The Sunflower v. 128 i. 22 (February 29, 2024)

‘I HATE THAT MAN’

As

and his friends would often discuss mental health while in coffee shops and restaurants — and strangers would join them.

“They’re hearing things discussed in a way that I think kind of opens their eyes,” Chewning said. “That was revealing to us, and I thought one day, ‘We’ve really got something going on here, and so why don’t we make this more public?’”

Drawing on his past experiences, Chewning suggested starting a podcast, and his friends Alec Dulaney, Damian Montañéz and Timber Keller were on board.

“ARE YOU THEORIOUS?”

“Are You Theorious?” explores mental health, counseling theories and the group’s experiences as counseling students at Wichita State. Topics have ranged from self-care and body language to the diagnostic manual and Sigmund Freud.

Chewning aims for the podcast to “increase people’s wonder at human emotions and relationships” while also providing a “fresh perspective” on mental health discussions.

“I knew right away that we had something that was for anyone,” Chewning said. “We’re talking about mental health disorders, or we’re talking about anxiety and depression, spirituality — things that everybody knows about (or) has felt or experienced.”

The podcast members incorporate the magnetic energy from their everyday conversations into their weekly episodes. According to the group, these discussions are usually “free-flowing” and natural.

The four chat every other Sunday for about two hours, which Chewning later edits and splits into four episodes, which vary in length but are usually around 30 minutes.

“Once we all got together and participated in talking about things we cared about around each other … it just turned out to be too much fun to stop,” Dulaney said.

Montañéz said the group’s authentic dynamic is apparent to their professors listening to the podcast.

“They always say — because they can tell just from listening to it — that we all have a very good connection, and that’s something that they strive for with men (in the counseling program) in general,” Montañéz said.

The four graduate students said their podcast has gained traction within their graduate program. When Montañéz and Keller attended orientation for their practicum, several attendees recognized them.

“I was talking to Timber, and the guy stops and turns around, he goes, ‘I know your voice,’” Montañéz said. “He’s like, ‘I listen to your podcast, I think it’s great.’ And literally, four people after him came in and said the same thing.”

Students, community members protest Jordan Peterson tour at Century II, call for Gaza ceasefire

BY ALLISON CAMPBELL news@thesunflower.com

Protesters gathered outside Century II Performing Arts and Convention Center and down Douglas Avenue on Monday night to voice their support for Palestine and to oppose Jordan Peterson’s event, which was hosted at the convention center.

Kendah Ballout, a member of Students for Justice in Palestine and protest organizer, said the group disagreed with Peterson’s views and presence at Century II.

The organization decided to protest there because Peterson’s event helped increase their message’s visibility.

Peterson came to Wichita as part of his “We Who Wrestle with God” tour.

According to his website, Peterson is a psychologist, author and online educator. He has published several books, including “Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief,” which examines many themes, including social conflict and genocide.

Peterson now produces YouTube and podcast content, occasionally in collaboration with “The Daily Wire,” which signed a content distribution deal with Peterson

in 2022.

Peterson has received a wide range of support and scorn regarding his antiLGBTQ+, anti-feminist and anti-neoMarxist views.

Ballout said these opinions, among others, support reasonings that contribute to oppression and violence.

“Jordan Peterson himself is very xenophobic (and) anti-Arab,” Ballout said. “He’s very pro-the-colonial structures that brought about the Gaza genocide … I hate that man with every fiber of my being.”

The Sunflower reached out to Peterson for comment on Feb. 28, but has yet to receive a response.

Ballout and more than a dozen others congregated outside of Century II to voice their disdain for Peterson’s beliefs and to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. As of Feb. 28, more than 29,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed as a result of the war on Gaza.

In 1948, the creation of Israel led to the displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians and the capture of 78% of the region’s land. After Hamas, a militant political group, launched a surprise attack on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel started a bombing campaign on Gaza.

As attendees headed into Century II, the protesters chanted statements such as “Gaza must have food and water — Israel, stop the slaughter” and “Justice, justice we know how — lift the siege on Gaza now.”

After a man attempted to take Ballout’s megaphone, Century II security stood at the perimeters of the protest. The security personnel declined interviews with The Sunflower.

Several passersby exchanged words with the protesters. Two shouted derogatory statements about Palestinians. Both declined interviews with The Sunflower.

Troy Orpin, who attended Peterson’s lecture, said the vulgarity of the passerby’s statements wasn’t necessary.

“I wouldn’t be yelling at people like that,” Orpin said. “(The protesters) have the freedom of speech … and it’s fair to be upset about that (Israel bombing Gaza).”

As the line of attendees entering Peterson’s event dwindled, the protesters returned to Douglas Avenue to continue their chants. But according to 11-year-old Ifram, who was protesting with his family, the fight is far from over.

“People are dying in Palestine,” Ifram said. “I want to make them stop.”

Forty-five people gather to call for Gaza ceasefire resolution from Student Government

BY COURTNEY BROWN newsprojects@thesunflower.com

Wichita State students, faculty and alums urged the Student Government Association to pass a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza, with at least 45 people in attendance during the Student Senate meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 28.

Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) had previously announced its plan to petition SGA for a ceasefire resolution via Instagram and encouraged others to show their support.

Attendees filled three rows of chairs, with others standing or sitting on the floor. A few supporters held up a poster that said, “30,000+ dead, 12,000+ children,” and some wore keffiyehs. One student wore Palestinian buttons, and another

donned a beaded Palestinian flag necklace.

In 1948, the creation of Israel caused the displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians and the capture of 78% of the region’s land. After Hamas, a Palestinian political militant group, launched a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, Israel started a bombing campaign on Gaza.

As of Feb. 28, over 29,000 Palestinians and 1,200 Israelis have been killed.

Ten speakers went before the Student Senate in support of a resolution for a ceasefire in Gaza. Some reiterated how they hoped WSU’s support would lead to support at other universities, in Wichita and throughout the nation. After the speakers finished, audience members applauded

loudly and some gave fist bumps or hugs.

CEASEFIRE RESOLUTION

Easton Vogt, a student executive for SJP, introduced the organization. He said the Student Government Association should pass a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza because students have contributed to past movements. He also pushed against the argument that a ceasefire cannot happen because Hamas has not released Israeli hostages.

“The ironic thing is that a ceasefire inherently implies the release of hostages,” Vogt said. Abdelkarim Jibril, the president of SJP, shared statistics about the “genocide against the Palestinian people,” emphasizing the vast displacement of Palestinians and

the destruction of more health care facilities, places of worship, and residential buildings. Over 90% of Palestinians have been displaced.

He also highlighted the numerous children’s deaths.

Jibril’s voice caught as he discussed that the United States government has chosen to “fund a genocide” in Israel instead of alleviating poverty, homelessness and other issues within the United States. Student Michael Miller later echoed his points.

“If America is going to be a peacemaker in the world, it has to stay true to that, and unfortunately, it has not stayed true to that,” Jibril said.

Protest attendees hold a banner with figures representing the number of murdered Palestinians. More than a dozen students and community members gathered outside of Century II on Monday evening to call for a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Palestinians.

Photos by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower

WSU students and community members march outside of Century II. Protesters recited chants like “1-2-3-4, occupation no more, 5-67-8, Israel is a terror state.”

A protester displays a sign with a quote by Palestinian author and politician Ghassan Kanafan.

