Wichita State News: Experience-based learning

Relationship with Beechcraft provides jobs for students

Mon, 17 Jun 2013 15:40:00 CST

Thanks to a strong relationship between Beechcraft and Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), dozens of WSU students are getting hands-on experience creating 3-D designs for Beechcraft airplanes.

The students are working at Beechcraft as employees of NIAR's CAD/CAM Lab. They're using CATIA 3D CAD design software and Mentor Graphics software to implement change requests for all production lines and recreate outdated two-dimensional drafting plans.

"They physically become part of the Beechcraft team," said Shawn Ehrstein, NIAR's CAD/CAM Lab director.

Much of the design work the students are completing was previously contracted to other companies. In 2010, bringing those jobs back to Wichita became a goal for Ehrstein and Scott Yeakley, Beechcraft's director of engineering operations.

"It's a winning situation for everyone," said Ehrstein. "The university provides hands-on learning opportunities, students get industry experience using industry tools while earning a paycheck, and Beechcraft gains a pipeline for new hires."

'A win-win scenario'

Most of the students are participating in the university's Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning program to satisfy curriculum in the engineering program.

Before students are hired, they must commit to working for the lab for the remainder of the semester. And, in turn, Beechcraft guarantees the students a job for as long. This has been a main contributor to the program's success.

"The NIAR/Beechcraft relationship is a win-win scenario in every sense of the meaning. We are proud to be a part of this successful business relationship," said Yeakley.

The partnership has already provided opportunities for nearly 40 students, and an additional 30 students will soon be hired for a new program this summer. Individuals to fill these positions have already been selected. Ehrstein recruits students by word of mouth and by posting flyers in and around Wallace Hall.

Students who have worked for NIAR's CAD/CAM Lab are in high demand in the aircraft industry. Since the program began in 2010, all of the lab's long-term student employees have secured jobs in the industry. Even Dassault Systems, the manufacturer of CATIA design software, has called Ehrstein looking for recruits.

"We hope we can continue to build this relationship and use it as a model for working with additional organizations," said Ehrstein.

Flint Hills stories lure Elliott School students out of classroom

Mon, 20 May 2013 14:36:00 CST

The Flint Hills Media Project at Wichita State University helps students become well-rounded journalists by getting them out of the classroom to look for real stories.

The Elliott School of Communication summer course will mark its fourth year in June when students and faculty go onsite to cover the ever-mobile Symphony in the Flint Hills. The course runs June 10-July 5, with the event on June 15.

"(Sitting in a classroom) doesn't teach you to be a journalist or a storyteller," said Amy DeVault, an assistant professor for the Elliott School.

"You have to be out there meeting and talking to people and finding out what makes them tick," she said.

The students not only gain experience creating media for digital and print formats, but they also cross into other disciplines as they prepare to cover a range of topics.

"Students have to prepare to interview orchestra musicians and to write intelligently about the symphony concert," DeVault said. "They learn everything they can about the tallgrass prairie and the history of each region we're covering."

This summer, the students will add military history and knowledge to their repertoire.

The Symphony in the Flint Hills (SFH) has been staged in a different pasture every year since 2006. This year's symphony takes place in historic Ft. Riley. Students will also cover the stories about current Army training and life at the fort.

'A learning lab'
Since 2010, Elliott School students and faculty in the four-week course have helped tell the story of music, rural life and small towns as the symphony has moved through a new Flint Hills county each year.

The first week, they drive to the chosen site, set up headquarters in a nearby motel some days before the symphony, and fan out in teams to find stories.

The following three weeks back in the classroom are feverish as they write features; edit stories, photographs and videos; and design, layout and publish work on a project website and in a glossy, four-color magazine.

Some of the stories are even picked up by state and local newspapers and television stations.

"The (Flint Hills Media Project) provides a great learning lab for students and teachers alike," said DeVault.

She has taught the course for three years, the first two with late professor Les Anderson, who developed the course concept.

Last year, associate professor Kevin Hager co-taught the course with DeVault and quickly caught her enthusiasm.

"It's one of the classes that people who teach should want to teach because it's not books and lectures and classrooms," said Hager. "It's going out and doing what you love to do."

