Current Honorees

President's Distinguished Service Award

Tonya Baldwin, assistant director of operations and student support, International Education

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President's Distinguished Service Award

Melanie Bayles, clinical coordinator, Physician Assistant Program, College of Health Professions

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
When COVID suspended clinical rotations for 47 students in the Physician Assistant Class of 2020, I had to work with sites and preceptors to determine when and where these students could go to complete their final three rotations in order to complete the program. Since COVID, we have had many rotations cancelled and I have needed to be resourceful in finding students new sites where they can obtain the skills needed for program completion. Many sites added new paperwork or vaccine requirements and discontinued student housing. I worked with students to confirm they met all requirements and helped them find housing.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
I am a Wichita State alumni and proud of the opportunities WSU provides to all students, including non-traditional and older students and the pride and cohesion it brings to the Wichita community.

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Be a team player and don’t feel you are above or below doing any task, especially when team members are absent.

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
VPN which allowed me to work remotely during the pandemic and be my husband’s caregiver after he was transferred to Colorado in 2017. The ability to transfer calls from my office phone to my cell phone in order that students and preceptors can reach me at any time since they are not on campus. Facebook allows me to keep in touch with alumni as many have moved to other states.

What practical skills do you wish you had?
Since my husband passed away, I wish my skills in vehicle maintenance were better, such as changing a flat tire or the oil.

What is the most important skill every person should have?
Writing a thank you note and addressing the envelope properly.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Integrity, honesty, empathy

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
To heal persons to improve and extend their lives

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
I would go forward to the end of my life, so I can find out if I have grandchildren, etc. and can prepare, see those I love and do everything I want before I die!

Describe yourself in three words.
Reliable, empathetic, grateful

What is one item on your bucket list?
To go on a safari in Africa

What (or who) inspires you?
Amanda Kloots on The Talk. She lost her 41-year-old husband to COVID and shows strength by raising their one-year-old son and brings awareness to the families left behind due to COVID.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats at Red Rocks

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Amy Schumer

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
Airline Attendant, so I could visit many places throughout the world.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Place family first and spend more time with them while they are alive.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
The Price is Right

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
My dream is to own a tea shop on a beach when I retire!

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink French pastries and milk shakes every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right handed

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for selecting me for this award. I am so honored.

President's Distinguished Service Award

Aaron Coffey, Assistant Dean, Graduate School

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
I hope my biggest contribution is providing vocal, continued encouragement and support to those who what to advance graduate education at WSU. I get to be a present mouthpiece for so many people on campus who support and move forward graduate education to so many different people. I get to take others’ ideas and creativity and advocate in broad and narrow ways to make sure that even the smallest idea is and feels heard and gets elevated. I get to be relied on by others to be their backer, their cheerleader, their support, and occasionally their idea driver and help expand ideas beyond real and perceived constraints. And, best of all, I get to celebrate their successes with them and show how valued their achievements are. I get to help others do the best and be the best and more forward the best, and when I get to do that, I am my best. And when others see that in me, I couldn’t hope for a bigger achievement.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
I’m proud to be a part of a community that strives to make the people in it better. To work with a group of people who focus on the opportunity of tomorrow without coasting on the successes of yesterday.

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Be nicer. At the time I didn’t know what she meant. However, I realized that it was something that was expected, but not something I could give. I strive to be kind, friendly, professional, and fair in all my interactions. I’m an advocate for those who can’t speak for themselves or are note available for invited to do so. Nice isn’t something that’s always possible, and not something I strive for. The piece of advice has helped me understand by goals, but also what constraints I’m willing to accept and move on from.

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
My smartphone. It enables me to be and stay connected anytime and always, and so many different ways. Sometimes it’s too much, and I have a "disconnect" problem. Most of the time, however, it provides me access to anything I might possibly need to excel at what I’m doing, to increase my knowledge, or simply stay connected to others.

What practical skills do you wish you had?
I wish I could learn additional languages much, much easier. That also aligns with the need for more patience!

What is the most important skill every person should have?
The ability to accept when you’re wrong, or that your way of thinking needs to change. So many people don’t understand that being wrong is okay and simply provides opportunity for growth and new ideas. Being wrong isn’t failure, unless there is commitment to the wrong idea without a desire or ability to correct and change.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Passion, honesty, and drive

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
The ability to control the age of things.

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
A couple hundred years in the future. I want to see how what we’re doing now will impact how things are done after I’ll be gone.

Describe yourself in three words.
Direct. Humorous. Positive.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To live abroad. I’m not sure where or for how long, but I'd definitely like to experience living in another country.