Damian Montañéz, Alec Dulaney, Timber Keller and Greg Chewning pose for a photo during a recording session for their mental health podcast on Sunday, Feb. 25. The four are all clinical mental health counseling students at Wichita State. | Photo courtesy of the group

WSU students Kendah Ballout (right) and Sean Wentling (center) recite chants during the ceasefire protest at Century II Convention Center on Monday, Feb. 26.

Dulaney hopes the podcast can continue to be a resource for fellow counseling students, whether at Wichita State or elsewhere.

“It might be just fun to listen to someone finding their way through it, and we’d love it,” Dulaney said. “We all love the program and the field, so there’s very much a contagious, encouraging energy to be found.”

The podcast has also expanded to hosting special guests, including a marriage and family therapist as well as Jody Fiorini, the department head of Wichita State’s counseling program. All four enjoyed conversing with the guests and learning more about Fiorini beyond their previous interactions.

“It was fascinating because she’s got so much background with working with those with disabilities,” Chewning said. “That was a whole aspect of her that we never really got to learn much about in class.”

During their time with Fiorini, the discussion touched on how the podcast group is all men “open to expressing themselves.”

Montañéz said professors have called the podcasters a positive model because they are expressive men discussing mental health.

Chewning hopes the podcast can break down stereotypes and encourage men to become more reflective, while Keller would like men to realize they can ask for help when needed.

“Men often seek to be independent rather than going and advocating for themselves and getting social support,” Keller said. “It’s really beneficial to have those role models and those experiences with other males that have gone and sought help and have ‘survived’ it.”

Keller, Dulaney and Montañéz will take this goal beyond the podcast. They plan to present research on supporting men in counseling at the Kansas Counselors Association Annual Conference on March 1.

The podcasters say their mental health clinical program consists of predominantly female students, and Dulaney said the group all being male also “glues” them together as a result. Their friendship goes beyond podcast recordings, from their Super Bowl watch night to their group chat filled with what Montañéz calls the “most horrendous, bad dad jokes.”

That group energy that looped strangers into their coffee shop conversations still resonates with students and professors alike, with some professors even interested in snagging a three-hour ride with them to their research presentation.

“The professors are always like, ‘Oh my gosh, you guys and your podcast,’” Keller said. “The professors were even wanting to go in the car with us on the way up there because they’re like, ‘Your interactions are so fun — and so invigorating.’

“Are You Theorious?” is available on Spotify; new episodes are released on Saturdays.

MISSION

Real estate student works with OneRise campus to alleviate local mental health, substance and homelessness concerns

BY ALLISON CAMPBELL news@thesunflower.com

A new mental health-based initiative sponsored by Lange Real Estate will soon provide community-wide relief for those struggling with mental health, substance abuse and homelessness in Wichita.

The OneRise Health Campus, upon completion in 2026, will feature 70 acres of restorative facilities and outdoor spaces that aim to set a “world class precedent” for healing, learning and relationship rebuilding. OneRise President Matthew Tannehill said the non-profit’s campus, which will be located off of the northwest corner of Meridian and MacArthur, “will be a beacon of integrated healing and innovative health solutions.”

“We envision the OneRise project as a catalyst for positive change in Wichita, Sedgwick County and the South Central Region, fostering a more compassionate and inclusive community,” Tannehill said. “OneRise Health Campus is dedicated to building an innovative, trauma-informed landscape focused on healing and fostering long-term recovery for all individuals in our region.”

Eleazar Recendiz, a junior studying entrepreneurship with an emphasis in real estate, is halfway through a 12-week internship with Lange Real Estate. Recendiz, who

GAZA CEASEFIRE

FROM PAGE 1

Jibril said he hoped that Wichita State’s passage of a ceasefire resolution could influence other cities and the United States government.

“The more cities that do that, the more together we get against this genocide,” Jibril said.

Israel has also used white phosphorus munitions to attack Gaza and Lebanon. White phosphorus is a lethal chemical able to burn human skin and cause internal damage, and its use is considered illegal in civilian areas under international law.

Banine Haidar, the president of Arab Student Association (ASA), said the white phosphorus attacks on Lebanon have impacted her family, where she has a grandfather on dialysis, a grandma with a recently broken rib, and infant cousins. She said her friends in Syria and Yemen are also impacted.

“My story is nothing, absolutely nothing to what is going on with every single other person because I am Lebanese — I am not Palestinian, and here I am being affected by this,” Haidar said.

Haidar said ASA “has never been called terrorists and barbarians more than I’ve ever had in the last few months than in my whole entire life.”

“We have friends who no longer speak to us … our sponsor’s doctor has basically told her she’s no longer to be able to see her because she’s Palestinian,” Haidar said.

ASA has also hosted vigils and other events supporting Palestine. Haidar has found the reception positive.

“People have come up to us in vigils and said, ‘Thank you for hosting this; I didn’t think anybody would care enough,’” Haidar said.

Liesl Wright, a Wichita State

The Sunflower — both in print and online — will be a timely resource of information about the Wichita State University community. It will report on news, issues, activities, academics and athletics, in addition to offering a forum for discussion, reviews and commentary. It will also be an effective learning experience for students, who will have the final authority over what is published.

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will receive his real estate license by the end of March, said that Lange’s and OneRise’s commitment to personalized approaches and community betterment resonates with him.

“We’re always trying to do what’s best for your interests,” Recendiz said.

Upon graduating in May of 2025, Recendiz hopes to merge his interest in real estate and mental health with OneRise’s mission through a full-time career with the non-profit.

“Mental health is this great thing to be advocating for,” Recendiz said. “It’s pretty great what they’re doing, and this project was pretty much founded upon the values of Jeff Lange … That makes me want to work alongside them.”

According to Tannehill, the Lange family has a “deeply personal connection” to the issues OneRise addresses. These firsthand experiences inspired the principles that the OneRise Health Campus was founded upon.

“The OneRise initiative was birthed from their desire to make a meaningful difference to all in our community, stemming from a shared commitment to addressing these pressing social issues and improving the overall well-being of our society,” Tannehill said.

OneRise’s behavioral health care campus aims to alleviate a variety of issues that Wichitans and Kansans may encounter,

including housing, nutrition, education, clothing, therapies and legal services, according to its website. The site will also feature more than 14 acres of accessible housing.

“Additionally, we are exploring options like Permanent Supportive Housing and Affordable Housing, offering a sustainable living environment for those in need,” Tannehill said. “We have secured necessary land and permit approvals to move forward efficiently to drive this project forward.”

For students like Recendiz, the benefits from being directly involved in such a project build meaningful, lifelong skills, both as a professional and individual.

“Additionally, initiatives like this offer valuable learning opportunities for emerging real estate students like Eleazar Recendiz, who can gain insight into the intersection of social responsibility and property development,” Tannehill said.

Recendiz hopes that through OneRise’s one-on-one connectionbuilding strategies, he can incorporate these ideals and techniques into his real estate work wherever he ends up.

“I feel like they … prepared me for what is to come,” Recendiz said. “I want to build these relationships and be able to be that person who helped you buy your dream home.”

alum, said she has always been proud to graduate from Wichita State and “would like to remain proud by seeing this school commit to ceasefire.”

“We cry every day; it keeps us up at night,” Wright said.

She called out the United States’ lack of commitment to a ceasefire.

The United States has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza three times.

Jens Kreinath, an associate professor of anthropology, said based on his German background, he sees “dangerous developments” in Israel that are leading to similar developments that happened in Nazi Germany.

“My family was affected (by the Holocaust), and I can tell you it is almost 100 years later, and nothing changed,” Kreinath said. “The trauma is still there for those who are, and every life matters every time.”

