PAGE 2 | GRADUATION GUIDE THE STAFF:
EDITORIAL Editor-in-Chief Evan Pflugradt Editor-in-Chief Chance Swaim Design Editor Madeline Deabler Sports Editor Grant Cohen Photo Editor Brian Hayes
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THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017
Rowing brings two seniors lifelong friendship GRANT COHEN SPORTS EDITOR @gforce4preach
Seniors Kirsten Manson and Melissa Daily didn’t know each other coming to Wichita State’s rowing team in 2013. By sophomore year, the homeschooled Manson and Kapaun Mt. Carmel’s Daily started talking to each other in workouts and bonded during their final three years. As the two rowers are getting set to graduate, Manson and Daily have formed a friendship that plans to continue beyond their time as Shockers. “I don’t think there was any formal moment where we just clicked and became friends,” Manson said. “We were with each other every day, so we just start talking about what is going on in our lives and we just got close that way. It was a gradual thing.” The two rowers didn’t speak to each other until sophomore year, where they would have casual conversations during their 5 a.m. morning workouts. They sat closer in the boat at the start of their junior year, claiming the back spots during competitions. Daily said that rowing requires such a team effort that the people next to each other got to know one another very well and how she
connected with Manson. “That’s the cool thing about rowing is most of us are walk-ons and everyone comes from completely different backgrounds,” Daily said. “You spend so much time with everyone you just become friends no matter who they are. You become friends with people you never thought you would.” Both Manson’s and Daily’s leadership this season has helped create a more relaxing environment towards the team, according to junior rower Kaylee Ball. Ball said that their friendship over the course of their careers has helped create a less stressful atmosphere while still combining the competitive nature. She said that this drive helped keep the team to the highest standards this season. Photo by Selena Favela “They balance each other out Kirsten Manson, a senior majoring in exercise science poses with Missy Daily, a well so it helps the team to have senior majoring in computer science. The two have been friends throughout them both working together to accomplish something,” Ball said. their four years of college. “Without their crazy ways and bond they have. Despite not having strong leadership, the team will feel built at WSU, Manson said. Manson said that they plan on that opportunity, neither plans on strange next year with a large void buying a bike together and still giving up what they have. to fill.” “We’ve been talking about that With Manson going into exercise making time out of their busy schedules to play their competitive all semester,” Manson said. “We science and Daily going into games of Mario Kart as well as vent were saying, ‘what are we gonig to computer science, both will be to each other about problems going do after graduation? We’ll never see going into separate career paths. on in their lives. each other.’ Hopefully we can still That, however, will not stop the Rowing gave Manson and Daily be workout buddies. We’ll make it two from staying in touch and something that they could do happen.” maintaining the friendship they’ve together and the time to cherish the
From afflicted to accepted: A senior’s story BRENNEN SMITH REPORTER @sunflowernews
Six years ago, senior Christine Fuston said she began struggling with cutting herself due to an unfortunate chain of events that began when her mom found an open letter Fuston mistakenly left on the bathroom counter from her secret girlfriend. “My mom forced me to read (the letter) aloud in the quiet of our house,” she said in her TEDx speech, presented at Wichita State. “She realized after I was not the daughter she wanted.” Now, Fuston is no longer hiding her sexual orientation. Instead of accidentally coming out to her mom, she purposefully gave a TEDx talk last Thursday about her life as a lesbian. Her goal was to encourage people who don’t identify as heterosexual to share their stories. “I admire Christine for having the courage to put herself out there like that and I believe that by [giving her speech] she is helping to create that future where a coming out story will just be another story,” said Ashley Cervantes, Christine’s adviser in the McNair Scholars program. Graduation is coming in May for Fuston, and she said she is looking forward to doing graduate work at Oklahoma State University in the counseling psychology doctoral program. She has been accepted and will begin working towards her graduate degree in fall 2017. “I’ll get to work with LGBTQ issues,” she said. “I’ve never felt so accepted before and welcomed and I just got a good vibe from all the professors and current graduate students (at Oklahoma State).” Fuston has a passion for LGBTQ issues. In her speech she said, nine out of ten LGBT teens report being bullied because of their sexual orientation; they are twice as likely not to finish high school and are two
Photo by Brian Hayes
Christine Fuston poses with her favorite mug. Fuston recently spoke at TEDxWichitaStateUniversity about coming out as a lesbian.
to three times as likely to commit suicide compared to their heterosexual peers. “I think Christine is super talented, but I definitely know she’s on her way to becoming an even more talented psychologist and social justice activist,” said junior Aja Molinar, a close friend of Fuston. Her passion to assist others with LGBTQ issues through counseling didn’t come all at once. It was molded over time and came as a response to her own struggles with her sexual identity. Early college decisions Fuston started college at Wichita State in fall 2013. “I came in and I was undecided about anything and everything,” she said. “I changed my major about three times.” She decided she wanted to join the United States Army Reserve, something she had been already thinking about, so she joined the rowing team in order to prepare for the reserves by losing weight and getting in shape.
