Category: Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Betty and Art Wood shared a passion for music throughout their lives, and their legacy of supporting the arts continues through their gift of $1 million from their estate to support the Music Associates Endowed Fund at Wichita State.

“Private support for the Music Associates Fund at Wichita State has opened doors for meaningful experiences for our students through the years,” says Timothy Shade, director of the School of Music, director of bands, and coordinator of the graduate wind conducting program at Wichita State. “This is one of the largest donations the College of Fine Arts has ever received, and I’m overwhelmed thinking about the many ways this will benefit our students and programs.”

Foundation accounts payable: No special dates and times. Business as usual.

Foundation Year-End Gift Receipt Information for 2022 Tax Credit: Checks without a postmarked envelope will need to be delivered to the Foundation Finance Team Office by 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, as the office will close at this time. Checks with an envelope postmarked by Dec. 30 need to be at the office no later than 4 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, 2023.

Information for credit or debit cards to be processed in the office will need to be submitted by 4 p.m. Dec. 29.

Online bank drafts and online credit cards will be able to be processed until midnight on Dec. 30.

It’s Giving Tuesday! Join us and Shockers around the world to support the future of our beloved university. You can help create an even greater impact for WSU by sharing how you’re supporting WSU to your network. Share the link below and help us pave the way for new opportunities at Wichita State.

It’s one week until Giving Tuesday, and this year we want you to join us in supporting the academic colleges across Wichita State by making a gift to the Shocker Fund. These funds can be directed to the college or department of your choice and are used to support students and improve programs.

Be a part of the global generosity movement this Giving Tuesday and help us build the future of our university.

In addition to ongoing fundraising priorities for academic colleges and campus units, the WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement (WSUFAE) is making progress on fundraising goals for the year and continues to work toward advancing the university’s top priorities.

Shocker Success Center

Fundraising for the Shocker Success Center has reached $5 million, and it will remain a priority for the remainder of the fiscal year. As the project bids are within the original estimate, additional funds may be directed toward finishing the basement and creating a technology and program enhancement fund.

Need-based aid and athletics

Supporting need-based scholarships will remain a fundraising priority as well, with a goal of $10 million to help ease financial burdens for students. Additionally, the WSUFAE is partnering with the athletics department to raise funds for a comprehensive softball team operations center and enhancements for the Charles Koch Arena weight room.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) – Greater Wichita Chapter recognized two WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement staff members at the recent AFP National Philanthropy Day luncheon.

Alyssa Scott, director of development for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, was recognized as the Outstanding New Professional, demonstrating leadership skills comparable to those with much more experience.

Darin Kater, vice president of development, was recognized as the Outstanding Fundraising Professional for his exemplary work as a fundraiser and leader.

Wichita State University sees many returning adult and nontraditional students each year, and after graduating in 1971, Ed Vega thought about one day doing something to help them. Today, Vega wants to honor the pursuit of education his mother inspired in him by designating a planned gift in her name toward a scholarship for women who are returning adult students.

“My mother, Carmen Torres Vega, after retiring at 65, enrolled and completed her GED. She absolutely loved school,” said Vega. “Even though she had to drop out after the eighth grade to help raise her siblings, she made it a priority to educate herself.”

With a company mission to improve the lives of members and the communities it serves, Meritrust Credit Union is deeply committed to creating opportunities in the greater Wichita area. To advance that mission, they’ve pledged $200,000 to support the Shocker Success Center at Wichita State University.

“We really recognize and appreciate the talent WSU is able to provide,” said Moji Rosson, director of Growth Strategies at Meritrust. “Educational institutions are the bedrock of any strong community, and we want to do everything we can to help set WSU’s programs apart.”

President’s Club was founded to honor the legacy of Wichita State’s 15 presidents who advanced the university through the years. Members of the President’s Club include donors who seek to continue the legacy of advancing the university with their generous contributions.

Each year at the event, an individual who has made significant contributions to the partnership between WSU and the Wichita community is recognized with the Board of Trustees’ Award. We are thrilled to announce Jeff Fluhr, president of the Greater Wichita Partnership, as this year’s recipient.

Ryan Doll and Joan Wagner have fond memories of their time at Wichita State, easily recalling the instructors and courses that left a lasting impression on their professional lives. But they also remember the challenges they encountered as students. To help the university fill gaps in funding that often get overlooked, the couple is pledging a planned gift valued at $1 million dollars to the university.

“One of the challenges colleges face is that equipment will be donated, but they don’t have the little pieces to support it – like cables or even space for tables to set it up,” Doll said. “This gift will provide for those little things that sometimes get missed.”