Tag: Major Gifts

Game-changing Shocker Fly Lab project kicks off with $1 million lead gift

Lynn and Sherry Nichols have given a lead gift of $1 million to Wichita State University to kick off the fundraising campaign for the new, state-of-the-art Shocker Fly Lab, an enclosed flight space to research, design and test unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that will position the university at the forefront of unmanned aerial system (UAS) education and development.

“This project is something Sherry and I were interested in supporting from the moment we heard about it,” said Lynn Nichols, retired chairman and CEO of Yingling Aviation, a full-service aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul company based in Wichita. “We have watched first-hand as the aerospace industry has grown and shifted with new technologies, and this project will ensure Wichita State students are receiving a future-focused aerospace education.”

This $12.75 million project will be completed in two phases, the first of which will consist of a net-enclosed open-air facility measuring approximately 100 feet by 200 feet with a steel structure 30-35 feet high. This $4.3 million phase will incorporate a small, covered entry canopy for shelter from the elements, as well as outdoor landscaping for spectators to observe testing and competition.

“The Shocker Fly Lab will be a game-changer for Wichita State, providing a dynamic space where students, faculty and industry partners can come together to push the boundaries of drone technology,” said Wichita State President Rick Muma. “This facility will fuel cutting-edge research and applied learning and drive real-world innovation in aerospace and autonomous systems. Thanks to the generosity of Lynn and Sherry Nichols, we’re creating a hub where ideas can quite literally take flight.”

Strategically positioned on the Innovation Campus near the Hub for Advanced Materials Research and the John Bardo Center, the lab will foster collaboration and innovation between students, faculty and Innovation Campus partners, along with the National Institute for Aviation Research, to develop, test and refine advanced drone systems in a real-world environment. This will complement the cutting-edge work happening in the Project Innovation Hub at the John Bardo Center to leverage the capabilities of a new supercomputer under construction.

“Lynn and Sherry had the vision to recognize the impact this facility will have, and I deeply appreciate their leadership and collaboration in designing a space that will expand opportunities for academics, research and hands-on learning,” said Dr. Anthony Muscat, dean of the College of Engineering at Wichita State. “This enclosed flight-testing facility will serve as a hub for innovation in fields such as aerospace engineering, computer science, robotics and environmental monitoring — supporting applications ranging from precision agriculture and infrastructure inspection to disaster response and autonomous navigation.”

Phase 2 of the Shocker Fly Lab has a projected cost of $8.45 million and will enclose the Phase 1 structure with curtain wall glass and a standing seam roof to provide a temperature-controlled environment for year-round usage. Restrooms, support rooms and a screened mechanical enclosure will also be added.

The project — which does not have a set timeline yet — will be fully funded through private gifts, and the $12.75 million projected cost includes funding for an endowed director position, maintenance and applied learning support for students.

“We are deeply grateful for Lynn and Sherry’s support in making the lead gift for this project,” said Telly McGaha, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “They have given generously of both their time and resources to advance Wichita State throughout the years, and their support of this project will create opportunities for students for generations to come.”

In addition to providing applied learning experiences for College of Engineering students and others, the Shocker Fly Lab will support industry-sponsored student competitions and faculty research in drone technology, including aerodynamics, control systems and sensor integration. The application of this research will go beyond improving UAVs and will advance development of autonomous systems used in real-world problem-solving, including satellites.

Collaboration with WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), which offers degree and certificate programs in UASs, will enhance the university’s ability to offer joint research and workforce development programs.

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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas gift $2.5 million to support Wichita Biomedical Campus, nursing scholarships 

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) is investing $2.5 million in Wichita State University, with $1.8 million earmarked as the lead gift to the Wichita Biomedical Campus. The remaining $700,000 will create two endowed Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas nursing scholarships in the WSU College of Health Professions. 

“Most of the biggest moments in our lives are tied to health care in some way,” said Matt All, president and CEO of BCBSKS. “The Wichita Biomedical Campus will help make those moments better for Kansans by training the health care workers of the future and empowering them with the best tools and research. We’re thrilled to be a part of making it happen.” 

The $1.8 million gift will go toward the remaining $16 million project cost and will ensure that clinical space is included in the $222 million Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus construction. The inclusion of a clinic within the campus is an important element of providing applied learning for students while also increasing access to medical services.  

“We are thankful for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas’ investment that will provide clinical space in the same building that contains our labs and classrooms and puts hands-on learning opportunities right in front of every student in the College of Health Professions,” says Dr. Richard Muma, WSU president. “It’s a direct application of our university’s vision to provide impactful applied learning experiences.”   

