Faculty and donors who support them recognized at annual luncheon Faculty and donors who support them recognized at annual luncheon

About 90 people attended the WSU Foundation's Faculty of Excellence Luncheon, which recognizes faculty members who hold named positions, as well as the individuals and organizations that contribute funds to support those positions.

WSU Foundation President and CEO Elizabeth King welcomed guests to the event and WSU President John Bardo gave a university update.

WSU Provost and Senior Vice President Tony Vizzini also delivered remarks, announcing that the Office of Academic Affairs has partnered with the WSU Foundation to create customized medallions for the Faculty of Distinction and the donors who support them. Vizzini said he hopes that faculty members will wear their medallions at special events, such as commencement, and that donors will view the medallions as a symbol of Wichita State's appreciation for their collaboration with the university.

This year's faculty guest speaker was Jeremy Patterson, director of the WSU Human Performance Lab. Patterson, who is a Coleman Entrepreneurship Fellow, described the lab's work with industry partners to learn more about exercise science, physical fitness and athletic training.

The WSU Shockapellas provided musical entertainment for the luncheon. The annual Faculty of Excellence Luncheon is hosted by the WSU Foundation and the Office of Academic Affairs.

Photos from the event, like the one above of Paul Allen, chief executive of Allen Gibbs and Houlik (AGH); and Michael Flores, AGH Faculty Fellow in Accounting, may be viewed at http://bit.ly/FOE2015