Letter to the Editor — Dr. Ron Kopita, former WSU VPs
We have been watching from afar as current students, former students, faculty, staff and even former President Emeritus Gene Hughes have been affirming Christine Schneikart-Luebbe’s dedicated service to Wichita State University.
As former Vice Presidents of Student Affairs at Wichita State, we also wanted to share our support for her dedicated service to the institution. Christine’s creative and leadership abilities were exemplary.
Every program she designed/created focused on making college affordable and or enriching and enhancing student life on campus. She was a dedicated employee who consistently went above and beyond what was asked of her. At her core, she was the quintessential student advocate. She always said students were the reason she got into the profession, and certainly the reason she remained. She is also well respected nationally through our professional organization, NASPA, serving on their national board and now on their National Foundation Board. Each of us relied on her for advice and guidance. She was and remains a dear friend and colleague.
Her departure from WSU is a tremendous loss to the university and the student body.
— Dr. Vicky Triponey Vice President of Student Affairs 1997-1998
— Dr. Tony Ross Vice President of Student Affairs 1998-1999
— Dr. Ron Kopita Vice President of Campus Life and University Relations 1999-2009
— Dr. Wade Robinson Vice President of Student Affairs 2009 – 2015
Wade Robinson • May 8, 2017 at 9:50 am
I signed onto this letter to show support for Christine and all the work she has done during her career at WSU. Her dedication and commitment to students is second to none and she directly impacted the lives of so many people. There are so many positive things to write about it would take a book to get it all down and include the positive feedback from the people she has impacted over 23 years at WSU. Christine expected nothing more from others than she gave herself. She was passionate about her job and had very high expectations from her staff so that students would get as much support as possible as they pursued their educational goals.
The impact she left on the lives of thousands of students is found in the stories that they and their parents tell. Creating programs that actively competed for and recruited the best and brightest students raised the stature of WSU in the eyes of many people in the Wichita area and beyond. These individuals are now prominent members of the WSU community and make up many of the donors and alumni that will be called upon to help support WSU in the future. The achievements and impact these individuals have are ones they frequently note at WSU Foundation and Alumni Association events.
I don’t think I ever attended an Alumni Association of Foundation achievement event where a new donor or person being recognized with an award did not specifically name Christine as the person who recruited them or the single reason they chose to attend WSU instead of another college or university. They have told her story and shared the positive impact she had on their lives that went beyond the classroom and campus and how she stayed in touch and continues to be a part of their lives.
Congratulations Christine on your professional work and commitment to students! I know good things are in your future.