The academy of faculty and the staff at Wichita State University engage in externally supported research, training and service activities that are consistent with the university’s mission and vital to its growth. This column recognizes grants, honors, awards, presentations and publications.

In addition, University Relations will note new appointments, sabbaticals, retirements and deaths of our current and former colleagues.

GRANTS

Dwight Burford, senior research specialist, National Institute for Aviation Research, was awarded $30,000 by the Center for Friction Stir Processing for the project “GM Mg Engine Cradle Initiative.”

Delores Craig-Moreland, associate professor in the school of community affairs, was awarded $10,000 by the Hope Street Youth Development for the project “Evaluation and Consultation Services.”

Randy Ellsworth, associate dean and professor, College of Education, was awarded $10,000 by USD 259 for the project “Wichita Cares.”

Amy Lauters, assistant professor in the Elliott School of Communication, is the principle pnvestigator of a $1.2 million grant with the Department of Education for a WSU TRIO grant, “Communication Upward Bound.”

Marcia Stevens, director, WSU Small Business Development Center, was awarded $20,000 by the city of Kingman for the project “Consulting Services.”

Clay Stoldt, associate professor in kinesiology and sport studies, was awarded $5,000 by The Superlative Group Inc. for the project “Intern Program for Kris Dorsett.”

John Tomblin, professor, aerospace engineering, and executive director, National Institute for Aviation Research, was awarded two grants by the Federal Aviation Administration for projects: $20,000 for “Development and Safety Management of Composite Certificate Guidance”; and $125,000 for “Production Control Effect on Composite Material Quality and Stability.”

Janet Twomey, associate professor, industrial and manufacturing engineering, was awarded $36,090 by the Hawker Beechcraft Corp. for the project “Sustainability – A Future Focus at Hawker Beechcraft Corporation.”

Mark Vermillion, assistant professor in kinesiology and sport studies, was awarded $5,000 by The Superlative Group Inc. for the project “Intern Program for Jonathan Stimmel.”

HONORS & AWARDS

Les Anderson, Dan Close, Amy Lauters and Jim Meyer of the Elliott School of Communication, and graduate teaching assistants Melody Harstine, Melanie Haspels, Andrea Molinari, Jelena Petrovic and Twambi Kalinga served as judges at the Kansas Scholastic Press Association regional high school journalism contest.

Kevin Hager, associate professor in the Elliott School of Communication, is the recipient of the Kansas Health Foundation Faculty Fellow award for 2008 for his proposal to create an online Hall of Fame of Kansas' influential broadcasters. Hager also won two first-place Broadcast Educators Association awards: one for Hard News Reporting for the Greensburg tornado, and the other for Feature Reporting.

Lou Heldman, former publisher of The Wichita Eagle, has been named Distinguished Senior Fellow in Media Management & Journalism, a shared appointment with the Elliott School of Communication and the Barton School of Business.

Jill Hoefer, preschool teacher, Child Development Center, was awarded a Golden Apple award by KAKE TV Channel 10. The award is co-sponsored by Radio Disney, Papa John’s Pizza and Davis Moore Auto.

Susan Huxman, director and associate professor, Elliott School of Communication, is attended a Journalism Leadership Institute sponsored by ASJMC in New Orleans Feb. 22-24, as one of 14 Fellows in the class of 2008, composed of deans and directors of journalism and mass communication programs across the nation.

Christine Schneikart-Luebbe, dean of enrollment services, has been appointed to a two-year term on the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators board of directors. She will serve as regional vice president for Region IV-W.

PRESENTATIONS

Pat Dooley, Keith Williamson and Les Anderson of the Elliott School of Communication, and graduate students Twambi Kalinga and Katie Eaves, presented at the 30th annual meeting of the Southwest Texas Popular Culture and American Culture Association in Albuquerque.

Chinyere Okafor, associate professor of literature and women’s studies, presented a program at the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame’s Heroes from the Margins exhibit, sharing stories of athletes who challenged racism at the Berlin Olympics in 1936.

Greg Stene, assistant professor in the Elliott School of Communication, won a Silver Addy at the Wichita Advertising Federation Awards for his Web site www.mindthwack.com.

PUBLICATIONS

Tina Bennett, professor of English, was published in the March 2008 issue of Estudios Irlandeses Journal of Irish Studies with “Code Mixing in Biliterate and Multiliterate Irish Literary Texts.”

Albert Goldbarth, Adele B. Davis Distinguished Professor in the Humanities, English, was published by Graywolf Press with “The Kitchen Sink: New and Selected Poems: 1972-2007.”

William Woods, professor of English, will be published by the University Press of Kansas with “Chaucerian Spaces” in July 2008.

IN MEMORIAM

James Fisher, 75, former associate professor in the College of Education, of Stillwater, Okla., died Feb. 28 in Norman, Okla. He was preceded in death by his parents William Wayne and Mabel Fisher and his brother William Wayne Fisher Jr. He is survived by his wife, Gerry, of Stillwater; brother Robert (Carol) Fisher of Houston; daughter Joan (Keith) Abbott of Norman; sons Ken (Nancy) Fisher of Columbus, Ohio, and Lee (Jean) Fisher of Derby, Kan; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Funeral services have been held.

Margaret Alice Kifer, 84, retired Wichita State University secretary, of Eugene, Ore., died March 3. She is the mother of retired WSU faculty member Marsha Gladhart. She was preceded in death by her husband, Justin Kifer. Survivors include daughters, Marsha Gladhart of Juneau, Alaska, and Kathy Kifer Latarski of Eugene, Ore.; sister, Dolores Ryan of Colorado Springs; three grandchildren; one great-grandchild. Private services have been held; internment at Golden City, Mo.