The College of Applied Studies (CAS) at Wichita State University will induct nine new members into its Hall of Fame this fall. The inductees come from various backgrounds, representing several departments within the college, and are being recognized for their outstanding contributions to their fields. The college will celebrate the inductees with a banquet at 6:00 PM on Friday, September 27, 2024, in the John Bardo Center Lobby on campus.
The CAS Hall of Fame recognizes individuals or groups who have positively impacted the college at any point since its founding. This includes the full range of people and programs that have been associated with the college at various points in its history. The traits and qualities Hall of Fame members possess are reflective of the college’s shared values of collaboration, inclusivity, innovation, leadership, and learning. The 2024 class includes the following inductees:
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Stacy Chestnut, alumni and educator. Chestnut won the 2023 Wichita Public Schools Distinguished Classroom Teacher Award and is a leader in English education both within the district and at the state level.
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Chase Curtiss, alumni and entrepreneur. Curtiss is the Founder and Chairmen of the Board of Sway Medical and has been recognized as a pioneer in his field, having received the first-ever FDA clearance for a software-only medical device.
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Credit Union of America, partner. Commonly recognized as the educators’ credit union, CUA has partnered with the college as the lead donor for initiatives such as Teacher Apprentice Program™ Scholarships, CUA’s Teacher Licensure Exam Fee Awards, and Corbin Connect.
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Christine Downey-Schmidt, patron and higher education leader. Downey-Schmidt is a retired educator, State Senator, Regent with the Kansas Board of Regents, and Trustee with the Higher Learning Commission.
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Cathy Razook-Ellsworth, alumni, educator, and staff member. Ellsworth served as the college’s senior coordinator in Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning as well as a Career Development Specialist for 33 years, facilitating paid applied learning experiences for students in multiple programs. Ellsworth is a former elementary education teacher who taught in Wichita Public Schools for ten and a half years.
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Becky Endicott, alumni and staff member. Now retired, Endicott served as Senior Associate Athletic Director and Senior Woman Administrator in WSU Athletics for more than 20 years, supporting sport programs, gender equity, and academic achievement.
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Susan Rippe, alumni and educator. Now a lecturer in the college’s TAP™ program, Rippe is a former middle and secondary science teacher who has been inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. She also served as the 2000 Kansas Teacher of the Year and the 2006 Air Force National Teacher of the Year/Christa McAuliffe Award recipient.
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Rex Schott, alumni and athletic trainer. Schott is in his 59th year as an athletic trainer, serving athletes ranging from high school-level to WSU Athletics and Olympians in volleyball and gymnastics. He was a faculty member teaching physical education for over 15 years.
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Vicki Worrell, alumni and faculty member. Worrell is a nationally recognized physical education teacher and leader who taught at the elementary level before transitioning to being a PE faculty member at WSU and other institutions.
The 2024 inductees were selected through an open nomination process and underwent evaluation by a diverse committee of college stakeholders. Their inclusion in the Hall of Fame serves as a tribute to their dedication and influence within CAS and the broader academic community.
As the CAS Hall of Fame continues to honor those who shape its legacy, nominations for next year’s inductees are now being accepted. To nominate individuals who have left an indelible mark on the college, visit Wichita.edu/cashof.