"This class is becoming one of our leading examples of experience-based learning," said Lou Heldman, interim director for the Elliott School.

Trending nationally
Nationally, out-of-classroom environments are increasingly seen as vital teaching opportunities for many professions. Education Week and related publications are emphasizing the value of real-world settings to improve digital learning, gain a broader base of knowledge and hone skills in problem-solving and creative thinking.

Meanwhile, the Elliott School's popular media project has attracted the attention of national education associations.

In April, DeVault and Hager were invited to co-present the Flint Hills Media Project at the 2013 National Broadcast Educators Association conference in Las Vegas. And last November at the National High School Journalism Convention in San Antonio, DeVault led a daylong workshop on team storytelling by taking more than 50 high school students out into the city to find and tell stories.

The messages: Get out of the classroom and into real stories. Think like a reader. Use multiple tools to tell your story. Work together using each person's strengths.

When Matt Cecil, the new Elliott School director, learned about the project during his Wichita State interviews last fall, he took the idea back to South Dakota State University and helped create a similar experience for students to get off campus and cover an annual summer festival.

On the scene
"Les taught me how to teach this way," said DeVault, who, in 2009, joined Anderson in a similar lab environment in tornado-wiped Greensburg, Kan., as its residents rebuilt their lives and their town.

As with Greensburg, the Flint Hills course puts faculty working side by side with students and encouraging them to develop their own relationships with sources.

"It's like the old apprentice model," said DeVault, adding that it builds strong bonds between all participants.

Good journalism is all about relationships, she noted. When the students get to know the people they are interviewing and something of their culture, they become more involved in the stories they are producing.

Kristin Baker, an Andover High School journalism teacher who participated in the 2012 Flint Hills Media Project, wrote about the closing of Marlow Woodcuts in Americus, Kan., after touring the dusty remnants of the once thriving business with its last owner, Wanda Douglas.

"Whenever Wanda got teary-eyed, so did I," said Baker, who was taken aback at the delicately carved beauty of the woodcuts once sold all over the world.

"When we started, our goal was to help Symphony in the Flint Hills get these stories in the media. Second, of course, was to give our students that experience," said DeVault.

And, while helping the SFH organization narrate the story of the distinct Flint Hills eco-region, which has the most dense coverage of intact tallgrass prairie in North America, something else has happened, DeVault said.

"What we didn't expect is that students from everywhere would come home with a love for the Flint Hills and an appreciation for Kansas people."

Sri Lanka native finds success in WSU aerospace engineering

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:50:00 CST

His pleasant demeanor presents an unassuming college senior at the beginning of the rest of his life, but most seniors at Wichita State didn't grow up moving in and out of a war zone.

For Tharindu "TJ" Jayaratne, it was a fact of life. As a native of Sri Lanka, he lived in danger nearly every day because of the 30-year-long civil war in the country.

In 1994 when he was 6 years old, Jayaratne and his mother left Sri Lanka during one of the most violent periods of the war. Just four years earlier, hundreds of police officers were massacred by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam in one day.

"I was glad we were in the U.S. when we were growing up," said Jayaratne. "While we were here [in the U.S.], the terrorists blew up the building my mom worked in back home."

While his mom was earning her master's degree at Vanderbilt University, Jayaratne spent some of his childhood in Nashville, Tenn.

"I enjoyed both lifestyles," said Jayratne about the cultural diversity he experienced as a child.

Upon returning to Sri Lanka, 10-year-old Jayaratne could not speak Sinhalese. He learned it with ease as a fifth-grader that year and spent the rest of his adolescence in his native country.

Coming back to America

In 2008, Jayaratne returned to the United States and began attending Wichita State University. He credits his decision to a "world-class aerospace engineering program for one-sixth the cost of other such programs." Jayaratne will graduate in May 2013 with a degree in aerospace engineering and a 4.0 GPA.

Jayaratne's interest in engineering is also clear to his teachers. Larry Whitman, associate professor at the department of industrial and manufacturing engineering, emphasized Jayaratne's passion for learning as an engineer.

"His passion to learn more — engineering is not static, and he tries to learn more about the subject at hand," said Whitman. "He does a good job trying to get better."

