2.15.24
Shock Talk
Shockers everywhere, at events long ago to happenings just the other day, always have something interesting to say. Take this sampling as a Shock Talk example:
“This day meant so much to me personally because I didn’t attend my own graduation ceremony when I graduated from WSU. I was overwhelmed with emotion realizing that I had come full circle in my life. I was so blessed to experience this moment with Gene.”
YOLANDA CAMARENA ’80, describing her feelings after she and her husband were awarded honorary doctorates during the university’s Dec. 17, 2023, fall commencement at Koch Arena.
“A mathematician, historian, chemist – oh, everything that spells books! Jesse is all of that and lots more. He knows everyone on the campus, and can tell you all the dark secrets and hidden scandals of the school. A practical joke is his delight, and his directing brain may be found behind most of the chicanery of Fiske Hall.”
PARNASSUS 1920 STAFF, about Fairmount College senior JESSE WAKEFIELD BEAMS 1921 (d. 1977), who – despite his delight in chicanery – went on to be a noted physicist who worked on the Manhattan Project during World War II. He was awarded the Alumni Achievement Award in 1959.
“Gail and I feel so fortunate to be able to support the Shocker softball program at Wichita State. Student-athletes work incredibly hard to succeed in all aspects of their collegiate experience, and supporting projects that will benefit their development is something we encourage.”
JOHN WADSWORTH ’79 on his and his wife’s lead gift of $1.5 million to Wichita State and Shocker athletics, earmarked for the softball team operations facility at Wilkins Stadium. The building is part of the $9.65 million first phase of the softball stadium renovation, which is slated to begin development this spring.
“Last week Wichita State announced the biggest, boldest headline yet: Our fall 2023 enrollment is the largest ever in the university’s 128-year history.”
BOBBY GANDU ’02/06, WSU assistant vice president for strategic enrollment management and director of undergraduate admissions, in his Sept. 29, 2023 blog entry about the record-setting numbers released by the Kansas Board of Regents. Combined enrollment by headcount across all WSU locations for fall 2023 came in at 23,203. For the Wichita State campus, there was an increase over fall 2022 of 3.7% to 17,548. At WSU Tech, student headcount increased 12.9% to 5,655.
“Affordable and accessible education is imperative to the success of our society. The challenges I had and the lessons I learned during my time at WSU served me well throughout my career. I’m excited to be in a place where I can help other working students who desire a higher education.”
T. MICHAEL YOUNG ’67, retired managing partner at the private equity firm The CapStreet Group, on his foundational reasons for establishing a new $100,000 scholarship fund with WSU’s Barton School of Business. A first-generation college graduate, he earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting while married and working full-time.
“He helps unhoused families get back on their feet and find permanent homes.”
KELLY CLARKSON introducing Tim Shanahan ’85/88 on an October 2023 segment of the Kelly Clarkson Show. The segment features finalists for the NBC daytime talk show’s Good Neighbor of the Year recognition. Shanahan, who holds a bachelor’s degree in general studies and a master’s degree in public administration from WSU, is executive director of Families Forward, a four-program (housing, shelter, food pantry, child care) organization that works to assist families in need in Des Moines, Iowa.
Share