Fuston postponed her education. Training for the reserves, which consisted of basic and job training, lasted six months. “I expected everyone to be this alpha warrior type,” Fuston said. She was wrong. She said there were people of all types and backgrounds. The worst part was being around people who complained a lot, she said. While in training, Fuston realized she wanted to major in psychology when she grew angry during suicide awareness and prevention classes. “They never talked about the things that people go through before they become suicidal,” she said. “It’s just as important to be there for someone even before they’re thinking of killing themselves.” A future after college In March 2016, Molinar, Fuston’s TEDx speech rehearsal partner, encouraged Fuston to join the McNair Scholars Program with her, a program which helps increase the number of students from disadvantaged backgrounds enter and
The Sunflower year in review The Sunflower, Wichita State’s oldest student organization, founded in 1896, finished its final print copy of Volume 121 Wednesday night. In the last year, The Sunflower has undergone changes to the method of publishing, modernizing the publication to be more aligned with other publications. The Sunflower has made the broad jump to expand their digital presence, undergoing a site relaunch in early October. In that time, we have seen our online presence reach new heights, reaching an audience of more than 300,000 unique visitors through expanded content. Freshmen reporters Jenna Farhat and Matthew Kelly published the most-read stories to the site since the relaunch, reaching more than 7,000 and 6,000 unique visitors. At the time of print, more than 56 stories topped 1,000 unique visitors. On social media, The Sunflower more than doubled the 1,600-person audience to 3,340 students, faculty, staff, community members and more.
complete Ph.D. programs. “Christine exemplifies this mission,” said Ashley Cervantes, program counselor for the McNair program. “I have no doubt she will achieve her educational goals and do great things in her profession.” The McNair program sparked an interest for further schooling, Fuston said, and she knew she wanted to do graduate work in counseling. Without the help of the McNair program, Fuston said she would have had to work two extra years to become accepted in a graduate program in psychology. ‘I’m a lesbian’ The topic of Fuston’s TEDx speech was born after Fuston came out to sophomore Makenzie Hercules, team manager of the rowing team. “The weight of the world came off my shoulders when I realized I had an ally,” Fuston said in her speech. Fuston also shared her story with Cervantes, her McNair adviser. “She let me know that I was not alone, because she also identified as lesbian and had a wife and a baby,” Fuston said. “All the things I had been shamed for wanting in our society, she made them seem normal and okay.” Eventually, Fuston realized her real interests lay with counseling and LGBTQ issues, so she quit the rowing team and joined Greg Meissen, professor of psychology, to research attitudes towards LGBTQ athletes, where she interviewed students one-on-one. Fuston said she hopes to one day help others in the same way Cervantes and Meladee Garst, counseling center psychologist, have helped her. “Diversity cultivates growth. Being around a lot of students from all different backgrounds, countries and majors has helped me grow a lot,” Fuston said.
Graduation Day Information When: Sat., May 13, 2017 Where: Charles Koch Arena, 21st and Hillside
Photo by Amy DeVault
In March, Kansas Collegiate Media judges recognized The Sunflower as the silver medalist overall for four-year public newspaper, behind only the Kansan at the University of Kansas. Incoming Editor-in-Chief Chance Swaim was named the Journalist of the Year. Swaim was recognized as the runner-up a year prior. Former Managing Editor Andrew Linnabary received recognition as the second runner-up for Journalist of the Year. Hannah Roberts, seniors, won for best news photo, and was
recognized with awards in all four photography categories. Evan Pflugradt, senior, placed first in sports news writing. TJ Rigg placed first in an on-site copy editing contest. Andrew Linnabary placed first in review writing. Madeline Deabler, sophomore, won best illustration. Jenna Farhat, freshman, and Nathan Davis won for best news writing. The Sunflower staff was also recognized for best special section. Altogether, The Sunflower received for 42 awards at the conference. — Evan Pflugradt
Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and College of Fine Arts When: 9 a.m. (Graduate check-in at 8 a.m.) Speaker: David Hickman, trumpet soloist College of Education and College of Health Professions When: 1 p.m. (Graduate check-in at noon) Speaker: James Chung, president of Reach Advisors College of Business and College of Engineering When: 5 p.m. (Graduate check-in at 4 p.m.) Speaker: Chuck Singleton, president of the Special Assets division of Republic Financial Corporation
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017
www.thesunflower.com
GRADUATION GUIDE | PAGE 3
Graduate student hopes to give back to student athletes MATTHEW HOPPER REPORTER @sunflowernews
Photo by Brian Hayes
WSU Provost and Senior Vice President Anthony Vizzini holds one of the challenge coins given to graduates during the ceremony. Dr. Vizzini said he always carries one in his pocket.
