Innovation Celebration features awards for faculty, staff, students

Levi Yager|November 2, 2015

Twenty-six yellow and black light-bulb shaped trophies were awarded Friday to philanthropists and Wichita State faculty, staff and students leading the way for innovation at the first Innovation Celebration.

The trophies were awarded to those who have helped with Innovation Campus endeavors or have made progress in new technology or services that related to WSU. The celebration was hosted by WSU Ventures.

Elizabeth King, CEO of the WSU Foundation, presented two philanthropy awards to Verlon McKay and the Fred and Mary Koch Foundation, which donated $3.75 million toward the development of GoCreate, the community maker space being built as part of Innovation Campus.

Ambassador Awards were given to Barbara Chaparro, associate professor of psychology, Janet Twomey, associate dean and professor of engineering, and the Training and Technology Team (T3).

“The Ambassador Award is given to individuals and departments that recommend WSU Ventures’ services and capabilities to additional entities on and off campus, and who wholeheartedly embrace the innovation university concept,” said Cindy Claycomb, director of WSU Ventures.

Visionary Awards were presented to President John Bardo and John Tomblin, vice president of research and technology transfer, for being driving forces behind innovation at WSU and encouraging research, creativity, cross-collaboration and entrepreneurship.

Bardo awarded Royce Smith, associate professor and director for the School of Art and Design, the President’s Innovation Award for bringing innovation and the community together to improve the university.

Deans from each of the eight WSU colleges presented Bright Future Awards to students who have shown aptitude and hard work for furthering innovation. Graduate student Dominic Canare received an award as president and founder of a maker space in downtown Wichita, MakeICT.

“It definitely was a surprise [receiving a Bright Future Award], and Dr. Chaparro had nice words to say,” Canare said. “It was a nice gesture for the university to recognize people, and it’s clear for the vision that Dr. Bardo and Tomblin have.”