Alpha Chi Seniors:

Jamie K. Alexander
Kaitlyn D. Bressie
Katherine K. Falk
Aine Hakamatsuka
Kyra L. Helin
Hannah K. Kern
Zachary Q. Ludwig
Cecilia Martinez
Jessica M. Potthoff
Montric D. Santee
Joshua D. Schmelzle
Cory L. Shorette
Amanda K. Stirm
Monica M. Tate
Michelle R. Vought
Jessica F. White

Art Department Student Leadership Award: Sarah Roether

Robbin M. Ward Memorial Scholarship: Sarah Roether, Chealsea Weaver

Business and Accounting Outstanding Student Award: Alex Howard, Gina Lee, Montric Santee

MBA Outstanding Graduate: Colby Bertrand, Todd Strawn, Kristofer Upson

Outstanding Research in Atmospheric Science: Andrew Gabel

Chemistry Achievement Award: Nicole Peterson

Forensics and Debate National Champion Awards: Zachery Brown, Jakob Provo, Sean Grove

Hall of Fame Awards: Heidy Yonkey & Zzchary Ludwig

Brian Andrew Hodson Memorial Scholarship: Emma Kitch

Outstanding History Graduate: Joshua Anderson

Honors Program Graduating Senior: Zachary Ludwig

Newspaper Student of the Year: Megan Berry

Phi Alpha Theta New Members: Charles Santy, Jennifer Long

Pi Gamma Mu Inductees: Kaitlyn Bressie, Amanda German, Bobbi Holzhauser, Tameko Swan, Jessica White

Donald Olsen Sociology Award: Stacie Lundquist

George Taylor Criminal Justice Award: Daniel Pinsky

Sport and Exercise Science Achievement Awards: Jamie Alexander

Teachers of Promise: Jamie Alexander, Elizabeth Sanders (Fall 2011), Jacob Andres, Shelby Babcock (Spring 2012)

Outstanding Senior Performing Artist-Theatre Major: Monica Tate, Alexander Wyatt

Cum Laude:

Joshua D. Anderson
Jacob H. Andres
Kiley N. Bishop
Abigail J. Braasch

Jessica L. Cairo
Megan S. Dowling
Kyra L. Helin
Joshua D. Schmelzle
Gina M. Lee

Kristopher S. Schneider
Michelle R. Vought
Alexzandrea L. Wall
Miranda N. White

Magna Cum Laude:

Jamie Alexander
Kaitlyn Bressie
Aine Hakamatsuka
Alex Howard
Hannah Kern

Cecilia Martinez
Katie Novack
Jessica Potthoff
Cherise Price
Marilyn Redmond

Montric Santee
Charles Santy
Cory Shorette
Amanda Stirn
Monica Tate

Summa Cum Laude

Megan Berry
Katherine Falk
Lisa Furst
Jessica White

Newly Tenured Faculty: Kensuke Hakoda, Dr. Paul Hedlund, Dr. Michael Russell

Administration and Staff Distinguished Service Award: Michelle Jensen

Faculty Distinguished Service Award: Dr. Kathleen Barrett-Jones

Exemplary Teacher Award: Dr. Dorothy Hannah

In the event of inclement weather, please check back for alternate instructions for the graduation festivities!

General MacWillie and KWU President Fletcher Lamkin get to know each other during MacWillie's visit to campus yesterday.

General Donald MacWillie of Fort Riley visited campus to explore opportunities for soldiers to further their education. In addition to his tour, visit with President Fletcher Lamkin, he joined students, faculty, and staff at lunch in Shriwise Dining Hall. He was joined by Captain Woodbury and Staff Sergeant Drake, also of Fort Riley.

Wright's acrylic painting of her daughter, Ella.

As Art Department Chair and an Assistant Professor of Art at KWU, Lori Wright is never short on things to do. She attends workshops, schedules and maintains the gallery, teaches, and balances it all with her family at home, including her daughter, Ella, 2.

Throughout the month of May and June, Wright will exhibit some of her latest pieces at the Stiefel Theatre for Performing Arts in the Watson Room. Her show is entitled “Characters” and it represents identity. According to Wright, identity begins in the womb. As one grows, their personality evolves and their true character is revealed.

“The transition of one’s identity has fascinated me and dominated my artwork for many years,” said Wright. “I am driven by the understanding that life as a child directly affects one’s happiness, personality, and success as an adult.”

Wright's encaustic of her daughter, Ella. Encaustic is a form of painting that uses pigmented wax.

Wright uses this passion to visually document the past; particularly the actions, imagination, and behavior of children. Wright uses everyday interactions with simple objects to tell her story – the clothes we wear, the toys we play with – and connects them with a life story. “However,” Wright says, “as we go through our lives, we cannot keep everything and spend our days living in the past. We must grow, change, and move on.”

Wright’s latest works narrate the story of Ella’s personality and to act as a journal to record the real and make believe.

“I hope the overall concept that is told can be universal, as we are all characters in our own stories.”

Wrights works include a variety of media including acrylic, mixed media collagraphs, and encaustic paintings. All of the pieces have been created in the last year. On Thursday, June 7, there will be a reception to coordinate with the First Thursday Art Rush, from 5-7pm in the Watson Room.

Dr. Roberta Thiry

Nurses are found everywhere we look – schools, hospitals, clinics, shelters, and more. More than just men and women working in the heathcare field, nurses offer so much more. They are caregivers, friends, and support systems. They are all committed to our safety and well-being, and this week, they should be celebrated. Sunday, May 6 was National Nurses Day, but throughout the week we celebrate National Nurses Week and the birthdate of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing. Yesterday was National Student Nurses Day and tomorrow is National School Nurse Day.