He said he knows Wichita students and community members who have lost family members — including one who has lost 30 family members, and another, 122. He also emphasized how Israel has

Various items from funding difficulties to RSC renovations discussed at SGA

BY LOREN AMELUNKE loren.amelunke@outlook.com

Mitch Baker, Geology Club vice president, spoke about club fundraising during Wednesday’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting. According to Baker, the Geology Club learns about natural sciences through camping, movie nights and a career exposition. Baker said that smaller clubs like theirs have a difficult time advertising for funding.

“It’s a little concerning that some organizations feel inclined to ask for upwards of 20, 30, up to 50% of the SGA budget,” Baker said.

He said the Geology Club has made it a priority to not charge their club members or ask for donations.

“If every club is required to fundraise, we must consider the impact on students who may already be financially stressed, especially if they believe their student fees already cover (registered student organization) expenses,” Baker said.

He added that students from poor economic backgrounds may face stigma if they are unable to contribute financially.

“If students are expected to find donors, sponsors, or fundraise to support themselves, why should they remain (in) an RSO?” Baker said.

destroyed universities and killed medical doctors and journalists.

“Cultural heritage was destroyed, and with every life, a life story goes,” Kreinath said.

WHAT COMES NEXT

Speaker of the Student Senate

Kylee Hower expressed her gratitude for the speakers and praised their bravery.

Student Body Vice President

Sophie Martins told The Sunflower that it is likely that the Student Government Association will introduce a resolution supporting a ceasefire in Gaza.

“The good thing is that it seems like something is happening, which is amazing,” Martins said.

Student Sean Wentling said that if SGA did not introduce a ceasefire resolution, the students would continue to come to the Student Senate meetings.

“If you don’t take action, we’ll come to the next session — and the next session, and the next session and the next session and the next session,” Sean Wentling said. “Free Palestine.”

RHATIGAN STUDENT CENTER RENOVATION RESOLUTION

The Student Government Association voted to update the language on a resolution that would support Rhatigan Student Center renovations.

Student Body Vice President Sophie Martins introduced a resolution at the Feb. 7 Senate meeting that would allow SGA to retain the amount of money taken for the RSC Remodeling Project Debt Service of 2014.

Although the funding for the RSC project came from student fees, SGA retaining the money will not increase student fees.

Eighteen senators voted in support of updating the language of the resolution to add clarification.

OTHER BUSINESS

The WSU Storm Trackers and the Threads Club were recognized as student organizations.

SGA will also announce candidates for the 2024-2025 session on Friday.

Olivia Ramos and another WSU student hold up a banner at the Student Senate meeting on Feb. 28. Dozens of community members, students and WSU faculty and staff assembled at the meeting on Wednesday night to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. | Photo by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower

Student Government Association International Sen. Aaron Haynes listens during the Student Senate meeting Wednesday night as several senators present bills for their first reads. | Photo by Allison Campbell / The Sunflower

Faculty member raises concerns about shared governance at WSU

BY TRINITY RAMM managing@thesunflower.com

During informal statements at the Faculty Senate on Feb. 26, Chase Billingham expressed his feelings about the Faculty Senate’s role in policymaking on campus.

Billingham spoke about shared governance, which the university defines as “the transparent and inclusive process by which administrative leaders and constituents contribute to university policies, procedures, and initiatives for Wichita State University.”

“I’ve been considering proactive measures that the Senate might implement to strengthen the Senate hands in university-shared governance, and I’d welcome anyone in the Senate to come and join me in that effort,” Billingham, an at-large senator, said.

Campus senates are a way that campus constituents can communicate their opinions and issues to administration by either talking to their representatives or becoming one.

“In these, and too many other cases, the university administration is not fulfilling its commitment to that policy of shared governance,” Billingham said.

Billingham pointed to two recent incidents where he felt the Faculty Senate should have been consulted but said that these are not two lone incidents: the enactment of an inclement weather procedure and the implementation of E-Verify, a government service that verifies employment eligibility.

At the beginning of the spring semester, WSU administration implemented an inclement weather guideline that Billingham said was presented as

“

“In these, and too many other cases, the university administration is not fulfilling its commitment to that policy of shared governance.”

CHASE BILLINGHAM At-large senator

policy.

“(The guidelines are) written in a document drafted by general counsel that looks identical to changes to policies and procedures, except that the header reads ‘guidelines and procedures,’ which is a category that I’m not familiar with,” Billingham said.

George Dehner, a senator from LAS, brought up this issue at the Feb. 12 Faculty Senate meeting. He said that the language used in the guidelines didn’t sound like a suggestion, citing language choices like “shall” and “expected.”

“That does not sound like a suggestion,” Dehner said. “That sounds like you are dictating to the faculty how they will handle what they teach in their classes based upon those circumstances.”

Both senators expressed that these guidelines should have been brought before the Faculty Senate because they impact faculty and their students.

During their most recent legislative session, the Kansas Senate passed an appropriations bill that requires any state agency receiving funds from the state to use E-Verify.

In 2020, the university had plans to implement E-Verify, but the Faculty Senate members expressed concerns about how it would impact faculty, staff and students.

Even though the current implementation of E-Verify is a

state mandate — not a university mandate — Billingham said that the Faculty Senate should have been informed by administration.

“I do believe that it still should have come back to the Faculty Senate for clarification about why it was necessary,” Billingham said.

This is common practice with both state legislature and university policy that the Faculty Senate is not required to vote on to enact.

Jolynn Dowling, Faculty Senate president, reminded the room that “shared governance doesn’t equal shared decision making” and that universities occasionally have to make emergency decisions, which can make practicing shared governance more complicated.

“I do believe that our administration, although not perfect, does try to make every effort to include the Senate bodies, whether that’s Staff Senate or SGA, in the decisions that they do make on campus,” Dowling said.

OMBUDSPERSON CHARTER

The Faculty Senate passed an official charter for an ombuds program for faculty at the university. An ombudsperson is a representative who can help faculty talk through problems they are experiencing at the university or point out systemic issues to the administration.

Carolyn Shaw, a political science professor, created the charter to legitimize the program and make it compliant with the United States Ombudsman Association. She is currently overhauling the program so that any interested faculty can participate in the program.

The Faculty Senate will meet again on March 26 at 3:30 p.m. in Woolsey Hall 110A.

Forensic Science Society dispels myths about field, discusses club

BY LYDIA STEEBY steebylk@gmail.com

Forensic science is not just murder mysteries and true crime podcasts — it’s a distinct field that brings scientists into criminal justice. The Forensic Science Society at Wichita State has seen low membership for this reason, according to President Ashley Bennett.

“We get lumped in with like, ‘Oh, true crime. What you see on TV’ … But no, we’re the boring part: sit in the lab, run tests,” Bennett said. “Our club is really catered towards other forensic science majors, even though we welcome all, and I think a lot of new members are like, ‘Oh, this is not what I thought it was gonna be.’”

Bennett has been the society’s president for two years, and the club has been at Wichita State since 2021. Now, Bennett, who uses she/they pronouns, is a senior who plans to graduate in May with a degree in forensic science.

Bennett said that the main misconceptions about the Forensic Science Society stem from TV shows that follow characters solving murders mysteries when realistically, most forensic science work takes place behind the scenes.

“I think a lot of people think, ‘Oh, we go out in the field, too,’ which that’s mostly just our crime scene people,” Bennett said. “And a lot of people who are in the forensic science major don’t even want to be a crime scene person because that’s honestly more of a criminal justice thing.”

According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, forensic science is the process of using science and scientific methods to investigate crimes and examine evidence in order to help make legal decisions.

For members of the Forensic Science Society, it doesn’t take drama, gore, or suspense to fuel their interest, though.

“It is fun, especially if you do really love science and you want to learn more about science and how science is applied to real life

things,” Bennett said. “Crime is an everyday occurrence. So forensic science is that applied every day, and I think that’s really cool.”

The Forensic Science Society’s meetings focus on preparing students to solve real-world problems and develop careeroriented skills while still having fun.

“In meetings, we talk a lot about modern technology within forensic science and how new technologies are helping with solving crimes,” Bennett said. “We talk about how do we get a job … because before the ATF came to WSU’s campus, we had a really hard time with our seniors getting jobs.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) opened the Crime Gun Intelligence Center of Excellence in Wichita State’s Innovation Campus in spring 2023, and it has become an important career resource for many Shockers in the Forensic Science Society, according to Bennett.

“This last round of seniors, (the) majority of them actually already work at ATF right now,” Bennett said.

Bennett also looks forward to the national forensic laboratory coming to campus, which she said will provide further career opportunities for forensic science students.

Despite less interest due to misconceptions about forensic science, the club still has fun staying true to the field.

“We try to have little fun activities like murder mystery games and talk about case studies,” Bennett said. “One meeting, we talked about the recent Murdaugh verdict trial, and how this man really just decimated his whole life, and how forensic science played a part in that, especially computer forensic science.”

The Forensic Science Society will begin meeting again bi-monthly in February.

Anyone interested in joining the club can contact Bennett through ShockerSync.

Photo courtesy of Forensic Science Society

Chase Billingham, an at-large senator, speaks to the Faculty Senate on Nov. 14. Billingham spoke at the Feb. 26 meeting about shared governance. | Photo by Nithin Reddy Nagapur / The Sunflower

Women’s basketball drops game in overtime vs SMU

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

After a thrilling 3-point basket from freshman Salese Blow at the buzzer that sent the game into overtime, the Wichita State women’s basketball ultimately fell to Southern Methodist University on Wednesday night, 88-84.

“I was completely shocked, I turned around with my hands over my mouth, and I was like, ‘There is no way I just made that,” Blow said. “As soon as I put it up and saw it hit the backboard, I was like, ‘That’s crazy.”

The Shockers dropped to 4-12 in conference play and 8-20 overall.

The Mustangs are now 8-8 in the conference.

Wichita State opened up a game with a trio of 3-pointers to take an early lead, 9-6. The Shockers continued to build up the lead to

16-12 on two layups from redshirt sophomore Jayla Murray before the first media timeout.

The Mustangs would go on a 10-0 run with a minute left in the first quarter. Blow made a layup to make the score 24-18. SMU responded with a live ball turnover to keep the lead at eight, 26-18.

Wichita State would try to chip away at the lead to finish the half 42-37.

The third quarter started with a free throw and jump shot from the Mustangs to expand the lead to 45-37. Junior Raissa Nsabua took matters into her own hands by making a 3-pointer to close the lead to five, 45-40.

After a two-minute dry spell from both teams, SMU opened up the game with a second-chance layup with just six minutes left in the third.

Wichita State answered with

another 3-pointer and layup from Nsabua to make it 49-45.

With three seconds left in the quarter, sophomore Daniela Abies made a pair of free throws to make it a three-point game, 56-53. Abies missed the game against Charlotte due to concussion protocols and got cleared to play on Tuesday.

“It really … hurts her when she’s not out there helping us, and she’s just a big part of everything we do on both ends of the floor,” head coach Terry Nooner said.

To start the fourth, Ambah Kowcun made a 3-pointer to tie the game at 56, but SMU would not go quietly and scored in the next possession to make it 58-56. Kowcun evened the score once more at 58 after making a pair of free throws.

The Mustangs created a sixpoint lead against the Shockers with less than five minutes left in the game, 70-64. After a foul in the

paint, Blow stepped up to make a pair of three throws, once again narrowing the lead. The Shockers tied the game, 70-70, with less than three minutes left on two free throws from Blow before SMU called a timeout.

SMU would capitalize from a steal and subsequent layup to take the lead, 74-70. Blow found herself at the free throw line once more, making both her free throws to give the Shockers some hope, 74-72. A defensive foul from junior Ella Anciaux allowed SMU to make two free throws, 76-72.

In the back-and-forth last few minutes of the fourth quarter, SMU was in the lead, but the Shockers would not give up. With less than 5 seconds left in regulation, Blow made the 3-pointer buzzer shot to send it into overtime.

No blown lead this time; Wichita State men’s basketball holds on for win vs UAB

BY JACOB UNRUH assistantsports@thesunflower.com

Much of the second half of the Wichita State men’s basketball team’s game against the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) felt like deja vu to the numerous times this season when the Shockers blew a double-digit lead in the second half.

A 19-point lead was cut to one, but the Shockers managed to hold on to the win in the end, 74-66. It was the first road win in this year’s American Athletic Conference play for Wichita State.

The Shockers are now 4-12 in the AAC and 12-17 overall, while the Blazers dropped to 10-5 in conference play.

Twelve of Wichita State’s first

14 points came from junior guard Colby Rogers. Following his previous game against Temple, where he went 2 for 14, Rogers made all seven shots he took in the first half against UAB.

Redshirt junior guard Harlond Beverly knocked down a 3-pointer to tie the game at 22 with seven minutes left in the half, and the Shockers took the lead, 30-26, after a pair of open dunks by graduate student forward Dalen Ridgnal and junior center Quincy Ballard.

Rogers beat the buzzer to close out the half with another three, giving the Shockers a 39-33 lead.

UAB failed to score a basket for a five-minute stretch in the second half as Wichita State expanded its lead to 60-41 with 12 minutes left. After another bucket, it was

Wichita State who went on a scoring drought with five turnovers. However, UAB was only able to cut the lead to 13 with seven minutes left.

After a Rogers layup, the Shockers went cold again and, jump-started by a poster dunk on Ballard from UAB junior Yaxel Lendeborg, the Blazers went on a 15-1 run to cut the Wichita State lead to one, 65-64, with 3:17 remaining. With 48 seconds left and a fourpoint lead, Rogers stole a UAB pass and led a fast break that resulted in a Ballard dunk.

On the other end, a UAB three rimmed out and junior guard Xavier Bell delivered two free throws to clinch the final result and give the Shockers a sigh of relief.

Rogers scored a season-high 29 points, 19 of which came in the first half. Beverly also had a solid allaround game, with 12 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

Bell was the only other double-digit scorer for the Shockers, although he also had five turnovers, struggling with the UAB defense for much of the second half.

The Shockers shot 53% from beyond the arc, its best percentage of the season, while UAB only scored 5 of 16 threes. UAB was kept in the game by 18 Wichita State turnovers, which is the second-most of the year.

Wichita State plays its final home game of the season on Saturday, March 2 against Rice. Tipoff is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Head coach Terry Nooner said the shot was a testament to Blow’s mental toughness.

“Just to be able to play that much on both ends of the floor, and she didn’t miss any free throws, which is big for us.”

A close game saw another tie, 84-84, after two free throws from Nsabua, but a pair of free throws and a layup sealed the deal for SMU.

Blow led the Shockers with 24 points, and Abies added 17, along with 13 rebounds. With the next game being senior night, Nooner said he is hoping to inspire the team to win so that the seniors’ last game in Charles Koch Arena is memorable.

Wichita State women’s basketball will play their final home game of the season against the University of Texas at San Antonio on March 2 at 2 p.m.

Three Shockers win AAC track and field titles; WSU finishes fifth

BY JACOB UNRUH assistantsports@thesunflower.com

Three Shockers won event titles in the track and field American Athletic Conference Indoor Championships in Birmingham, Alabama, over the weekend.

Junior Brady Palen won the high jump on the men’s side at 2.18m, junior Destiny Masters claimed the title on the women’s with 1.86m and junior Adria Navajon won in the men’s heptathlon with 5568 points.

Masters’ jump was a personal-best and the 11th-best mark in the nation. She also finished second in the women’s pentathlon, seventh in the long jump and eighth in the 60-meter hurdles to claim the AAC Most Valuable Performer award.

Navajon’s heptathlon victory was his third consecutive title. He had a strong overall performance, placing first in the hurdles and 60-meter dash and second in the 1000-meter run and pole vault.

In the high jump, Palen’s mark was a season-best and ranked 24th in the country.

Wichita State’s men’s and women’s teams both finished fifth overall, with 70 and 48.5 points, respectively. South Florida claimed the men’s championship with 156 points, while Charlotte won on the women’s side with 107

The other podium finishers for Wichita State were junior Farrah Miller, who finished second in the women’s 800-meter with a 2:04:68 time.

Dalen Ridgnal dances following the Wichita State win over UTSA, 84-64 on Feb. 7. |

Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Table tennis strives for national competitive success

BY JACOB UNRUH assistantsports@thesunflower.com

When new people join the Wichita State table tennis team, they are quickly told that it isn’t a run-of-the-mill ping-pong club. The team treats itself like an NCAA organization; recruiting, training and competing at a national level.

Head coach P.J. Phachantry founded the team when he attended the university in 2007. He said from the start, the team was very competitive.

“Right from the get go, my vision for it was, I want us to compete nationally right away,” Phachantry said. “I don't want us to be seen as a ping pong club. I want to be seen as a table tennis organization.”

In its first year, the team was already competing nationally. Of the division championships since 2007, containing schools like

Freshman Tyler Dobbs wins first game on the mound against Oral Roberts

BY OWEN PROTHRO owenprothro@gmail.com

Stepping on the mound in the second inning of Wichita State’s baseball game at Oral Roberts, freshman Tyler Dobbs earned his first collegiate win on Wednesday. Dobbs pitched five scoreless innings, gave up one hit and struck out four Golden Eagles en route to a 3-1 victory.

The Shockers are now 4-3 to start the season.

Senior Nate Adler earned the save, the second of his career.

At the top of the second inning, sophomore Jaden Gustafson reached home and scored the game’s first run after freshman Darnell Parker Jr. hit a comebacker.

Senior Dayvin Johnson drove in the second run for the Shockers as he hit a one-RBI single to right field in the top of the second inning, 2-0.

Dobbs maintained control, and Wichita State continued to play good defense for the next three innings and opened up a 3-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning as freshman Camden Johnson crossed home plate on a passed ball.

Senior Alex Rodgers scored the only run for Oral Roberts in the bottom of the eighth inning as he reached home on a sacrifice fly out to center field.

Going into the bottom of the ninth inning, Adler came in to replace sophomore Caleb Anderson and punched home the final two outs of the ballgame.

Dayvin Johnson went 2-3 during the game for Wichita State, improving his batting average to .417.

As the Shockers travel back to Wichita, they will play their first series at Eck Stadium from Friday, March 1, to Sunday, March 3, against Utah Tech.

The first pitch is scheduled for Friday at 3 p.m.

University of Kansas, Kansas State University and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, the Shockers have won 10, the most of any team in the division.

On Feb. 14, the team wrapped up their season with another division title. Drew Smith, who is currently enrolled at Butler Community College but plays with the Shockers and senior Chris Prout came first in doubles and Smith won the singles event.

Phachantry said he picked up the sport at 12 years old when his dad brought him to Sunset Banquet Hall, located in south Wichita.

“Ever since then, I've been here 10-12 hours a week,” Phachantry said. “It's like a routine. It's part of my life now.”

Phachantry said he is committed to Wichita State for the long haul.

“I've been in Wichita all my life,” Phachantry said. “As long as

I'm here, I don't see myself doing anything but helping the Wichita State team.”

Victor DiMartino said he began playing table tennis competitively when he was 15 years old. He decided to attend Wichita State in part because of its table tennis program.

“Wichita State was at a local tournament that I went to,” DiMartino said. “I saw them playing and I was like, ‘Wow, this is legit’ and I wanted to be a part of that.”

DiMartino is currently a senior and the team captain. He said he plans on helping coach the team in an official capacity two years from now after he exhausts his final year of eligibility. As the captain, he already takes on a coaching and leadership role.

“There was one teammate we had, “DiMartino said. “My coach

didn’t want to train with him, because he had zero experience. So he was like, ‘Alright Victor, this is on you.’ And now, he’s … the third best player on the team right now and he hasn’t lost in a tournament in a long time.”

Phachantry said the team’s success is due in part to good community support.

“There’s a lot of schools out there that run it just like a normal club, so having that mindset has helped,” Phachantry said.”

DiMartino said that while he is the top performer, the team has a deep roster of talented players that help them achieve success.

“People can carry a team in basketball or soccer or baseball, but in table tennis, if you only have one good player winning one match and losing the other three, it doesn’t matter,” DiMartino said. “You could have the best player in the world on

your team, but you need a strong foundation.”

This year, the team did not compete at the regional or national tournament because it was too expensive, but DiMartino said next year, the national tournament is the goal.

“I’ve been to nationals as an individual player, but I want the whole team to go to nationals and compete in the team event,” DiMartino said. “And next year, I think we can do that.”

The Wichita State table tennis team practices in the Sunset Banquet Hall on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday nights. All are welcome to join and play. For more information, visit their Facebook page.

Editor’s note: DiMartino is a current staff member on The Sunflower. We thought it crucial to include his perspective as a leader on the table tennis team.

Softball goes 4-1 in Razorback Invitational, beats another ranked opponent

BY OWEN PROTHRO owenprothro@gmail.com

The Wichita State softball team competed in the Razorback Invitational in Fayetteville, Arkansas, over the weekend. The Shockers went 4-1 during the three-day event and secured a win against No. 15 University of Arkansas. Wichita State is now 7-3 to start its season.

FRIDAY

On the first day of the event, the Shockers played a doubleheader against Illinois State (ISU) and No. 15 Arkansas. Wichita State won both games, beating ISU in a 7-5 ballgame and Arkansas, 3-1.

Against ISU, the scoring happened early, as the Shockers scored seven runs in the first inning and gave up five runs in the second inning. In the fourth at-bat of the game, redshirt senior Bailey Urban batted in two runs after rocketing a double to right field.

Senior Lauren Howell got the start for Wichita State, but junior Alison Cooper was credited the win as Howell gave up five runs in 1.2 innings. Cooper ended her 5.1 innings with three hits and five strikeouts.

In the Shockers’ game against

Arkansas, freshman Chloe Barber pitched a complete game, allowing one run on five hits and striking out 15 batters, tying the all-time team record. Barber is now 2-0 this season.

Graduate student CC Wong hit a two-RBI single in the second inning to open up a 2-0 lead for the Shockers. Redshirt senior Lainee Brown drove in the final run with a single in the seventh inning to secure the win.

SATURDAY

On Saturday, Wichita State played another doubleheader as they faced off against The University of Texas at Arlington and competed in a rematch against Arkansas.

In the 6-1 win over UT-Arlington, the Shockers scored runs in every inning except the fourth, not needing to bat in the seventh. Wong and senior Addison Barnard each hit a home run during the game. Cooper solidified her second win of the season as she pitched a one-run, two-strikeout, six-inning outing. Having the win in sight, Barber stepped in for the seventh inning and struck out two batters.

The rematch against Arkansas saw worse results for Wichita State as the team lost 15-4, being mercy-ruled after the top of the

During a timeout, Wichita State players and coaches huddle together on April 23, 2023. In the team’s spring 2024 season, they competed in Fayetteville, Arkansas, against several teams. | Photo by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

fifth inning. Wong was the only offensive firepower for the Shockers, as she homered in the third inning and drove in two runs after a single in the fourth. After leading 3-2 going into the bottom half of the fourth inning, Wichita State gave up 13 runs. Sophomore pitcher Alex Aguilar gave up five runs in three innings, and Howell and Cooper each gave up four runs in one combined inning. Arkansas reached home plate twice due to errors by the Shockers.

SUNDAY

On the final day of the Invitational, Wichita State won

their second game against ISU, 8-1.

Barber pitched her second complete game this season, giving up one run on two hits and tallying 16 strikeouts, setting the new school record outright.

The Shockers shot fireworks early as sophomore Taylor Sedlacek sent a two-RBI homerun to center field in the first inning. Wong hit her fifth home run of the season during the second inning, and Wichita State would score five more runs in the ballgame to seal the win.

The Shockers will travel to Lincoln, Nebraska to play in the Big Red Invitational, hosted by the University of Nebraska from March 1 to 3. The first pitch is scheduled for Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Shocker Sports Roundup: What you missed in sports this weekend

BY MELANIE RIVERA-CORTEZ sports@thesunflower.com

MEN’S TENNIS

The Wichita State men’s tennis team lost to both Drake and No. 23 Oklahoma State University over the weekend.

The Shockers lost to Drake on Friday, 5-2, and were swept by Oklahoma State on Sunday, 7-0.

The Shockers are now 2-8, holding a losing streak of five games.

In doubles, Drake built up an early lead on courts one and two.

In his first career start, freshman Ziwen Ju won on court six, and sophomore Luke Bracks won on court five. However, the remainder of the Shockers fell short in their matchups.

On Sunday, the Shockers could

not get anything going on the courts as Oklahoma State took its seventh win in a row.

Wichita State came close to winning a point in doubles, but the Cowboys came back on court one against graduate student Misha Kvantaliani and sophomore Richey King, 6-4.

The Shockers will seek to end their losing streak as they go on the road to Colorado against the University of Montana on Saturday, March 2 and the University of Denver on Sunday, March 3.

BASEBALL

Wichita State baseball played in the Jax College Baseball Classic in Jacksonville, Florida. The Shockers lost their first game on Friday against No. 14 The University of

Virginia, 4-5, lost against Auburn, 19-8 on Saturday, but managed to beat No. 18 The University of Iowa on Sunday, 12-6. The Shockers took a 3-2 lead going into the eighth inning against No. 14 Virginia, but the Cavaliers tied the game in the bottom of the eighth and scored two runs in the extra tenth inning to secure the victory. Senior left-handed pitcher Caden Favors had a career-high in 6.2 innings with seven strikeouts. He allowed eight hits and two runs, one earned.

Auburn was able to capitalize on 16 walks handed out by Wichita State pitchers. The game was called after seven innings due to the tournament’s mercy rule.

Auburn went up by six in the first inning and never looked back.

The Shockers got close in the bottom of the second, 7-3, when senior Dayvin Johnson launched a three-run homer, but the Tigers’ four-run third inning restored the cushion to 11-3.

In its final match, Wichita State would not go quietly, beating No. 18 Iowa thanks to a trio of threerun home runs.

Iowa made four runs in the second inning and one in the fifth to give them the lead, 5-0. Junior Josh Livingston came off the bench for Wichita State and promptly delivered a towering three-run homer that cut the deficit to 5-3.

The Shockers would plate five runs in the seventh inning and four in the eighth inning to seal the deal. Iowa could not get much going after only scoring one run in the fifth and one in the seventh.

Chris Prout plays a competitive match of table tennis on Sept. 12. Prout is a second year player for the Wichita State team. | Photos by Kristy Mace / The Sunflower

Wichita State table tennis team practices at the Sunset Banquet Hall.

did not get snubbed

Oscars season has reared its ugly head again, and it’s time for you to hear all the movie opinions from the worst person you know: Hi, how are you?

The day that nominations were released, the Internet and mainstream media exploded at the news that Greta Gerwig and Margot Robbie missed out on nominations for Best Director and Best Actress in a Leading Role, respectively.

In a matter of minutes, words like “snubbed” and “misogynistic” began bouncing around the film world’s favorite website, Twitter, now known as X.

According to these so-called critics, the Academy just didn’t understand “Barbie” and completely ignored its themes when making these nominations. Yes, each of the over 10,000 members of the Academy just didn’t get “Barbie.”

To be clear, “Barbie” received eight nominations. Gerwig and Robbie, as director/writer and producer, either are part of the nominations or at least get kudos for those nominations, certainly not any rational person’s definition of snubbed.

And to be even clearer, the Oscars have three women-directed Best Picture nominees, a hotly-contested Best Actress race and a Best Director nomination for Justine Triet. This doesn’t come close to the most complex definitions of

misogyny.

The Academy does have a nasty history of excluding women from its ranks, but this is certainly not one of those times.

I’m sorry your favorite movie didn’t get nominated for every award on the face of the planet, but that does not mean you get to throw around claims of misogyny for fun.

Why does it only matter if the women you like get nominated?

Why does it only matter if the women who look like you get nominated? So, women in line at Starbucks, just know that your feminism can extend beyond your mirror and your own personal experiences.

It can also extend beyond the teaching of Gerwig’s pink-hued Barbieland. As someone who

previously called “Barbie” a “part feminist manifesto,” let’s just say that the manifesto might be called “Feminism for Dummies.”

This is a year where there is a chance for Lily Gladstone to make history as the first Indigenous American actress to win Best Actress. This is a year where Da’Vine Joy Randolph is a lock to win Best Supporting Actress in a pool of highly talented actors.

Hell, America Ferrerra, a long-time Hollywood veteran, is nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her role in “Barbie.”

All this upheaval is yet another example of an increasing and never-ending trend of white feminists disproportionately invoking feminism to stand up for their favorite blonde-haired, blue-eyed celebrity. (Looking at you, valiant

Taylor Swift defenders.)

Why does it only matter if women are recognized as individuals rather than parts of a whole, especially when the plot of “Barbie” emphasizes prosperity in solidarity among women?

This sort of flag-waving feminism ultimately does damage to those who experience gender-based discrimination, not only in the world of celebrity but to everyday women who have to constantly battle for their place in the world.

This year, choose to support and celebrate female-presenting actors, directors and other creatives instead of throwing a fit about two white women who have been nominated for Oscars both this year and in previous years and will certainly be nominated again.

one in particular under the pseudonym of Golem, had bought previously compromised company data off the dark web that contained information related to the accounts, such as the passwords of users.

Those passwords were then linked to accounts that had reused those passwords and were not using double authentication.

Of the 6.9 million profiles that were exposed, it is estimated that one

million of the profiles were of Jewish descent, and 100,000 were of Chinese descent, both with ancestry down to 0.1%.

