Wichita State News: Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

WSU professor Wilson Baldridge receives fundraising award

Mon, 13 May 2013 13:30:00 CST

Wilson Baldridge, professor and chair of Modern and Classical Languages at Wichita State University, is the recipient of the WSU Foundation Faculty/Staff Fundraising Award.

The award was established to recognize WSU faculty or staff members who have played a key role in cultivating and securing a major gift for WSU.

This is the second year the award has been presented.

Read full story.

Faculty/staff news update: March/April 2013

Wed, 8 May 2013 13:26:00 CST

Academe welcomes news from WSU faculty and staff about research, teaching and service activities. This column recognizes grants, honors, awards, presentations and publications, new appointments, new faculty, sabbaticals, retirements and deaths of our current and former colleagues.

William Proctor Artz, instructional technologist and designer, School of Community Affairs, presented a paper "Secure Testing in the Virtual Classroom: Is It Even Possible?" at the Innovative Technology to Recharge and Connect (ITRAC) instructional technology conference on March 8.

Dinorah Azpuru, associate professor of political science, was invited to present her research on U.S-Latin America relations at the Woodrow Wilson Center, in Washington, D.C., on March 27. In the framework of the seminar "China in Latin America: Public Impressions and Policy Implications" she compared public opinion in the Americas about the influence and role of China and the United States in the region. Watch the webcast here.

Michael Birzer

Michael Birzer, professor, School of Community Affairs, worked with the Wichita Police Department's Command Staff on organizational transformation and issues. He also recently received a $32,000 grant award from the Kansas Department of Transportation to continue his research on racial profiling across the state of Kansas.

Travis Bruce, assistant professor, history, has published a book about the trading community of Denia, a Muslim city state in al-Andalus in the Middle Ages, and the trade links and cultural ties between the Muslim and Christian worlds.

Amy Delamaide, director, community and organizational development, WSU Center for Community Support and Research, was recently named a BoardSource Certified Governance Trainer and is now certified to deliver BoardSource's signature nonprofit governance trainings in the Midwest and Great Plains area. BoardSource supports and promotes excellence in nonprofit board service by providing cutting-edge thinking and resources on board effectiveness and by engaging and developing the next generation of board leaders.

Amy DeVault, assistant professor, Elliott School of Communication, earned four awards in the Kansas Professional Communicators 2012 contest: First and second in magazine page design; first in PR magazine (editing/creative direction); and second in magazine feature story. First-place winners move on to compete at the national level.

Ed Flentje

Ed Flentje, professor, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs, was recognized at the December 2012 legislative policy summit for outstanding service in fostering regional cooperation for south-central Kansas. At the invitation of the Center for Information and Resources for Development, he also traveled to Asuncion, Paraguay to participate in the Public Policy and Presidential Elections Project. This trip was the seventh of an eight-part series to educate and engage political activists on democracy, elections and public policy prior to upcoming elections in April 2013.

Mark Glaser, professor, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs, and Misty Bruckner and Corinne Bannon, both from the Center for Urban Studies, collaborated with the City of Wichita and Sedgwick County as part of a four-step process to guide a comprehensive plan update and to develop and implement a multiphase citizen engagement effort. Glaser was also recently appointed to the publication committee of the American Society for Public Administration. This is a prestigious appointment to the committee that oversees publication of the Public Administration Review, the top rated journal in the field.

Sabrina Perez Glatt, director of field practicum, School of Social Work, is the 2013recipient of the Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to an unclassified professional who models the standard of extraordinary service.

Brandy Jackson, undergraduate program director, was approved to receive funding from the College of Health Professions' IPE Fund to support participation in the Team STEPPS training program at Tulane University in New Orleans.

Phyllis Jacobs, assistant professor, nursing, and her husband, Lou, are receiving the 2013 Joel A. Gingras, Jr. Award from the American Brain Tumor Association. The award recognizes individuals, organizations or groups who through philanthropy, advocacy, discovery or patient care and support, have had a transformative impact on the advancement of the mission of the American Brain Tumor Association. Phyllis and Lou have facilitated a brain tumor support group called Headstrong at Victory in the Valley in Wichita for the past 14 years. The Award will be given at the American Brain Tumor Association national conference in Chicago in July.

Kim Johnson, DNP Candidate, whose submission titled "Does primary care provider advance directive education influence attitudes and practice?," was accepted as a poster presentation at the Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects. She was also selected to participate by WSU in the Rising Stars of Scholarship and Research Poster Program at Sigma Theta Tau International's 42nd Biennial Convention.

Stuart Lasine, professor of religion, has been elected vice president of the Society of Biblical Literature's southwest region. In 2014 he'll become president-elect and then in 2015, president.

Jacquelyn McClendon, senior clinical educator, Kelly Anderson (Dental Hygiene) and Mary Koehn (CHP IPE coordinator) abstract, "Making IPE Discipline Relevant" was accepted for presentation at the Collaborating Across Borders IV Conference in Canada.

Cheryl Miller, assistant dean, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, earned several awards in the 2012 Kansas Professional Communicators contest: First in personality profile, first in editing; second in advertising; and third in editing. Miller also received honorable mentions in feature writing, personality profile, and specialty articles - travel. First-place winners move on to compete at the national level.

Pamela O'Neal, SON Academic Writing Specialist, and Michelle Dreiling, a graduate student at the Elliott School of Communication, were invited to Wiley College in Marshall TX to speak at the Ethical Student Leadership Conference about the WSU Hunger Awareness Initiative.

Susan Parsons, assistant professor; Carla A. Lee, Debbie Strickert and Margaret Trumpp are authors of an article entitled "Oral Care and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia-An Integrated Review of the Literature" accepted for publication in the forthcoming May/June 2013 issue of Dimensions in Critical Care Nursing.

Elaine Steinke, professor, nursing, Adult Health & Illness Clinical nurse specialist program coordinator, Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Program coordinator, had two book chapters published. Steinke, E. E. (2014). Ineffective sexuality patterns. In B. Ackley, G. Ladwig. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook,10th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; pp. 724-730. And Steinke, E. E. (2014). Sexual dysfunction. In B.Ackley, G. Ladwig. Nursing Diagnosis Handbook, 10th ed. St. Louis: Elsevier; pp. 717-724.