WSU challenge coins — Vizzini’s gift to seniors MATTHEW KELLY REPORTER @sunflowernews
This May, when graduating seniors walk across the stage, they have more to claim than just a diploma. As they shake hands with Provost and Senior Vice President, Anthony Vizzini, he will slip them a challenge coin—a medallion emblazoned with the Wichita State seal. “It’s a coin carried by faculty, staff, alumni, and even friends of the university as a way to show you belong to Wichita State,” Vizzini said. What may seem like nothing more than a small token is in fact chalked-full of meaning. “The challenge coin is an old tradition that comes from a story told about World War I,” Vizzini said. The story goes that a young Allied flying ace was shot down over Germany but escaped his captors and fled to France. The French, fearing he was a German
spy, planned to execute him, but he was able to prove his identity by presenting a coin with the emblem of his squadron. “The tradition is that pilots started always flying with their squadron’s coin after that—as a symbol of what they belonged to,” Vizzini said. Vizzini brought the tradition to campus to reaffirm graduating seniors’ identity as a part of the university before they head out into the world. “It’s a way of showing you belong to Wichita State,” Vizzini said. Each college has their own coin, the president has his own coin, Honors have their own coin now and so does Athletics.” In military tradition, the presentation of a challenge coin is not taken lightly. Rather, it is a solemn gesture representing the loyalty and identity of recipients. Likewise, not just anybody can get their hands on a Wichita State challenge coin. “You can’t get the coin; you can’t buy it in the bookstore,”
Vizzini said. “But it’s transferred via handshake to the recipients.” Vizzini said he relishes passing out the tokens and the commencement ceremony in general. “I love the excitement; I love the chaos,” Vizzini said. “It’s a joy to see the exuberance of these students who have accomplished such great things.” Outside of handing out challenge coins, Vizzini said he likes to find other ways to make graduation a unique and enjoyable experience. He has even been known to sport yellow sunglasses or a custom WSU Santa hat. “When I come down off stage, I put my sunglasses on and try to get high fives from the faculty as I leave,” Vizzini said. “I’m always looking for ways to make that ceremony fun and exciting to give it a sense of lasting memories because those are the kind of things people reflect on when they think about their alma mater—a story to tell and a memory to keep.”
Adam Davies’s undergraduate experience was highlighted by his time spent on Stony Brook’s track and field team. Davies — born and raised in Long Island, New York — two years ago decided to travel more than 1,400 miles to become a graduate student in sports management at Wichita State. Davies’ time, not only at Stony Brook, but his experiences as a student-athlete greatly affected his plans and what he would do for the future. “The student-athlete experience for me was very transformational, they were best four years of my life. I learned a lot, changed a lot for the better” Davies said. Davies began as a health science major but his involvement in the athletic department made him realize all of the career opportunities inside college athletics. “Being a student-athlete at stony brook I started to open my eyes to the world of college athletics” Davies said. During his first year at Wichita State, Davies was a marketing associate for the athletic department. During that first year he found the life skills department, which he was naturally drawn to because of the help he received in his undergraduate years. “Life skills is something that I got interested in my first year at Wichita State because I was working with them, not full time, but I went down to their meetings every week and it’s very similar to things I received as a student athlete and something I enjoyed as a student athlete” Davies said. Davies found that he
enjoyed working with the students directly, being able to make an impact on them. He also enjoyed all the different services that he was enabled to use in order to help student athletes. “You try to make their student athlete experience as positive as it can be while also preparing them for success in the future after they graduate” Davies said. “We have a lot of different aspects at Wichita State such as leadership, personal development, professional development, communication skills and time management.” His second year he received a graduate assistant job in the life skills office of student athletics. Now, working fully with life skills, Davies was assured that it was the right department for him. As much as Davies loved his student athlete experience he realizes what could have been done better for him and the things he would have liked to have. This is what drives him; to give his students things he knows he would have appreciated. “Adam as a student athlete really kinda saw the things that he knew he wanted to improve upon in his job just because he may have not had the opportunity where he was at” said Nathan Roth, a fellow graduate and Davies’ roommate. Davies believes at his next job he’ll be able to spot the deficiencies of departments and give student-athletes more. Davies is currently looking for a job for after graduation. He has applied to all corners of the country including California, Florida and Wisconsin.