What (or who) inspires you?
People who actively pursue that next opportunity inspire me. The drive to do the next thing, be it the next step or something completely different, can be hard to maintain and focus on. Watching others continually strive to attain their next dream or goal inspires me to achieve the same for myself.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
NSYNC PopOdyssey Tour 2001.

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Luke Macfarlane

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
I wanted to be a professional chef. I loved cooking, kitchen equipment, and the experience of transforming ingredients into something amazing. It was a great way of being creative while ending with a consumable result! My first attempt at making caramel was not a success — I still have a scar on my index finger to show how bad it was! And my love of cooking and food has continued even though my desire to be a professional chef did not.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Remember that you will always be your harshest critic, and that you must celebrate your own successes. Your acknowledgement of those successes will keep you driven to future growth.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
Wheel of Fortune

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
I absolutely detest lady bugs. If I’m aware of one near me, I will hyper-focus on it to the point that I cannot accomplish anything else. Pictures, drawing, sculptures, or real ones, it doesn’t matter.

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink dessert — Doesn’t matter the kind: apple pie, carrot cake, cookies, candy, etc. I love ALL OF IT every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right

President's Distinguished Service Award

Jolynn Dowling, Janice M. Riordan distinguished professor in Maternal Health, School of Nursing, College of Health Professions

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
This is really hard: I would have to say developing and facilitating our College of Health Professions Interprofessional Education (IPE) team to provide health screening services for homeless people in our community at the United Way Point-in-Time Homeless Count. This was a service-learning activity from 2012-2017 that involved over 80 students from Nursing, Physician Assistant, Public Health Sciences, Dental Hygiene, and KU Medical Students. This team worked inter-professionally to learn about respective roles; and in collaboration with Guadalupe Clinic for on-site health referrals, and the Lions Club Mobile Vision Van for in-depth vision screenings. Students gained a broader perspective of how poverty and homelessness impact a person’s health and well-being. More recently, I am super proud to have developed a lactation simulation lab this past year through my endowed professorship. I believe this is the first of its kind for our state. I worked in collaboration with our maternal health faculty in the School of Nursing to implement simulated clinical instruction on the care of the postpartum breastfeeding person to better prepare the nursing students for their in-hospital OB/Postpartum rotation. Over 100 nursing students received this education this academic year, with initial informal feedback from the instructors and students positive for increased confidence in the care and support of the breastfeeding person.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
I have earned two degrees from WSU and am currently pursuing my third and final degree. So, I guess I bleed black and gold. I would say I am proud of the welcoming environment for both the student and faculty; the services and support; and the excellent and diverse courses offered. The faculty care about the success of the student, and the increase in applied learning opportunity prepare our students for the world beyond college. I am an avid recruiter anywhere I go

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
"You are enough."

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
The Keurig coffee maker. I can make wonderful coffee at the push of a button, or a cup of hot tea. I’m kind of a 24-hour coffee lady

What practical skills do you wish you had?
I wish I was more savvy using Microsoft Office products. Even though I have gone through training through ARC and University training — it does not come naturally to me.

What is the most important skill every person should have?
The ability to collaborate with others without regard to position or title in the interest of public good.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Integrity

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
To extend time — I always need more time in the day!

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
I would travel back in time to Early America and be a healer and midwife.

Describe yourself in three words.
Caring. Communicator. Achiever.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To learn how to make authentic tamales. I have fond memories from my childhood picnicking with family friends eating fresh tamales out of a bucket. It is one of my favorite foods.

What (or who) inspires you?
My father (deceased) taught me that education is the gateway to opportunity. He inspired me to always reach for my goals and to serve my community.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
Eagles Farewell Tour - and Carrie Underwood was awesome too!

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Jamie Lee Curtis

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
I wanted to be an Airline Stewardess because I loved my playing with my Barbie airplane. It seemed glamorous to me.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
To love yourself just as you are.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
Wheel of Fortune! I watch it most evenings and can solve the puzzles at home often before the competitors. I would probably FREEZE on the actual show though

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
I am one degree away from earning a black belt in Karate.

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink Café Mocha every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right handed

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for the privilege of serving such a great university!

President's Distinguished Service Award

Kyle Garwood, captain, University Police Department

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
My most significant contribution to WSU is not necessarily tangible or seen every day, but I have trained nearly 80 police officers that have worked here since 2012 in one form or another.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
I am proud to be part of something that is larger than myself. WSU is a community and I love having the opportunity to serve others.

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Do what you say you will do.

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
Having a smart phone with endless resources to the outside world has had the biggest impact. I can’t always access a desktop or laptop computer when I’m working, so having a smart phone has helped tremendously.

What practical skills do you wish you had?
I sometimes find it difficult to make small talk, so I wish I had the gift of gab. I also wish I was better with carpentry.