When asked about his experience at Wichita State, Jayaratne said he most enjoyed the "truly extraordinary" hands-on curriculum the aerospace engineering program provides.

"A lot of engineers haven't built anything by the time they get out of college," said Jayaratne. "That's the good thing about WSU."

Jayaratne has also served as president of the International Student Union (ISU) and project chair for Interfest. Under Jayaratne's direction, Interfest doubled its ticket and food sales in 2012.

As president of ISU, Jayaratne helped organize airport pickups for international students with help from other student groups. The student-run program picks up more than 200 students before each fall semester.

Jayaratne now has a co-op position at the National Institute for Aviation Research, working with the certification and testing of the Learjet 85 business jet. He plans to continue his work there after graduation.

As for graduate school, Jayaratne will apply to several programs.

"I'll probably stay here, though. I like it here," he said.

Outside of work and school, Jayaratne is researching building a 1967 Mustang Fastback.

Graphic design senior lands internship at space astronomy program

Tue, 14 May 2013 10:05:00 CST

Sara Crowdis

In June, Wichita State University senior Sara Crowdis will travel to Baltimore for an internship at the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). But, Crowdis isn't a science major; she will graduate with a graphic design degree.

Crowdis was accepted to the Space Astronomy Summer Program (SASP) at STScI for students interested in astronomy and science. Out of 200 national and international applicants, only about 20 were chosen. The internship runs from mid-June until mid-August.

"I positioned myself differently than all the other scientists and said I would balance the team out by bringing in a new perspective," she said. "People must have been surprised when they saw my major."

While at STScI, Crowdis will work in the Office of Public Outreach, where she will assist in producing "Science Year in Review," a book that includes recent astronomy findings. She will also help employees with various Hubble projects.

"I don't think it is common for graphic designers to apply," said Crowdis. "All of the other interns are majoring in physics or astrophysics, and a few with computer science."

STScI is located on the Johns Hopkins University campus and is a part of NASA's Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA). The institute operates the science program for the Hubble Space Telescope and will conduct science and mission operations for the future James Webb Space Telescope. It also supports other astronomy programs and general scientific research.

An unexpected interest

Crowdis, who grew up in Douglass, Kan., said she will greatly benefit from being exposed to a new type of work setting and living in a different region of the United States for a couple of months.

"I like working with professionals in their environments and learning from those real-world experiences," she said. "Plus, I will also be able to say I worked for NASA, and that seems pretty cool."

Crowdis learned about SASP after taking a Digital Imaging for Astronomy pre-session class in the honors program with instructor Martin Ratcliffe. He encouraged Crowdis to apply after she expressed an interest in how photos are imaged for NASA.

"I only needed two credit hours, so it was going to fill an elective space," she said. "I ended up really enjoying the class."

After graduating from Wichita State this May, Crowdis will do advertising and design work full time for Fairbank Equipment in Wichita, a job she originally received through WSU's Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning.

Campus involvement was key to success for Wichita couple

Fri, 3 May 2013 15:18:00 CST

There are many parallels in the lives of Wichita State alumni Kris and Leslie Wessel.

They were both Jabara scholars. Both real estate majors. Before even graduating, they managed to get part- and full-time jobs in their field. And today, they're both working as real estate agents in Wichita.

Oh, and they're married to each other.

With such similar experiences, it's not surprising that Kris and Leslie also agree on the most valuable part of their time at Wichita State: campus involvement.

"I'd say the biggest influence on my experience at WSU and success since would be being involved on campus while I was there, including on-campus housing, different organizations and our Greek system," Leslie said. "Our best friends and quite a few of my clients still come from those connections that Kris and I wouldn't have made otherwise."

The student experience

Leslie graduated in 2006, and since then she's worked for The Carnahan Group at J.P. Weigand & Sons Inc. Kris, who graduated in 2005, works for The Martens Cos. He started there when he was a junior and has been there since.

They've been married for seven years and have a 2-year-old son, Kasten.

There's a bit of disagreement on where they met: Kris said it was at an event for Jabara Scholarship winners. Leslie said they first met as part of the same student organization, SIFE.

