Jeff Pulaski
Director, School of Art, Design and Creative Industries and Professor of Graphic Design
Wichita State University
It is my honor to reflect on 25 years of dedicated service of my colleague Jeff Pulaski
and his induction into the Bender of Twigs. Jeff’s unwavering commitment to excellence,
his passion for teaching, and his tireless advocacy for students have left an indelible
mark on our campus community.
Over the course of his career, Jeff has taught and mentored hundreds of students,
collaborated with faculty across disciplines, and served on numerous committees throughout
the School, College, and University. His leadership has been instrumental in shaping
the future of arts education at WSU.
In 2016, Jeff became Director of the School of Art, Design and Creative Industries,
where he is now serving his third term. Under his leadership, the School has undergone
significant growth and transformation. He successfully led the School through accreditation
with the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and the internal
WSU Program Review process—demonstrating his deep understanding of academic standards
and institutional excellence.
Jeff has also been a tireless advocate for improving campus facilities. He has worked
closely with faculty, staff, and construction teams to address critical health and
safety concerns in Henrion Hall and McKnight Art Center, ensuring that students have
access to the resources and spaces they need to succeed.
In addition to his administrative and teaching roles, Jeff is an active letterpress
printer, researcher, and collector. His creative work has been exhibited at universities
and museums across the United States, Ireland, England, and Australia. He has also
shared his expertise internationally, leading letterpress workshops in Ireland, Greece,
Cyprus, and Russia, further extending WSU’s global reach and reputation.
His contributions have been recognized with the College of Fine Arts Excellence in
Teaching Award (2012) and the Excellence in Special Fine Arts Endeavor Award (2018)
for his significant contribution to the creation of the Bachelor of Applied Arts degree
in Media Arts. That program has been so successful, it has become the School of Digital
Arts with an enrollment of 500 students.
Today, we proudly honor Jeff with induction into the honorary order of the Bender
of Twigs, a fitting tribute to a career rooted in growth, resilience, and the nurturing
of future generations. This recognition is a testament to the profound impact he has
made—and continues to make—on our institution and all who have had the privilege of
working alongside him.
Congratulations, Jeff, and thank you for 25 years of extraordinary service.
Wendy Hanes
Assistant Dean, College of Fine Arts