The support for this clinical space demonstrates the commitment of the university and BCBSKS to invest in critical infrastructure for health care access in Kansas and to provide sustained support to cultivate a diverse and skilled health care workforce. 

“Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas have been an important partner to WSU for more than 40 years,” says Telly McGaha, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “They have demonstrated a continuous commitment to the education of health care providers, from empowering nursing students to creating community education opportunities. We are thrilled to have their partnership in this ground-breaking project for Wichita State and the Wichita community as a whole.” 

Creating spaces for students to thrive is only one facet of holistic student support. With the support of BCBSKS in creating two endowed nursing scholarships, students will be able to pursue their degrees without financial burden, opening doors for many passionate health advocates who may not otherwise have the means to pursue a career in health care.  

The Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Scholarship will be designated for nursing students enrolled in WSU’s RN-BSN online programs and are current residents of any Kansas county other than Johnson, Wyandotte or Sedgwick counties. The Nursing Scholarship will be for nursing students who have documented economic hardship and/or are able to demonstrate through essay they are bilingual or have overcome socioeconomic or other hardships. 

“The School of Nursing extends its gratitude to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas for their visionary support and investment in nursing health care providers of today and tomorrow,” says Dr. Gregory Hand, dean of the WSU College of Health Professions. “Their commitment to fostering a diverse and skilled nursing workforce, while also enhancing workforce development in rural and underserved areas of Kansas, is a significant step towards improving health care access and availability for all Kansans.”

Transformational estate gift will benefit first-generation students at Wichita State

Ed and Marla ’71/86 Flentje have designated a transformational estate gift to create the Flentje Scholarship Fund at Wichita State University. The gift will support first-generation students with financial needs to seek degrees in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Ed and Marla have been lifelong advocates of education, and both have pursued careers in in which they aimed to inspire the same passion in others. They believe young people who aspire to a college education should have that opportunity and hope this scholarship will help open the door for deserving students.

Ed and Marla Flentje

They are establishing this scholarship in memory of their parents, Augusta Flentje and Paul McManis, who encouraged their pursuit of higher education. Both Ed and Marla were the first in their immediate families to complete undergraduate degrees and  believe their educations built a solid foundation for their careers and lives.

Ed’s mother, Augusta Flentje, was the daughter of Czech immigrants and encouraged her three children to seek college educations. After her husband passed away, she pursued her own degree, graduated magna cum laude, and taught elementary school until her retirement.

Marla’s father, Paul McManis, spoke in ways that assumed she would attend and excel in her college studies. He was the only sibling in his large family to attend college, but was forced to drop out during the depression to help with the family farm. He never lost his yearning to continue his education, even enrolling in evening classes at Wichita State while working full time at Boeing. The image of him studying late at night is one of Marla’s cherished memories.

Ed and Marla both have strong ties to Wichita State University.

In 1979, Ed joined the faculty of the Center for Urban Studies, which evolved into the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs at the University, and taught in the field of public administration for 35 years. He has authored and edited numerous books and articles on governance and public policy, most recently coauthoring Reform and Reaction: The Arc of Kansas Politics. He retired from Wichita State in 2014 and continues to support the university as professor emeritus.

Ed served as director of the Hugo Wall School from 1999 to 2008. He also served in cabinet positions with Kansas governors Robert Bennett and Mike Hayden, and later as interim city manager for the City of Wichita and interim president of Emporia State University.

Marla has been a Shocker from the beginning, earning her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the university and later serving as an associate director of the Hugo Wall School of Public Affairs. In addition to her time at Wichita State, Marla’s 35-year career has involved education and leadership development in professional management for those serving in local government. She served as director of education for the Kansas Association of Counties for seven years, and since 2006, has worked as senior consultant with The Austin Peters Group, advising social sector clients on executive recruitment and human resource management.

$100,000 gift will support Wichita State Women’s Bowling facility enhancement

Karma and Gary Mason have given a lead gift of $100,000 to support the Wichita State Women’s Bowling facility enhancement project. This $300,000 initiative will include a new locker room, conference room and offices for coaching staff inside the Rhatigan Student Center.

“Gary and I are thrilled to kick off this fundraiser for Women’s Bowling,” said Karma Mason. “This program was deeply enriching to my own life, and I have no doubt it will continue to enrich the lives of many talented young women for years to come.”

