Wichita State University faculty, staff and students gathered Friday, Oct. 30, for the first Innovation Celebration award ceremony, hosted by WSU Ventures.
During a ceremony at the Rhatigan Student Center, 26 individuals and groups that have adopted and advanced the Innovation University initiative were recognized with a 3-D printed light bulb trophy, made by the Additive Manufacturing Lab at WSU’s National Institute for Aviation Research.
Koch Industries and Verlon McKay received the “Philanthropy Award,” presented by Elizabeth King, CEO of the WSU Foundation.
Eight students were chosen by the dean of each academic college for the “Bright Future Award,” recognizing their individual achievements and potential for success.
WSU President John Bardo presented the “President’s Innovation Award” to Royce Smith, associate professor and director for the School of Art and Design, for bringing innovation and community engagement together to improve the university by carrying out the mission and vision.
Bardo and John Tomblin, vice president of research and technology transfer, received the “Visionary Award” for their leadership in spearheading the Innovation University initiative and the Innovation Campus development.
“Without their unique perspectives and strategies for growth, we would not be where we are today,” said Cindy Claycomb, director, WSU Ventures and assistant to the president for Strategic Planning. “Their vision has extended to every department of campus and led to cross-departmental conversations, ideas and projects that were never imagined before.”
2015 Innovation Celebration award recipients are as follows:
- Koch Industries, Verlon McKay – Philanthropy Award
- Bill Groutas, Douglas English – Patent Award
- Sue Abdinnour – Trailblazer Award
- Vimotech – First Dollar Award
- Vis Madhavan – SBIR Award
- Barbara Chaparro, Janet Twomey, T3 – Ambassador Award
- Jeremy Patterson, Steve Skinner, Chris Broberg – Catalyst Award
- Tonya Witherspoon – Pioneer Award
- Jibo He – Newsmaker Award
- John Bardo, John Tomblin – Visionary Award
- Royce Smith – President’s Innovation Award
Bright Future Awards:
Jeremy Sendall, Alex Pennington, Sean Hess, Hassan Farhoud, Alex Landreth, Dominic Canare, Nam Lee and Hannah Hund.