As we celebrate this week for our dedicated nurses and student nurses, we also remember the amazing life of one of our own, Dr. Roberta “Bobbie” Thiry, who died on April 24, 2012. Thiry spent many years as an educator and pioneer, beginning with her days at Wesley Hospital while finishing coursework at Wichita State University. She eventually established the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Kansas Wesleyan University in cooperation with Asbury Hospital (now SRHC). After she retired in 1996, she assisted the KWU business department with coursework and support for the first group of Taiwanese MBA students admitted into the program.

“Dr. Thiry was an inspiration to everyone she knew,” said Dr. Jamie Spikes, Professor of Nursing at KWU.

Dr. Thiry considered her greatest contribution to be as a mentor and supporter of nurses in advancing their education and career development. Three endowed scholarship funds honor her in three different educational institutions; Kansas Wesleyan University, Pittsburg State University, and the Kansas Nurses Foundation.

International Nurse Day was proclaimed on May 12 (Nightingale’s birthday), 1965, but it was not until 1978 that May 6 was recognized as Nurses Day, by New Jersey Governor Brendon Byrne. In February 1982, it was decided that there would be a National Recognition Day for Nurses, and in 1991, National Nurses Week was adopted. Yesterday, Dr. Spikes and Terri Johnson, Associate Professor of Nursing, attended the city commission meeting where they read a proclamation in support of National Nurses Week and the 100^th Anniversary of the Kansas State Nurses Association.

Dr. Linda Adams-Wendling, Nursing Division/Department Chair, believes such a week is very important because nurses are instrumental in the well-being and health of so many.

“If you see a student nurse or know someone who is working in the nursing profession, make sure you acknowledge their hard work and dedication as we recognize their amazing contributions!”

In addition, KWU will hold a recital featuring newly composed works by senior Katherine Falk and freshman Courtland Mahoney. Musicians from KWU and the Salina Symphony will also perform. Falk has been accepted into the Theory Competition program at Wichita State. The recital will be Monday, May 7, at 7:30pm at UUMC. Both concerts are free to the public.

Ricardo Raygoza gives his athletes a pep talk before they begin a new station.

Kansas Wesleyan soccer players are often seen running around the fields at the Salina Family YMCA – whether coaching, officiating, or helping with camps. Thanks to a program called Smart Start, these dedicated players also spend time helping young children learn the game of soccer. Smart Start is a grass roots motor skills development program designed for children ages three to five that introduces sports in a non-competitive, educational environment. Smart Start participants learn introductory sports skills with the use of specially designed age-appropriate equipment. Parents are also encouraged to participate. Four KWU players – Jacob DeLeon, Leanne Brown, Elba Menjivar, and Ricardo Raygoza – started out right where they are and wanted to return the favor.

Elba Menjivar and Jacob DeLeon warm up Smart Start kids with stretches.

“I felt like it was a great opportunity for me to teach kids what I was taught as a kid,” said Raygoza, a junior from Los Angeles majoring in Exercise Science.

Jacob DeLeon, a Criminal Justice major from Apple Valley, California, was a youth soccer coach at the YMCA and made the transition to Smart Start after realizing how much he enjoyed working with young soccer players.

“I like seeing the kids having fun and running around with other kids – even though most of the time they don’t really know what they’re doing,” DeLeon said. He credits the other coaches with making the sessions go smoothly with 25+ toddlers running around the field.

“I think teamwork is the key to working with these kids because without the help of the other coaches, it would be hard.”

Menjivar, who graduates this month with a degree in Athletic Training, also got her start coaching a youth team for the YMCA and it segued into working with the Smart Start program. Menjivar looked at as a way to start kids early on the game she loves so much.

“The kids don’t know the game and it’s so fun teaching them and making it fun for them,” she said. Menjivar hopes to continue coaching after college and hopes to start a very young team that she can help develop their skills from the beginning.

Amy Cole, a Salina parent, brings her son, Gannon, to Smart Start and has nothing but praise for the KWU students.

“I am so glad we are doing this. This is so important for kids, learning to play with others – losing and winning – and we are so lucky to have this program and the KWU soccer players. They are amazing,” Cole said.

All of the students will admit, working with children can be a challenge, but one they are ready to continue to take on as they move on after college.

“My favorite part,” said Raygoza, “has to be seeing kids and parents smile. I feel that if they’re having a bad day and I come along and bring a smile to their face it makes me happy, even if it’s just for a moment. I would love to keep working with kids in the future.”

Jim Bertles, far right ('50), visits with his niece, Deb Hedge, and nephew, Bob Hedge, at the baseball game against Ottawa University.

In what will be one of the last alumni gatherings of the 2011-12 school year, nearly 50 alumni made it out to Dean Evans Stadium last Saturday for the final home game for the Coyotes, including Jim Bertles, a 1950 graduate, who brought his nephew and niece to the diamond.

“We had such a great turnout – it’s amazing to see the support we get from these dedicated alumni,” said Jennifer Rein, Director of Alumni Relations.

Alumni were given free entrance to the game and had their choice of a KWU visor or baseball cap.

The bulk of the money was raised through a raffle, which garnered $2600 on its own. Several generous businesses donated gifts and five baskets were given out as prizes:

1. Date Night Basket – James Owens

2. Beauty Basket – Tom Egan

3. KWU Basket – Leanna Huscher

4. Golf Basket – Carson Watley

5. Bonus Home Improvement Basket – Steve Berry

Over the past few years, KWU has collected close to $25,000 for the Liberian Project and will continue to work towards helping this country in need. To give to this important cause, contact Paul Hedlund at paul.hedlund@kwu.edu or Dave Kraemer at kraemer@kwu.edu.