According to The New York Times, this data breach exposed full names, home addresses, and birthdays. A user whose data was compromised, J.L., said he was concerned about the breach due to rising anti-semitism and violence in the United States.

It is as vital as ever in this digital age to take precautions relating to your privacy by enabling multi-factor authentication on your accounts, regularly changing your account passwords and above all, making informed decisions regarding the companies you disclose your personal information to.

One of the major problems with the security of these 23andMe profiles is that each account is not run through a secure terminal.

As of now, it would be easy for hackers to have physical or virtual external access to someone’s account if they are not taking the proper privacy precautions.

After the breach, 23andMe published a letter “addressing data security concerns.” Part of their safety and security statement read:“At 23andMe, we take security seriously. Since 2019 we’ve offered and encouraged users to use multifactor authentication (MFA), which provides an extra layer of security and can prevent bad actors from accessing an account through recycled passwords.”

It is not necessarily the company’s fault that profiles were hijacked, especially since it does recommend multi-factor

authentication and for users to create a strong password that is changed regularly. Customers should also take precautions and know the risks of putting their personal data on any site.

Obviously, privacy concerns relating to you and your family’s name, address, birthdays, etc., should be kept private, but what about your DNA and family reports that are associated with your personal health reports?

23andMe claims that no databases, third parties, insurance companies or employers can be informed of your personal health data without your consent. They could make exceptions when relating to the law, such as murder cases and other crimes.

Your data could help in some ways, too. You can get data on diseases or cancers that run in your family or connect with lost relatives you didn’t know you had.

On the flip side, health information could harm you or your family.

For example, if you have a possibility of a disease or cancer and your health insurance had access to that data, your insurance amount for aid could change. You could even reveal sensitive things, like a family member not being a biological member of your family.

DNA sites have obviously caused some harm by releasing private information the same way Google has. Both were run-ins with hackers. I think it is still safe to say that DNA sites can help you understand information about your DNA, ancestry, health, family history and more.

Is it just me or has the road movie genre been desperate for more crime, lesbians and bizarre Miley Cyrus cameos? In all of its gritty glory “Drive-Away Dolls” was the answer to my prayers

Ethan Coen, known better as a Coen brother for the film legacy he’s built alongside his sibling Joel, returned to the director’s chair for his first narrative film since 2018’s “The Ballad of Buster Scruggs,” in tandem with his partner Tricia Cooke, who edited the film and wrote alongside him.

The film is equal parts Coen and Cooke with a queer sex-comedy/caper combining their artistic sensibilities perfectly. “Drive-Away Dolls” is truly the cinematic lovechild of their non-traditional marriage. For its relatively short run-time of 84 minutes, a lot of narrative is packed into the film. Chaos ensues as a duo of lesbian friends, one unhinged and the other neurotic, embark on a spur-of-the-moment road trip down south to Tallahassee, Florida, with a suitcase in the back of their drive-away rental car left behind by a bumbling pair of criminals desperate to get it back.

Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan portrayed the lead ladies, Jamie and Marian, and played off each other perfectly.

Jamie was based on Cooke herself and her experiences coasting around lesbian bars at the turn of the century. Jamie’s “Texan” accent was a campy Sandy Cheeks

impression at best, a bit jarring, but as the film progressed, it stopped overshadowing the performance. It suited the character who was so cartoonishly flamboyant, but in the hands of a less skilled actor, I can see it falling apart quite easily. You can tell a lot of love was put into Jamie, and that worked aptly to balance her eccentricity with humanity and depth.

Juxtaposing Jamie’s chaotic energy, I find Marian my favorite character in the film. “Drive-Away Dolls” was quite ridiculous, and bringing a high-strung, maladjusted persona into the script brought just the amount of common sense it needed. Her friendship with Jamie was incredibly adorable. The friends-to-lovers trope isn’t as common in queer media, and I think throwing it into a jam-packed story made it play out wonderfully.

I think the unseriousness of the film is what makes it ultimately charming to me. Both the editing and pacing were intense. Watching the movie you had to be on your toes to follow the unconventional transitions between scenes and all of the seemingly random psychedelic sequences that would later unravel the mystery. It was engaging, and that’s all I want out of a movie at the end of the day.

“Drive-Away Dolls” is not for everyone, observable as the mixed reviews roll in. Disappointment is inevitable, holding it up to peakCoen brother filmography or the endearing sleaze of the B movie genre it homages. In fact, “DriveAway Dolls” is probably suited for very few people, and I’m one of them. It was a good time, and I loved it.

Nine Black educators recognized by Art That Touches Your Heart Foundation, ODI

BY TRINITY RAMM managing@thesunflower.com

Live performances and prayer accompanied the 10th annual celebration of the Black Educator Hall of Fame on Saturday evening.

The event, hosted by the Art That Touches Your Heart Foundation (ATTYH) and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI), recognized nine black educators as inductees to the Black Educators Hall of Fame.

The full list of inductees are George Rogers, Samuel Allen Jr., June Faucette-Huff, Jean Ponds, Linda Watson-Morris, Bobby Berry, Deborah James, Frank Wooden and Shallruan Thomas.

Berry works at Wichita State as the assistant dean for diversity and outreach for the College of Applied Studies and an assistant professor of sports management.

“For me, it’s important to be in the room with these experiences, to be able to advocate for our Black students because they are not at those tables,” Berry said. “I don’t take my job lightly. I thank you all for whoever came before me. I thank this foundation for being able to do what I do every day and live my life and move around as boldly as I do.”

Lola McLaurian, an ATTYH board member, introduced all inductees. Each inductee gave a speech or was represented by a family member if they were not

Makers Market highlights Black-owned businesses

BY AINSLEY SMYTH ainsley.smith3@gmail.com

The Black Wall Street Maker’s Market showcased the work of local Black creatives and entrepreneurs, including Wichita State students.

On Feb. 20 and 21, several business owners displayed art, jewelry and more in the Rhatigan Student Center.

Kenna Green, a third-year photo media major, sold her work at the market this year. She said this was her second Maker’s Market, and this time, she chose to sell bracelets that she made alongside her artwork.

Diane Razer, owner of Delyza J Jewelry, also sold her work, which she said she’s been making for about six years, but her interest in fashion goes back further.

“My mom was always one that liked to match her clothes with her jewelry, and that is where I

think I got a lot of my designing from and creativity,” she said.

Daphne Lynch also showed off her creations at the market. Her business is called Let’s Get It Girl Boutique. Some of her work includes embellished denim jackets and upcycled bags, iPad covers, and jewelry that she said she creates from old jeans, adorned with antique brooches.

“I look at Pinterest, and I come up with a lot of my ideas,” she said. “I like to go to estate sales, and I collect brooches.”

Lynch has been running her business for 20 years, selling at events and markets like this one.

Black Wall Street is an annual event celebrating Black History Month.

“It’s always good to participate in Black Wall Street events,” Razer said. “It’s great to come over here on the campus and see everybody.”

able to attend or deceased.

“Art That Touches Your Heart realizes that if it had not been for the educator or educators in our lives, many of us would not be where we are today,” McLaurian said. “African American educators are part of the backbone of the Black community.”

According to a study from the Brookings Institution, Black students are 7% more likely to graduate high school and 13% more likely to enroll in college when they’ve had a Black teacher by the third grade.

The percentage of Black students who enroll in college increases to 32% when they’ve had two Black teachers.

Wichita Sen. Oletha

Maleah Evans

maleah.evans04@gmail.com REVIEW

The story of Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde is often referenced throughout media and popular culture. It tackles the duality of man, broken down into the basics of good and evil.

The musical version, “Jekyll & Hyde,” came out in 1990, composed by Frank Wildhorn and adapted from the 1886 novella “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

The stage performance at Roxy’s opened on Feb. 22, and I had the pleasure of seeing it on opening night with front-row seating. The set design and costuming were easily my favorite parts of the show.

I was transported back to 1800s London. Costume designer Gwyn Birk did an amazing job with the costumes for each actor. Each character’s personality was distinct in the costumes, and they fit perfectly to the era. Each dress had a bustle that provided a distinct bump, and they all had the layers and corsets that were common for the era.

Going into the show, I was worried about how well one person would be able to play the differences between Jekyll and Hyde, but Nathan Oesterle did so phenomenally.

When Oesterle was in control as Hyde, he was timid and a little awkward, but incredibly smart and charming. When Jekyll emerged, Oesterle’s entire demeanor changed. Everything about him suddenly appeared disheveled. The audience could tell that someone else was in

Faust-Goudeau presented each inductee, ATTYH, and a select group of others with a certificate from the State of Kansas that recognizes their contributions to education and the Wichita community.

Brandon Johnson, Wichita city councilperson, declared Feb. 24 as Black Educators Day in Wichita on behalf of the city council and Mayor Lily Wu. Because this was the event’s 10th anniversary, ATTYH recognized the Divine Nine, a group of nine Greek letter organizations that were created by and for Black students at both historically Black colleges and universities and predominately white institutions.

These nine organizations form the National Pan-Hellenic Council. Memorabilia from each organization is currently on display in the Rhatigan Student Center behind the Looking Glass of the Cadman Art Gallery.

The Cadman Art Gallery is also playing host to artwork in the month of February that celebrates Black History Month and the 70th anniversary of the Brown vs. The Board of Education decision, which ruled that segregated schools were unconstitutional and ended legal segregation.

Previous Black Educators Hall of Fame inductees can be viewed on the ATTYH website, attyh.org.

control, even though it was the same actor playing both roles.

In the finale song, “Confrontation,” there is an almost constant back and forth between Jekyll and Hyde, but Oesterle made it seem effortless. Oesterle conveyed the fight for control through his lines while physically displaying the back and forth by throwing himself around the stage.

The lighting during “Confrontation” was impeccable, flashing red when Jekyll was in control and blue when Hyde took control back. The lighting changes do get faster toward the end, so if you are sensitive to flashing lights, I would prepare for that. There was also a live orchestra

in a pit in front of the audience, and part of the stage was built around them. I thought it was to separate the musicians from the audience, but when the show started, it was used by the actors to show depth and to interact with the audience. During a few of the ensemble son gs, like “Murder, Murder!” and “Bring on the Men,” actors came off the stage and wound their way through the audience, a factor that I wasn’t anticipating but thoroughly appreciated.

If you have the time and desire, head to Roxy’s to see the show before it closes on March 16. You can get tickets on Roxy’s website or by calling, and Wichita State students can get discounted tickets if they call.

Angela Linder speaks to customers at the Black Wall Street Maker’s Market on Feb. 21. The Maker’s Market was intended to showcase Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. | Photo by Monique Bever / The Sunflower

George Rogers speaks with a guest during the Black Educators Hall of Fame event at the RSC on Feb. 24. Nine educators were inducted to the hall of fame during the ceremony. | Photos by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower

Oletha Faust-Goudeau presents an induction certificate to Janice Thacker.

Malaika Bell and Kimberly Davis table for Karar Academy during the Black Educators Hall of Fame event. Kimberly Davis has owned the dance studio for a decade.

YEAR OF THE DRAGON

To celebrate Lunar New Year, the Vietnamese Student Association held their annual Tet Show in the CAC Theater last Saturday.

UPCOMING EVENTS

EDUCATION INTERVIEW DAY

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

9:30 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Hughes Metropolitan Complex

PUSHING THROUGH PERFECTIONISM MINI-SERIES

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

2 p.m. - 3 p.m. | Ablah Library

PROMOTING EQUITY THROUGH ASSESSMENT WORKSHOP

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

3 - 4:45 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

WRITING NOW READING

NOW: MEMOIR READING BY BRIAN TURNER

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

5:30 - 7 p.m. | Ulrich Museum

WSU JAZZ ARTS I AND THE MID-KANSAS JAZZ ENSEMBLE

THURSDAY, FEB. 29

6:30 p.m. | Walker’s Jazz Lounge

’PETER AND THE STARCATCHER’

THURSDAY, FEB. 29 - SATURDAY, MARCH 2

7:30 p.m. | Wilner Auditorium

TEACHING MATTERS: INCLUSIVE TEACHING TO PROMOTE SENSE OF BELONGING FOR ALL STUDENTS

FRIDAY, MARCH 1

Noon - 1 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

PREMEDICAL STUDENT ASSOCIATION: CPR TRAINING

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

All day | Rhatigan Student Center

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES

FEATURING DR. WARREN KIM, PIANO

SATURDAY, MARCH 2

4 p.m. | Wiedemann Hall

’PETER AND THE STARCATCHER’

SUNDAY, MARCH 3

2 p.m. | Wilner Auditorium

FOOD FOR FINES

MONDAY, MARCH 4 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. | Rhatigan Student Center

WSU MADRIGAL SINGERS

INVITATIONAL CONCERTS

MONDAY, MARCH 4 - TUESDAY, MARCH 5 7:30 - 9 p.m. | Wiedemann Hall

SAVVY SCHOLAR WORKSHOP: LEARN TO DECODE SYSTEMATIC REVIEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 5 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. | Ablah Library

WELLNESS EXPO

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Heskett Center

PEE FOR PIZZA

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 Noon - 4 p.m. | Steve Clark YMCA & Student Wellness Center

VISITING ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION: ARZU OZKAL

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 4 - 6 p.m. | McKnight Art Center

WEDNESDAYS AT THE DINER

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 5 - 8 p.m. | The Lord’s Diner

WEDNESDAYS IN WIEDEMANN WITH LYNNE DAVIS, ORGANIST

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 6 5:15 - 6 p.m. | Wiedemann Hall

HAVE AN EVENT YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED?

CONTACT THE ARTS EDITOR: arts@thesunflower.com

CONTACT THE NEWS EDITOR: news@thesunflower.com

Members of the Vietnamese Student Association dance group end their dance by showcasing fans at the annual VSA Tet Show. The show was hosted at the CAC Theater on Feb. 24. | Photos by Garima Thapa / The Sunflower

Vietnamese Student Association dance group performs a love-themed dance during the VSA Tet Show. The event was hosted to celebrate the Year of the Dragon on Feb. 24

The

Thao Tran performs with fans during the Vietnamese Student Association Tet Show.

Thao-Nhu

All Saints

and Dragon Dance Team’s Big Head Buddha and lion dance mascots perform as an opening act during the Vietnamese Student Association Tet Show.

Doan Dinh, Sandra Le and Kaylyn Truong pose in front of the photobooth at the Tet Show hosted by the Vietnamese Student Association at Wichita State. The three are all part of the VSA.

VSA Tet Show attendees eat during the Buldak competition at the show.

Dragon puppet dancers from the groups All Saints Lion and Dragon Dance Team wish the audience a happy Lunar New Year for the Year of the Dragon at the annual VSA Tet Show.