"I like to tease her, because I was apparently not too memorable the first time, and she does not remember our first introduction," Kris said. "We met again through SIFE, and I was apparently more memorable the second time."

Regardless, they said, it was more than just attending classes that made the difference.

Leslie is a big proponent of living on campus for at least a year. She lived in Fairmount Towers and Wheatshocker Apartments, and Kris lived in the Phi Delta Theta fraternity house.

"I think it is very important to be involved on campus," Kris said. "Education is your purpose for being there, but the college experience is what makes you a whole person.

Taking part in the campus life opportunities is what helped Kris become a well-rounded person and not just a good student.

"I cured a lot of my shortcomings over those four years," he said. "In my campus involvement, I met a lot of other students who didn't fit into the same mold I did. You can learn a lot from someone who has different talents than you do."

Stepping stones

Also vital to their career success was the ability to find a related job in real estate while they earned degrees. It got their foot in the door of the industry, helped build their resume and gave them experience beyond the classroom.

It's one of the benefits of going to college in an urban environment, Kris said.

"There are tons of degree-holding college grads out there, so it is important to have some kind of advantage over the other candidates," he said. "In a city like Wichita, there are a lot of opportunities that you don't get in a smaller college town."

The job he had as appraisal assistant at The Martens Cos. was the perfect complement to his coursework, Kris said.

Midway through her junior year, Leslie got a job at Ritchie Development as a new home sales consultant assistant. She worked there until shortly after graduation.

She worked full time while taking classes at night.

"The position was key in giving me real estate sales and management experience, getting my Realtor's license and a great stepping stone to where I am now."

New Ulrich director returns to his Wichita State roots

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:42:00 CST

In 1978, Bob Workman was up in the air, standing on scaffolding at the front of the Ulrich Museum of Art, meticulously plugging bits of mosaic into bolt holes.

He was an undergraduate student at Wichita State, and getting the honor of helping install the famous Miro mural was the icing on the cake for the art enthusiast.

"I have to say that being a part of the Ulrich at such a dynamic and engaging time was life changing for me," Workman said.

Thirty-five years and six cities later, the Wichita native is back home and back at Wichita State as director of the Ulrich Museum.

When Workman returned to the Ulrich, the Miro mural – a visual icon on the WSU campus – was gone, undergoing a multi-million dollar restoration. So the project he worked so hard on as a student is now one of his biggest projects as museum director.

"There's a wonderful symmetry to my starting my art museum career here, with the privilege in 1978 to be a part of the Miro installation and unveiling," Workman said. "Now I have a leadership responsibility with our great WSU team to not only raise the remaining funds to conserve the Miro, but also be here for the reinstallation in 2016."

'It's great to be back'

After earning his bachelor's in art history from Wichita State, Workman moved to Boston, where he received his master's from Boston University.

Workman then held a series of positions as he earned experience in the world of art. He was curator for the Museum of Art at the Rhode Island School of Design; director of exhibitions at the American Federations of Arts in New York City; deputy director of the Amon Carter Museum in Fort Worth, Texas; and founding director of Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Ark.

Most recently, Workman was director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Kan.

"My career is somewhat unique in that I have been intimately involved in the design and construction of three museums," Workman said.

Now as director of WSU's art museum, he leads the staff in the development and care of the 7,000-plus works of art in the Ulrich collection, the development and implementation of the exhibitions program, and the delivery of educational programs on and around campus.

Ulrich staff is also in the early stages of photographing and digitizing the museum's permanent collection.

"That process is a key step in our making the art accessible to the students and faculty of WSU, as well as our greater community," Workman said.

Workman said fundraising to support the conservation of the Miro – and the work itself – is going very well.

"The opportunity to return here and work to enrich the lives of students on campus is a great motivator for me," he said. "The collections and programs of the Ulrich provide exciting and enriching experiences for all our visitors, and I look forward to building on the great work that has been done here over the last several years. It's great to be back, and I am very excited by the prospects for the future of the Ulrich Museum of Art."

Senior found opportunity for involvement, success at WSU

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:11:00 CST

To have a well-rounded university experience, students are often encouraged to participate in activities outside of classes. Senior Laura Schlapp has heeded the advice, taking advantage of the opportunities that Wichita State has provided her.

