Campus Connection: Feb. 26, 2019

Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing, Airbus, Textron and GE Aviation all either currently use additive manufacturing to produce parts or have announced plans to do so. The U.S. military also sees cost-saving opportunities in using 3D printing to create replacement parts for aging aircraft.

“By offering this certificate program, we join just a handful of universities nationally providing advanced education in additive manufacturing, proving that Wichita State is ready to respond rapidly to meet industry’s emerging workforce development needs,” said Dennis Livesay, dean of the WSU College of Engineering. “We are proud to be a leader in expanding the economic development possibilities associated with additive manufacturing.”

Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research has received more than $26 million in federal grants that support advanced manufacturing in the past five years. More than $10 million has come from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support regional growth of advanced manufacturing methods, including additive manufacturing. This includes $1.9 million for a large-scale Multi-Robotic Advanced Manufacturing system, part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Center in the Experiential Engineering Building.

In November, Air Force Under Secretary Matthew Donovan toured NIAR’s Additive Manufacturing and other facilities, remarking on the potential of the technology to promote military readiness by making it easier to maintain aging aircraft. An additional $16 million grant for development of an aging aircraft sustainment program followed that visit – becoming the largest federal grant in Wichita State’s history.

Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the manufacturing process. Traditionally, most manufacturing was “subtractive,” where a block of metal is cut down to desired size and measurements. Additive manufacturing is what 3D printers do, starting with nothing but a strand of material and making something by adding material. This approach saves money by speeding prototype development, reducing material waste during manufacturing and eliminating need for on-hand inventory. It also allows the creation of shapes not possible with a traditional CNC router or milling machine.

“Engineers working in additive manufacturing need to adapt their mindset to approach design problems in entirely new ways, and this certificate will equip them to do that,” said Gamal Weheba, professor of Industrial, Systems and Manufacturing Engineering.

The additive manufacturing certificate requires completion of four, three-hour graduate courses, which will be offered by the College of Engineering’s Industrial Systems and Manufacturing Engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments. To qualify for the program, students must be admitted to the Graduate School in a degree-seeking or non-degree status. Coursework can be applied toward a graduate degree if desired. Students must complete all 12 hours with a 3.0 GPA with no grades below a C. Students can enroll beginning fall 2019.

According to the catalog description, “the curriculum focuses on key materials, technologies and benefits, and include topics on design considerations, post processing, secondary operations and important quality and safety factors. Additional concepts important to product development in aviation and biomedical industries are addressed and exercised as term projects.”

For more information, contact Gamal Weheba,  316-978-5777 or gamal.weheba@wichita.edu.

Muma, 56, has made a steady climb at Wichita State University throughout his 23 years on the hill. Most recently, he was Senior Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Strategic Enrollment Management two years ago, then became the university's chief academic officer as Provost last year.

President John Bardo was hospitalized for a chronic lung condition in November, and Bardo named Muma acting president Jan. 2. He leads the university through a busy time, most notably a March referendum that asks students to raise their own fees to pay for a new School of Business building and other campus improvements.

Associate editor Kirk Seminoff sat with Muma recently for his thoughts on his new role and the qualities he brings to it.

You have said that being a provost of a university pales in comparison to taking care of terminally ill patients as a physician’s assistant, but what qualities of a PA have you brought to the role of provost and now acting president?

One of the things is, when you’re learning to practice medicine, is you learn how to listen and take information from individuals and diagnose the situation. So that’s very relevant to what I do every day in terms of meeting with different colleagues, my dean colleagues and various people across the university. It’s problem solving, diagnosing the situation, coming to some sort of conclusion. All of those are very relevant.

Many of those who work with you describe you as a good listener and someone who’s genuinely interested in them as students, staff members or university supporters. From where did you learn to be that type of person?

One of the things I found most gratifying about taking care of patients is hearing their stories and the interest they bring to the patient-clinician encounter. A lot of times, people don’t have an opportunity to tell their story until they get into a situation where they’re struggling. I just think that’s fascinating and what made patient care so interesting. That also translates to everybody has a story as a student, everybody has a story as a faculty member, everybody has a story as an administrator, and I like hearing them. It makes for a better relationship and a much more richer experience. And I can also better understand where they’re coming from and see where they are in the situation.

Do you consider yourself a shy person, an outgoing person, somewhere in the middle? And is that part of being a good listener?