DISTINGUISHED AND PHENOMENAL AWARDS
The Wichita State University Women's Association named its Distinguished Gentlemen Award winners in March. They are: Wilson Baldridge, chair, Modern & Classical Languages; Michael L. Birzer, professor, criminal justice/director SCA; William Bischoff, professor, geology; Buma Fridman, chair and professor, mathematics; Terre Johnson, vice president for major gifts, WSU Foundation; Chuck Koeber, associate dean, liberal arts, professor, sociology; Ron Matson, interim dean, liberal arts and sciences; Rodney Miller, dean, College of Fine Arts; Rick Muma, associate provost and professor, public health; Ravi Pendse, vice president, Information Technology, and chief information officer; Wade Robinson, vice president for Campus Life and University Relations; Mel Whiteside, director, engineering technology program;

The Office of Multicultural Affairs announced its Phenomenal Women of the Year at the fifth annual Phenomenal Women Award Recognition on March 14. Jean Patterson, from the Educational Leadership Department was awarded Faculty Phenomenal Woman of the Year. Frankie Brown, from Human Resources was awarded the Unclassified Professional Staff Phenomenal Woman of the Year. Juanita Reed from the Alumni Association was awarded the Classified Staff Phenomenal Woman of the Year. These women were recognized along with five other nominees.

IN MEMORIAM

Ronald Christy, 63, business instructor at Wichita State University, died Monday, April 22. He is survived by a son, Cody; Cody's mother, Linda Pool; extended family members, Jamie Doss, Mary Giordenella Belden and Wanda Aikin, and their children Jordan Doss, Kaylee Doss, Brooklyn Aikin, Madison Aikin, Makenna Belden and Cade Belden, who referred to Mr. Christy as Grandpa. Mr. Christy was a pioneer in entrepreneurial education and was instrumental in helping Fran Jabara found WSU's Center for Entrepreneurship in 1977. Mr. Christy taught the widely acclaimed "Your Future in Business" class to thousands of Kansans in the 1970s and 1980s. He co-authored four books on entrepreneurship, was the recipient of the prestigious Sargent Americanism Award, as well as the Outstanding Teaching Award from the W. Frank Barton School of Business. As a businessman, he founded several businesses and was a sought after consultant for over 35 years. The Ron Christy Entrepreneurship Memorial has been established through the WSU Foundation. Donations can be sent to support this memorial, in lieu of flowers, to 1845 Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0002. Services have been held.

Jeraldine Cobb, 77, retired, died April 15. Services have been held. Survivors: husband, James; sons, Terry (Diane) Evans, Larry Evans, Michael Cobb ; daughter, Jacqueline Cobb ; sister, Roberta (Lawrence) Crockett; brother, Claude (Linda) Dayton; 7 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; a host of other relatives, Strangers Rest family and friends.

Donald Leroy Foster, 77, retired Wichita State Physics professor, died Sunday, May 5. He taught at WSU for 39 years, where he served as department chair. He is preceded in death by parents, Raymond and Hilda Mae (McCrea) Foster. Mr. Foster is survived by his cherished wife, Deanna; sister, Susan A. Foster; children, Andrew (Amy) Foster, Matt (Lucinda) Foster, Brandie (Kevin Blount) French and Kelly French; 12 grandchildren, Josh, Nick, Jack, Ethan, Luke, Zach, Alex, Sebastian, Sofia, Evelyn, Levi and Lydia; and one great-grandchild. Recitation of the Rosary will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 9, followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m., both at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church. Memorials may be sent to National Parkinson Foundation, P.O. Box 51018, Hagerstown, Maryland 21741. Baker Funeral Home, Wichita.

Doris Kathleen "Kathy" Lewis, 73, former chair and associate professor, physical therapy, died March 11 in Peoria. Services have been held. She is survived by her daughter, Terri Lewis, and son-in-law, Daniel Angot, of Peoria; grandsons, Dustin and Jordan Angot; four brothers; two sisters; and many nieces and nephews. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society's Road to Recovery Program in Peoria.

Marguerite "Mickey" Miller, 92, professor emeritus and longtime former chair of keyboard, College of Fine Arts, died April 17. She was preceded in death by parents, Joe and Mary Smith; husband, Luther; and grandson, Brandon. Survivors include sons Joe of Wichita, Jay (Madeline) of Lake Forest, Ill., and Jon of Kechi; daughter, Jean Little (Kent) of Kechi; three grandchildren. In accordance with her wishes, services will be private.

Gilbert "Gil" Perez, 61, WSU Environmental Scientist, passed away Saturday, April 27, 2013. He is survived by his wife, Lisa Perez; children, Paul (Annie) Perez, Angela Perez, Isaac (Crystal) Perez, all of Wichita; grandchildren, LaTaylah, Zayda, Adrian, Evan, Aiden, Brittany (Kade), Cidnie, Daphne, Emilie and Remi; mother, Beatrice Perez of Kinsley; brothers, John (Olga) Perez of Dodge City, Larry Perez of Kinsley, Tom (Diane) Perez of Dodge City; sisters, Rose Perez of Kinsley, Gloria (Joe) Lock of Lewis and Mary (Alvaro) Bencomo of Dodge City; many other family and friends. Services have been held. Memorials to Riverlawn Christian Church, 4243 N. Meridian, Wichita, KS 67204. Baker Funeral Home, Valley Center.

WSU announces spring commencement schedule, speakers

Wed, 1 May 2013 10:14:00 CST

More than 2,200 students are eligible to participate in the 115th spring commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, at Wichita State University. Ceremonies will be held in Charles Koch Arena.

Undergraduate and graduate degrees will be conferred in individual college ceremonies.

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
More than 800 liberal arts and sciences students are eligible to participate in commencement exercises at 3 p.m. Friday, May 17. Kenny Wilk will represent the Kansas Board of Regents. The commencement speaker will be Mike James, president of the Critical Care Systems subsidiary at Express Scripts.

College of Health Professions
About 400 health professions students are eligible to participate in commencement at 7 p.m. Friday, May 17. Kenny Wilk will represent the Kansas Board of Regents. The commencement speaker will be Dr. Paul Uhlig, Cardiothoracic Surgeon at Central Plains Cardiothoracic Surgery.

W. Frank Barton School of Business
About 275 business students are eligible to participate in commencement at
8 a.m. Saturday, May 18. Robba Moran will represent the Kansas Board of Regents. The commencement speaker will be Wayne Chambers, president and CEO of High Touch Technologies.

