March 26, 2025

Dear Colleagues,

Many outstanding students and their dedicated faculty mentors were honored at the Celebration of Undergraduate and Graduate Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activities. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to this year’s award winners:

Trustees Award for Excellence:

Arram Abboud – Mentor: Dr. Rosemary Eustace and Dr. Sara Paton, Boonshoft School of Medicine

Provost Award for Excellence:

Emily Martin – Mentor: Dr. Michelle Fleming, College of Health, Education, and Human Services

Excellence in Plenary Research Presentation Award:

Ibrahim Abdul Halim – Mentor: Dr. Sherif Elbasiouny, College of Engineering and Computer Science

Outstanding Data Blitz Concise Presentation Award:

Angela Allen – Mentor: Dr. Dragana Claflin, College of Science and Mathematics

Excellence in Research Poster Presentation Award Winners

Rathnamala Balaga – Mentor: Dr. Terry Oroszi, Boonshoft School of Medicine
Bailey Nicole Stammen – Mentor: Dr. Roxanna Torres, Boonshoft School of Medicine
John Karanja Kamau – Mentor: Dr. Hongmei Ren, College of Science and Mathematics
Scout Bowman-Gibson –Mentor: Dr. Thomas Brown, College of Science and Mathematics
Ava Maria Megyeri – Mentor: Dr. Natasha Banerjee, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Douglas Robert Sattler – Mentor: Dr. Tarun Goswami, College of Engineering and Computer Science
Gabrielle Elie Christner – Mentor: Dr. Carol Mejia-LaPerle, College of Liberal Arts
Minuki Medis – Mentor: Dr. Sara Bielek, College of Health, Education, and Human Services

Strategic Plan Listening Sessions Continue

The Strategic Plan working groups are hosting listening sessions to present their mid-term work and gather feedback from the university community. These sessions will be held virtually via Webex, and we encourage all to attend, schedule permitting. For those unable to participate in real-time, recordings and feedback surveys will be available on the Strategic Plan website.

Thank you for your continued engagement with this important process. We value your input and look forward to your participation.

Friday, March 28, listening session schedule and meeting links:

9 a.m. – Objective 4: Advancing Knowledge through Research, Entrepreneurship and Creative Endeavors
11 a.m. – Objective 2: Deliver Student Success through Transformative Educational Experiences

Watch the March 21 listening session recordings:

Objective 1: Enhancing Wright State University's role as an economic driver for the region
Objective 3: Forging and Sustaining Strong Collaborative Relationships
Objective 5: Resource Management and Sustainable Operating Budget

Register for Spring Commencement

Lake Campus Ceremony: Thursday, May 1, 5:30 p.m.
Graduate Ceremony: Friday, May 2, 7:00 p.m.
Undergraduate Ceremony: Saturday, May 3, 10:00 a.m.
Boonshoft School of Medicine Ceremony: Saturday, May 3, 4:30 p.m.

Commencement is an event that marks a significant moment in the lives of our students and their families. The granting of a degree and the admission to the “rights and privileges” associated with a given degree are extraordinarily important events for those receiving degrees.

The presence of faculty is especially important for the graduates and their families. All faculty should prioritize their attendance, and bargaining unit faculty are reminded of their responsibility under Article 7.15.

Registration is required and is open now through April 15.

Dayton Campus Graduate and Undergraduate Ceremony: complete the registration form
Lake Campus Ceremony: register using the link that was provided in an email from Associate Dean Mark Cubberley on March 18
Boonshoft School of Medicine Ceremony: register using the link that was provided in the email from Theresa Corey on February 24

Participate in the Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign

With just under five weeks left in the Campus Scholarship and Innovation Campaign, we have reached 23% participation so far. Staff participation accounts for a 72% contribution rate, while faculty contributions make up 28% of the total. The goal of this campaign is 50% participation of faculty and staff, so make your contribution today!