Schlapp, an integrated marketing communications major and management minor, has been an active student at WSU for four years. She is the marketing and media director for Barton International Group (BIG), a member of Delta Gamma sorority, a mentor in the Emerging Leaders program and Order of Omega treasurer. She was also involved in Student Government Association.

Through BIG, she traveled to China in August 2012 for two weeks. The group of 11 students visited Beijing and Shanghai for exposure to international business and a different way of life.

"I think the most impactful thing for me was the culture," said Schlapp. "I also really enjoyed learning about the businesses we visited because they were more on the manufacturing side of companies."

During the trip, they also spent time at famous locations such as the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and Tienaman Square.

Preparing for the future

Besides involvement in student organizations, Schlapp, who will graduate in December 2013, also gained valuable experience through jobs and internships.

Schlapp is now the part-time communications assistant for U.S. Rep. Mike Pompeo and the Fourth District of Kansas office. She runs his Facebook and Twitter pages and sends out media advisories and press releases to various publications. When Pompeo is in town, Schlapp accompanies him around the community to schools, chambers of commerce and media interviews.

"It has been a great experience because it directly ties with my major," she said.

After graduation, Schlapp is considering graduate school.

During summer 2012, Schlapp held an internship in Washington, D.C., with U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas. There she answered phones, spoke with constituents, gave tours of the Capitol to visiting Kansans, sorted mail, answered letters, attended and summarized briefings, and worked on special projects.

"I really enjoyed working with Sen. Roberts," Schlapp said. "Also, his staff was so nice and was really great about letting me do things with them so I could experience new things."

While in D.C., Schlapp recalled a few memorable sightings of politicians.

"I brushed shoulders with John Kerry, so that was exciting," she said. "Also, John McCain almost ran me over when he was jogging off to the Senate floor."

Schlapp has also been working in the Vice President for Administration and Finance office for four years.

The Wichita State experience

At Wichita State, Schlapp said she has learned a lot and grown as a person, especially through the help of WSU faculty.

"I have personal relationships with a lot of faculty here, not just in the Elliott School of Communication, but also in the business school, and through my job and other organizations," she said.

Schlapp also loves the energy and pride that people have for the university. For example, she traveled to the Final Four in Atlanta, and was impressed by the hundreds of students willing to drive 15 hours to watch their school play for a chance at the national championship.

"It speaks about the community at WSU, and if you get involved and really buy into the WSU life, you can have an amazing college experience and meet some great people," she said.

Schlapp said that in her experience at Wichita State, she doesn't see strangers on campus because of the school's close community and her involvement at the university.

"I have met mentors, my best friends and some great people who I love working with," she said. "I love being at WSU and take pride in where I come from."

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."

Internship opened the door for Shocker grad; led him to 49ers

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 14:04:00 CST

Less than four years after graduating from Wichita State University, Dan Beckler found himself where many men dream of being someday: the SuperBowl.

No, he wasn't there as an athlete. In fact, Beckler used to play basketball, not football.

The Wichita native was working as manager of public relations for the San Francisco 49ers. Some of his duties include facilitating media requests for players and coaches, as well as generating positive publicity for the organization.

It's a job he got after several years of hard work in and out of the classroom.

'Took the time to get to know me'

Beckler, who attended Trinity Academy, began college at Oklahoma Baptist as a basketball player. But after one year, he started researching schools with strong sports programs. He landed right back where he came from.

"WSU had one of the best in the country," Beckler said. "It was home and was an easy decision."

Once he decided to go the public relations route at Wichita State, Beckler was encouraged to work with the sports information director's office to see if it was exactly what he was looking for.

"The professors were very instrumental as I was trying to decide the specific field in sports I wanted to pursue," he said.

Beckler applied for the sports public relations internship at Disney and got the job, exposing him to invaluable on-the-job training while still a WSU student.

"I continued to stay in touch with professors who were always available to offer advice," he said.

That experience opened the door for Beckler's career.

"In the sports world, it's all about who you know," he said. "I met a lot of great people during my time at WSU and at Disney that had connections all over the sports industry."

