Fairmount Forever
In 1895 when Nathan J. Morrison accepted the appointment as the first president of the fledgling liberal arts college atop the “fair mount” overlooking the Arkansas River Valley, he was well aware of the significant challenges he would face in the undertaking. Resources were sparse. Following the collapse of Wichita’s economy in 1888, the city appeared an unassuming, even unpromising, field in which to put down roots. Yet Fairmount College, one of six institutions of higher learning in the city, took hold and grew, becoming the Municipal University of Wichita in 1926 and Wichita State University in 1964, carried forward by individuals who shared an unwavering belief in the power of education.
This June, the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement will recognize several hundred like-minded figures at its annual Fairmount Forever celebration. Bringing together members from across its three giving societies — the Society of 1895, President’s Club and Fairmount Society — this event honors the many supporters who have made the advancement of Wichita State possible through their generous contributions to that still-growing university on the “fair mount.”
One highlight of the evening will be the presentation of the Fairmount Founders Award, which recognizes those who have given outstanding service to the university. This year, the award goes to Martin “Marty” and Donna Perline. Since arriving in Wichita from Ohio in 1965, the Perlines have been devoted members of the Wichita State community. A professor emeritus of economics at WSU, Marty specialized in researching and teaching labor economics and the economics of sports. As WSU’s faculty representative to the Missouri Valley Conference for 38 years, he was a central figure in collegiate athletics administration, serving to ensure Shocker student-athletes met NCAA and MVC academic standards . A year after he stepped down from this post, he was inducted into the MVC Hall of Fame in 2014. Dr. Perline retired from his academic post at WSU in 2020, after 55 years as an educator. Donna, too, sported a career in education, having taught in the Wichita Public School system before taking a series of positions at Wichita State, where she served as an administrative assistant in the economics department and as a training coordinator and business consultant for the WSU Small Business Development Center. Noted for her involvement in the community and at WSU, she currently serves on the board of directors for the Ulrich Museum of Art.
Together, the Perlines have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to Wichita State through 43 consecutive years of giving, supporting academics, fine arts, athletics, scholarships and countless initiatives that enrich the campus experience. Deeply committed to helping students overcome financial barriers, the Perlines have committed an estate gift to endow scholarships in economics, fine arts and multiple fields of study.
“The Fairmount Founders Award recognizes those whose lives and legacies are deeply intertwined with Wichita State,” says Telly McGaha, WSUFAE president and CEO. “Through decades of teaching, service and philanthropy, Marty and Donna Perline have left an indelible mark on our university, and their generosity continues to open doors for students today and well into the future.”
From business leaders and educators to aerospace engineers, artists, doctors, authors and nearly every profession between, Fairmount Forever attendees — and generations of Shockers before them — share a defining commitment: investing in learning as a force that shapes lives, strengthens communities and carries the university forward.
