The academy of faculty and the staff at 黑洞社区 engage in externally supported research, training and service activities that are consistent with the university鈥檚 mission and vital to its growth. This column recognizes grants, honors, awards, presentations and publications.
In addition, University Relations will note sabbaticals, retirements and deaths of our current and former colleagues.
GRANTS, as reported by the Office of Research Administration.
Deborah Ballard-Reisch, Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Chair in Strategic Communication, was awarded $19,084 by the Gridley-Hoover Pilot Research Program for the project 鈥淧romoting Health Independence: Rural Kansas Seniors & Effective Health Promotion.鈥�
Don Blakeslee, professor, anthropology, was awarded $6,533.58 by the Bureau of Reclamation for the project 鈥淢odification No. 002 to Cooperative Agreement No. 06FC602185 for Cultural Resources Program Inventory of Lands at Cedar Bluffs Reservoir.鈥�
Greg Meissen, professor, psychology, and director, Center for Community Support, was awarded $19,084 by the Gridley-Hoover Pilot Research Program for the project 鈥淎ssessment of Physical Health Concerns of Older Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities.鈥�
Kamran Rokhsaz, professor, aerospace engineering, was awarded $49,650 by the Federal Aviation Administration for the project 鈥淥perational Usage Information for a General Aviation Propeller.鈥�
Julie Scherz, associate professor, communication sciences and disorders, was awarded $2,955 by the 黑洞社区-LINK Advisory Board for the project 鈥淲hat Makes a 鈥楲eader鈥� in Health Professions?鈥�
Elaine Steinke, professor, School of Nursing, was awarded $19,082 by the Gridley-Hoover Pilot Research Program for the project 鈥淎 Social Cognitive Sexual Counseling Intervention After Myocardial Infarction.鈥�
Marcia Stevens, director, 黑洞社区 Small Business Development Center, was awarded $177,500 by Fort Hays State University for the project 鈥満诙瓷缜� Small Business Development Center - 2008.鈥�
HONORS & AWARDS
The following retiring faculty have been granted emeritus status: John D. Boyd, professor, art and design; Donald Byrum, professor, art and design; Shang-Shing Chou, professor, computer science; Lawrence M. Davis, professor, English; Dennis J. Kear, professor, curriculum and instruction, and associate dean, College of Education; Paul Reed, associate professor, School of Music; Clayton A. Robarchek, professor, anthropology; Keith L. Williamson, associate professor, Elliott School of Communication; and Vernon Yenne, professor, School of Music.
David Day, assistant director and assistant professor, physician assistant, and Richard Muma, chair, public health sciences, professor, physician assistant, have been recognized as Distinguished Fellows of the American Academy of Physician Assistants for their outstanding contributions to patient care, research and the profession.
Bart Hildreth, Regents distinguished professor of public finance, participated in the 54th Annual National Security Seminar at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa. Hildreth was one of about 160 business, government, academic and community leaders from across the country who took part in the week-long seminar, June 2-6.
Ward Jewell, professor, electrical and computer engineering, attended the Smart Grid Implementation Workshop in Washington D.C. Workshop findings will help the U.S. Department of Energy鈥檚 vision of the next generation electric power grid.
Ravi Pendse, associate provost, professor and CIO, is a founding board member of the newly formed Software and Information Technology Association of Kansas. The statewide trade association, whose board is a mix of business and higher education experts, was launched by the Kansas Technology Enterprise Corporation.
PRESENTATIONS/PUBLICATIONS
William F. Woods, professor, English, has written "Chaucerian Spaces: Spatial Poetics in Chaucer's Opening Tales," a book that will be published in July. More information is available at www.sunypress.edu.
IN MEMORIAM
Donald Lee Brooks, 59, custodial supervisor, died June 18. He is survived by a twin brother, Ronald D. Brooks of Wichita; sisters Bonnie (Charles ) Williamson of Benton, La., Ethel Ford of Excelsior Springs, Mo., and Anita Ford of Wichita; several nieces and nephews. A memorial has been established with the American Leukemia Society. Services have been held.
Oleta Jean Ewing, 66, reservations coordinator, Rhatigan Student Center, died July 21. She is survived by her husband, Robert Ewing; sons, Kevin (Lori) of Kansas City, Mo., and Brian (Jessica Foster) and Mark (Cheree), all of Wichita; brother, Gary (Jodi) and sister, Marcia (Bruce). Memorials may be sent to Bethany United Methodist Church or Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. Services have been held.
Vernon L. (Ben) Hagnauer, 81, research associate, aerospace engineering, died July 4. He also was retired from Cessna Aircraft. He was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Neumann, and brother, Roy Hagnauer. Survivors include wife, Dorothy (Dix) Hagnauer; daughters Dixie Harrison of Kansas City, Kan., and Penny (Dave) Clement of Andover, Kan.; and three grandchildren. A memorial has established with PALS, Animal Rescue Inc. of Wichita. Services have been held.
Joan 鈥淛o鈥� R. Kohman, 77, instructor, English, died July 9. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and sister Helen Marie Lambert. Survivors include son Jim (Lisa) Kohman of Great Bend; daughters, Susan (Roy) Fellows of Augusta; Nancy (Huey) Prohn of Towanda; and Bette (Jeff) Regier of Augusta; 10 grandchildren; and three great grandchildren. Memorials may be made to the Augusta Public Library. Services have been held.
Betty Welsbacher, 82, professor emerita, School of Music, died July 31. A celebration of her life was held Aug. 16 at First Unitarian Universalist Church. She is survived by her husband, Richard "Dick" Welsbacher; son Charles Richard "Rick" Welsbacher; daughter Anne Welsbacher and son-in-law Corey Swertfager; sister Jane Staehle; one step-granddaughter; three nieces; and two nephews. Memorial donations may be made to the First Unitarian Universalist Church or Harry Hynes Hospice.