Beckler went on to earn a Bachelor of Sports Administration in 2007 and Master of Sport Management in 2009.

He's grateful for the time spent guiding him toward his career goal.

"WSU really helped shape me and push me in the right direction," Beckler said. "There are so many fields in sports that it can often be overwhelming when you are trying to decide which way to go. The staff at WSU was very knowledgeable and could offer advice based on the questions they asked me. They took the time to get to know me and really tried to align my interests with a specific field."

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."

WSU's co-op program helps students find experience, jobs

Tue, 5 Mar 2013 10:14:00 CST

Derek Anglemyer was looking for a chance.

He needed an internship, and finding one seemed next to impossible. That's when he decided to explore Wichita State University's cooperative education program.

"Before, I was working construction," said Anglemyer, a senior in manufacturing engineering. "It wasn't something I could use in resume building."

Since last June, Anglemyer has been working at Sherwin Williams.

"The biggest thing I've learned is how to try and relate my courses to the real world," he said. "I've also learned how to work with employees and worked on some pretty fun projects."

WSU's cooperative education program, school officials say, is the largest among all the state's regent schools. The program, started in 1979, worked with 871 students last year, placing them in 1,200 positions with 525 companies.

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WSU gave music education graduate opportunities, advantage

Tue, 5 Feb 2013 15:01:00 CST

Wichita State alumnus Troy Fischer knows from experience that making the most of opportunities as a college student can pay off with a career.

Fischer, who graduated in 2008 from WSU with an instrumental music education degree, has been band director at Wichita Collegiate School for almost five years.

"It's fun seeing kids develop their musicianship, and especially fun to be a part of their successes and triumphs," said Fischer.

While studying at WSU, Fischer gained experience through a part-time job at East Heights United Methodist Church in Wichita. He played bass guitar at a contemporary worship service and directed the middle and high school youth choirs.

At Collegiate, Fischer directs four concert bands, two jazz ensembles and the Marching Spartans, a band that performs at athletic events and area competitions. He also coordinates with an assistant director who leads two drumline groups, a beginning jazz ensemble and a middle school music technology class.

"I'm always amazed at how much excitement fifth-graders have for a new instrument and adventure each year," said Fischer. "At the same time, it's exciting to see juniors and seniors really own their passion and appreciation for instrumental music as they prepare for the next phases of their lives."

Making connections

Fischer said that as a WSU student, there were opportunities available for him to pursue any musical avenue he wanted.

"I had a wonderful experience at Wichita State," he said. "I love the school's connection to the city of Wichita, especially as that relates to the fine arts field."

Fischer, who is now working toward a master's degree in music education at WSU, was recently hired part time as director of music ministries at Andover United Methodist Church in Andover, Kan.

"The more connections you can make in your field before graduation, the more potential to open up a wide spectrum of opportunities after college," he said. "Maybe even an opportunity that wasn't expected."

Many of the relationships Fischer built with professors and area professionals turned into references when he was looking for a full-time music education job.

He encourages students to jump at volunteer and work experiences with confidence.

"Get your name out there and see what happens," said Fischer. "The Wichita State faculty is there to back you up and see you succeed."

WSU grad Super Bowl bound as PR manager for 49ers

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 10:00:00 CST

Among the chaos that is New Orleans days before Super Bowl XLVII could be found Dan Beckler sporting the black and gold of Wichita State, iPad in hand as he caught parts of the Shockers' men's basketball game against Indiana State on Tuesday.

"I absolutely loved going to Wichita State. Definitely spread the Shocker pride," Beckler said. "Was disappointed we lost. We'll bounce back."

Beckler graduated from WSU in 2009 with a master's in sport management, where he also spent time in the athletic department working in media relations for basketball and baseball.

Now he finds himself in the Big Easy with his current employer, the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League, where he serves as the team's coordinator of public relations.

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WSU grads lead state universities in finding employment in Kansas

Tue, 29 Jan 2013 09:40:00 CST

Wichita State University had the highest rate among state universities with 73.6 percent of its graduates gaining employment in Kansas one year after graduation, according to data on post-graduation employment in Kansas for graduates between 2007 and 2009.