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PAGE 4 | GRADUATION GUIDE
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017
www.thesunflower.com
What a journey it’s been
Article 282: Farewell, my friends COLUMN BY
TJ RIGG
So, here it is. The one thing I have dreaded my entire collegiate career: my goodbye column for
The Sunflower. Ever since I found out about this tradition, the idea of writing a goodbye column has terrified me. I have thought, many times, about how to write it, but I’ve never truly known what to write until I sat down to type this out. This has been an incredible adventure. I walked into the newsroom in late July 2012, hoping to get a job. Luckily for me, the editor at the time was feeling generous and he hired me Aug. 1, 2012. Four-and-ahalf years and, with this column, 282 stories later, I could never have dreamed what would happen. I never in a million years thought I’d be The Sunflower’s editor-in-chief. Yet, I decided to go for it and the Board of Student Publications chose me to serve in the role for the Photo by Amy DeVault 2014-15 school year. Although being a manager was difficult, it Members of The Sunflower staff pose with certificates earned at the Kansas Collegiate Media conference, held last month in Wichita. The staff collected 42 awards at the conference. was important for me to take that step. I did not take it lightly and I hope I served this newspa- individually, but I doubt we have so well with me. Sarah Carlson for being my helping me grow as a reporter, per and campus well. the room for that. Instead, here Ann Hoskinson for sharing favorite fellow copy editor and student, editor and person. Fortunately, the two editors is a call out of 15 staff members, my love of writing and being almost birthday twin. To the readers, I got into this who succeeded me were kind who have meant the most to me such a great listener. Evan Pflugradt for having a job to serve you. You may not enough to let me stay around during my tenure. Kevin Brown for reminding wicked sense of humor. have always agreed with my and continue to report and copy Austin Colbert for taking a me to always find humor in Chance Swaim for showing coverage, but thank you for edit stories. We’ve had, for lack chance and hiring me. situations. me the power of great investiga- reading all of the stories and for of a better term, a crazy last two Liz Simmons for welcoming Shelby Reynolds for keeping tive reporting. sharing your thoughts. years with all of the news on me warmly to the staff and me sane during big news nights. Andrew Linnabary for letting This is difficult. I hate having this campus. I am so proud of agreeing to be one of my book James Kellerman for becomme pass on some of my knowlto say goodbye, but I will how things have been handled editors. ing sports editor after just a edge to another rising star and certainly be keeping track of and the work completed by my Ishi Regier for being as into month of working here and for for being such a great friend. what’s to come. fellow student journalists. this job as me and for liking all all the laughs. Two people vital to The I leave The Sunflower in great Now, I would be remiss if I of my bad jokes about news. Sean Jones for being a wonSunflower I also have to thank hands. These student journalists didn’t call out a number of my Kathleen Martin for teaching derful colleague in advertising are Robbie Norton and Amy will serve you well and I cannot colleagues, both past and me how to lead the paper. while I was editor. DeVault. Robbie, thank you for wait to see where they take this present, and thank them for Jake Trease for staying on as Jillian Clough for making so the many chats in your office newspaper. what they have done for me. I’d managing editor when I took many of my visual ideas come to and for keeping the newsroom So, my friends, until next love to thank every person over as editor and for working life with beautiful designs. together. Amy, thanks for time, I bid you farewell.
I finished the damn thing Goodbye, Yellow From photographing Shockers basketball courtside to traveling to COLUMN BY D.C. for a HANNAH ROBERTS journalism conference, college has given me more incredible experiences than I could have ever imagined. The irony is I didn’t want to go to college. I didn’t want a four-year detour to the rest of my life. I never could’ve imagined the ways college would shape my future. Early in my sophomore year, I made a decision. I chose to say yes to trying anything new that interested me. In contrast, growing up I had rarely tried new things because it meant possible failure. Stepping out of my comfort zone to embrace new adventures turned out to be the most important decision I made in college. My sophomore year I took a rock climbing class. Junior year I joined Wichita State’s Shooting Sports team, both with no previous experience. Later, I became an officer in both clubs. These activities have helped me de-stress after school, taught me perseverance and given me great friendships. I challenge you to seek out something new and jump in with both feet. Who knows? It may turn into a lifelong hobby or even a job. Junior year I realized I had no idea what I wanted to do after school. My major was entrepreneurship which I enjoyed, but it gave me little direction.