I’ve been told and I believe this, more reserved than most people. You’ll see me listening for a while before I bring anything forward because I think it’s important to have context and full understanding. Some people may say I’m a more reserved person, but I don’t think people who get to know me would think that, really. My colleagues who I’ve worked with for a really long time know a different side of me. I don’t think of myself as shy, but some people might think that because they confuse being reserved and being more thoughtful to being shy.

How does your leadership style differ from Dr. Bardo’s?

Dr. Bardo is a very visionary individual. He’s really transformed the university. He’s a transformational president. I also can be visionary, but I know from experience and being a manager and an administrator that you also have to execute. So I’m probably more focused a lot of times, certainly looking at vision and where we need to go, but how are we going to make that happen? It’s one thing to talk about it, it’s yet another thing to move through the processes with students and faculty and it’s all very complex and you have to get them on board with whatever the issue might be.

The “Shock the Future” referendum that students will vote on March 4-6 would, if passed, add $6 per credit hour to students’ fees and help finance projects such as classroom and laboratory renovations, plus a new Barton School of Business building. What kind of reactions have you personally received from students who could be adding to their cost of attending college?

As you can imagine, it’s mixed. Anytime we’re asking a student to increase their fees, no one’s going to say, "Oh yeah, sign me up." I’d say that there’s going to be a number of students who are just not going to vote for it because they’re concerned about the increase in tuition and fees and I totally get that. I understand that. I hate that we have to do that, but there’s really no other way to make these improvements because the state’s not investing in those kinds of things.

But when I do have a student who is sort of on the fence and they want to hear more about it, then they can understand the need for this and the whole notion of rising tides affect all ships. Even though you may not be a business student, you might take a class in the new business building. You might never go into Henrion Hall, but your best friend’s a fine arts major and you hate the fact they’re studying in a building that has no air conditioning. So once we explain that a little bit more and also bring up the fact that students previous to them considered this same kind of thing when the (Rhatigan Student Center) was decided to be renovated. ... Now look how nice that is for them.

So getting both sides of it. We’re doing as many outreach efforts and town halls … to talk to students and we’re encouraging faculty to do the same thing. The more we talk about it, the more people understand why this is important. They don’t like it, I don’t like it either, to be quite honest. I would like for the state to help us to do these kinds of things.

What would be the next step if it fails?

We have basically two major initiatives in the overall referendum, business school and other parts in the core of the institution. If this doesn’t pass, those projects on the core part of the campus are not going to be able to move forward in an expeditious kind of a way. We have access to some resources, minimal resources, for repair and rehabilitation that we can use for some of these projects maybe, because that all has to fit into the guidelines of the state.

The business building needs to be built. We have donors who have given $30 million to build that building. There's an interest in the business community to get that facility built. If it doesn’t pass, we’ll have to take that referendum just to the business students to raise their fees, which would be a significant amount more than what we’re proposing now.

When I was given this to execute on, there’s a vision, right, and then you've got to make sure you work on how this is going to happen. I just wasn't comfortable taking a referendum to the student body just for a business school building when there’s so many needs on this side of campus.

The university’s Innovation Campus is entering its sixth year. Are you happy with its progress and where do you see it going in its next six years?

I think all of us who have been involved in that work are really surprised that it’s taken off like it has in terms of different industry partners that have located here or are working with us on other kinds of research projects because of it. From that perspective, I think that’s been good, there’s a lot of support for it in the community.

We’ve had some controversies surrounding our housing and some other things on that part of campus, but I think that’s going to be expected when you start thinking about public-private partnerships. People aren’t used to that. I’ve been at two other institutions (and it’s) very common to have public-private investment together on a university campus, both in an urban kind of setting and a small-town kind of setting. So I’m kind of used to that.

Obviously to this community, this is new to them, so we’re working through some of those issues. What I think will help move things forward is to have much more transparency, have an open, honest conversation built on trust and integrity. That’s been my main message with the faculty — make sure everyone has an opportunity to come forward. I think we’re going to continue to see investment from the private sector. The industry wants to be a partner with us. They want us to be fully engaged with their needs and how we train students so when they graduate they’re ready to work or (get) the minimal kind of training. That’s all good for industry but it’s also very good for the students.

I think for the most part people understand it and that it’s a good move for the institution. One of the things I talk about when I go talk to the Legislature and the Governor is we’re Kansas’ only urban public research university, and urban public research universities do something different. One of the things they do is provide access to the people in this community and that’s a major focus of ours. We have the most diverse student body of any of the regent schools. That’s really important to make sure we’re serving this community, but we’re also helping industry solve some of their most pressing issues. And marrying those together I think really helps drive the economy, helps with jobs, and ultimately helps students.

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RICK MUMA

Title: Provost, professor and acting president, Wichita State University

Age: 56

Education: Bachelors, University of Texas Medical Branch; masters, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston; doctorate, University of Missouri.

Experience: University of Texas Medical Branch, 1988-94; Wichita State University, 1994-99; Saint Louis University, 1999-2000; Wichita State, 2001-present.

Family: Spouse, Rick Case; children, Drew, 29; Collin, 26.

Scholarship Awards

The university is always looking for ways to enable students from all backgrounds to achieve their academic and professional dreams—and that includes funding their success through scholarships. Today, we’re happy to announce that the university has awarded roughly $1.2 million in scholarships so far this year.

This includes a new $34,000 scholarship, created by former Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson and his wife, Stacy, which was recently awarded to two incoming freshmen. Also, the university recently announced the recipient of this year’s $26,000 Lenora N. McGregor Scholarship. The recipient, Gabe Kimuri, is a senior at Lawrence Free State High School and plans to major in aerospace engineering and music performance.

We look forward to having all of our scholarship winners on campus this fall.

In addition, Shocker Nation has been exceptionally generous in giving to the Shock the World Campaign. In just the first five years of the campaign, contributions have increased scholarship awards by 50 percent, with a continued goal of raising additional scholarship money for students with financial need. To find out more about the Shock the World campaign, and to donate, visit foundation.wichita.edu.

Teacher Apprenticeship Program

WSU’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program, also known as “TAP” continues to make a positive impact in communities across Kansas by helping to reduce the statewide shortage of elementary and special education teachers.

TAP helps para educators become licensed teachers of record. The program, which is less than three years old, already has 430 paras enrolled, and 72 of the TAP candidates have received teacher of record status and have been hired by 26 school districts. We anticipate 50 candidates will graduate this spring.

To quote a special education teacher from Independence, Kansas: ““The WSU Teacher Apprentice Program came at a critical time. Not only were we able to fill five positions that we otherwise would not have been able to, but we have teachers in positions that we have known for at least a year as para educators.”

I-35 recruitment – Shocker Cities

WSU’s I-35 recruitment strategy continues to attract increasing numbers of students by offering in-state or reduced tuition rates to students in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and, most recently, in Denver and St. Louis. As a result, our enrollment from these areas has grown from 262 in 2015, to 749 last fall.

We will continue our I-35 recruitment efforts in order to attract and retain the talent that is vital to meeting the workforce and economic development needs of our state.

Flag-raising ceremony held Monday

The American flag that flies outside of Grace Wilkie Hall, which houses Military and Veteran Services, will now remain flying 24 hours a day thanks to new lighting, which was donated and installed by WSU’s maintenance and grounds department.

On Monday, the flag was raised for a final time in a ceremony honoring our country and those who serve. Military and Veteran Services director Larry Burks said the flag represents not only our patriotism but also our unwavering dedication to the success of our more than 900 active military and veteran students and their dependents.

Honors College construction

And, finally, for those of you who haven’t been over to Shocker Hall, the Cohen Honors College expansion is fully underway and is expected to be completed this July.

The expansion will give the college a front door to the rest of the university and provide more accessibility, and additional study and community spaces, for our growing number of roughly 600 Shocker Honors students spanning more than 90 majors.

We appreciate the campus community’s patience during this time and are excited for the improvements this project will provide for our student-athletes.

The renovation includes a new 10,000-square foot performance facility that will feature a strength and conditioning center, locker room, media room, player lounge and offices for coaches and staff.

For any questions, please contact the ticket office at 978-FANS (3267).

Those interested in participating in the project will first be asked to complete a brief, online screening survey that assesses their level of discomfort about spiders. Those who qualify will be contacted with additional information and details about further participating in the project

In addition to learning skills that have shown promise in helping individuals cope with similar distressing situations, participants will also be eligible to receive a $40 dollar gift card and $80 dollar gift card. Our further hope is that the findings from this project may help improve services offered to those who may experience even more severe levels of anxiety and distress.

Interested individuals who may experience slight to moderate discomfort related to spiders can access the brief screening survey by going to: http://tinyurl.com/beliefsandexperiences.

Questions or requests for further information about this project may be directed to either Kyle Rexer at Kgrexer@shockers.wichita.edu, 248-765-4099 or Robert Zettle at robert.zettle@wichita.edu, 978-3081.

“We are extremely proud of having outstanding educators who understand how to reach students and keep them motivated to learn and retain knowledge,” said Dr. Gergely Zaruba, chair of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “In the quickly changing landscape of education we need to be able to adapt to the needs of our constituents; awards like these acknowledge the good work we are doing towards maintaining and improving the quality of higher education.”

Jewell, who has taught at Wichita State since 1987, said he was honored that the WSU Eta Kappa Nu chapter nominated him. “They put a lot of time and effort into it and I am really humbled that they did that for me,” he said. The award cites “his dedication to student success and his caring, knowledgeable approach to teaching and mentoring at all levels in his specialization of power and energy systems.”

Asked to summarize his teaching philosophy, Jewell said, “Never forget what it was like to be a student. Most of all, BE NICE!”

Miaolei Shao, now a senior principal engineer with the GE Global Research Center, was a Ph.D. student under Jewell from 2004-2008. In a recommendation letter extolling Jewell as a teacher, Shao wrote: “Dr. Jewell is busy – he is an IEEE fellow, advisor of many master’s and Ph.D. students, and the site director of Power System Engineering Research Centers (PSERC). But Dr. Jewell never let his busy schedule overshadow his teaching responsibility.”

Shao cited as an example, Jewell’s willingness to teach a freshman-level Circuits I course and testing the lab equipment beforehand, duties that might normally fall to a graduate student. Shao asked why he would do this himself. He recalls Jewell’s response: “Circuits I is a very important course, and I want make sure the students will learn what they supposed to learn. Making sure the lab equipment is working properly is step one for a successful class.”

The first two weeks involve one hour sessions and the remaining six sessions will be half-hour sessions. Participants who complete all sessions will be contacted one week and two months later for follow-up measures.

Participants must be at least 18 and will be screened in three stages to determine their eligibility. 

If you are interested, complete an online survey (30 minutes) to assess your initial eligibility.  The next two stages will be conducted in person for 20 and 50 minutes respectively.

For more information, contact Yvonne Chaw at jxchaw@shockers.wichita.edu or call 316-978-6347.

"Citations: How Do I Write Papers in APA Style?" from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: The Basics" from 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 1, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Dear Diary: How Can I Find Diaries, Journals, and Letters?" from noon-1 p.m. Friday, March 1, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: The Basics" from 2-3 p.m. Friday, March 1, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: The Basics" from 11 a.m.-noon Monday, March 4, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: Beyond the Basics" from 1-2 p.m. Monday, March 4, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: Beyond the Basics" from 11 a.m.-noon Tuesday, March 5, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: The Basics" from 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

“Copyright Concepts for Entrepreneurs” from 5:30-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

“Research: How Do I Write a Literature Review?” from 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: The Basics" from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"Scopus Webinar: Beyond the Basics" from 4-5 p.m. Thursday, March 7, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

"More Endnote: What Else Can I Do with It?" from noon-1 p.m. Friday, March 8, in 217 Ablah Library. See workshop details.

For more information and event registration, go to library events. Students, faculty and staff are welcome to attend.

Wallace Scholars are a community of more than 40 engineering students, representing every class and nearly every major in the College of Engineering. Wallace Scholars are involved on the WSU campus and within the Wichita community to promote engineering, math, science and community service.

Selection for the Wallace Scholarship is based on recipients’ high school GPA, ACT score and performance at the annual Wallace Invitational for Scholarships in Engineering (WISE), which was held in November and drew 233 students from 14 states.

The Wallace Scholarship is made possible through the Dwane and Velma Wallace Endowment, created in 1976, which supports scholarships for engineering students and provides funds for the College of Engineering. Since 1980, the endowment has benefited more than 360 engineering majors at WSU.

The 2019 Wallace Scholars include:

• Ashley Bland, Muriel Williams Battle High School, Columbia, Missouri, biomedical engineering
• Cameron Cropper, Topeka West High School, Topeka, aerospace engineering
• Alexander DeWerff, homeschool, Wichita, aerospace engineering
• Logan Mauch, Western Plains High School, Ness City, Kansas, aerospace engineering
• Josh McConnell, Summit Christian Academy, Lee’s Summit, Missouri, aerospace engineering
• Amanda Mudra, Wichita Collegiate School, Wichita, aerospace engineering
• Trent Oberlander, Raymore-Peculiar High School, Raymore, Missouri, aerospace engineering
• Jessica Orchard, Northeast Magnet High School, Wichita, mechanical engineering
• Richard Oswalt, Central Christian High School, Hutchinson, Kansas, undecided engineering
• Connor Rockey, Goddard Senior High School, Wichita, aerospace engineering
• Sabrina Saathoff, Northeast Magnet High School, Wichita, undecided engineering
• Esmeralda Sanchez-Torres, Wichita North High School, Wichita, aerospace engineering
• Kyle Walter, homeschool, Wichita, biomedical engineering
• Kourtney Zwiener, Andover Central High School, Wichita, computer science

Wallace scholar biographies

Ashley Bland
Columbia, Missouri
Muriel Williams Battle High School
Biomedical engineering

Ashley is a member of National Honor Society, National Society of Black Engineers and is a valuable mentor to high school freshmen under the Link Leader program at her high school. She is also a very frequent volunteer at her local Humane Society and Food Bank. In her free time, Ashley enjoys being a team captain for her basketball team and throwing shot put and discus for her high school. At one time, she even held the school record for girls’ javelin, an accomplishment Ashley is proud of. At her high school, she will be graduating sixth in a class of 326, with her 3.98 GPA and 32 ACT score to show for her work ethic.

Cameron Cropper
Topeka, Kansas
Topeka West High School
Aerospace engineering

Cameron is a member of his school's baseball team, the Scholars Bowl team and participates in Math Club. He also participates in Robotics Club at the Topeka Center for Advanced Learning and Careers, where he has earned a certification for programming and handling an industrial robot. Cameron is a Kansas Honor Scholar and has been on the academic honor roll in every semester during his high school career. In his free time, Cameron works part-time at a Sonic Drive-In and also enjoys playing pool and table tennis.

Alexander DeWerff

Wichita

Heritage Academy Homeschool

Aerospace engineering

Alexander has always been homeschooled and is the oldest of four siblings. He participated in the Kansas BEST Robotics competition for three years. During his senior year, he was a leader on his team and helped them win first place at state and second place at regionals. Alexander has performed in many musicals and stage productions, played piano in numerous festivals and recitals, volunteered with a local ESL program, and participated in his local AWANA club for the past nine years. He enjoys reading a good book, playing the piano, throwing yo-yos and learning Latin.

Logan Mauch
Ness City, Kansas
Western Plains High School
Aerospace engineering

Logan is the student body president at Western Plains High School. He is the captain of the school’s varsity scholars bowl team. He also participates in forensics, basketball, track, KAYS, band and robotics. Logan is passionate about math and computers. He loves to watch physics documentaries as well as play pool and video games.

Josh McConnell
Lee’s Summit, Missouri
Summit Christian Academy
Aerospace engineering

Josh McConnell is the second oldest of six kids. He is a member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and is the National Honor Society president at his high school. He has played varsity football for four years and was a national finalist for private school player of the year. He also made the all-state football team as a junior and senior. Along with football, Josh also enjoys playing the piano. He enjoys serving his church in many ways including playing the piano in the youth worship band. He has been an International Buddy, a math tutor and part of the Junior/Senior Ensemble at his high school. In his free time, Josh enjoys playing sports, reading Harry Potter and hanging out with family and friends.

Amanda Mudra
Wichita
Wichita Collegiate School
Aerospace engineering

Amanda is a three year Kansas All-State musician and participated in both the 1234A band as the first chair French horn and the orchestra and is a four-year district musician as well. She has performed at Carnegie Hall as a member of an international band in the Honor Performance Series and been a part of another international band that performed at the Pearl Harbor 75th Anniversary. She is the 2nd chair French horn in the Wichita Youth Symphony Orchestra and participates in her school's jazz band as a trumpet player. Amanda is also a captain of her school's cheer team and partakes in both cross country and track. In her free time, Amanda enjoys sketching and building lots of Lego sets. 