What is the most important skill every person should have?
Humility

What qualities do you admire in others?
Integrity, respect, and reliability

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
Telekenisis

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
Philadelphia in 1787 to witness the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

Describe yourself in three words.
Dependable, duty, growth

What is one item on your bucket list?
Mine for opals in Australia

What (or who) inspires you?
I am inspired by seeing officers I have trained perform their duties in a professional manner.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
I do not enjoy concerts.

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Laurence Fishburne

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
I wanted to be a Ghostbuster mostly because I thought they did was fascinating.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
I would tell myself to spend time proactively building relationships.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
The Price is Right in the 90s

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
I enjoy bonsai trees.

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink golden Oreos every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right

President's Distinguished Service Award

Gery Markova, professor and chair, Management, W. Frank Barton School of Business

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
Creating a Master program in Human Resource Management. Building a supportive community for junior faculty through New Faculty Orientation and other initiative for junior faculty — be the go-to person for many as they navigate their academic lives.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
I have experienced first-hand changing and inspiring better lives for our students.

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Academia is a small place for a long time! It also applies to Wichita and Wichita State

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
The portable computer (laptop, iPad) changed the way we do work; love being able to work at all times of the day anywhere and multitask (maybe I like working a little too much).

What practical skills do you wish you had?
To fix stuff and keep calm when things break.

What is the most important skill every person should have?
Cook a soup, be able to encourage a friend, make a fire, balance a budget.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Emotional strength and perseverance in the face of obstacles and oppositions.

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
Stop mean people from hurting others.

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
Beginning of the 20th century to join the women movement.

Describe yourself in three words.
Caring, strong, seeking

What is one item on your bucket list?
Want to visit every state in US and discover the many hidden treasures & cultures

What (or who) inspires you?
Strong women who don't use obstacles as an excuse but rather as a stepping stone. Women like Madeleine Albright, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and other trailblazers of their times. We have a few on campus but I won’t mention names so they don’t blush.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
Haven’t been to a concert since my early 20s — not my scene.

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Jessica Chastain (according to a friend who knows stuff about movies)

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
A teacher and a scientist. I loved playing teacher, talking, and explaining to my toys.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Focus on your strengths; Do what you know and care about! Ignore anyone who tells you that you can’t or you are not good enough!

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
I’d rather not but I always liked Deal or No Deal – calculating the odds and taking chances. If survivor had a luxury version, I would love to try my skills there.

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
I don’t like to drive on bridges, love to visit small towns and obscure places, don’t read or watch fiction

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink Greek panna cotta or some of the extremely sweet Turkish desserts every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right handed

President's Distinguished Service Award

Connie Owens, graduate assistantship specialist, Graduate School

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
Being able to help the students from all over the world. I call them "My Kids" and I have a lot of them that have graduated years ago and still keep in touch. They call me "Mom." That means a lot to me to know that I have touched others lives that deep that they would want to call me "Mom."

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
I'm an employee and a student. It's exciting to be a Shocker while I'm working here. Being a student here on campus helps me be more aware of the day-to-day surroundings of students and be in the "KNOW" of things. I think all employees should take a few courses here. It helps you see multiple perspectives in a different light.

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Be happy with what you do.

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
I'm a first-generation graduate student and sometimes having to take courses online or learning new work-related programs can sometimes be challenging.

What practical skills do you wish you had?
To be more computer savvy.

What is the most important skill every person should have?
To treat others how they want to be treated.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Friendliness

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
To translate hate into love.

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
I would go to the future ... tell my son and my WSU kids to never give up, treat people the way you want to be treated and always keep your head up!

Describe yourself in three words.
Assertive, guiding, fierce.

What is one item on your bucket list?
To travel the world.

What (or who) inspires you?
Life ... trying to live and do my best in whatever I do.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
Luther Vandross

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Queen Latifah

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
Race Car Driver. It seemed fun and exciting at the time.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
ALways keep abreast of new technology and learn to love yourself, no matter what.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
Family Feud

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
I love hanging out at the beaches.

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink sweet potato pie every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right

Is there anything else you would like to add?
It has been a wonderful learning experience as a student and staff here on campus. Getting to know our students and their families have been a treasure that I will never forget. See me on WSU's view about India on You Tube.

President's Distinguished Service Award

Jessica Provines, assistant vice president for wellness, Student Affairs, chief psychologist, Counseling and Prevention Services

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award

Sheelu Surender, executive director, Financial Aid and Scholarships

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
I think it's yet to come! So far, I'm most proud of my role as executive director in the Office of Financial Aid and the team I lead. I love working with students and mentoring many of them over the years has brought me tremendous joy. We strive to make a difference in the life of every student who wants to achieve the goal of a college education. Through access to resources and expertise, we hope to remove the barriers and obstacles that would hinder their progress toward this dream.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
Our campus is full of individuals who work exceptionally hard every day to create an inclusive and welcoming space for all people and it makes me proud to be a Shocker!

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Dr. James Rhatigan gave me some great advice when he said we all have to create win/win situations that are good for everyone involved. I take that further to say that by helping others, no one loses.

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
It would probably be the computer/internet. I love to learn and these tools have allowed me to learn anything I want in just a few simple keystrokes. It also allows us to communicate and connect with others anywhere in the world, anytime we need.

What practical skills do you wish you had?
I wish I could sing. My husband and daughter are very talented in this area and hubby would probably say of her talent that it's because he insisted it was probably best that I didn't "sing" to her when she was a baby. (insert eye roll here)

What is the most important skill every person should have?
Everyone should have great communication/interpersonal skills. If I think about people I admire and respect, most are great communicators. Individuals who are able to communicate thoughts, ideas and beliefs well have a great advantage in all areas of their personal and professional life.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Authenticity, compassion, creativity. I admire people who are genuine and true to who they are, care for others or give of themselves to help others, and creative because creative people are interesting people.

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
I'm not sure about a super human power, but I would love to be able to speak any language I wanted. I love to travel and I think you learn more about other cultures when you are immersed in them through language and customs.

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
I would probably want to go back to my early childhood years. I was born in India and moved to the U. S. when I was seven. Although I have some faint memories of a few events from childhood, my recollection is vague at best. I would want to know more about my time studying at a boarding school, summers spent with my grandparents, and to learn more about all of the family we left when we immigrated here.

Describe yourself in three words.
Thoughtful, driven, dedicated

What is one item on your bucket list?
I have always had Italy on my bucket list of places to visit. I think my idyllic vision of this includes vacationing in an Italian villa, eating delicious Italian food and drinking lots of good Italian wine.

What (or who) inspires you?
I have so many generous people in my life who have poured into me to make me the person I am today. There have been family, friends, colleagues, mentors, and students who have been an important part my journey. It's not necessarily what they did or said that inspires me; it's that they always gave me the precious commodity of their time, and how they made me feel during our times together.

What is the best concert you ever attended?
The last three concerts I attended pre-COVID were all great! Pink at Intrust Arena, Coldplay in KC, Garth Brooks at Intrust Arena

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
This is a tough one. There are not too many Indian-American actors to consider. Although I've been told on occasion that I resemble Mindy Kaling, it might be best to avoid being linked to her character Kelly Kapoor on The Office.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
I have no recollection of what I wanted to be when I was a child. I do remember that I was obsessed with the book Little Women and imagined myself being the character Jo.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
I would tell her not to take herself so seriously. Life is way too short to be so serious.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
It's not really a game show, but if I could sing (see question 5) I would be on Whose Line Is It Anyway? To have those improvisational skills would be incredible.

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
I asked my family. Contrary to number 5 and 17, my daughter said, "you can turn ANYTHING into a song." Now, that's funny! Seriously though, most people probably don't know that I spent six months living and studying in Japan during undergrad and used to speak Japanese fairly fluently.

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink ANYTHING. I. WANTED. every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right

President's Distinguished Service Award

Robert Zettle, professor and director of clinical training, Psychology, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

What do you think is your most significant contribution, accomplishment or achievement at WSU?
Helping establish a doctoral program in clinical psychology at WSU.

Why are you proud to be a Shocker?
Helping students achieve more than they expected.

What’s the greatest piece of advice a colleague or mentor has given you?
Focus on the process, not the outcome.

What technological innovations have made the most impact on your life? Explain how or why.
PCs. When I was a college student word processing was done on a typewriter and research was conducted in the library with a card catalog.

What practical skills do you wish you had?
How to do car maintenance (e,g., tune-ups, oil change, etc.).

What is the most important skill every person should have?
How to change a tire.

What qualities do you admire in others?
Integrity

If you could have a super human power, what would it be?
See the future.

If you have one opportunity to travel in time, where would you go and what would you do?
Boston, 1903 – First game of World Series

Describe yourself in three words.
Reserved, progressive, hard-working

What is one item on your bucket list?
Visit Tasmania

What (or who) inspires you?
The Ukrainians

What is the best concert you ever attended?
John Prine

Who would you choose to play you in the movie adaptation of your life?
Nicolas Cage

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?
Train engineer. Lived near the tracks.

What piece of advice would you give to your 21-year-old self?
Be more patient — slow down.

If you could be on a TV game show, which one would it be?
Jeopardy

What is one thing that would be surprising to learn about you?
Big fan of film noir.

FILL IN THE BLANK:
If calories did not matter, I would eat / drink chocolate ice cream every day.

Are you right or left handed?
Right