Brick Road
File photo by Hannah Roberts A young Wichita State fan cheers on the Shockers as they play the Bears Thursday evening. WSU beat Missouri State 80-62. (Feb. 9, 2017)
I sat down and made a list of everything I loved. Photography made the list, specifically telling people’s stories through photographs. This discovery led me to add a communication minor in the spring of junior year. In the fall of my senior year, I began working for The Sunflower. My time at The Sunflower has taught me to never settle for doing something less than what I love. It’s also taught me that everyone has a
story. I’m grateful for the opportunities and career direction The Sunflower has given me. Almost every assignment pushes me to try something new. My advice for college students is to find out what you love and pursue it. No dream is too big if you are willing to put in the work. Let your dreams change and grow, just never stop dreaming. Never let a fear of failing stop you from trying.
10 seniors awarded Senior Honor Men and Women distinction NEWS IN BRIEF Ten seniors were named Senior Honor Men and Women of the class of 2017. “Being named a Senior Honor Man or Woman is one of the most prestigious honors a Wichita State
University student can receive,” according to a university announcement about the awards. Less than one out of a hundred students receive the award, and students are selected based on commitment to academic excellence, involvement on campus and contribution to the communi-
ty, academic standing and oral and written communication skills. 2017 winners were Katie Deutsch, Kiah Duggins, Hassan Farhoud, Tyler Gegen, Nolan Jones, Ruben Lebron, Sarah Nelson, Tram Ngo, Bach Nguyen, and Jennifer Pinkston. —Chance Swaim
I have a lot of regrets. They are mostly small regrets that COLUMN BY don’t matter HANNAH BOTHNER too much, but I do have one big regret. I regret not making Wichita State my home sooner. My first year of college I went to William Jewell, a small college in Missouri and then I attended Friends University for a hot second. I thought I wanted a small college experience. Despite growing up in Wichita I was originally very opposed to attending Wichita State, I thought it was way too big for me. But after not finding my place at two other schools I thought I should finally give Wichita State a try. From the outside the Communication degree with the Electronic Media emphasis intrigued me, it seemed to be exactly what I was looking for. But once I got in my first class here at Wichita State I realized this was the place for me. I didn’t have the sinking feeling in my stomach or the anxiety that I had at the other schools, don’t get me wrong they are amazing schools they just weren’t for me, I felt at home. I felt that this was the perfect place for me to get my education. I only got to spend three semesters here at Wichita State, I wish it could have been more, but I am also very excited that I am getting to graduate on time after all the bouncing around and major changing that I did. You won’t see my name in many bylines or photo credits in The Sunflower. I’ve been behind the scenes as The Sunflower’s Social Media Coordinator for just the past semester. I wish that I had applied sooner to spend more than one semester on this wonderful staff. I have really enjoyed my short time here.
While I am sad to leave Wichita State I am really excited for the next chapter of my life. My plan is to move to Los Angeles to work in television production. People ask me specifically what I want to do and I honestly don’t care at this point, as long as I am helping to create television. I feel very prepared to embark on this journey because of my experience in the Elliott School of Communication. I have contacts and friends in Los Angeles already because the Elliott School encouraged me to pursue an internship with the Tallgrass Film Festival. I had a blast and learned a lot and I am so excited to see the filmmakers I met during the festival again and to hopefully work with them in the future. I have a lot of people to thank that helped me get where I am today. First I would like to thank Lela Meadow-Connor, Nick Pope and Gretchen Mitchell of the Tallgrass Film Festival for believing in me and giving me the chance to help make the festival a success. In the Elliott School, I would like to thank Kevin Hager and Eric Zoller for teaching me the skills I will need for my career and Amy DeVault and Madeline McCullough for believing in me and helping me to gain real world experience in my field. Finally, I would like to thank my parents and my brother for always being by my side and supporting me while I tried to find the school that I could call home, I love you guys. To all my fellow Shockers out there, thank you for reading, be kind to each other and good luck. I am proud to be a Shocker Alum and to carry the Shocker colors with me to California.
THURSDAY, MAY 4, 2017
www.thesunflower.com
There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things
Photo by Matt Crow
Wichita State student Evan Pflugradt blissfully scoots his way into graduation. Pflugradt bought his Star Wars themed scooter for $7.50 at a Walmart.
