When Emporia State University began its major reinvestment effort two years ago, there were fears about a number of programs being de-emphasized because they were not listed as the university’s “strike zone” programs — business, education, information management, library science and nursing. Judging by scholarships and enrollment increases, that does not appear to be the case.
A case in point is the Homecoming musical, “She Loves Me,” which begins Thursday night. Here’s Theater Director Aubrey Wilson on the most recent installment of KVOE’s ESU Buzz:
ESU says it awarded more than 240 percent more scholarships for the current semester than it did for the fall 2023 term — while at the same time reducing fees and eliminating most parking fees across campus. The overall result: a 16-percent increase in new student enrollment year-to-year, with gains in all categories. Wilson sees that in her department.
The School of Visual and Performing Arts and Honors College had notable enrollment increases:
*Orchestra, up 70 percent
*Choirs, up 59 percent
*Theatre, up 58 percent
*Honors College, up 50 percent
*Art, up 29 percent
*Marching Hornets, Cheer, Stingers, Color Guard, up 20 percent
Student retention also climbed 8 percent year-to-year.
The Honors College is open to students from any major and offers a renewable $1,000 scholarships. New arts scholarships range from $750 to over $2,000 per year, again open to students from any major. Legacy scholarships, new to the fold this year, offer a $1,000 renewable payment for new and returning students who are children of ESU alums and also seeking a full-time undergraduate degree.
Applications are now being sought for the 2025-26 academic year with a priority deadline of Dec. 1. Information is available at emporia.edu/scholarships.
Lectures coming this week
With a host of Homecoming activities underway all week at Emporia State University, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences has a featured presenter on top of the Homecoming slate.
Walter Dunn is coming to Emporia State’s Albert Taylor Hall on Wednesday for “Unlocking the Truth: Justice, Resilience and Redemption.” A criminal justice advocate, Dunn was convicted of first-degree murder and was sentenced to 27 years in prison but had his sentenced ultimately overturned. In between, he used education to become a certified law clerk — and afterward, he wrote two books: “Through Innocent Eyes” and “How to Navigate Through the Criminal Justice System.”
Dunn’s presentation is at 7 pm. It is free and open to the public with no registration required. Besides the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the event is sponsored by the ESU Intercultural Center, ESU Criminology Club and ESU Special Events Board.
Emporia State is also getting ready for its annual Sam and Jeannene Hayes Leadership Lecture, featuring Starbucks Senior Vice President for US Operations Dennis Brockman — a 1987 business administration alum who now oversees company work for around 4,000 stores in 29 states. Brockman’s presentation is called “Servant Leadership — It’s All About the People.”
Brockman is among the people who will receive a Distinguished Alum award this week.
The Hayes Lecture is at 7 pm Thursday at the Memorial Union Webb Hall.
Distinguished Alums announced
ESU has announced the full list of honorees:
*Brockman, whose post-ESU career has also taken him to positions at Jostens, Wendy’s and Aramark.
*Dr David Gussak is now a professor for Florida State’s Graduate Art Therapy program and is also an honorary life member of the American Art Therapy Association.
*Dr George Poole retired in 2017 after serving as a math professor at East Tennessee State
*Former Interim President Jackie Vietti, who led ESU in 2015, has also served on the 2022 search committee that led to the hire of Ken Hush as president.