The academic-related area contributions as of Monday, March 24, are:

University Libraries – 47% participation
College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies – 33% participation
College of Computer Engineering and Computer Science – 17% participation
Raj Soin College of Business – 24% participation
College of Liberal Arts – 22% participation
College of Health, Education, and Human Services – 24% participation
Lake Campus – 31% participation
College of Science and Mathematics – 10% participation
Boonshoft School of Medicine – 7% participation

OhioLINK Open Educational Resource Course Redesign Mini-Grants

OhioLINK Affordable Learning has dedicated funding to help faculty learn more about using openly licensed or other affordable course content for their high-enrollment courses. With this funding, OhioLINK Affordable Learning offers Open Educational Resource (OER) Course Redesign Mini-Grants.

All full-time or part-time faculty from OhioLINK member institutions interested in learning more about teaching with OER are eligible to apply. Up to 30 applications will be selected and will receive a $650 stipend for participating once all the requirements have been met.

Important dates and additional information.

Events

The College of Liberal Arts will host the 26th annual ArtsGala on Saturday, April 5, in the Creative Arts Center.

ArtsGala is known as one of the premier arts events in Dayton. Each year, guests are treated to a wealth of top-notch performances and exhibitions by Wright State’s talented students in art, music, theatre, dance, and motion pictures. In 2025, ArtsGala returns with a jade butterfly theme representing transformation and will continue to fund the dreams of students in the fine and performing arts as they work diligently to pursue careers as performers, movie directors, musicians, and artists.

Wright State faculty and staff are invited to use promo code WSU2025 to receive a discounted patron ticket price of $175 (a savings of $125!). The faculty/staff discount is limited to Wright State faculty and staff members and immediate family members (spouses/children).

Visit wright.edu/artsgala to learn more and purchase your tickets today! As always, the event is black tie optional.
The University Libraries and the Friends of the Libraries invite you to join us at the annual Friends of the Libraries Luncheon on Wednesday, April 16, at 11:00 a.m. in the Wright State Nutter Center Berry Room. Our featured speaker is Erica Blaire Roby, Wright State alumna, attorney, and award-winning BBQ pitmaster. A hot buffet, salad, and dessert will be served.

Registration is required and must be completed by April 9. All proceeds benefit the Friends of the Libraries. If you need accommodations for this event, please call 937-775-2380 five business days in advance.

Faculty Resources and Workshops

The Center for Faculty Excellence is pleased to bring weekly tips to your inbox through Monday Morning Mentors. These are quick video presentations with additional materials provided. The presentation and supplemental material for “What Assessment Strategies Are Effective for Asynchronous Online Teaching?” are available through March 30. To access the presentation, use “assessment528” as the password.
Wright State Online, in association with the Center for Faculty Excellence, will host workshops focusing on ADA compliance:

March 28 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Graphic Design: Best Practices

April 11 from 1:30-3:00 p.m.: Pilot/LMS: Best Practices for Instructional Design and Course Organization

April 18 from 1:15-2:10 p.m. and April 22 from 2:00-2:55 p.m.: Entering Course Assessment Results

Register for a workshop.

Research and Sponsored Programs

The Statistical Consulting Center will host an open house on Tuesday, April 8, from noon to 2 p.m. The open house will introduce Dr. Alperen Korkmaz, senior statistical consultant, and showcase the center’s services, including:
- Study Planning and Proposal Preparation
- Data Management and Software Support
- Advanced Data Analysis and Modeling
- Experimental Design, Regression, and Bayesian Methods
- Biostatistics, Quality Control, and Computational Technique
Research and Sponsored Programs is excited to announce that Hanover Research’s 2025 webinars are available to faculty and staff. Topics include, but are not limited to:
- Keys to a Competitive NSF CAREER Proposal
- Artificial Intelligence Policies Among Federal Grantmakers
- Facilitating Stakeholder Engagement in Grant Development
- Deciphering Feedback from Grant Reviewers
- Developing Competitive NSF Proposals

View the complete list of upcoming presentations and past recordings.

When a Student Needs Support

The Student Success Navigator showcases the wide range of resources designed to support our students. Whether students are interested in joining a student organization, looking for access to mental health services, playing a sport, or finding a job, all information is available in one central location.
Wright.edu/help is a great resource for helping students or making referrals. This site contains contact information for emergency or essential departments that can assist your students all in one location.

I am grateful for your dedication to promoting student success. I hope you have a wonderful and productive week!

Jim Denniston, Ph.D.
Acting Provost