COLUMN BY
EVAN PFLUGRADT
What a long night. I could hardly convince myself to brave the stairs, let alone hold the door open much
longer. Routine after-midnight productions had chipped away at the eagerness I strolled into the basement of Elliott Hall with two short years ago. All I could think about was how much longer I’d be standing there, holding the damn door open, waiting for everyone to make their way out of the newsroom. Never had I walked up those stairs so slow. Hard to keep them open, I closed my eyes as we walked to our cars. “Hey now, you’re an all star, getcha’ game on, go play!” belted out of Sam Belsan’s mouth, still too chipper from the sugar rush of his 44-ounce fountain Dr Pepper he started not more than an hour or two prior. Brian Hayes joined him in song. Madeline Deabler so famously giggled. Chance Swaim, late, too laughed for a bit. I reminisce, for I know this is The Sunflower in every way I wanted it to be. Unlike most, my landing in The Sunflower could be described as an accident. I miraculously broke into Elliott Hall one late Friday afternoon after a campus visit to Wichita State, I landed in a
newsroom with Shelby Reynolds, the incoming editor-in-chief who hired me a couple of months later. I’ve been a Wichita resident for two years now. At the time I arrived to Wichita State, I was in search of friends I could call my own. The Sunflower seemed like the right place to get started. This was the right call. The Sunflower has given me experiences like nothing else in life, and friends who were even better. I’ve been grateful to capture the moments with you. Words can’t express how much these last two years at Wichita State have meant to me. I hope they’ve been the world for you, too. My advice: stop and take a few selfies while you’re here. You’re going to want to remember these days sooner than later. Now, as I wrap up my time as Editor-in-Chief of The Sunflower, I can safely say, despite all the frustrations that come with the roller-coaster of a job this sometimes is, I will dread letting go of this door for a final time. Some of us will part ways in life. Change is hard — embrace it. Find your niche and give it your all. Don’t half-ass anything, and most importantly, have fun. There’s a lot of beauty in ordinary things — this newsroom and all. Thank you for letting me be a part of your story. Thank you to my mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, Christine, Nala Bear and all my friends at Wichita State.
The best times
Jump in and take advantage of this campus. Here’s 10 of my favorite memories and a confession or two at Wichita State: 1) I can safely confess to my coworkers I am not the nephew of Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. Let’s see if that running joke continues on. 2) If you’ve curiously noticed a 6-foot-2 male riding a Star Wars themed scooter, sized for children ages 6-9 years, it’s me. And it gets me to Spanish class on time. They’re $7.50 at Walmart, if you’re looking to get across campus in a flash. I apologize to anyone I might have come close to crashing into — I’m still learning the controls. 3) Seeing Chance Swaim wipe out riding my scooter in the middle of the street with cars lined up watching and both sides of the crosswalk. 4) If that morning bran cereal is doing work, head over to the basement of Morrison Hall for the best bathrooms on campus, by far. Professional judges at the Kansas Collegiate Media conference earlier this year showed praise that made my time here all worthwhile. “Every college paper in the country should write a story about where to go to the bathroom. Superb.” 5) There are no dumb questions. I’m still trying to convince myself of this after asking a former Student Body President if the rumors were true that he invited Westboro Baptist Church to Wichita State. 6) Seeing Nathan Davis return to ask for a second application not even two minutes after giving him his first copy. That takes a strong man. Rest in peace, friend. 7) I’ll always remember chasing the elusive red squirrel in Washington, D.C. with Andrew Linnabary. I still have no idea what our intent was. 8) Always spreading my music knowledge to the newsroom DJ of the night. 9) Crossing an eightlane highway on foot with Brian Hayes, in Carmel, Indiana. Twice, I might add. Two cars nearly hit Brian. The speed limit was 65-mph. We’re still happily living and breathing. 10) All the hours upon hours spent in Amy DeVault’s office. Thanks for the conversation, even when I had nothing to say.
