The following is a collection of stories about WSU students who will graduate in commencement ceremonies today (Friday, May 15) and Saturday, May 16.

School of Nursing's youngest member leading Class of 2015 to commencement 

On Friday, May 15, Wichita State’s School of Nursing will graduate many of its best and brightest, but few of them are as young as the Class of 2015 president, Erin Jundt.

In fact, Jundt is the youngest student in her class.

Her friends have called her a real-life Doogie Howser, having conquered high school in three years and leaving WSU at the age of 20. Besides earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing with a minor in psychology, Jundt said she’s leaving with all of her goals fulfilled and her life exactly where she wants it to be.

“Everything is just perfect right now,” Jundt said. “It’s been amazing.”

Jundt said she chose to come to WSU because she wanted a challenge, and she chose to study nursing because she wanted to be in a position that would require her to be the best at her job.

“I’ve always wanted to work with babies,” she said. “My goal has always been to work in a neonatal intensive care unit, which is what I’m doing now at Wesley Birthing Center’s NICU.”

It’s a position Jundt hopes to make into her permanent career after graduation. It’s been a goal that everyone who knows her can tell you she’s focused on intently.

Read full story at The Sunflower.

Physics standout graduates

Joshua Craig Lewis is graduating with an honor that not many students achieve.

Lewis is graduating summa cum laude with not just one bachelor’s degree, but two, in mathematics and physics — with a minor in chemistry.

Lewis is from a single parent home in Mulvane. His mother, Shirley Lewis, said he has always been determined to succeed academically.

“Josh has always had this goal to be the best,” said Shirley, an accountant with WSU’s Housing and Residence Life. “He has that drive, not to be better than anyone else, but to do the best that he can.”

That drive has been around since high school, as he graduated valedictorian of his class from Mulvane High School. Afterward, he chose to attend Wichita State because of its proximity to home and WSU’s mathematics department.

While in college, Lewis has worked for Wal-Mart, and for the past two years, as a tutor for the physics department.

“Josh is also one of our best physics tutors in our physics help room,” physics professor Jason Ferguson said. “He can explain complex ideas to students … that are struggling. [He’s an] excellent physics problem solver.”

Lewis was a recipient of the 2010 Lenora McGregor Scholarship.

“[The scholarship] allowed me to pursue what I want to do without having to worry about having to afford it,” he said. “I don’t know if I could have done as well without it.”

Read full story at The Sunflower.

Nursing graduate with a heart for serving embarks on mission to Zambia

For most people, going away to college is an adventure. For graduating senior Lydia Schwertfeger, the adventure is what comes next – a mission to Africa.

Schwertfeger is a member of Wichita State University’s graduating Class of 2015. She transferred to WSU to study nursing, bringing with her a determination to practice medicine and a desire to serve others.

“Lydia has a heart for the underserved,” said Karen Wirth, one of Schwertfeger’s nursing instructors at Wichita State. “Nurses she’s worked with tell me she is intelligent, always asking questions and learns quickly. She cares deeply about the whole person, ministering to not only their body but their mind and spirit.”

Although Schwertfeger has always been interested in helping people, she wasn’t always interested in nursing. Prior to WSU, her interests ranged from speech pathology to counseling to physical therapy.

“One of the reasons I switched to nursing was that the other things I was interested in weren’t medical enough,” Schwertfeger said. “I wanted something that would keep me learning and advancing if I wanted to. I thought nursing would be good for that.”

Read full story.

Life experiences shape Vu's educational goals

Senda Vu was only 3 years old when a car accident left her mother with numerous disabilities. Growing up with a mom who had so many physical needs inspired Vu to become a physical therapist.

Vu has accomplished her first goal, as she graduates with a Bachelor of Arts in Exercise Science at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 16, at Wichita State. Her hard work and sense of purpose has resulted in Vu earning a spot in WSU's Doctorate of Physical Therapy Program this summer.

The road from childhood to college has had numerous challenges. Vu and her older brother helped to feed and care for their mother until doctors and family members became more aware of the limitations caused by her mother's injuries.

Read full story.