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Madison McCalla, WSU communication graduate

May 15, 2020 -- Madison McCalla knew she could get a great communication degree at Wichita State through the Elliott School of Communication. She made the most of her education by getting involved with a professional student group and stepping out of her comfort zone. And she isn’t going to let COVID-19 get in the way of her career plans.

Theresa Le, a WSU communication grad

May 14, 2020 -- As a first-generation student from Florida, attending Wichita State was a huge step for Theresa Le. She found the balance and resilience necessary to make her college career successful and now plans to start her own business.

Kayla Deines

May 14, 2020 -- Kayla Deines has spent her fair share of time in college but it's allowed her to pursue a path she's passionate about. Skilled in marketing, communications and design, Kayla hopes to land a communication job in higher education.

Felicia Smith

May 14, 2020 — With children and two full-time jobs, earning a degree was a herculean task for Felicia Smith. But through intensive time-management, family help, and the support of the Wichita State University community, she achieved her dream.

Claudia Rojo

May 13, 2020 - Claudia Rojo graduates this spring and will begin a graduate research assistantship at the National Institute for Aviation Research while finishing her final season of outdoor track eligibility in 2021. Rojo, like all seniors in spring sports, was granted the option to extend their eligibility after the COVID-19 pandemic cancelled spring sports. In 2019, she finished second in the heptathlon in the American Athletic Conference Outdoor Championships.

From left to right: Morgan Cusick, Quinn Rhodes, Maya (the garden mascot), Madi Laughlin, Ryne Carballo.

May 13, 2020 - Madi Laughlin, president of the Green Group, serves as the supervisor for the community garden. The community garden is a plot of land located northeast of Ahlberg Hall.

Carter Bryant

May 12, 2020 —Carter Bryant found his home at Wichita State University’s School of Art, Design and Creative Industries as an art history major. He’s played roles in curating several exhibits throughout the university and the general Wichita artistic community.

Abel Barraza

March 12, 2020 — Abel Barraza hasn’t shied away from challenges during his time at Wichita State University. The first-generation college student from Dodge City not only undertook a rigorous curriculum that included fluid mechanics and calculus, but he also served as president of his fraternity during his demanding senior year.

Terry Blount

May 12, 2020 - Terry Blount, 38, is a non-traditional student who is married with two children. He returned to school at Wichita State University nine years ago with the goal of teaching science in middle school.

Rachel Wiebe is a senior majoring in exercise science.

May 11, 2020 - Rachel Wiebe earned a bachelors degree in exercise science.

Amy Nguyen

May 8, 2020 - Amy Nguyen wanted a new challenge as a teacher. Wichita State University’s school psychology program offers her the chance to add to use her teaching skills and add new ones. “I believe school psychology is the perfect combination for the experience I have,” she said.

Amy Huser

May 8, 2020 — Amy Huser’s plans for her master’s thesis gallery opening have been dashed by COVID-19, but she’s not letting that stop her from achieving her graduate degree in a more virtual manner.

Angelique Banh

May 9, 2020 — Angelique Banh comes from a Shocker family, so there was never any question of where she would attend college. When she arrived on campus, she hit the ground running with three majors and a member of the Cohen Honors College leadership track.

Brandon Eckerman

May 8, 2020 — Brandon Eckerman is nostalgic about his time at Wichita State University and is disappointed he’s unable to celebrate graduation in the traditional sense. But he’s eager to start a career in medical device sales.

Vinay Kadarla

May 6, 2020 - Vinay K. Kadarla’s dissertation details his work to understand the mechanism and structure of the muscle protein myopalladin with the goal of helping design drugs or therapies to treat cardiomyopathy.