GRADUATION GUIDE | PAGE 5
No politics to it Students intern in D.C., get jobs to impact constituents lives KYLIE CAMERON REPORTER @kcylizzle
Growing up, senior Arely Navarrete could always hear the noise of the television in her house that was usually set to a news station. While this may seem like a miniscule childhood memory, Navarette credits this to getting her to where she is now. The summer before her senior year, Navarette flew out to Washington D.C. on her own to intern with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute where she ‘fell in love’ with the city and its rich history and made it her goal to make her way back to the nation’s capital. With help from Wichita State’s Political Science Department, Navarette was able to make that dream a reality. “[The summer internship] sparked my interest in coming back,” Naverrete said. “I didn’t know how, I didn’t know when, I just knew I wanted to come back. So Wichita [State] offered to pay me to come out here, which I couldn’t afford to do without them.” Upon completion of her spring internship, Navarrete was able to find a job at the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities where she helps other hispanic students, like herself, find internships across the nation at federal agencies. “In the title we have ‘hispanic’ but it’s really for anyone who’s
willing to put in the work and be a part of our little familia, our family,” Navarrete said. Graduate student Eugene Potts, interning for Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, was another student that came out to D.C. with Navarrete, but unlike Navarrete, who is now preparing for graduation, Potts decided to go back to Wichita at the end of May to complete his degree and take over Student Body President Paige Hungate’s old job of field representative in Senator Moran’s Wichita office since she had to resign when she assumed the presidency. “I have always wanted to be involved in politics, I have loved it ever since I was a child,” Potts said. “It is one of few fields that you have a huge impact in people’s lives. There are not that many minorities that work or intern here on the hill Senate or House side, I take this chance that I have been given seriously.” Potts, an African American veteran, and Navarrete, a Hispanic student, both said that one of the reasons why they worked in politics is because they wanted to make an impact on people’s lives. “I want to give back to the community that I love,” Navarrete said, tearing up. “I didn’t know I was going to make it this far. I hope that I can impact a child someday, somehow to be better for their family and, you know, for theirselves.”
14 years, 3 self-started businesses later JENNA FARHAT REPORTER @jen_farhat
After dropping out of high school at age 17, beginning college at age 36 and starting three of her own businesses, Liz Beugelsdyk didn’t imagine she would be preparing to graduate with a business administration degree in entrepreneurship, 14 years after enrolling in her first college course. She said she wanted to be an inspiration to her 17-year-old daughter, who was three years old when Beugelsdyk started college. “She’s never known a day without me being in school, studying,” she said. “When you get to sit down with your child and study across the table from each other and they see that you are struggling just as hard as they are, I think it means more. It’s relatable.” After facing a series of adversities, Beugelsdyk started her own printer sale and repair shop in 2005. “I was getting divorced and I wanted to do something that gave me flexibility to be with my daughter, to be the mom that I wanted to be for her, but also give me enough money so that I could have a home and do the things that I wanted,” Beugelsdyk said. “I decided that instead of going to work every day I would start something I was passionate about.” She said it was difficult to find
Photo by Kylie Cameron
Senior Arely Navarette poses in front of the Capital Building in Washington, D.C.
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Elizabeth Beugelsdyk closes a cupboard after looking at the silver in an estate sale she is running for the business she owns with her cousin called L&L Family Estate Sales.
success as a woman in a man’s world. “The printer shop was definitely a man’s domain,” Beugelsdyk said. “You have to build trust and confidence within your customer base. It’s hard to build people’s trust when you’re a girl doing a man’s job. “Once you turn the tide and they feel your passion, they’re more willing to open the door for you,” she said. In 2010, she started an estate sale company with her cousin. Beugelsdyk calls herself a “serial entrepreneur.” Between running two businesses, beginning her final semester of college, and being a
mother to her high school aged daughter, she started a senior concierge service in January called Righttime Life Solutions. “We help people transition from home to retirement life. We make sure that their house is ready for sale.” She said earning a degree in entrepreneurship has taught her how to run a company instead of just owning a business. “You learn how to finance. You learn how to creatively think. You learn how to see into the future, working on your business instead of in your business.”
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Photo by Hannah Roberts
Wichita State President John Bardo speaks during a press conference announcing Wichita State’s acceptance into the American Athletic Conference. (April 7, 2017)
Alex Jackson dives into third base Saturday afternoon in the second game of a double header the Shockers played against the Antelopes or “Lopes”. Jackson reached on a single that scored catcher Gunner Troutwine (Feb. 25, 2017).
YEAR IN REVIEW
Photos by Hannah Roberts
(Top) The Shockers, led by coach Marshall, celebrate their win by teaching the crowd their chant. Head coach Gregg Marshall gestures to the fans. (Right) Marshall made a point to turn to each side of the arena and thank the fans for their support. (Above) The Shockers lift their MVC Tournament trophy.
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GRADUATION GUIDE | PAGE 7 Photo by Brian Hayes
SGA President Joseph Shepard and President-elect Paige Hungate hug after the announcement of her SGA election victory in the RSC (April 5, 2017).
Photo by Selena Favela
Tom James plays the banjo and sings to a group of children during the refugee solidarity gathering (Jan. 29, 2017).
Photo by Hannah Roberts
The College of Business has a group huddle before playing a game at Clash of the Colleges (Aug. 26, 2016).
