WSU Dames

is honored with a Large Paver from the WSU Dames.

Serving the best interests of the University has been the hallmark of the WSU Dames. Group membership consists of the wives of full-time faculty members and administrative officials, and full-time women faculty members and administrative officials.

Wichita State University Dames was organized in February, 1928, by Mrs. H. W. Foght, wife of the University of Wichita president. The original name of the organization, Faculty Wives' Club, was changed a year later to the University of Wichita Dames (It became Wichita State University Dames in 1964). The purpose of the Faculty Wives' Club was twofold: to promote sociability and acquaintanceship among its members, and to serve the best interests of the University.

The organization had 31 charter members, and dues were $1.25. Mrs. Foght was elected the first president and continued to serve as president until 1934. She "strongly urged that the utmost simplicity be observed in the matter of refreshments." In the event of a missed meeting, members were instructed to provide a note from their husbands explaining their absence.

In the early years, a loan fund was started for worthy students. The money was given to needy juniors or seniors. The WSU Dames Scholarship Fund was established in 1973-74. Special projects have been carried out each year since then to perpetuate the Dames scholarships, which today are awarded to eligible non-traditional women students. In 1998, Dames awarded scholarships to five women and also set aside money to create an endowed scholarship fund. Interest from the endowed. fund will be awarded as scholarships in the future, allowing the principle to continue generating scholarships in perpetuity.

Children's books are purchased each year for Ablah Library. These books are purchased in honor of each Dames member at her or her spouse's retirement from WSU, each outgoing Dames president, and the wife of each new university president. The books benefit students of English and Elementary Education.

Meeting programs and Interest Groups, such as Art Appreciation, Healthy Heart Gourmet, etc., have stretched the intellectual life of our members. Community work and financial donations have aided our City and WSU. During WW II, our members worked with the Red Cross. In 1970, one of the two planes carrying the WSU Football Team crashed. Two Dames and five Dames husbands were killed, along with 24 others. Dames and Junior League helped raise $175,000 in the Night of Stars benefit, creating a fund to assist four surviving widows and 29 orphans.

Social events through the years have included teas honoring faculty women and wives of Regents, progressive Christmas dinners, teas for wives of new University presidents, welcoming coffees for new faculty wives and women, dinner dances, and family picnics.

In 1998, the 70th year of the organization, WSU Dames is a still-evolving group of more than 150 women. Long since excused from the stricture about explaining her absences from meetings, today's Dame selects from an array of events those she wishes to attend, or she may simply support the group's work through payment of dues. Our goal continues to be to serve the interests of our university, and to help our members feel a part of the university community and the City of Wichita.

September 14, 1998