College of Education
Almost 300 education students are eligible to graduate in a ceremony at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 18. Robba Moran will represent the Kansas Board of Regents. The speaker will be Brad Neuenswander, deputy commissioner for Learning Services for the Kansas State Department of Education.

College of Engineering
More than 320 engineering students are eligible to graduate in a ceremony at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Dan Lykins will represent the Kansas Board of Regents. The commencement speaker will be John Lovitt, former senior executive for Rational Software and former CEO of Pattern Insight.

College of Fine Arts
About 100 fine arts students are eligible to graduate in a ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18. Dan Lykins will represent the Kansas Board of Regents. The speaker will be Bob Workman, director of the Ulrich Museum of Art at Wichita State University.

Wichita State University unveils strategic plan

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 15:45:00 CST

Strategic Plan background

A strategic plan defines the future of an organization. Wichita State University's strategic plan will shape the future of the university, guide decision-making and determine resource allocations.

The new plan will be used to guide the next phase of strategic planning at Wichita State University. In the next phase, all departments will create plans appropriate to their areas that respond to the institution's strategic plan.

Changes in direction and resource allocations are likely as everyone on campus strives to accomplish the lofty vision and the big audacious goals set out by the institution's strategic plan.

John Bardo

On Sept. 5, 2012, Wichita State University President John Bardo kicked off a campus and community-wide strategic planning process for the university. He appointed a steering committee composed of WSU faculty, staff and students, along with leaders from the larger Wichita community, and charged them with developing a strategic plan for Wichita State University.

Since that time, the steering committee received thousands of comments from students, faculty, staff, community leaders, business people and others with a stake in the future of WSU, Wichita and the region. The goal of the steering committee was to use this input to map a strategic course for the university. To create a new strategic plan the steering committee thoughtfully analyzed this large body of work. The result is a phenomenal integration of the comments received to create an exciting and energizing strategic direction for Wichita State University.

The steering committee's work is almost complete with today's (Thursday, April 25) preview of the new strategic plan for Wichita State University. Following several meetings to reveal this new plan to interested groups, a formal document will be finalized in the summer of 2013. The details of the draft plan follow.

The new vision — Wichita State University is internationally recognized as the model for applied learning and research — means that WSU will aspire to be "the model" not simply "a model" for requiring students to apply their skill sets in practical or real world contexts.

The new mission — The mission of Wichita State University is to be an essential educational, cultural and economic driver for Kansas and the greater public good — identifies WSU's unique niche in the higher education system of Kansas.

Goal 1: Guarantee an applied learning or research experience for every student by each academic program.

Ensures that every student will study a curriculum that engages them in real world experiences that allows them to develop and apply their skill sets, preparing them for jobs upon graduation.

Goal 2: Pioneer an educational experience for all that integrates interdisciplinary curricula across the university.

Ensures that faculty will work across disciplines to create integrated student experiences to develop students' critical thinking skills and help them make important connections between their fields, society and culture.

Goal 3: Capitalize systemically on relevant existing and emerging societal and economic trends that increase quality educational opportunities.

Ensures a process where all new initiatives exploit relevant existing or emerging trends including social, business, technology, demographic, policy or economic trends that add to the educational opportunities in Kansas.

Goal 4: Accelerate the discovery, creation and transfer of new knowledge.

Improves the educational, cultural and economic well-being of Kansas through increased quantity and quality of research projects that enhance the reputation of WSU, attract funding, or lead to new products by advancing knowledge, producing intellectual property, or transferring knowledge for practical application.

Goal 5: Empower students to create a campus culture and experience that meets their changing needs.

Allows students to create a desired destination campus by stepping away from dictating to students what they should want, or what we think they want, in a student experience.

Goal 6: Be a campus that reflects — in staff, faculty and students — the evolving diversity of society.

Ensures successful fulfillment of WSU's mission by mirroring the variety of types of people found in society.

Goal 7: Create a new model of assessment, incentive and reward processes to accomplish our vision and goals.

Develops an integrated reward system that breaks down the insularity that exists across the colleges on campus.

For full details of the strategic plan see:
http://wichita.edu/wsustrategy.

Observatory presents 'Black Holes in Space'

Mon, 22 Apr 2013 14:40:00 CST

"Black Holes in Space" will be one of the programs presented by the Lake Afton Public Observatory from May through August.

And there will be a special opportunity to participate in the program on Mother's Day weekend. Bring your mom or grandma 9-11 p.m. May 10 or 11, and they will get in free when accompanied by a paying child.

Visit the observatory to learn how astronomers expose the mysteries surrounding these massive gravity wells even though they cannot be directly observed.

Read full story.

Grad profile: On-the-ground experience sets WSU apart

Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:52:00 CST

A small filler ad seeking a copy editor for Wichita State's student newspaper, the Sunflower, was all it took to change the direction of Nicole Stockdale's career.

Stockdale, who spent three semesters as a journalism major at the University of Kansas, had recently transferred back to her hometown to instead pursue a degree in elementary education at WSU.

Looking to earn some extra cash, she applied for the Sunflower job.

"That one little ad was all it took for me to be lured back into journalism," she said.

It has clearly paid off.

Stockdale is now assistant editorial page editor for the Dallas Morning News, where she also is one of three managers of the paper's editorial department; editor of the Sunday "Points" commentary/analysis section; and a member of the editorial board.

In early March, she won one of the Dallas Morning News Journalists of the Year prizes – Line Editor of the Year. (Her husband, Corbett Smith, won the paper's Sports Writer of the Year award.)

Preparing for a career

Stockdale, who graduated in 2000 with a double major in communication and political science, said there were four experiences that turned out to be "career-makers" for her.

Through the political science department's Washington Internship Program, she spent a semester in Washington, D.C., but it was up to her to land her own internship.

She found a job that combined her two majors: a communication and political intern for a political action committee.

Another valuable experience came in 1998, when Stockdale was required by her political science professor, Mel Kahn, to volunteer for a campaign. The volunteer job led to a paid job as the Wichita coordinator for the insurance commissioner's re-election campaign.

That insurance commissioner: Current U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius.

Over at the Sunflower, that small copy editing job turned into a chance for Stockdale to get her feet wet in writing, editing, planning, ethics and management (both of time and people) -- all areas she deals with every day in her current position.

"And it helped kindle a love of news and storytelling that makes me still appreciate -- and enjoy -- the work I do every day," she said.

Stockdale's first journalism job came in the form of a two-week copy editing internship over one winter break at The Wichita Eagle. Her professor, the late Les Anderson, helped her get the internship. But it was her experience at the Sunflower, where she had quickly become editor, that gave her just enough clout to make it to The Eagle.

"Had I not worked at the Sunflower, I probably wouldn't have been qualified even for that two-week gig," she said. "But those 10 days on the copy desk were eye-opening -- and helped me meet and prove myself to the right people."

That was all it took, and before even graduating, Stockdale had been offered a full-time copy editing job at The Eagle.

She stayed there until 2003, when she became a copy editor and headline writer on the night news copy desk at the Dallas Morning News. She has risen the ranks at the paper since.

"These experiences, when rolled into one big ball of a resume, made me ideally suited for work in an editorial department -- the journalism, the politics, the deadlines, the excitement," Stockdale said. "It's like I was preparing for this job the whole time -- a job that, in 2000, I didn't even know existed."

On-the-ground experience

There's never a dull moment these days for Stockdale, between raising two small girls and wearing "a lot of hats" at the Dallas Morning News.

As editorial board member, she's in a unique position to help shape the institutional position of the newspaper. She also has many chances for community engagement, helping plan and attend events such as community forums and author Q&As that the paper sponsors for the public.

And along with all those duties, she sometimes goes back to her writing days by blogging, tweeting and writing the occasional column or editorial.

Stockdale – who in 2010 won the WSU Elliott School of Communication's "One to Watch" award – credits much of her career to the opportunities afforded to her at Wichita State.

"Universities are known as places that can teach the theoretical. And I certainly had to bury my nose in books while I was at WSU; that was an important part of the educational experience I don't want to discount," she said. "But what set WSU apart was how much on-the-ground experience was available to the students who were interested in taking it. WSU makes the most of its urban setting and really gets students out into the workforce."

Anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson to speak at WSU

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:00:00 CST

In honor of Earth Day, anthropologist Mary Catherine Bateson will give lectures on April 22 and 23 at Wichita State University. The two talks are free and open to the public.

Bateson will present "Earth Our Kin: Climate Change and the Ecological Threat" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 22, in 100 Lindquist Hall. She will address society's inability to address ecological dangers. She hopes to develop a new pattern of interaction with the natural world through examining human societal systems of kinship that establish cooperative relationships.

The second lecture, "An Anthropologist looks at the Abrahamic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam," will be held at 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 23, in 100 Lindquist Hall.

Mary Catherine Bateson

Bateson in a professor emerita in anthropology and English at George Mason University. Since fall 2006, she has been a visiting scholar at the Sloan Center on Aging and Work at Boston College. Bateson also serves on multiple advisory boards including the National Center on Atmospheric Research and National Science Center. She is the daughter of social anthropology pioneer Margaret Mead and semiotician and cyberneticist Gregory Bateson.

The talks are sponsored by the Sally and David Jackman Lecture Series in WSU's anthropology department.

WSU creating new center to combat sex trafficking

Mon, 25 Mar 2013 10:54:00 CST

Building on the collaboration of academic and direct-practice human trafficking experts, Wichita State University will soon open the new Center for Combating Human Trafficking (CCHT).

The goal of the center is to equip multidisciplinary students, professionals and agencies/organizations/entities with the knowledge, skills and resources to prevent human trafficking; effectively identify, intervene and evaluate cases of human trafficking; and help human trafficking survivors.

The center will offer specialty courses as well as certifications to enrolled students, as well as citizens and post-graduate professionals. There also will be workshop and training continuing education credits.

CCHT will consult with community, state and federal entities, offering consulting and research/data management resources.

Wichita State assistant professor Karen Countryman-Roswurm, an expert on the subject and founder of the Anti-Trafficking/Anti-Sexual Exploitation Roundtable for Community Action (ASERCA), a collaborative multi-disciplinary team to fight human trafficking coordinated through the Wichita Children's Home, is the founding director of the CCHT.

Partnership with BCC will benefit criminal justice majors

Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:10:00 CST

Wichita State University has entered into an articulation agreement with Butler Community College that would allow students getting their Associate Degree in Homeland Security from Butler to then work toward completing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at WSU.

Butler Community College students are eligible once they complete the Associate Degree in Homeland Security.

"This partnership forged by Wichita State University and Butler Community College is designed to provide students with the academic advantages of both institutions through a consistent pathway for earning degrees in homeland security and criminal justice," said Miles Erpelding, professor of criminal justice, Butler Community College.

With this in place, Butler and Wichita State worked to solidify the partnership so that students can complete their associate degree and transition seamlessly into the bachelor's program without leaving the region.

"This creates much less confusion on the student's end," said Michael Birzer, professor and director of Wichita State's School of Community Affairs. "They know exactly what they have to do to graduate with a minimum amount of time."

To be eligible, students must complete:

30 credit hours of homeland security courses taken at Butler.
18 credit hours of criminal justice courses taken at WSU.
Six credit hours of correlate core courses taken at WSU.

Students must also satisfy the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences' and the university's requirements for the Bachelor of Science Degree, including foreign language.

Birzer said agreements such as this are a benefit for WSU.

"Community colleges offer us the opportunity to attract some very bright students to WSU," he said.

WSU's criminal justice program offers a variety of optional online courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. Criminal justice graduate students can complete more than half of the program online, and the goal is to have a fully online option within the next two years.

See comet this month at public observatory

Thu, 7 Mar 2013 14:53:00 CST

A new comet called PanSTARRS is visiting the inner solar system and will be visible to the unaided eye from mid- to late March.

PanSTARRS will make its closest approach to the sun on Sunday, March 10, after which it will brighten and become visible to observers in the northern hemisphere as it begins its return trip to the outer reaches of the solar system. It is estimated that it will reach its brightest during the week of March 11-17, when it will be visible to the unaided eye.

For this special occasion, the Lake Afton Public Observatory will have two programs to observe Comet PanSTARRS from 7:20-8:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, March 12 and 13.

Read full story.

WSU archaeologist focuses research on ancient social change

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 15:19:00 CST

After only one year, assistant anthropology professor Lisa Overholtzer is making a name for herself at Wichita State University.

Overholtzer, who joined the WSU faculty in 2012 after holding adjunct instructor positions at Northwestern University and DePaul University, has been in the scientific news recently for her research in central Mexico.

Together with experts from the University of Texas at Austin and Washington State University, Overholtzer is researching whether the Aztecs who conquered the city of Xaltocan in ancient Mexico around the year 1435 changed the genetic makeup of those who lived there.

The study – called the Xaltocan Archaeological Project – was published in the December issue of the American Journal of Physical Anthropology.

UT Austin graduate student Jaime Mata-Miguez is first author on the paper. Other collaborators include Deborah Bolnick (director of the DNA lab at UT Austin); Enrique Rodriguez-Alegria (archaeologist at UT Austin); and Brian Kemp (DNA expert at Washington State).

"I was interested in how the lives of ordinary people changed when they were conquered and then incorporated into the Aztec empire," Overholtzer said.

Significant research

Colonial documents recount that when the site was conquered, all of its original Otomi inhabitants fled, leaving the site empty for 40 years until the Aztec king sent taxpayers to repopulate the island.

Overholtzer's archaeological excavations, though, suggest that there was continuity in occupants.

"Houses were built, and burials were interred in the exact same spot in the houses I excavated, and radiocarbon dates showed that there was no 40-year abandonment period," she said.

Overholtzer thought some of the answers might lie at the molecular level in the DNA of the family members buried underneath the house patios.

To further investigate that question, she collaborated with ancient DNA experts at the University of Texas at Austin. So far, they have conducted mitochondrial DNA sequencing, which shows there was indeed some form of demographic shift in at least some households.

The reason for that shift is unclear, Overholtzer said. One theory is that there might have been some demographic change, but not a complete replacement of the population.

Overholtzer points out that her study is preliminary and that ancient DNA analyses are ongoing.

The research is significant, though, because it is the first to examine the genetic impact of Aztec imperialism and is using molecular anthropology techniques to address new questions of social dynamics and demographic shift in the region.

For more information on Overholtzer's research, go to http://loverholtzer.wordpress.com/ or http://www.wichita.edu/j/?2061.

Close mentoring is one key to success for WSU philosophy department

Wed, 6 Mar 2013 14:11:00 CST

David Soles

David Soles is pretty impressed with the way things have been going in Wichita State's philosophy department. And he has reason to be: Since the department began keeping records from the early 1990s, every one of the more than 50 philosophy undergrads who have applied to graduate school has been accepted.

That includes schools such as the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, the top rated philosophy doctoral program in the world; the University of Pittsburgh, which boasts the top program in the United States; as well as Harvard, Cornell and MIT.

"We think that it is impressive," said Soles, chair of WSU's philosophy department. "It reflects very well on us. We are known throughout the nation for producing extremely capable philosophers."

Pushing excellence

Soles credits close professor-student relationships, demanding classes and high-quality professors with graduates' success.

In hiring at WSU, Soles said, the first consideration for the philosophy department is a candidate's potential as a teacher.

Three members of the department have received the John R. Barrier Excellence in Teaching Award; two have received the WSU Excellence in Teaching Award; one has received the WSU Leadership in the Advancement of Teaching Award; and one has received the George A. Lewis Teaching Award.

"Everyone in the department is an excellent teacher," Soles said.

The philosophy faculty also takes advising seriously, making sure that their majors are taking courses in other departments from faculty who will push them.

Getting into a top tier Ph.D. program or law school – about one-third of the graduates go to law school – requires scoring in the 90-plus percentile on the GRE or LSAT.

"We provide the sort of education that makes that possible," Soles said.

Mentoring relationships

Soles said the department is a fairly tight-knit community. There is a faculty/student lounge adjacent to the main office, and faculty make a point of spending several hours a week there.

"We have very close mentoring relationships with our students … drinking coffee and discussing philosophy and general intellectual topics," Soles said. "We get to know our students very well and are able to steer them to the appropriate sorts of programs."

Alumnus Dale Miller, who went on to complete his graduate work at the University of Pittsburgh, said the time in that lounge spent with professors is a highlight for students.

"Philosophy students at WSU are fortunate that the department has space for a departmental lounge, where students are encouraged to spend time between classes, and where they have ample access to faculty outside of the classroom," Miller said. "My experience at WSU was comparable to being at a liberal arts college."

Students in the department also have the chance to get on-the-job experience while earning their degree. Soles said many students work as tutors in the Logic Clinic or as discussion leaders in introductory classes.

"This not only provides them with a salary to help defray their college expenses, but also is attractive to graduate programs; they know that our students are ready to be responsible TAs when they arrive," Soles said.

Miller, who is now professor, department chair and co-director of the Institute for Ethics and Public Affairs at Old Dominion University (Va.), counts himself lucky that he went to WSU.

"At WSU, every philosophy class I took was from a faculty member with a Ph.D., and the undergraduates were treated like graduate students," he said. "Wichita State's philosophy department gave me an excellent grounding in all of the major areas of philosophy."

Faculty/staff news update: January/February 2013

Mon, 4 Mar 2013 11:34:00 CST

Kathy Coufal, professor and chair, communication sciences and disorders, recently joined the board of directors of the Kansas Society for Children with Challenges.

George Dehner

George Dehner, associate professor, history, had two books published recently. "Influenza: A Century of Science and Public Health Response" is aimed at the academic market, and "Global Flu and You: A History of Influenza" is a more general book on the subject.

Suzy Finn, engineering coordinator/job developer, Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning, has been accepted into the Young Professionals of Wichita 2013 Leadership Academy.

Ed Flentje, professor and longtime REAP consultant, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs, was recognized at the December 2012 legislative policy summit for outstanding service in fostering regional cooperation for south-central Kansas.

Ed Flentje fielded calls on Kansas politics about the 2012 November elections from national reporters with the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and Reuters, in addition to Kansas newspaper reporters. He also made presentations on Kansas politics and elections, including the Docking Symposium on Kansas Politics at Southwestern College in Winfield; the Downtown Lions Club, Wichita; the Post-election Roundtable, with professors Joe Aistrup (Kansas State), Bob Beatty (Washburn), Burdette Loomis (University of Kansas), and Michael Smith (Emporia State) at Washburn University in Topeka; and the Lions Club in Clay Center.

Eric Freeman, assistant professor, Jean Patterson, associate professor, and Pat Terry, senior fellow, served as faculty advisers to students in the College of Education's educational leadership program who presented research papers at the USA|Kansas Annual Convention in January. "Growth and Sustainability in a Rural Kansas Town: The Role of Public Schools" was presented by Michael Argabright, superintendent, Southern Lyon County USD 252; Andi Williams, principal, Haysville Elementary, USD 261; and Royce Powelson, superintendent, Jayhawk USD 346 (Freeman). "Successes and Challenges of Implementing 21st Century Skills" was presented by Mary Liebl, literacy coordinator, Wichita USD 259; Janice Smith, executive director, The Opportunity Project Early Learning Center; Alicia Thompson, assistant superintendent, Wichita USD 259; Tiffinie Irving, executive director, Wichita USD 259; and Brad Pepper, executive director, The Service Center at Clearwater (Patterson/Terry).

Philip Gaunt, professor, Elliott School of Communication, director and founder, Interdisciplinary Communication Research Institute, had a book signing hosted by Watermark Books in Wichita on Feb. 9 for his recently published novel, "The Blane Game."

Lou Heldman, Distinguished Senior Fellow and interim director of the Elliott School of Communication, presented "Communicating with Citizens on Their Terms" at the 2013 Kansas Association of City and County Managers Winter Seminar, hosted by the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs, on Feb. 8.

Sharon Iorio

Sharon Iorio, dean and professor, College of Education, presented "Partnerships with School Districts," along with other Kansas Board of Regents' college of education deans at the USA|Kansas Annual Convention conference in January.

Ashlie Jack, assistant professor, curriculum and instruction, has been selected to serve on the Kansas Handwriting Standards Committee, which will design the new handwriting standards for schools in Kansas in response to the request of the Kansas State Board of Education.

Ashlie Jack and Mandy Lusk, assistant professors, special education, received funding for their study "Developing Word Consciousness of Academic Vocabulary in Adolescents with Challenging Behaviors through Co-Teaching" to be conducted during the spring 2013 semester.

Elizabeth King, president and CEO, WSU Foundation, was re-elected to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Kansas Society for Children with Challenges. The KSCC was established in 1925.

Kenneth Kriz, professor of Public Finance and Economics with the University of Nebraska-Omaha who will soon join the Hugo Wall School as Regents Professor of Public Finance, presented the keynote speech "Public Finance in the 2010s: an Environmental Scan" at the 2013 Midwest Regional Public Finance Conference on Feb. 14 and 15 in Wichita.

Sal Mazzullo, professor, geology, had a book signing hosted by Watermark Books in Wichita on Jan. 5 for his recently published novel, "Chac Balam."

Eunice Doman Myers, associate dean, Fairmount College, and associate professor, Spanish, had her book chapter "Resounding Silences: En las noches que desvisten otras noches" included in the Festschrift Nela Rio: Escritura en foco: La mirada profunda, edited by Qantati e-books (Ottawa, Canada).

Ravi Pendse

Ravi Pendse, chief information officer, presented "Creating Relevance through Innovation and Collaboration" at the 2013 Kansas Association of City and County Managers Winter Seminar, hosted by the Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs on Feb. 8.

Michael Rogers, chair and professor, human performance, presented "International trends of study concerning exercise programs and health promotion for older adults" at the 2012 International Forum on Muscle Fitness Exercise as Chokin for Elderly People held at the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya, Japan, in December.

Donna Sayman, assistant professor, curriculum and instruction, recently had her article "Quinceaneras and Quadratics: Experiences of Latinas in state-supported residential schools of science and math" published in the Journal of Latinos and Education.

Aleksander Sternfeld-Dunn, assistant professor, music theory and composition, had two new compositions premiered at Carnegie Hall on Feb. 9 by an East Coast new music group, the Case Ensemble. While in New York, Sternfeld-Dunn gave guest presentations with undergraduate and graduate composers at The Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Conn., and Kutztown University in Kutztown, Pa.

Clay Stoldt, chair and professor, and Mark Vermillion, associate professor, both of sport management, presented "Member Churning Among Conferences: A Contributing Factor to Economic Inequality at the NCAA Scholarly Colloquium," along with Martin Perline, professor and Bloomfield Foundation Faculty Fellow, Barton School of Business.

Anh Tran, associate professor, and Jim Granada, assistant professor, both of curriculum and instruction, presented "Social, Cultural and Economic Capitals for College Success" at the 2013 USA|Kansas Annual Convention.

NEW TO CAMPUS
Leah DiPietr, coordinator for College of Engineering, Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning

Kenneth Kriz, Regents Distinguished Professor of Public Finance, Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs

Kelley Mattivi, coordinator for College of Business and College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning

Arwiphawee Srithongrung, associate professor, Hugo Wall School

Matthew Cecil, director, Elliott School of Communication

Bob Workman, director, Ulrich Museum of Art

ON SABBATICAL
Dharma DeSilva, professor, management, fall 2013, five related projects including teaching, research and advisory service in Sri Lanka, as well as completion of international business and marketing resource textbooks

Jeffrey Hershfield, associate professor, philosophy, fall 2013, research on linguistic norms regarding truth/falsity and their underlying principles; development of a taxonomy and publication

Xiaomi Hu, associate professor, mathematics, fall 2013, conduct research to identify multivariate order relations and focus on models with their parameter vectors under multivariate order restrictions including testing and implementation

C. Nicholas Johnson, professor, dance, spring 2014, research on mime/physical theatre; further development of the SPA core curriculum mime course and a new Fine Arts exchange opportunity in Mexico

Xiufen Lu, associate professor, philosophy, spring 2014, research on Li Dazhao's adaption of Marxism to Chinese Confucianisnism; publication of two articles

Chungsheng Ma, professor, mathematics, academic year 2013-14, research on spatio-temporal stastics and vecor random fields in space and time leading to book and journal publications

Daowei Ma, professor, mathematics, spring 2014, research on complex analysis and linear transforms in applied mathematics leading to publication of several research papers

Robert Owens, associate professor, history, spring 2014, research and manuscript writing on early American frontier "Indian-hating" and attempts to settle Indian-white disputes

Atul Rai, associate professor, accountancy, spring 2014, study effects of the international financial reporting system and quality of earnings; preparation of papers for publication

Nick Solomey, professor, mathematics (physics), academic year 2013-14, participate in cosmic ray research to expand scientific expertise and enhance the ability of Kansas to qualify for joint hosting of the next large cosmic ray experiment in western Kansas and eastern Colorado

James E. Steck, professor, engineering (aerospace), fall 2013, (1) continue research on advanced aircraft flight control methods at NASA and (2) expand quantum computing research leading to publication in both areas

Craig Torbenson, associate professor, history, spring 2014, continue work on a manuscript examining Norwegian emigration and patterns of westward migration and settlement in the United States

Janet Twomey, professor, engineering/manufacturing, spring 2014, (1) investigate worker education in the emerging field of engineering-public policy and (2) develop a proposal to support a network of researchers in climate change, health care and energy

Chu-Ping Vijverberg, associate professor, economics, academic year 2013-14, compare current models for examining structural change or business cycles with an exploratory time deformation model to provide improved forecast ability and further model development

Robert Zettle, professor, psychology, spring 2014, complete writing and co-editing Handbook of Contextual Behavioral Science

IN EMERITUS
Roger D. Lowe, vice president emeritus, administration and finance

Salvatore J. Mazzullo, professor emeritus, geology

IN MEMORIAM
Peggy J. Anderson, 67, retired associate professor emeritus, College of Education, died Feb. 24 in Wichita. Services have been held. She is survived by her brothers, Denis (Bobbi) Anderson of Springfield, Mo., and Russell (Debra Dikeman) Vornold of Pilot Mountain, N.C. Memorials may be made to St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 7404 Killarney, Wichita, KS 67206.

Lois Mae Bergerhouse, 94, former WSU cafeteria employee, died Jan. 28 in Andover. Services have been held. She was preceded in death by her parents, Archie and Winifred (Ferris) Troyer; her husband, Wayne; and sisters Delores Krueger and Naomi Daharsh. Survivors include children Cynthia Gillett and Phillip Bergerhouse ; grandchildren, Dwayne Wilson, Michael Wilson, Stephanie Murphy, Joshua Bergerhouse , Ian Bergerhouse and Cody Bergerhouse. Memorials may be made to Life Care Center of Andover, 621 W. 21st St., Andover, Kan.

Donald Morse Douglas, 88, associate professor emeritus, history, died Jan. 15 in Wichita. Services have been held. He is survived by his wife, Ada Glynn ("Lynn"); daughters, Sharon Lynn Douglas and Donna Christine Douglas; granddaughters Michelle Leigh Nielsen, Erika Lynn Douglas and Meredith Lynn Coughenour; great-grandchildren, Zak, Luke and Kate Nielsen; and brother Guy Barry Douglas and his wife, Pat. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, the American Heart Association, Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice or Holocaust Commemoratives, in care of Congregation Emanu-El.

Cecilia Sanchez Epperson, 83, retired assistant librarian, died Feb. 11, 2013. Services have been held. She was preceded in death by her parents, Gregorio and Maria Sanchez. She is survived by her husband, Gene; children Rene Epperson, Mark Epperson and Diane Cole all of Wichita, and Alan Epperson of Ft. Worth, Texas; sisters Trini Sanchez of Wellington and Alejandra De La Torre of Los Angeles; grandchildren Jennifer, Laura, Justin, Kyle and Janel; great-grandson Taylor. Memorials may be sent to Hardin Hospice, 2622 W. Central, Wichita, KS 67203.

John C. Gries, 72, professor, geology, died Jan. 18 following a short illness. A celebration of life has been held. He was preceded in death by his parents, Paul and Virginia Gries, and his brother Don. He is survived by his wife, Toni Willis-Jackman; his daughter, Lynn Gries of Tucson; his first wife and friend, Robbie Gries; sister-in-law, Neella Gries; and two nephews, Nathan and Mark. Memorials have been established at the Great Plains Transportation Museum, 700 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67202, and the Wichita State University Foundation, 1845 Fairmount St., Wichita, KS 67260.

Harry Miller, 86, former Shocker basketball coach, died Feb. 13 in Nacogdoches, Texas. Services have been held. He is survived by his wife, Lanora (Tillie), and sons Bob and Tom of Nacogdoches, and Gary of Tyler. He is also survived by his son's wives, Ardan, Patty and Dorota; granddaughters, Claire Miller, Isabella and Sophie Miller; step-grandchildren Ember Ashby, Will Ashby and his wife, Anna; and three great-grandchildren, Bryana and Nolan Ashby, and Emerson Carden.

James M. Murphy, 90, professor emeritis, economics, banking and finance, died Feb. 10. Survivors include his children Michael J. (Arlyn) Murphy of Lubbock, Texas, Dennis J. (Beth) Murphy of Tulsa, Okla., Susan E. (Steve) Pattison of Broken Arrow, Okla., John M. (Noreen) Murphy of Beaverton, Ore., and David K. Murphy of Austin, Texas. Private services will be held in Oklahoma at a later date. Donations may be made to the Dr. James M. Murphy Endowed Fellowship, c/o WSU Foundation, 1845 N. Fairmount, Box 2, Wichita, KS 67260-0002.

William M. Perel, 85, retired former chair, mathematics, died Jan. 20 in Stillwater, Okla. Services have been held. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Ada Gaskill; and daughter Cathy Perel. He is survived by his wife, Tula Perel of Stillwater; daughters Elizabeth (Dwayne) Deckard and Shirley (Tod) King, all of Wichita; stepchildren Teresa (John) Petersen of Pawnee, Okla., Lenora (Larry) Rawdon of Wellston, Okla., Dan (Pam) Ripley of Pawnee, Okla., and Susan (Paul) Hartle of Plano, Texas; four grandchildren; nine step-grandchildren; and 14 step-great grandchildren. Memorial contributions may be made to the Parkinson's Foundation of Oklahoma, 720 W. Wilshire, Suite 101H, Oklahoma City, OK 73116 or the First Baptist Church, 720 6th St., Pawnee, OK 74058.

William H. "Bill" Smith, 73, retired 30-year administrator, Rhatigan Student Center, died Feb. 20 in Wichita. Services have been held. He was preceded in death by his parents, William A. and Mary Olive Smith; and brother Garel Smith. He is survived by his wife, Barbara Smith; sons Michael (Stephanie) of Maple Grove, Minn., Stephen (Michelle) of Derby and Jeffrey (Melissa) Smith of Derby; 11 grandchildren; sister Betty Jo McWhorter of Atlanta, Ga.; several nieces and nephews. Memorials may be made to Shocker Bowling Fund in care of the WSU Foundation, 1845 N. Fairmount, Wichita, KS 67260-0002.