Photo by Hannah Roberts
Sydney Sissell gets a kiss from one of the pugs outside the Rhatigan Student Center during Pet-A-Pug presented by the Student Activities Counsel on Monday from 11-1 p.m. The pugs were brought to campus by Wichita Pug Rescue, Inc. One of the dogs is available for adoption while the rest are either permanent fosters or owned by volunteers. (May 1, 2017)
Photo by Brian Hayes
Brenda mai gets a temporary tattoo at the TOMS One Day Without Shoes event on the north patio of the RSC (April 25, 2017).
Photo by Selena Favela
Protesters raise American flags during the refugee solidarity gathering held at the airport (Jan. 29, 2017).
Photos by Hannah Roberts and Brian Hayes
(Above) Sana Malik holds her daughter Inaya, 3, at the “No Ban, No Wall” peace rally held at Wichita State University on Tuesday afternoon. Malik is an adjunct faculty member and advisor to the Muslim Student Association. “At this time there is so much hateful rhetoric on many different levels. It’s a really important time to try and unify people based on the common humanity that we share. I believe the country was founded on the principles of justice and equality, and that is what we will continue to stand up and fight for.” (Jan. 31, 2017) (Left) Gamma Phi Beta and Phi Delta Theta perform their rendition of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (April 15, 2017).
PAGE 8 | GRADUATION GUIDE
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GRADUATION GUIDE | PAGE 9
Greek Life leads senior to unique opportunity SAM BELSAN REPORTER @sambelsan
Professional, capable, and mature beyond her years are just a few of the ways Emily Mullins is described by her boss Joe Kleinsasser. Mullins, a senior studying Strategic Communication, has worked for Kleinsasser in the Wichita State Strategic Communications office for just under two years. “She’s more than your typical student assistant,” Kleinsasser said. “She’s a quick learner, already competent, catches on quickly, can work quite independently — just fits in like one of the team.” Mullins writes feature stories for WSU’s website, edits the Shocker Blast and WSU Today emails and completes many more tasks in her 20 hours a week in the Strategic Communications office. “Whatever she does, she does it without complaining.” Kleinsasser said. “She’s the kind of person who will volunteer, if someone needs help she’ll step up and do it.” Before she became an integral part of Strategic Communications, Mullins found her passion rested in
Greek Life on campus. Mullins spent her freshman year living in the dorms and decided not to get involved with a sorority. That all changed in her second year at WSU. “When I came back for my sophomore year I wasn’t living in the dorms,” Mullins recounted. “I realized, very quickly, how hard it is to hang out with people and make friends and be connected to the campus when you’re not on campus.” Mullins said she went through sorority recruitment to be more involved with her fellow students and to “be apart of something bigger.” She joined Gamma Phi Beta in fall 2014. A year later, Mullins was elected as president of the chapter. “It’s one of those things that’s really crazy, but awesome if you embrace it,” Mullins said. “You lose sleep and all that stuff — but it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had.” Growing up, Mullins wanted to be an interior designer and event planner. “That was what kind of led me to communication and that has
completely changed since I’ve gotten into college,” Mullins said. “I still love event planning, but I don’t think it’s my calling. I really enjoy talking to people.” All of her time working with Strategic Communications, serving in Gamma Phi Beta, and playing with Barbies has contributed to her being prepared for her next phase of life. Starting in June, Mullins will be working as a Collegiate Leadership Consultant for Gamma Phi Beta International. In this role, she will be serving alongside 12 other consultants to support individual chapters assigned to her. Her position last for one year, but Mullins could apply for a second year if desired. Mullins said she won’t find out which chapters she will oversee until she begins training this summer. The consultants also work to evaluate the chapters to ensure they are upholding international standards and operating well as a chapter, Mullins noted. “My favorite part of it — the part that I think is really cool — you’re basically a mentor for
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Emily Mullins, senior strategic communications major, sits outside the Gamma Phi Beta house north of the Wichita State campus on Wednesday morning. Mullins is the former president for the sorority and in June will begin working as a Collegiate Leadership Consultant for Gamma Phi Beta International.
everyone,” Mullins said. “There’s a lot of times where people don’t want to talk to their advisors because they’re too close to the situation, but it can be really easy to have someone from outside come in so they can just unload all their problems.” Kleinsasser said he thinks Mullins has earned her new job with Gamma Phi Beta.
“She has always conducted herself professionally like any of the full-time staff,” Kleinsasser said. “Everyone loves being around her. She’s a person who is so great to work with because she doesn’t complain, she works hard, she isn’t afraid to ask questions. “You don’t have to be around her long before you realize she’s a special person and very gifted.”
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