and has about 150 students enrolled each year in that program.

The school has also worked for the past several years on increasing capacity in all levels of nurse training. Until 2004, the baccalaureate program's class size had been capped at 80 students per year (40 in fall semester and 40 in spring) for more than a decade.

External corporate sponsorship from Wesley Medical Center/HCA Cares provided for 10 additional students for the spring 2004, fall 2004 and spring 2005 classes, and Via Christi Regional Medical Center provided funding for 10 additional students for fall 2005.

In 2006, the university provided funding to increase the class size to 60 students per semester and created an early admission option for freshmen that guarantees at least 30 students, at time of admission to WSU, a place in the nursing class contingent upon completion of at least 48 credit hours of their prerequisite course work at WSU with a 3.0 GPA and meeting all other requirements for admission.

The same year a $350,000 grant from the Kansas Board of Regents helped fund more faculty and classroom space. And in fall 2007, WSU created an accelerated baccalaureate nursing program that will begin in May 2008 at the new South Campus in Derby.