Using graduation data from the Kansas Board of Regents and employment data from the Kansas Department of Labor, the analysis shows nearly 74 percent of Kansas residents who graduated from one of the 32 public higher education institutions were employed in Kansas one year after graduation.

Wichita State topped the list of state universities in the study for graduates gaining employment in Kansas one year after graduation, followed by Emporia State University at 71.7 percent, Fort Hays State University at 66.6 percent, Pittsburg State University at 57.4 percent, Kansas State University at 54.2 percent and the University of Kansas at 47.2 percent.

One factor leading to the higher employment rate for WSU graduates is the focus by Wichita State to help students gain work experience in their degree field before graduation.

"Research conducted by our office indicates that over the past five years an average of 91 percent of graduates who completed a co-op or internship through our office are working in Kansas," said Connie Dietz, director of WSU's Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning. "Our research further indicates for the same time period that 75.6 percent are employed in a job related to their major."

Bobby Gandu

National research indicates that outcomes and job placement are central factors in the college search process, according to Bobby Gandu, director of undergraduate admissions.

"Students and parents want to know what their educational investment and experience will yield and numbers like these provide a great reason why Wichita State should be on the short list of every student in Kansas," said Gandu.

"The jobs of today and the future require a college education," said Andy Tompkins, president and CEO of the Kansas Board of Regents. "By the end of the decade, more than 60 percent of Kansas jobs will require some level of higher education attainment. By meeting the needs of Kansas employers through highly skilled graduates, higher education supports economic development and offers a sound return on state investment."

Newton official credits WSU internship experience with success

Thu, 17 Jan 2013 15:18:00 CST

Lunda Asmani

Lunda Asmani has traveled a long way to get to his job as assistant city manager and chief financial officer for the city of Newton.

Asmani, who earned a master's in public administration from Wichita State University in 2002, is originally from Tanzania, East Africa. He grew up in a diplomatic family and was able to travel all over the world as a child.

Despite those advantages, Asmani credits his on-the-job training as a WSU student with his ability to land a successful job.

While at WSU's Hugo Wall School of Urban and Public Affairs, Asmani connected with the university's Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning program. That connection helped him score two valuable internships: first for the city of Maize and then for the Sedgwick County manager's office.

He was employed full-time as soon as he graduated.

"I truly believe that my WSU co-op experience bolstered my resume and gave me a leg up on the competition," Asmani said.

Workplace study

Asmani took the long route to Kansas. From Tanzania, he came to New York City for first grade. Then he moved to Brussels, Belgium, for most of middle school and high school. He went back to Tanzania, where he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Dar Es Salaam.

Hoping for a career in environmental studies, Asmani moved to Wichita in the summer of 1998 and began his Master of Public Administration at WSU in spring 1999.

When he first arrived at Wichita State, Asmani contacted Daisy Kabagarama in the School of Community Affairs. She referred him to Sam Yeager at the Hugo Wall School, and, after a brief discussion, Asmani decided public administration was his future.

"As I went through the Master of Public Administration program, my passion for local government grew," he said. "Although I had lived in the United States for a number of years, I continued to be intrigued about the democratic process and the role of local governments in everyday lives. I realized that to gain a better understanding of the profession and process I needed some sort of workplace study."

That desire led to his internships for the city of Maize, where Asmani worked on the city's comprehensive plan for 30 hours a week for six months.

"This was my first real exposure to local government, and the best part is I was also getting paid," Asmani said.

In the summer of 2001, he began a management internship in the Sedgwick County manager's office. Asmani said the county internship is one of the most respected public management internships in the region, and it set him up for his first real job after he graduated, working there for nine years in finance and enterprise planning.

In 2010, Asmani took his current job in Newton, where his responsibilities include investments, budgeting, risk management, accounting and oversight of the human resource functions.

Along with his work in Newton, Asmani has served on several area boards, is involved with the Kansas City/County Managers Association and serves as vice president of the Kansas Government Finance Officers Association.

He has been recognized with the De Vore Foundation's 2010 Excellence in Public Service Award and was named a 2011 Wichita Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree.