The Sunflower v. 125 i. 24

NEWS | 3

SPORTS | 4

OPINION | 2

COUNSELERS

RECORD BREAKER

VACCINATION

CAPS talks about their goal of hiring more multicultural counselers.

Track and Field thrower Michael Bryan shares his journey breaking records.

Columnist Rachel Lyons shares why she thinks everyone should get vaccinated.

WICHITA STATE’S STUDENT NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1896 MONDAY

Volume 125

www.thesunflower.com

April 19, 2021

Issue 24

SHOCKERS AFTER DARK

PHOTO BY TABITHA BARR / THE SUNFLOWER

Three Wichita State students paint canvases during Wichita State’s Shockers after Dark event April 16 inside the Rhatigan Student Center. The event had several activities to help students de-stress towards the end of the semester. For full event coverage, see page 8.

Student uses multiple campus leadership roles to better the Black student experience

BY CALEN MOORE cjmoore@shockers.wichita.edu

W

ichita State junior Omarian Brantley got his first job at Wichita State by accident.

Brantley, a social work major, transferred to WSU from Pittsburgh State and was offered a role as an intern in the office of admissions. He accidentally accepted the position over the phone.

“The person I was on the phone with was telling me there was this opportunity as a diversity intern, and I was thinking it was for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and I accepted the job without really knowing what position I was getting into,” Brantley said.

Although he enjoyed the people he worked with and mentored him at the office of admissions, he wanted to become more involved in advocating for diversity and inclusion on Wichita State’s campus. This drive began during an incident at his past school.

“At my previous school I was also involved in their Office of Student Diversity and there was an incident where I walked out of the community bathrooms and saw a group of white students and they yelled the n word at me,” Brantley said.

Brantley said that even though the situation was resolved, it led him to feel the need to transfer.

He said the groundwork laid by his mentors there inspired him to continue to be a leader and be an

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“I think it is important for people to know, no matter what my title is or where I am at on campus or whatever I’m doing, I am going to be representing Black people, and myself, proudly.”

OMARIAN BRANTLEY Wichita State Junior

advocate for positive change.

This year Brantley was elected the president of the Black Student Union. He also currently works as an intern in the Office of Diversity and inclusion, an underserved senator in Student Government and is an RA in housing. Brantley says all of these positions he holds intersect because at the end of the day, he said he wants to create a comfortable environment for all students, especially Black students.

“Me and Ms. Danielle Johnson started this program called ‘Black Excellence’ or BE which inspires black students to be unapologetically black, feel comfortable and safe on campus,” Brantley said.

Brantley explained how he was inspired by the University of Iowa and their program “Young, Gifted, and Black” which is a program that surrounds Black students with fellow Black students and resources to exceed and learn from each other in an environment that feels proudly Black. Brantley and

/ The Sunflower

@sunflowernews

PHOTO BY CALEN MOORE / THE SUNFLOWER

Wichita State Junior Omarian Brantley poses for a photo. This year Brantley was elected the president of the Black Student Union. He also currently works as an intern in the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, an underserved senator in Student Government and is an RA in housing.

Johnson drew inspiration from this when creating Black Excellence and now has a branch of a LivingLearning Community or LLC geared toward Black freshmen.

Students can apply to live on the floor and Black Excellence will fully start up next semester.

“We want to ensure these students are successful in their academic, professional and social lives because too often Black students slip through the cracks and we want to make sure they graduate, are prepared for the @thesunflowernews

world and also create a community together,” Brantley said.

Brantley said that he uses every role he has to enhance the Black experience at WSU. “I draw a lot of inspirations from my past experiences and it has pushed me to go as far as to make it my mission to change the Black experience for students here at Wichita,” Brantley said.

“Being unapologetically Black to me means to proudly show up and represent for Black spaces and let it be known,” Brantley said. “It

is all about just passion, passion for your people and culture and make sure you are doing what is right.”

As an RA, Brantley individually painted and hung up pictures of Black artists around his floor with information about each one to educate as well as decorate.

Throughout his floor artists like Prince, MC Lyte, Aretha Franklin, and Erykah Badu all hang proudly with information about their SEE OMARIAN PAGE 2

2 | MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

NEWS

This week’s news in brief

This week’s weather in brief

BY ELENA KUCKELMAN

PLANNED WATER SHUTDOWNS ON APRIL 19 The Flats, the Aviation Testing Lab, Beggs Hall, the Beech Wind Tunnel, and Wallace Hall will be affected by a water shutdown planned for Monday, April 19.

The water shutdown will last from about 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will leave these buildings without restrooms, water fountains, and sinks during that time.

DIVERSITY WEEK DESIGNATED FOR SEPT. 13-17 Wichita State SGA has named the week of Sept. 13-17 to be Diversity Week. They will highlight campus’ diversity through student and department led programming, events, and discussions.

An application can be filled out for any organization or individual wanting to host their own event.

More information on this event can be found by contacting sga. publicrelations@wichita.edu

WSU FACULTY AND STAFF MEMBERS TO RECEIVE RECOGNITION

ILLUSTRATION BY THY VO

Source: iPhone weather app

On Friday, April 23, a group of faculty and staff will be honored with two different distinguished service awards. The event will be held at 2 p.m. in the Lowe’s Auditorium in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Go to wichita.edu/shockerpride to RSVP for the in-person event or to view the livestream.

VIRTUAL AND IN-PERSON EARTH DAY CELEBRATIONS TO BE HELD WSU will celebrate Earth Day on Thursday, April 22.

Activities like planting in the community garden by Ahlberg Hall, listening to keynote speakers, and learning more about electric vehicles will take place throughout the day.

The full schedule of events can be found on the Shockers Go Green Agenda.

FILE PHOTO BY DANIEL CAUDILL / THE SUNFLOWER

Police cars line the university police department’s parking lot.

Ethics in Law Enforcement event discusses police reform in Kansas

BY LINDSAY SMITH editor@thesunflower.com / @Lindsau_ KSmith

Michelle Meier, commission counsel at the Kansas Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training (KS-CPOST), spoke to Wichita State students Wednesday to discuss law enforcement ethics and police reform in Kansas.

The event was sponsored by the School of Criminal Justice and the Criminal Justice Student Association and was geared towards students who had aspirations to follow a career in law enforcement.

The KS-CPOST is responsible for overseeing all law enforcement training in the state of Kansas and has the power to deny, revoke or suspend certification to any individual that does not fit the standards.

“When an officer is employed as an officer, we will issue a certification so the person can perform and act as a law enforcement officer in Kansas,” Meier said.

CPOST will continue to track the officer throughout their career. When an agency hires an officer, they send CPOST a form. The agency is also required to send a form when an officer separates — whether through retirement or termination.

KS-CPOST also serves as a resource for ‘“wandering officers”.

“What that means is just, when you have an officer that is employed and engages in

misconduct or bad behavior, and they just go from agency to agency to agency … they continue that path of destruction through those agencies,” Meier said. “That’s obviously something we want to prevent, so we do in Kansas have a system in place to prevent that.”

CPOST is also responsible for investigating violations within law enforcement.

“We investigate instances where they violate statutes and if necessary and appropriate we’ll take certification action,” Meier said.

Meier said that police reform is an important movement to push for. “[Police reform is] necessary and timely,” she said. “If you want to engage in meaningful conversation about that particularly in Kansas, you need to know what’s happening now.”

“Kansas has the authority to decertify an officer,” Meier said.

“There are still four states, and then the federal government, that don’t have the authority to do that … They can give an officer a sort of certification but they can’t take it away, I think that’s problematic.”

Kansas has 8,655 active law enforcement officers. They took 371 certification actions between 2012-2020.

Consequences for officers who engage in wrong behavior varies, Meier said.

“The most serious is a revocation where a certification is taken and that person can no longer be

The Sunflower, founded in 1896, is the student-run newspaper covering Wichita State University. The print edition is published Monday during the fall and spring semesters. The staff publishes daily online at www.thesunflower.com.

MISSION The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.

LEGAL One free copy of The Sunflower is available to members of the WSU community. Additional copies may be purchased for $1 in the newsroom, Elliott Hall 019. The Sunflower is private property and unlawful removal or use of papers is prosecutable. The Sunflower is funded by a combination of print and online advertisment sales and student fees allocated by the Student Government Association.

The Sunflower is a member of Kansas Collegiate Media, the Associated Collegiate Press and College Media Association.

Copyright © 2021 The Sunflower. This newspaper, its design and its contents are copyrighted.

an officer in the state of Kansas, and then there’s suspension where, you know, [their may] be a set period where you’re suspended for a year, you can’t be an officer for a year, or there might be qualifications on what they have to do to get their suspension lifted,” Meier said.

Other consequences include reprimands or denying certification for officers.

Meier said the best advice she can give to individuals who want to get a head start in pursuing a career in law enforcement is to stay truthful.

“The biggest advice I have for you is don’t lie,” Meier said.

“I’ve had several cases where the officer crushes their patrol begice, and you know the agency is not going to like that, but if you do it enough, they might fire you, but you can probably get a job at a new agency, that’s not a career ender … What is a career ender is if you crash your car, and you claim that someone crashed into you. Now you’ve lied.

“You can never regain your integrity, you can never regain that trust.”

Anyone can go in online and see every certification action KS-CPOST has taken.

“One of the things we try to do here is transparency,” Meier said.

“If you go on our website …

If you go under the certification tab, to certification actions then you can run that either by date or name and you can see all the actions we’ve taken back to 1998.”

StratComm releases new graphics for campus signage

BY LINDSAY SMITH

“We continue to strongly encourage our entire campus community to wear a mask, continue to social distance whenever possible, and get COVID vaccines.”

editor@thesunflower.com / @Lindsay_ KSmith

All university buildings are being told to remove the old COVID-19 signage that enforces mask-wearing and social distancing guidelines and replace it with new signage that instead encourages COVID protocols.

Earlier this month the university announced that it was dropping all COVID-19 safety mandates. However, signs that enforce mandates can still be found on campus. The Rhatigan Student Center just recently replaced their “Masks required for entry” signs with “Guests are encouraged to wear masks” signs.

The new signs include sayings like “Wear a mask”, “Wash your hands” and “Social distance” while avoiding wording that makes those practices mandatory.

“In addition to the updated signage, we continue to strongly encourage our entire campus community to wear a mask, continue to social distance whenever possible, and get a COVID vaccines,” the statement released this morning said.

Students, faculty and staff can now schedule both vaccine doses through student health services.

OMARIAN FROM PAGE 1 music. Brantley himself is a soul and R&B enthusiast and loves to share music with others. Although people might not be ready for his “hot takes” about Janet Jackson being superior to Michael Jackson.

“I chose the theme of R&B and soul and hung up paintings of Black icons because not only do I want people to learn something, but in all of my roles it is about representation and it is a blessing

EDITOR IN CHIEF Lindsay Smith editor@thesunflower.com

COPY EDITOR Julia Nightengale copyeditor@thesunflower.com

OPINION EDITOR Audrey Korte opinion@thesunflower.com

DIGITAL PHOTO EDITOR Khanh Nguyen photoeditor@thesunflower.com

SPORTS EDITOR Sean Marty sports@thesunflower.com

PRINT PHOTO EDITOR Kaylee Stout photos@thesunflower.com

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FACULTY ADVISOR Amy DeVault amy.devault@wichita.edu

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to proudly represent my people in whatever way I can,” Brantley said.

Brantley said his focus has always been to not only make connections but to also be a representative for all Black students.

“I think it is important for people to know, no matter what my title is or where I am at on campus or whatever I am doing, I am going to be representing Black people, and myself, proudly,” Brantley said.

Contact Us 019 Elliott Hall 1845 N. Fairmount Ave. Campus Box 134 Wichita, KS 67260-0134 EDITORIAL

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Corrections

The Sunflower is committed to accuracy in its publications. If you find an error in any of its publications, please email the editor at editor@thesunflower.com immediately.

NEWS

MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 | 3

COURTESY OF TAIS SOLIS

Tais Solis in Zacatecas Mexico in December 2020 for winter break.

COURTESY OF SAMUEL COVARRUBIAS

Samuel Covarrubias attends a soccer game in Barcelona at Camp Nou.

Studies show Hispanic communities are struggling to talk about mental health issues with their loved ones

BY CHRISTIAN TORRES

Mental health has been at the forefront of many discussions due to the pandemic and all the disruptions it has caused. But for many, the topic of mental health is one that tends to be pushed to the corner.

According to a Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, in the United States, 28% of Puerto Ricans, 13% of Mexican Americans and 10% of Cuban Americans had symptoms of depression – yet only 10% of these people actually seek help from a mental health provider.

The Hispanic community has continued to grow significantly in Wichita throughout the years.

According to the United States Census Bureau, in 2018 the Hispanic population in Wichita, KS was 70,564 compared to 59,823 in 2010.

Tais Solis, a 20-year-old student at Wichita State University from Mexican heritage considers herself to be someone who often deals with depression.

“I have days where I am extremely happy and outgoing, other days I just want to cry and not be around anyone because I am not feeling happy,” Solis said.

Growing up, she felt that she could not speak about these thoughts with her family because she feared being judged or not understood. As Solis grew older and surrounded herself with friends of different backgrounds, she realized she was not alone.

“It is definitely hard talking

about depression with your parents, especially when they don’t understand what it’s like, so their first reaction is to think that you can just get over it,” Solis says.

Every Wichita State student qualifies for counseling at student health for $10 per session. Solis said even though she hasn’t utilized this service yet, she keeps it in mind and is always open to use it if needed in the future.

“I usually confide in my friends.

I am surrounded by so many wonderful people and I know I can always count on them to be there for me, give me great advice and not make me feel judged,” Solis said.

Solis said her parents have changed their views significantly towards mental health issues and are supportive of Solis seeking help for her depression.

Solis is able to talk about these issues with her friends. Some who are battling mental health issues themselves, including Solis’ friend Samuel Covarrubias who is a 24-year-old student at Wichita State University.

“My parents are hard-core Mexicans,” Covarrubias said. “I love how passionate they are about their culture, but it makes it hard sometimes to be able to talk to them about certain issues they don’t consider important or even understand.”

Covarrubias also suffers from depression. During the COVID-19 shutdown, Covarrubias felt like his depression got worse.

“It was definitely a difficult time [COVID-19 shutdown]

especially because I felt very alone since I could not see my friends,” Covarrubias said.

“I feel like not being able to hang out with my friends as often definitely has contributed to me feeling depressed more often,” Covarrubias said. “I am stuck at home a lot of the time and the only people I can talk to and vent about my issues with are my family members.”

Covarrubias has used the extra time alone with his family to educate his parents and siblings about mental health issues.

Throughout the years Covarrubias has seen a great change in his parents’ behavior towards him. As a part of the LGBT community, he said he feels like his parents sometimes do not fully understand his struggles with depression.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), depression affects members of the LGBT community at higher rates than the heterosexual population. LGBT teens between grades 7-12 are twice as likely to attempt suicide than heterosexual individuals.

As a teen, Covarrubias not only struggled with his identity as a gay person but also being able to be open about his depression with his very traditional parents.

“I am 25 years old now and I accept myself for who I am, but if I would have gone to my parents 10 years ago and told them I was gay and also suffered from depression, it would have been something they would have not been able

to understand or help with,” Covarrubias said.

Recently, Covarrubias had to take a break from school and put his education plans on hold. He said that work and school was becoming too overwhelming and he needed to prioritize his mental health.

Covarrubias is one of many students who feels the stress that comes from school and work contribute negatively to their mental health.

According to the latest Association for University and College Counseling Center Directors survey, anxiety is the number one concern among college students (41.6%), then depression (36.4%) and finally relationship problems (35.8%).

“In Hispanic households, school is very important,” he said.

“Most of our parents have very little education and not going to school or taking a break is a big no.”

To Covarrubias’ surprise, his parents were very supportive of his decision to take a break from school.

“As important as school is for me, I know it is one of the reasons why I was feeling extremely stressed, which contributes to overall being sad and depressed,” Covarrubias said. “I was feeling like I couldn’t breathe some days.”

Since taking a break from school, Covarrubias said that he feels his depression has gotten better. He is able to focus more of his time on hobbies, friends and family. His relationship with his

parents has improved greatly in recent years.

Covarrubias now has an opendoor policy with his parents. He feels comfortable enough to talk to them about his sexuality and depression.

“I am old and very traditional,” said his mom, Sofia Covarrubias.

“My parents did not tell me about these things growing up, but I know that my son’s well-being is my number priority. I don’t care whether he is gay or straight, or whether he suffers from depression – I love him greatly.”

Covarrubias said he is very proud of how far his parents are willing to go in order to understand mental health issues.

“I love my culture. As Hispanics, we are very loving individuals and care deeply about our family and because of this we need to normalize having these conversations [mental health] in our families for the well-being of our loved ones,” Covarrubias said.

“I know when my family and I finally started having these talks, our relationship got stronger.”

The story of Tais Solis and Samuel Covarrubias is one of many out there within the Hispanic community in the United States.

This story was produced by WSU’s Advanced News Reporting class as part of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of seven media companies, including The Sunflower, working together to bring timely and accurate news and information to Kansans.

CAPS HOPES TO HIRE MORE MULTICULTURAL COUNSELORS TO FULLY REPRESENT STUDENTS

BY ASHLEY CORIA

Limited funding holds Wichita State University back as the demand for mental health services hits an all-time high in the wake of the pandemic.

In a study by Farzan Sasangohar on the effects COVID19 has had on college students’ mental health in the U.S., 138 (71%) students out of 195 reported increased stress and anxiety due to the outbreak with students fearing for their own health as well as the health of their loved ones.

Jordan Cao, a student at Wichita State, said that mental health on campus has been CAO deteriorating since the start of the pandemic.

“I think everyone’s mental health has been on the decline,” Cao said. “I think if anyone says they’ve been fine that they’re either lying or are extremely lucky to not have to experience what a majority of people have been going through.”

Cao has utilized Counseling and Prevention Services (CAPS) on campus and thinks it’s a convenient and cheap option for those seeking help. When it comes to representation among the counseling staff, Cao hopes that in the future he can request to

see someone that shares the same ethnicity.

“Being Asian American, it would be easier to talk about my problems with someone that is also Asian American,” Cao said.

“And I don’t know if that’s an available option.”

Jonathan Lozano, SGA Director of Health and Wellness, has also used CAPS when he was batLOZANO tling depression and severe anxiety.

“As a Hispanic, I have never really been educated about mental health,” Lozano said. “Reaching out for help was by far one of the best things I could have done.”

“While I wish I had a counselor of color, I was very comfortable with my counselor,” Lozano said. “I felt like I was being listened to.”

Data from the Census Bureau shows that about 61.9% of counselors in the U.S are white making it the most common race in the occupation.

Jessica Provines, director of CAPS, said one of her goals is to increase representation of the student body among the licensed staff.

“Having a staff that is representative of our student body is important,” Provines said. “And that is one of our main goals is to add more counselors in the future

particularly those with a multicultural focus.”

One thing limiting the growth within CAPS is funding, because most of it comes from student fees.

Provines hopes that the university can contribute more state tuition tax dollars towards CAPS. “I think it could be helpful from a university level to have more state tuition tax dollars going towards mental health,” Provines said. “It would be great to have additional funding to hire some masters level multiculturally focused counselors intentionally designed to increase the racial and ethnic diversity amongst our staff.”

Additional funding can also help provide a dedicated staff to work on prevention efforts because many of the counselors work in their spare time, reflecting how important prevention is.

“Currently we don’t have a dedicated budget for prevention and counselors are taking the time because prevention is important,” Provines said. “Support from the university in our prevention efforts to have a dedicated staff who are there to do the educating is something that the university can also do to help.”

According to the Wichita State University Annual Operating Budget for the 2021 fiscal year, about 1.9% of general use funds, which includes tuition dollars, goes towards CAPS. Wichita State

recently proposed an increase in tuition rate and anticipates an estimated $1.7 million from the additional tuition generated, according to the Fiscal Year 2021 Tuition and Fee Proposal.

Some of this money can be allocated towards PROVINES CAPS, Provines said.

Currently, CAPS has a total of eight counselors.

“We’re about three counselors shy of one licensed counselor to every 1000 to 1,500 students,” Jessica Provines, Director of CAPS, said. “I would really like for us to get within that range where we have the recommended number of counselors for the number of students enrolled.”

CAPS has seen an influx of students utilizing services since the pandemic began more than a year ago. This past March CAPS had a record-breaking utilization with more students taking advantage of this service than ever before.

“March was the busiest spring month we have on record with 99 clients starting treatment,” said Dr. Christopher Leonard, Associate Director of CAPS. “We also surpassed the record for the most individuals that ever attended CAPS in a month at 644 appointments.”

CAPS has a Suspenders for Hope campaign that encourages students to openly talk about their mental health and to check in on fellow Shockers.

“We’re really trying to end the stigma and let students know that the university has the services available to them,” Provines said.

“The message behind Suspenders for Hope is it’s more than just CAPS, it’s really about us as a community supporting each other in our mental health.”

The campaign recently expanded beyond Wichita State and into the community and nationally through its website suspenders4hope.com, which features training on suicide prevention that Provines encourages all students to take.

“The training gives students the tools that they need to really identify someone in distress and the confidence they need to connect them to crisis resources,” she said.

Provines’ vision for Suspenders for Hope is that someday Wichita State can be a leader in students’ mental wellness and that the campaign will be a universally recognized symbol for supportive mental health communities.

This story was produced by WSU’s Advanced News Reporting class as part of the Wichita Journalism Collaborative, a partnership of seven media companies, including The Sunflower.

4 | MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

WWW.THESUNFLOWER.COM

Sports

HAVE A STORY IDEA? contact The Sunflower’s sports editor, Sean Marty sports@thesunflower.com

PHOTO BY KHANH NGUYEN / THE SUNFLOWER

Michael Bryan’s journey from offthe-roster to Shocker record holder

BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

M

ichael Bryan had lost his roster spot after one season as a walk-on for Wichita State and he didn’t even know it.

Bryan redshirted the year prior and competed in six meets as a walk-on, but WSU no longer had space for him on their roster.

“He was cut without him even knowing but it worked out where we could fit him onto the roster so he kind of got added back on without him really knowing he was off of it,” Assistant Coach John Hetzendorf said. “To go from a guy that was kind of cut from the team to top-five in the NCAA, it’s kind of crazy. I think it’s a good story for people to look to see what’s possible.”

Before Bryan was off WSU’s roster, all he wanted was an opportunity.

Bryan had just spent two years as a thrower on the Hutchinson Community College Track and Field team and described himself as below average and not getting much better. He was desperate for an opportunity even if it meant no scholarship. After one of his coaches at HCC talked with the Wichita State coaching staff, they decided to take a chance on him.

Bryan got his opportunity as a walk-on for the Shockers.

“It was kind of a situation where I’d love the opportunity to throw for you guys, I understand that I’m not that great,” Bryan said. “You don’t have to give me a scholarship, just as long as I have an opportunity to throw. I could easily tell they weren’t impressed with my form, with how far my throws were going but they took me on as a walk-on.”

Before Bryan arrived on WSU’s campus he was still unsure of his abilities. At one point, he thought about using this possible walk-on opportunity to further his education.

“In all reality, I wasn’t improving at Hutch, so I was like maybe I should start thinking about my

“To go from a guy that was kind of cut from the team to top-five in the NCAA, it’s kind of crazy. I think it’s a good story for people to look to see what’s possible.”

JOHN HETZENDORF Assistant Coach

future in academics and see what happens if I do come to WSU for track,” Bryan said. “I knew I was pretty average, I really wanted to be really good. I’ve always had an Olympic goal but being an Olympic athlete, you have to be genetically gifted as well.”

During Bryan’s first summer at WSU, he was motivated to seize this opportunity. Bryan’s work ethic eventually caught the eye of Director of Track and Field and Cross Country Steve Rainbolt.

Rainbolt said he remembers seeing Bryan outside his old office and consistently showing up in hopes of improving his craft.

“You don’t think too much of it the first time, but after seeing him on the next day and the next day, and the next day,” Rainbolt said.

“I’d be gone but when I’d come back, he’s there. He’s there everyday throwing the hammer, he never missed days.”

At the end of Bryan’s first season with the Shockers he had a goal of 70-80 meters for the hammer throw. Bryan approached assistant coach John Hetzendorf about what it would take for him to reach that milestone.

Hetzendorf laughed at Bryan’s question.

“At the end of the first year, I asked him what I needed to do to be a 70-80 meter thrower and he laughed at first saying you’re joking aren’t you,” Bryan said. “I wasn’t joking obviously but he really just said I need to be a little obsessed

with it.”

Bryan became obsessed with the sport and stayed committed to his goal throughout the offseason. Bryan continued to pick Hetzendorf’s brain and wanted to know everything he could do to improve.

Hetzendorf would send Bryan PDF files and journal articles to keep him busy.

“It’s important for an athlete to take advantage of a coach’s knowledge, so that’s what I did,” Bryan said. “Coach Dorf is really open with that if he has an athlete that wants to work and really wants to know the sport, he’ll give you everything he has.”

In his senior season at WSU, Bryan’s hard work has paid off. After a nearly two year wait for the outdoor season, Bryan broke the school record for the hammer throw. Bryan threw a personal-best 66.72m/21811 to take home first place at the Shocker Spring Invitational.

Even after his historic performance, Bryan was back out at the practice field working to get better, despite rain and cold temperatures.

“It was rain and wind and cold and his butt was out there throwing the hammer,” Rainbolt said. “I’m walking around the building and going ‘is that Michael Bryan out there?’ This is right after he set the school record. You’re thinking maybe he’ll take some recovery time. The guy is absolutely on it all the time.”

In the weeks that followed, Bryan broke his own school record two different times, finishing in first place in both events.

Hetzendorf said Bryan’s work ethic and motivation have been key to his success now.

“He has really and truly fallen in love with the hammer throw,” Hetzendorf said. “It went from a thing he did to a pursuit or a passion he just has to pursue. It’s kind of like an addiction, I would say. No matter what’s going on, he needs to throw some hammers. Combine that with a little bit of talent, and

he’s come a long way.”

Based on Bryan’s constant improvement, Rainbolt has found himself talking about him at every team meeting. He said that Bryan’s story can be a lesson to younger athletes no matter what their situation may look like.

“It’s just unbelievable the amount of work and time and energy that the guy has put into it and it goes to show that ’16-18 if a person is Described prepared to do himself as what’s necesbelow average and not getting sary to master much better. their craft, they can do it,” ’18-19 Rainbolt said.

Walk-on for WSU “He was noththen gets cut that off-season ing special but and he didn’t he is now. It’s even know it. an extremely SUMMER impressive 2019 story and I’m Had a goal of really proud of 70-80 meters in the hammer throw. him.”

Got laughed at by Bryan’s a coach. latest personal ’19-20 best mark of Became 70.15 meters obsessed puts him with the sport.

Wanted to know top-six in the everything he country, which could to improved. could qualify ’20-21 him as an Breaks WSU All-American. hammer throw That mark record at three straight events. should also be good enough for Olympic trials later this summer. “(Coach Hetzendorf ) wants me to get to 72-75 (meters), because that’ll settle it. My goal is to get through the Olympic trials and place top-15. That would be an astonishing goal for me. None of my immediate family had ever gone to college, yet alone be a college athlete.”

BRYAN’S CAREER

Wichita returns as host for 2021 TBT Regional

BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

The Basketball Tournament is coming back to Wichita.

The $1 million winner-takeall basketball tournament that is broadcasted on ESPN has selected the city of Wichita to host a regional for a second time.

The eighth annual tournament has slated the Wichita games to be played from July 16-20 inside Charles Koch Arena.

The announcement also means Wichita State’s alumni team, the AfterShocks, will be making their return to the tournament after not

competing last year.

When the tournament came to Wichita in 2019, they broke the all-time regional four day record for attendance – bringing in 20,000 fans. Opening night drew a TBT record crowd of 7,184 fans.

“The last time the Aftershocks played a round one game in TBT, it shattered attendance records,” TBT founder and CEO Jon Mugar said in a statement. “From that moment on, we knew we found a great home for TBT basketball in Wichita. We are excited to partner with Wichita State and return to Koch Arena this summer to experience that passion once again.”

In the release, the AfterShocks announce that Connor Frankamp and Rashard Kelly will be returning to the roster, while Markis McDuffie and Samajae HaynesJones will be appearing for the first time this summer. Zach Bush and JR Simon will serve as co-general managers for the team. Additonal roster announcements will be made at a later date.

“Our fans, as usual, set the standard for excitement and support when we broke TBT attendance records in front of a national television audience on ESPN,” Wichita State men’s basketball head coach Isaac Brown said in a statement.

“We love our former Shockers players and no other fan base across this country shows it better.

TBT allows these guys to showcase their talent and play in front of the greatest fans in the world in one of the best venues in college basketball. There’s no better place for TBT to be played than in Wichita!”

First round games will be played at Koch Arena on Friday, July 16 and Saturday, July 17.

Second round games will take place on Sunday, July 18 and two third round games will be on Tuesday, July 20.

Two teams from the Wichita regional along with six other teams

from the other three regionals will advance to Championship Weekend in Dayton, Ohio.

Those games will be held at the University of Dayton Arena from July 31-August 3.

“We’re eager to welcome TBT and the AfterShocks back to Wichita this summer after an incredibly successful event in 2019,” WSU senior associate athletic director Brad Pittman said. “The support Shocker fans show for former Wichita State athletes is incredible, and we’re looking forward to giving the AfterShocks another opportunity to play in front of a home crowd at Charles Koch Arena.”

SPORTS

MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 | 5

Shockers announce the signing of three recruits

BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

PHOTOS BY KHANH NGUYEN AND SELENA FAVELA / THE SUNFLOWER

Left: Wichita State Marius Frosa reacts during the match against UTA held at Genesis Health Club on Friday, Feb. 21, 2020.

Right: Wichita State Redshirt Senior Murkel Dellien celebrates during the game against Pepperdine at the Coleman Tennis Complex on April 4, 2021.

Shocker seniors find success in final season

BY SEAN MARTY sports@thesunflower.com / @TheSeanMarty

During a historic men’s tennis season at Wichita State, two seniors have been integral in the team’s success.

Murkel Dellien and Marius Frosa were a part of Head Coach Danny Bryan’s first recruiting class at WSU. After years of building, this season has seen the Shockers rise as high as No. 28 in the rankings, along with a possible return to the NCAA Tournament.

Frosa, a Galati, Romania native, has played the last five seasons with the Shockers. Frosa possessed a record of 112-76 in singles and doubles matches entering this season.

Bryan said Frosa had a difficult transition to WSU as he struggled with a negative mindset during matches.

“He would get really down on himself, he’d be really tough on himself. We definitely went through some tough times with him,” Bryan said. “A couple years ago he started to see things differently. I think the stuff at the beginning was the pressure he was putting on himself and he didn’t know how to handle it yet. He was willing to make those changes with his mentality.”

Frosa said that with the season coming to the end, it is emotional knowing his time in Wichita is coming to a close.

“Of course it’s emotional because we know we’ll be finishing something and we know we’re really connected to the guys,” Frosa said. “Even if it’s our senior day, we still know we have to play in the NCAAs and the conference. It’s emotional, it’s sad but on the other side, I’m happy for the person I’ve become now and I’m focused on the goals that we have in the future.”

Dellien is also a five-year member of the program, arriving from Trinidad, Bolivia. Dellien’s senior season has been full of success, picking up three consecutive ranked wins in singles.

Dellien said he had to quarantine for 20 days over the summer which impacted his mentality out of the gates this season. But after a match against Texas Tech, he saw his season start trending in the right direction.

“I couldn’t find my game on the court and I was really struggling mentally,” Dellien said. “After that, I came back stronger to practice and with the right mentality. Everything started with the first match in Texas against Texas Tech. It was the start

“Now, that match against Pepperdine was special but at the same time was an extra push for me to believe that I can be that kind of player. ” MURKEL DELLIEN Redshirt Senior

of building my confidence then, it was really important for me. Now, that match against Pepperdine was special but at the same time was an extra push for me to believe that I can be that kind of player.”

Bryan said after Dellien entered in some tournaments by himself in the fall, he could see a different mindset from him.

“He had taken another step, he had matured, so I’m not surprised now,” Bryan said. “What was really cool was at the very beginning of last semester, he went and played some tournaments on his own and he didn’t have great results. We would meet individually after that with him and there was no doubt in his mind that he was on the right

path.”

For the past five seasons Dellien and Frosa have been paired together in doubles and in 2019 they were named ITA All-Americans.

The pair was also awarded with an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament and became the second Shocker duo to advance to the quarterfinals in the tournament.

Dellien said that their chemistry off the court has been key in their success together in doubles.

“Throughout the years we gained a lot of experience and that turned us into better players in doubles,” Dellien said. “The chemistry that we have on and off the court is what brings us to the success that we have.”

The Shockers currently hold a 14-7 record on the season and are the No. 32 team in the country.

Frosa said that the team’s belief in one another has been the biggest change in this season’s success.

“The main part is that we trust each other,” Frosa said. “When we go onto the court, we know that we want to win that match. Everybody goes there for a goal and I feel like that’s what we did well every match.

Even if some of us lose but most of us win, that’s the main thing.”

Shocker baseball swept by Green Wave

BY JOE BAKER joebakerwsu@gmail.com / @JoeBakerWSU

The Wichita State Shocker baseball team traveled down to New Orleans, La. to play against the Tulane Green Wave for an American Athletic Conference series. The Shockers were swept by the Green Wave in the series, losing three games to Tulane on the weekend. Game four of the series was cancelled due to weather.

GAME ONE In game one, Preston Snavely received the start on the mound for the Shockers. Snavely struggled, tossing 4 ⅔ innings pitched, giving up four earned runs off of six hits.

Snavely recorded three strikeouts and three walks in a losing effort.

Ryan Stuempfig and LJ McDonough threw in relief for the Shockers.

Stuempfig made his 13th appearance on the mound this season and pitched 1 ⅓ innings, allowing one hit and striking out one. McDonough threw two scoreless frames out of the bullpen, striking out three Tulane hitters, walking one and allowing one hit.

The Shocker offense hit seven-for-33 at the plate as a team.

Wichita State struck out 12 times.

Jack Sigrist hit his third triple of the season in the loss.

A five-run fifth inning propelled the Green Wave to victory. Tulane won game one of this series 6-3.

GAME TWO Tulane scored all three of its runs in the first two innings.

Tulane scored one run in the first inning and two runs in the bottom of the second inning due to a Jack Sigrist error. The Green Wave led 3-0 after two innings of play.

The Shockers would add one run in the top of the fourth and one run in the top of the sixth.

Wichita State catcher Ross Cadena scored both runs for the Shockers.

Liam Eddy made his ninth start of the 2021 campaign in game two on Friday. Eddy recorded seven innings of work, allowing three runs (only one earned) and striking out seven and walking one.

Aaron Bechtel came on to pitch in relief in the bottom of the eighth inning for the Shockers. The Wichita native pitched a scoreless frame of baseball, allowing no hits and striking out one.

Tulane won the second game of Friday’s doubleheader 3-2.

GAME THREE

Sunday’s series finale featured a back-and-forth affair between Wichita State and Tulane. This game started on Saturday, however due to weather was postponed to continue on Sunday. The Shockers held a 1-0 lead when the game resumed.

Both teams exchanged runs in the first inning. The Shockers scored their first run off of a sacrifice fly off the bat of Corrigan Bartlett, scoring David VanVooren.

Tulane scored their first run off of a Bennett Lee RBI single.

Spencer Hynes threw 3 ⅓ innings, striking out three hitters, walking two and allowing five runs. The Shockers used four pitchers out of their bullpen and struggled to be effective. The bullpen combined for four walks and one strikeout.

The Shocker offense recorded back-to-back innings with two runs. Wichita State scored two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, which trimmed the Tulane lead down to one run, making the score 7-6 through six innings.

Tulane added a run in the bottom half of the seventh inning.

Green Wave first baseman Walker Burchfield hit a RBI single through the left side to give Tulane an 8-6 lead.

The Shockers started off the top

of the ninth on a high note. Paxton Wallace hit a leadoff double to right field. Moments later, Hunter Gibson would hit a single through the right side, giving the Shockers runners on first and third with nobody out.

Paxton Wallace would score Wichita State’s seventh run off of a Corrigan Bartlett sacrifice fly.

Bartlett had three sacrifice flies in Sunday’s series finale, which sets a new single-game record in Wichita State baseball history.

Moments later, Ross Cadena would reach base due to an error.

The Shockers had the game-tying run at second base and the go-ahead run at first. Couper Cornblum grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the game.

After being winners of seven straight, the Shockers are currently on a three-game losing streak.

WHAT’S NEXT Next up, Wichita State will play a four-game series against Cincinnati at UC Baseball Stadium on April 23-25.

The Bearcats have a 15-17 overall record and a 4-7 record in the AAC. Cincinnati’s most noteworthy win was a 13-12 victory in ten innings over No. 5 Louisville on March 30.

Wichita State announced their first three signings of the spring recruitment period on this past week. Matt McFarlane, Qua Grant and Joe Pleasant all signed with WSU as the recruiting period opened on Wednesday.

Grant, a 6’1 guard, played the last three seasons at West Texas A&M, a Divison-II program.

He averaged 22.4 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.2 assists per game while shooting 52.3% from the field this past season. Grant was awarded with First Team All-Lone Star Conference and Lone Star Conference AllDefensive Team for his performance last season.

“There are certain things we look for when trying to determine how well a guy will handle the leap to Division I – strength, speed, quickness, ball skills and overall toughness – and Qua checks every box,” Head Coach Isaac Brown said. “He’s creative off the bounce. He can handle the ball, he can pass it, he can shoot it and he’s a great rebounder, too. We’re excited to have him at Wichita State.”

Grant adds some much needed depth to the point guard position after losing Trevin Wade. The Shockers are still awaiting a decision from Alterique Gilbert. Grant has two years of eligibility remaining at the collegiate level.

Pleasant, a 6-8 forward, averaged 10.5 points and 5.5 rebounds per game last season with Abilene Christian. Pleasant helped lead ACU to a first round victory in the NCAA Tournament against No. 3 seed Texas. With 1.2 seconds remaining Pleasant stepped up to the free-throw line and hit the game-winning free throws to seal the victory.

“Joe is a great kid, an excellent student and a clutch performer, as we witnessed during March Madness when he nailed two game-winning free throws against Texas,” Head Coach Isaac Brown said. “He shoots, passes and handles the ball well, which allows him to play multiple forward spots. Joe is the type of guy who can really stretch a defense because he can score it from just about anywhere. We think he’ll be a great fit here.”

Pleasant enjoyed a successful high school career with Blue Valley Northwest High School.

Pleasant won the Class 6A State Championship as a junior and senior inside Charles Koch Arena. He was also named the 2017-18 Class 6A Player of the Year.

McFarlane, a 6’10 center, opted for the junior college route coming out of high school and played the past two seasons at Colby Community College.

He averaged 10.7 points, 6.8 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game while shooting 53.7% from the field this past season.

McFarlane averaged 11.2 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks, the year prior.

“Matt is big and athletic. He runs and jumps well, he can score facing up or with his back to the basket and he has great instincts as a shot-blocker,” Brown said. “He’s been wellcoached by Rusty Elmore and the staff at Colby. I’m reminded a little of [former Shocker] Jaime Echenique coming out of junior college. Matt will give us instant experience in the frontcourt but there is still some untapped potential there, too. We’re looking forward to helping him further develop his game over these next three years.”

McFarlane adds some much needed depth to the center position after Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler and Josaphat Bilau entered the transfer portal earlier this offseason.

THURSDAY, APRIL 19, 2021 | 6

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Opinion

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contact The Sunflower’s opinion editor, Audrey Korte opinion@thesunflower.com

Zoom makes me overly critical of myself Audrey Korte Opinion editor opinion@thesunflower.com

The last 13 months have been … well, you know. You lived it.

Though I am never at a loss for words and still carry many strong opinions about the world we live in, lately, I am so exhausted and stressed out that stringing coherent sentences together isn’t coming so easy. And that’s not the only trouble that round-the-clock stress and sleep deprivation cause me.

There’s one thing that keeps happening – the more tired I am, the more overwhelmed, the more critical I become about myself.

You’d think it would be the opposite – that stress would make me more willing to give myself a break.

Unfortunately, that’s not how my brain works. One thing I am critical of, especially on the off days, is how I look on Zoom.

It’s not especially important; I don’t lose sleep over it. It doesn’t make my heart race the way other stressors do. However, that thought keeps popping into my head no matter how many positive mantras I repeat or how much I want to think about more important things.

“You’re a mess. You look awful,” the inner dialogue begins.

Yes, it’s true. I hate how I look on Zoom most days.

At the beginning of the semester, I made extra time to make sure the room looked presentable. I made sure to look professional, and even on the roughest and most rushed days, I looked presentable.

Then one thing led to another.

Soon I was on Zoom with no makeup, no hairspray. One day I was actually sitting on the floor

ILLUSTRATION BY KAYLEE STOUT / THE SUNFLOWER

as well. Now at the time, I felt like it didn’t matter. Everyone would live, and I definitely needed to cut myself a break.

But later that day and that week and even now, what do I think about?

How horrible I looked.

I have let the inner critic run free. It’s ruined my confidence and made me irritable.

Now I could rant about social conditioning and how we’re taught as kids to find self-worth from how attractive we look. Our praise is too frequently appearance-based,

especially for girls, which affects us as grown women without a doubt.

I definitely carry that with me.

It doesn’t get easier as I get older and wider.

More and more, I see this in the ways my brain tries to sabotage my progress. Too often lately, my mind’s saying: ‘you look awful.’

‘Why haven’t you lost more weight yet?’ And ‘you should spend more time getting ready and working on your virtual presentation’ or people will find you repulsive.

Now my response is typically to tell myself to be smarter than that.

‘Aren’t you supposed to be

Getting vaccinated is one way to have an impact Rachel Lyons Columnist

I know what it looks like – I’m your average 20-year-old “College Girl.”

But what many don’t see, at least on campus, is what I do for work and the sheer number of people I interact with daily.

A year ago, in April, I took a job as a cashier at the grocery store not far from my house.

If you asked me to estimate how many people I interact with daily, on average, the number must be over 150 people every day, not including co-workers or fellow employees. It depends on what department I’m in; the front end is different from pick-up, which is different from general merchandising or floral.

But each person is a chance to have an impact.

When it came to me choosing to get the COVID vaccine, it was these people I thought of, many of whom I’ve gotten to know over the year while others I already knew – a danger of working

in the town you have lived your entire life.

It was also one very specific desire that developed over the past few months.

I don’t know why – maybe it’s the loneliness, or maybe it’s the fact that I don’t see anyone other than my parents and co-workers on a scheduled basis – but there is this desire deep down in my heart and the back in my mind to be able to sit across from someone in a coffee shop or talk to them in the aisles of the grocery store.

Even if this vision never came true again, and I had to settle for ZOOM and social distancing for the rest of my life, it would be incredible to see someone smile again.

I suppose, maybe it isn’t just that.

Maybe it’s also the people that I’ve met through work, the people I’ve ‘reconnected’ with or simply seen again for the first time in a long time. And the Senior Citizens.

Even if you can’t relate to my reasons, consider who in your life you have not seen in months, maybe since pre-pandemic times.

How would they react if

you told them that you had your vaccine and it was safe to see them in person again over coffee, tea, or at the park for a chat?

Who is it that no matter what you do and when you do it, you hear their voice and their wisdom in your mind?

Do it for that person, for those people that are closest to your heart or are most impacted by your actions.

Jackie Robinson said, “a life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives.”

This is your chance to make an impact and create change.

I know my reasons for getting the vaccine. I do not yet know the magnitude of my impact, and I may never live to see the full impact of my actions.

We may never know how the individual act of getting vaccinated will change the future for our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

We only see today and know today, but we can change tomorrow.

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a feminist or something? Get it together and stop worrying about meaningless crap,’ about sums up the inner dialogue here.

I get upset with myself for feeling those things instead of showing myself some patience and love.

But it feels as if I’ve failed twice at that point, first, by looking “terrible” and second, when I catch myself feeling that way and begin to criticize myself more.

Though I am embarrassed to admit these deficiencies to all of you, here I am, letting you know, it bothers me. Because I know I’m not the only one of us who’s having

these inner conversations. I know others are critical of the way they look or sound on camera, and it’s happening in a year when most of us are rolling solo round the clock.

We lack guidance and compassion from friends.

So I guess my question for myself is – why is my best not enough? Why do I judge my worth on these surface levels when deep down, I know I’ve done more and gone further and worked harder than many would in the same position?

And if I looked good, if I saw myself and thought, ‘hey, I look good today!’, would that have been enough to make me feel better and more successful? Because my guess is that’s precisely the case. And it shouldn’t be. Not for me and not for you.

Are you, too, hating yourself because you can’t escape the video version of yourself? Because you don’t like the sound of your own voice or how much you weigh or how your teeth look? Well, I am here to tell you three things. 1. Stop it 2. You’re inspirational 3. You truly aren’t alone.

I purpose we have a Zoom purge this fall -- like burning your bra but less smokey. I think it would be cathartic to just throw out all those reminders of a year of inadequacy.

Because what I want and what I want for all of you is to feel proud and strong and beautiful. Because those feelings really can help you get to the other side of hard times.

I look forward to the day when I don’t care how I look on Zoom because I know in my head and heart that I am a star.

DEAR WSU, CAN WE PLEASE STOP USING BLACKBOARD? Julia Nightengale Copy editor

As I finish up my first year at WSU, I find myself reflecting on my academic experience. There are things that I think WSU could improve to make life a little easier for students.

I spent two years at Butler Community College, and while this school is vastly different, there is one thing that I definitely enjoyed more at Butler — using Canvas for our classes instead of Blackboard.

I want to clarify that I am by no means an expert at critiquing technology.

Still, as a student, I have a lot to say about why Blackboard is not the best option for WSU to use.

I am not the only one that feels this way. With a simple Google search, I found that college students and professors around the country feel the same as I do.

According to Inside Higher Ed, Emporia State University switched to Canvas in 2015 because of

the straightforward interface. Cornell University did the same in 2018, after trying out the top three learning management systems and determining that Canvas was the one that students and faculty preferred.

My main problem with Blackboard is how difficult it is to find the things you are looking for. With Canvas’s simplistic design, it allows for easy use.

For example, on Canvas, students can turn in assignments directly from their saved documents on Google Drive and other similar platforms. With Blackboard, you have to download every single assignment to turn it, which takes up unnecessary space on my computer.

When looking at documents that professors upload as course materials, seven times out of 10, you will have to download that document to your computer instead of opening it up in Blackboard only.

Every time that I have to do this, I get slightly irritated.

When I was at Butler, I rarely had problems finding things within Canvas. This

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year, I ended up missing a midterm for one of my classes, and I assign some of that blame to Blackboard for not making it easier to find things.

The app for Blackboard has also been terrible recently. Since the beginning of the Spring semester, it re-routes me to the web login, making it impossible to look at Blackboard on my phone. It doesn’t load right on a mobile device.

Blackboard doesn’t work well with devices other than computers. In the digital world we live in, I think that is an essential tool for both students and faculty to have.

Even when I do get a notification on my phone for Blackboard and click on it, it never takes me to the assignment the notification was about. The app is almost entirely worthless if it can’t do those simple things.

A feature that I enjoyed with Canvas was the ability to enter in possible grades for assignments to see how it would affect my overall grade.

Read the rest at thesunflower.com

7 | MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

OPINON

THE IMPORTANCE OF A STUDENT ORGANIZATION: INDIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

LETTER TO THE EDITOR The bright Kansas sun is greeting you, despite its brisk wintry chill. Students are eagerly bumping shoulders, and the air is filled with rampant conversations.

Everyone seems to be hustling and knowing where they’re going, while you’re still soaking it all in.

International students wonder about making new friendships and the strength it takes living 10,000 miles away from home in a new biome. They also wonder if it’ll be a good school year and how much work school entails.

With all this on the plate, joining a student organization is the last thing on one’s mind. However, this Desi organization: Indian Student Association is one reaping with benefits.

Student organizations are an integral part of social and professional development, places of common interest/values and wonderful networking spaces. INDIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION (ISA) is one such organization for students of Indian origin. Wichita State University welcomes students of diverse countries to thrive in all of its academic opportunities and professional affiliations.

Most students from India arrive to pursue a masters or PhD in various disciplines, primarily in branches of engineering.

Spring 2021 semester was quite different than years past where hundreds of international

students were flocking into Shocker halls. The pandemic made the transition to a new country and university quite challenging! 51 students arrived in January wanting to make Wichita and WSU their new home. Flights had to be re-routed, arrangements needed to be made to adhere with quarantine guidelines, and so on. Fortunately, the leadership of Indian Student Association (ISA) made it a seamless experience.

Members of ISA made daily runs to pick up students at Eisenhower airport, dropped them off at area motels to quarantine for ten days, and mobilized meal drives for over 60 days with the help of local businesses, Indian community, and alumni, as students arrived throughout January and February.

Fresh healthy meals, daily temperature checks, Covid-19 testing, TB testing were just a few tasks coordinated by a dozen ISA volunteers. Enrolling in classes, opening a bank account, moving into an apartment, grocery shopping, etc. are all tasks parents looks forward to helping their college bound children with. However, in this case, all the tasks and assimilation was fulfilled by members of ISA. ISA worked feverishly, fundraising over $2000 for the freshman settlement project. They picked up 2295 donated meals, distributed to quarantined students in motels day after day. Motel rooms were rented at cost to students. Their fondest memory of this project is the trickling of texts of gratitude from parents of new Shockers.

Parents in India are overwhelmed by the level of care and comradery.

Simple acts of kindness touched so many lives in a profound manner!

This unforgettable experience of playing “big brother/sister” has

forged a strong bond of family and friendship amongst its members.

This courtesy of extending a helping hand to new recruits has long been a tradition for ISA. New Shockers look up to the upper classmen in awe, wondering how it is even remotely possible to juggle school, work, and still have time for social life! Just wait until summer to watch a game of cricket, or autumn for the annual India Night that is welcome to all WSU students and faculty. It will be a colorful dance extravaganza to remember!

Indian Student Association would like to take this opportunity to thank the President of the organization DV Suresh Koppisetty, Sai Karthik Garnepudi and our fellow team members Lokesh Nimmagadda, Vishwanath Bandakavi, Moulith Reddy Gundala, Nikhil Paranjpe, Maha Lakshmi Yarlagadda, Rohan Varma Dantuluri, Sammy D’Souza, Virgil Miranda, Manish Sadam, Atul Chakka, and Abhinav Cherukumalli for taking their time out and supporting ISA wholeheartedly throughout the Project.

Indian Student Association is blessed to have such a dedicated team. I indeed feel blessed to be part of this great team and hope that ISA flourishes over the years to come and the next generation show the same level of commitment and passion to help international student’s arriving from INDIA. Indian Student Association leads by example and strengthens student faculty relationships. ISA is fortunate to have Dr. Perlekar Tamtam as faculty advisor. He was in the same shoes as these students not too long ago when he

Students need more diverse study abroad options Audrey Korte Opinion editor opinion@thesunflower.com

Study abroad is a life-changing opportunity. Regardless of your major, a student should have multiple options to study overseas. It changes your perspective, teaches you how to communicate differently, gives you more independence, and is one prolonged exercise in problem-solving.

But study abroad is expensive.

It requires a ton of planning ahead.

And for students who change majors, transfer from another school, or need to work to pay tuition and student fees, there are limited options.

Traditionally, study abroad programs at American colleges and universities have prioritized sending students to Western European countries like France, Italy, and Great Britain. It’s time to shake things up and think outside the box.

Offering students more summer abroad options is one way to advance this cause. Another is to offer shorter sessions, four to six-week-long programs which can take place over summer or winter break. For one thing, these would cost less. Another reason to consider this is it allows students to personalize their travel.

If a student wants to study in South America, the Middle East, or Africa right now, their options are pretty limited. The burden is on them to make it possible. That doesn’t seem right at a university that’s looking to become a global powerhouse research institute.

There’s no shortage of universities overseas that would love to host American students. We need to strengthen ties with schools outside of Europe and Asia to offer students the full breadth of what the world offers. There’s no better time to get out there and do some globe-trotting.

Study abroad can change the trajectory of your life. It’s a gift that

keeps on giving but everywhere you look, you see obstacles if you’re trying to go off the beaten path.

Now WSU has made a push to offer short-term summer programs, and this is precisely what I am talking about. Still, I am not sure if students who are interested in these are finding them. I don’t know of any such offerings in my program, and that’s a real shame.

Imagine how much we could learn with a communication-based study abroad program.

When I was 16 years old, I participated in a travel-based term abroad program in Turkey. We spent nine weeks backpacking through the country. I learned about Ramadan from being there during the month of fasting. I learned about Muslim feminists.

I learned about the Ottoman Empire. I learned how to live out of a backpack. I learned how to serve others through our volunteer work in rural schools — a partnership with Unicef. We spent a couple of weeks at an elite prep school in Ankara, traveled to some of the most gorgeous landscapes imaginable, and even hitchhiked on the back of chicken trucks in some very off-the-grid locations. We spent almost 20 days in Istanbul which is a glorious destination— I highly recommend it.

There were 11 students and two faculty members on the trip. Prior to the trip, we spent three weeks stateside learning about the locations we would visit — the history, politics, and religion. We traveled through about half the country, avoiding the far eastern section nearer the Syrian border. At each location, one of us would act as a tour guide, presenting the papers and research we had prepared on a person or place. It helped cut down on the number of books we had to carry with us as we had done a ton of our academic research before leaving the U.S. While abroad, we kept journals that were graded. There were different questions to respond to each week. We also had interviews to conduct with locals and papers

to write while traveling. It was a significant amount of work, but I learned a ton.

I was also lucky enough to do an exchange program many years ago to the small village of Montsegur, France. It was picture perfect. I spent three weeks there, and then my host returned to the U.S. with me and spent three weeks with my family. We both improved our language skills significantly and did lots of traveling.

I believe that the people who work in the Office of Study Abroad work hard for students and are open to new and innovative ideas.

But it doesn’t change the fact that as a transfer undergraduate student and as a Graduate student, my opportunities to work and study abroad have been limited.

Organizing the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange to Sierra Leone has been a labor of love, especially during a pandemic. Many people think I’m crazy for re-planning that trip a fourth time for this coming summer after its postponement three times during the pandemic.

But when I commit to something, I do my best to see it through. To say it’s been a lot of work is a massive understatement. But when else am I going to have an opportunity to work in Africa? It’s not an opportunity that comes every day.

I believe in diplomacy. I think we all benefit from stepping outside our comfort zone and taking on great big, bold adventures.

In coming years, I’d simply like to see students have more opportunities to do these types of travel and study programs regardless of what major or program of study they are in. It’s good for the university and our individual students to approach each other with insight and understanding. That doesn’t happen if we continue to do what we’ve always done. Every student who wants to study overseas should have these opportunities.

It’s time to take the innovative spirit WSU promotes and apply it to study abroad.

COURTESY OF THE INDIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION

arrived at WSU as an aspiring PhD student over a decade ago. Dr. & Mrs. Tamtam, both alumni of WSU have been pillars of support to the students. Dr. Tamtam’s personal experience and vision is much appreciated in assimilating students into their new environment and assuring success in their endeavors. He has held several zoom sessions with ISA and its new members. The frequent interaction has definitely strengthened student faculty relationship.

As all organizations, ISA has helped students of similar interests’ network with faculty, alumni and one another. It has undoubtedly eased students to transition from student to professional life. I have for sure learned to see things through others’ lenses, appreciated the lifelong friendships,

collaboration, and more than anything, opened myself to unimaginable opportunities. I thank my fellow ISA and WSU for the opportunity of a lifetime!

As the sun sets again on the prairie, walkways are getting less crowded, and you’ve made it through another day - college isn’t that scary after all! Old brick buildings become new homes, you’ve explored beyond your comfort zone while creating new memories. You’re embarking on a path of enviable success, while thriving in a multitude of collegiate experiences. Life is a journey, embrace it!

-Sai Karthik Garnepudi, ISA Student Advisor

The black, the yellow, and the green: Campus sustainability efforts reviewed Rachel Lyons Columnist

Earth Day is nearly upon usand with that comes celebrating not only our planet, Earth, but also the campus that we all love so dearly. In my opinion the physical campus here at WSU is good at two things: looking beautiful with plenty of grass, trees, and tulips; and celebrating the Earth that we all share. WSU is joining many corporate entities across the globe in sustainability efforts so that we can all enjoy the planet for another day, and our descendants can enjoy it tomorrow.

But what is WSU doing that sets it apart from the average college campus?

For starters, WSU supports a recycling program across campus. This is just one small way that any student, visitor, faculty, or staff member can participate in to contribute to a brighter tomorrow. But I wish there were more locations to recycle paper products and sites that were not within other buildings on campus.

Another initiative that The City of Wichita and WSU participate in is public transpiration.

Specifically, by riding on one of Wichita’s city busses, which are slowly transitioning to BatteryElectric busses. Bus Rides around campus are FREE! Yes, I said it— FREE! Although there are a few routes that require a Shocker ID Card, most do not.

I wouldn’t sleep on this opportunity, even if you can’t be bothered to recycle or take part in any other initiative on this list.

It may come down to another -10 degree day that makes a bus ride to the Innovation Campus from any one of the bus’s other stops that changes your mind.

Next, although not directly a

“Overall, I give WSU a rating of seven stocks of wheat out of 10. There is room for growth, and yet I can’t discount what WSU has already done with the campus.”

RACHEL LYONS Columnist

WSU initiative or university regulated— Kroger’s Zero Hunger Zero Waste Initiative supports both The Kansas Food Bank and the Shocker Support Locker, preventing unnecessary food waste and feeding those in need.

Kroger is the parent company of Hutchinson, Kansas, founded Dillon’s Food Stores.

Overall, I give WSU a rating of seven stocks of wheat out of 10. There is room for growth, and yet I can’t discount what WSU has already done with the campus. Generally, students walk around campus or catch the bus, rather than moving a car from one parking lot to another. I also can’t forget about WSU-ber, with their golf carts frequently seen around campus.

While I would like to make suggestions to improve the rating I’ve given WSU, it’s hard to say what can be recommended at this point in time. COVID-19 has limited the potential for reusable options to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. Because I started at WSU amid the pandemic, it’s hard to tell if the rating is swayed to reflect this.

Here’s what I can say though, I think most Shockers are proud of what the campus they love is doing to ensure another tomorrow. And they look forward to a brighter future with more sustainable options.

8 | MONDAY, APRIL 19, 2021

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contact The Sunflower’s A&E editor, Tabitha Barr arts@thesunflower.com

Shockers after Dark features activities for students to de-stress

BY TABITHA BARR arts@shockers.wichita.edu / @tabbyjanelle

As the semester is coming closer to the end, Wichita State University put on Shockers After Dark as a way for students to de-stress and have fun.

The event was held on April 16 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. inside the Rhatigan Student Center. It was initially supposed to be held outdoors in the courtyards but was moved due to weather conditions.

The activities featured included BINGO, a photo booth, coloring pages, karaoke, Besties or Nah!, canvas painting, a scavenger hunt, free cacti, free bowling, free food, and lots of prizes including Shocker themed socks.

Dozens of students attended and took advantage of the activities

throughout the RSC. Karaoke was a big hit as many students belt out classic song lyrics while everyone cheered along.

Bingo had several students on the edge of their seats waiting to win one of the many prizes available.

The photo booth had limited props due to COVID-19, but they still had sunglasses and hats.

Students could take a “boomerang”, a movie picture, of them and their friends.

The canvas paintings were one of the most popular activities.

Students could take full creativity and paint whatever they wanted on the canvases.

Besties or Nah! was a game introduced to students where best friends guess what the other will say to the proposed question. Even

strangers could play with each other but they would have a heck of time winning.

The coloring pages included a variety of choices from easy to hard skill sets.

Free food is always an incentive for college students and WSU didn’t disappoint. Walking tacos, cookies, popcorn, and more were available plus the Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes concession.

Students did not leave empty handed by the end of the night.

Each student could pick up a box and take their own cactus. It came with a set of instructions on how to properly take care of one’s cacti.

After students had done at least four of the set activities, they were then eligible for Shocker socks and an entry into a giveaway.

PHOTOS BY TABITHA BARR / THE SUNFLOWER

Top: Wichita State student Claire Kibbe holds her canvas painting she did the night of Shockers After Dark.

Left: Two Wichita State students color adult coloring pages as one of the activities to earn Shocker prizes.

Right: A group of students play Besties or Nah! by guessing what answers their best friends will write down.

Ulrich Virtual Series with Renée Stout reflects on what inspires her artwork

BY JULIA NIGHTENGALE copyeditor@shockers.wichita.edu

Art is versatile and meaningful to those that use its power to speak to the public. Renée Stout makes audience’s think deeply about her artwork.

On April 13, Stout was featured in the Ulrich’s museum of art virtual series for an artist talk.

“Renée Stout is a contemporary American artist whose work is renowned for its potent reflections on African American heritage and visual culture of the African diaspora,” Ksenya Gurshtein, curator of modern and contemporary art at the Ulrich Museum of Art said.

Stout said that when she was in fourth grade, her teacher told her parents to enroll her in art classes on Saturdays because of her talent.

In 1976-1980 when she was attending Carnegie Mellon University, the artist she was most influenced by was Edward Hoppers, and eventually more photorealistic artists.

As an African American artist, she began looking at african art more and decided to make a mold out of her body called “Fetish Number Two”, standing at five feet tall.

“At this point in time, I really started looking into African art and when I really started to look at the philosophy and reasons for some of the ceremonial objects being created . . . the spiritually that was driven by the belief that nature, human beings, everybody has to be in harmony for everything else to exist. I looked into that philosophy when it came to grounding myself as an African American woman,”

“We have to transcend what we are going through now in order to get to where we see ourselves . . . I am constructing a world that I see for myself, and it helps me to evolve and transcend all that we are going through.”

Renée Stout Contemporary American Artist

Stout said.

When she first visited New Orleans, she learned about how slaves had retained their spiritual belief system and brought it with them over to America.

“I started to connect those ancient African American belief systems with contemporary, modern America and how they still persist,” Stout said Another piece that Stout created was a piece about politicians not telling the truth. It was made out of computer parts that would watch someone speaking and see if they are lying.

“There are times when my work goes in and out of the personal to the political and then back-andforth, and at certain times I was very concerned about a whole lot of political issues going on . . . I decided to do a series of pieces on a long line of freedom fighters like John Brown,” Stout said.

Guns represented freedom

SCREENSHOT

Renée Stout spoke on Zoom about her journey in life and how her art has changed throughout time. She belives about looking to the future and using past experiences to better your life.

fighters in the installation and it was a symbolism of fighting back, even though the guns aren’t real in the piece.

In 1990, Stout developed an alter ego due to her being an introvert. She was based on a fortune teller she had met in Pittsburgh.

In 2006, Stout saw that she was evolving and her alter ego didn’t represent her anymore, so a new alter ego developed who was also a fortune teller and an abstract thinker who can see what is going on in society so she can help her community. She would show her interior via art installations.

She began wondering what this alter ego looked like, and putting on wigs and outfits she never would have worn. Stout said that her alter egos help her project what kind of person that she wants to become, and then grow into those alter ego’s.

“At the age that I am now, I don’t need the alter ego’s anymore. Yes, I’m still introverted, but Renee has no filters on her mouth anymore.

I am who I am, I’ve grown into the woman I want to be. She still functions as the protagonist in some of

my artwork,” Stout said.

In 2015, she felt the country was at a crossroads and had a feeling that something was wrong.

“This whole show was me trying to get out the feeling that we need to make the right decisions . . . get back to concepts like civility, humility, compassion and love and seeing people as human beings,” Stout said. “I already felt like we were going to go into strange times and I created these pieces to sort of communicate that.”

In her 2018 show, she decided that in order to be able to cope she needed to create a parallel universe to remind her that even if she is in the situation, she can still be separate and not let it consume her. The individual looking into the parallel universe in the artwork represents that he will transcend this and how even though people might view him a certain way, he knows who he is. She made another painting featuring a guardian of the parallel universe.

“I am going to protect this parallel universe, and in this parallel universe I am in charge and he is not revealing anything about

himself because that would reveal his own power . . . he is based on a person I met in New Orleans in 2018,” Stout said.

Stout’s work does align with the philosophy on afrofuturism, which speaks on the idea of looking towards the future.

“We have to transcend what we are going through now in order to get to where we see ourselves . . .

I am constructing a world that I see for myself, and it helps me to evolve and transcend all that we are going through,” Stout said.

Stout said that she is always thinking about the past, present and future simultaneously.

“I do it the way I do it because I don’t feel like people should be ashamed of their indeginous religions and how it helped them get through certain circumstances,” Stout said. “One of the reasons for my work is to bring it out into the open and to pay homage to it and keep it going.”

Renée Stout: Ghosts is on view Jan. 21 to May 8 at the Ulrich Museum of Art.