Regis Lenora Welch, 82, former instructor, English/linguistics, died Jan. 13 in Sherman, Texas. Services have been held. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Francis and Cecilia Ellen Flynn Downey; her husband, John William; brother Paul; and sister Margaret Ernestine Archer. She is survived by son Matthew Welch of San Francisco, Calif.; brother-in-law Charles T. Welch of Huntsville, Ala.; nieces Sheila Archer Carter and Laura Welch Gilley; nephew Thomas Welch; and great friends and caretakers Kyle and Mary Payne. Donations can be made to St. Elizabeth Scholarship Fund, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 916 Maple St., Bonham, TX 75418.

Milan Zivanovic, 99, instructor, broadcasting and film, died Jan. 23, at home in Kansas City. He was preceded in death by his brother Dragan; mother, Olga, and father, Dusan. He is survived by his wife, Judith; brothers-in-law Tom (Vicki) Goergen and Lee Goergen; sister-in-law Pam Stucke; five nephews; and several grand-nieces and nephews.

Professor studies causes, prevention of Parkinson's

Fri, 1 Feb 2013 09:09:00 CST

On the fourth floor of Wichita State University's McKinley Hall, biochemistry professor Kandatege Wimalasena and his group of doctoral and undergraduate students are hard at work researching Parkinson's disease (PD) – the second-most common neurodegenerative disease, affecting 1 to 2 percent of people older than 60.

Wimalasena, a native of Sri Lanka, has spent the past several years focusing his research on PD, hoping to help identify a way to target the underlying causes of the disease.

Wimalasena believes his studies will identify molecular causes and eventually lead to the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies for Parkinson's.

With more than 50,000 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year, Wimalasena believes that ongoing Parkinson's research is vital.

About Parkinson's

Parkinson's is a degenerative disease of the central nervous system. The motor symptoms of PD result from the death of dopamine-generating cells in the substantia nigra, a region of the midbrain. The cause of this cell death is unknown.

Although L-Dopa is currently used to improve PD symptoms, there is no drug on the market that helps the causes of Parkinson's.

Wimalasena said the prevention of cell death is essential to protecting the aging population from PD. That's why the cause of the specific degeneration has been such a strong focus.

"Although considerable advances have been made, a comprehensive integration of the various risk factors has not been successful," he said.

Wimalasena said the most commonly accepted view is that the exposure to environmental factors and toxins, together with cumulative defects in protective mechanisms, may be the cause of Parkinson's. Although many examples of environmental factors have been identified, there is one toxic molecule – referred to as MPP+ - that has garnered the most attention from researchers, including Wimalasena and his students.

"Since the MPP+ model is the current gold standard for PD research and pharmacological therapeutics development, a proper understanding of its mechanism of specific toxicity to dopamine cells is of prime importance," he said.

Understanding neuro-degeneration

In the past several years, Wimalasena's lab has gathered strong evidence to contradict the proposed mechanism for MPP+ toxicity. His lab is in the process of collecting the data to formulate a previously unknown mechanism.

One of the things Wimalasena has discovered in his lab is a group of commonly used industrial chemicals with structures similar to MPP+ that are about 1,000 times more toxic.

The comparative studies of these toxins will not only allow them to further understand the causes of neuro-degeneration, but also to identify the characteristics of environmental toxins that are responsible for Parkinson's and other neuro-degenerative diseases.

Wimalasena's lab has also discovered two different sets of compounds that protect dopamine cells affected by MPP+ toxicity. He believes these compounds could be further developed to treat and/or to prevent Parkinson's.

Viet Le

One of the doctoral students involved in this research with Wimalasena is Viet Le, who has been working in the lab since 2005.

"Having had the opportunity to work in research as an undergraduate and a graduate student, the experiences were very valuable," Le said. "It has allowed me to develop my critical thinking skills and learn many different lab techniques. I was able to apply what I learned in the research lab and classrooms to the labs that I taught for 10 semesters and in real-life situations."

Le has won numerous student teaching and research awards, and he credits working with Wimalasena for that success.

"Dr. Wimalasena has given me endless amount of support on my research projects," Le said. "He has helped me at every stage, from discussing what I need to take my research projects to the next step, to presenting my results. I believe that he, and my lab mates, are the most significant people in influencing the success of my Ph.D. All of those will help on my resume when I graduate."

New director hired for WSU's Elliott School of Communication

Fri, 18 Jan 2013 13:28:00 CST

Matthew Cecil

Matthew Cecil, a media historian with a strong professional communication background, has been selected as the next director of the Elliott School of Communication at Wichita State University.

Cecil, an associate professor in the South Dakota State University Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, will begin work at Wichita State June 30. He will succeed Lou Heldman, who has served as interim director since 2011.

Ron Matson, interim dean of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, who made the appointment, said, "The faculty and I feel that Matt Cecil's experience and vision for the future of communication education make him ideal for this important position."

At WSU, Cecil will be responsible for about 30 faculty and staff members and courses that enroll more than 2,000 students annually.

"The Elliott School stands out regionally and nationally because of its outstanding people and because of its comprehensive, integrated approach to the study of communication," Cecil said. "The ESC is well-positioned for continued and even greater success, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a part of that."

Deep connections

Cecil was also impressed with the deep connections between the Elliott School and professions in Wichita, he said. "The school is really about active learning, about involving students in real projects on campus and in the community."

Cecil is the author of a forthcoming book, "J. Edgar Hoover and the American Press: Journalism, Public Relations and the Legitimation of the FBI," and has published or presented more than 20 articles on the topic. He is working on a new book exploring the work of iconoclastic journalist George Seldes.

Prior to joining the faculty at South Dakota State University, Cecil served on the faculties at Purdue University and the University of Oklahoma. He earned his Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Iowa in 2000 and holds a Master of Arts in history from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a Bachelor of Science in history from South Dakota State University. Cecil's professional experience includes work as a daily newspaper reporter, political press secretary and corporate media relations practitioner.

The Elliott School of Communication, a unit of the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, offers the only academic program in Kansas that integrates speech communication, journalism, public relations and strategic communication.