Trent Oberlander
Raymore, Missouri
Raymore-Peculiar High School
Aerospace engineering

Trent is involved in his school's Student Leadership Team, National Honor Society, Technology Student Association, Wind Symphony and swim team. He was named Outstanding Senator at Missouri Boys State for his role as Majority Floor Leader in the Senate, Student of the Month by the Sunshine Optimist Club, All-Conference and All-State Honorable Mention for two years, and has nine varsity letters across academia and athletics. He is second chair tenor saxophone in the Raymore-Peculiar High School's Wind Symphony and also plays the flute. When not trying to learn something new, Trent enjoys working out, playing and attempting the composition of music, and playing strategy games.

Jessica Orchard
Wichita
Northeast Magnet High School
Mechanical engineering

Jessica Orchard has been the president of her school’s Christian Club for two years and is a member of the National Honor Society. At her school’s magnet project fair, she has won first place in the science magnet portion two times and second place in the art magnet portion once. Outside of school, Jessica is involved in her church, where she sings for her youth group’s worship team and is a part of the Students as Leaders Team. In her free time, Jessica enjoys spending time with her family, playing the piano and singing.

Richard Oswalt
Hutchinson, Kansas
Central Christian High School
Undecided Engineering

Richie has played football, basketball and track each year in his high school career. Richie was recently recognized as one of the top eight-man football players in the state of Kansas, and has been selected to participate in the eight man all-star game later in the year. He has been president of his class twice. He also placed first at the Academic Olympics in both pre-calculus and chemistry. He has volunteered over 100 hours of his time helping at organizations such as the food bank and youth programs. Richie enjoys playing sports, lifting weights and spending time with friends.

Connor Rockey
Wichita
Goddard Senior High School
Aerospace engineering

Connor is an alto saxophonist and was the section leader for the saxophones during the 2018 marching band season. He is also fourth chair in the Kansas All-State Band. He is a member of Tri-M and National Honor Society and participates in the Science Club at Goddard High School. He helped with Goddard’s entry for the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Competition. His role was to model and print a 3D-printable case for the project. He enjoys practicing his saxophone and playing any kind of game with his friends and family.

Sabrina Saathoff
Wichita
Northeast Magnet High School
Undecided engineering

Sabrina is the vice president of Tri-M Music Honor Society. She is also involved in National Honor Society, Student Council and Christian Club. She has been a percussionist for District Band and All-State Orchestra. Sabrina is currently an intern at High Touch Technologies and is a National Merit Commended Scholar.

Esmeralda Sanchez-Torres
Wichita
Wichita North High School
Aerospace engineering

Esmeralda is a member of Wichita High School North’s National Honor Society and has been a recipient of Honor Roll since her freshman year. Aside from academics, she has been a part of the choir department for four years and is currently one of the 24 Madrigals. Esmeralda was also selected for the 2019 All-City choir. She was a member of North High’s Varsity Scholars bowl team since her junior year. She was also a proud participant of the Gilder Lehrman Saturday Academy for four years. In her free time, Esmeralda enjoy playing board games, reading, baking pastries, exercising at the gym, gardening and walking her dog Coco.

Kyle Walter
Wichita
Walter Academy Homeschool
Biomedical engineering

Kyle is the oldest of three brothers and a small business owner in Wichita. He is a licensed UAV pilot and founded the drone photography company Gemini Sky LLC with his twin brother last summer. Kyle is a second-degree black belt in Taekwondo and enjoys volunteering to teach classes at the YMCA. He has competed in BEST Robotics with the Wichita Homeschool Warriors and went to regionals last year. His hobbies include biking, working out, model building, gaming and growing his company.

Kourtney Zwiener
Wichita
Andover Central High School
Computer science

Kourtney is the daughter of Drs. Kevin and Kassie Zwiener, born and raised in Wichita. She is involved with Marching Band, which she has had the pleasure of being a section leader for two years, Symphonic Band, Pep Band, Scholar's Bowl, National Honors Society, and Tri-M Music Honors Society. Last summer, she was given the amazing opportunity to attend the Bob Dole Youth Civic Leadership Institute at the University of Kansas. Whenever there is time to spare, she prefers to spend it spoiling her dog, playing video games or watching movies (preferably Marvel).

Regier has a BFA in sculpture from Kansas State University and an MFA in studio arts from Maine College of Art. He is represented in numerous museums and private collections nationwide including the Emprise Bank Collection, Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, and the Spencer Museum of Art. Public commissions include Salina Arts Commission, the Wichita Public Library Foundation and most recently “Open Spaces,” an international sculpture biennial installed in parks and urban spaces throughout Kansas City, Missouri.