Mason was recruited to the women’s bowling program at Wichita State in 1975, and the team went on to win the first-ever national collegiate team championship held that year. Since that first win, the program has claimed a total of 11 Intercollegiate Team Championships (1975, 1977, 1978, 1986, 1990, 1994, 2005, 2007, 2009, 2021, 2024) and six Intercollegiate Singles Champions (2006, 2007, 2009, 2017, 2023, 2024). Mason is the only person in the program’s history to be on three national bowling championship teams.

In July 2024, Women’s Bowling officially became Wichita State University’s 16th sport, joining the most competitive women’s bowling league in the country as an affiliate member of Conference USA. Head coach Holly Harris will continue leading these Shocker athletes as they transition from a club team to the Division 1 level. She has served as head coach of the program since 2019.

“Throughout five decades of tremendous success – finishing in the top-4 of the national tournament 36 of the last 48 years, 11 team and six individual national championships – the one constant has been the program’s high-quality student-athletes, alumni, coaches and supporters,” said Director of Athletics Kevin Saal. “We stand on the shoulders of those who come before us. We humbly believe this program is equipped to be an immediate NCAA contender and we can’t wait to see this perennial championship program grow even stronger through competition in the best league in the country (Conference USA) and within the NCAA framework. Sincere thanks to the Masons for aligning championship-level resources to championship expectations, enhancing the student-athlete experience. We are incredibly grateful for their generosity.”

The renovations to the Women’s Bowling facility will position the program for growth and excellence as they seek to continue recruiting top-tier athletes to compete at Wichita State. Gordon Vadakin, who led the bowling program as head coach from 1978-2019, said, “This generous support from the Masons is a testament to the passion our alumni have for the program still, and I could not be more excited for the future of this team. My hope when I retired was that Wichita State Bowling would continue evolving into something bigger and better, and this investment as the women’s team moves into the NCAA will help foster that growth.”

Bloomfield Foundation commits $1.1 million pledge to Wichita State

The Sam and Rie Bloomfield Foundation, established in 1953, has played a significant role in supporting the arts and engineering programs at Wichita State University for more than 40 years. A recent pledge of $1.1 million dollars from the foundation will continue advancing the Bloomfield’s legacy, increasing funding for the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series and the Sam Bloomfield Distinguished Engineer in Residence.

“Based on the Bloomfield’s ardent love for the arts and their desire for engineering innovation, they supported arts and education throughout their lives and now continue to do so through their foundation,” said Cheryl McKay Moffatt, Bloomfield Foundation trustee. “The current trustees wish to continue the legacy of Mr. and Mrs. Bloomfield by supporting the arts and education in Wichita and at Wichita State University to inspire the students, faculty and the community to achieve excellence.”

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series was established in 1994 to pay the fees for distinguished guest artists to perform at Wichita State. Since its inception, the fund has brought dozens of artists to WSU’s campus to share their talent with Shocker Nation. This additional pledge from the Bloomfield Foundation will increase the annual distribution from the endowment, ensuring it remains a quality organ series.

The Sam Bloomfield Engineer in Residence was established in 1987 to help strengthen the College of Engineering’s doctoral program by supplementing WSU’s teaching and publishing faculty with visiting professors. The increased funding for the program will allow for a more substantial payment to create a competitive and attractive position for prospective candidates.

Sam Bloomfield was considered one of ‘Wichita’s aviation pioneers,’ working as president and chief engineer for Swallow Airplane Company for more than 20 years. Rie Bloomfield was a registered nurse prior to her marriage to Sam and became one of the most notable patrons of the arts in Wichita with her significant support through the years.

The Bloomfield Foundation has helped with many projects at Wichita State, including the completion of Wiedemann Hall, which houses the Marcussen organ and a number of Rie’s personal collections of paintings and sculptures. Additionally, the Bloomfield Foundation has supported and continues to support many endowed funds, including the Sam Bloomfield Chair in Aerospace Engineering, the Paul and Joy Mahan Scholarship in Business, and the Sam Bloomfield Chair in Engineering, which has been dedicated to the field of sustainability.

“The difference that Sam and Rie have made for Wichita State and the entire Wichita community is hard to fathom,” said Elizabeth King, president and CEO of the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement. “Their generosity has benefitted generations of students and a number of outstanding faculty and staff who invest so much into Shocker Nation. We are incredibly grateful for the work of the Bloomfield Foundation trustees to ensure their legacy continues.”