The name of the KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year award was changed to the Pearson-Swenson Sports Information Director (SID) of the Year award in Spring 2024 to honor two long-time and award-winning SIDs in the conference’s history: A. John Pearson and Carol R. Swenson.

“The SID position is so strong in the KCAC that anyone in the league could win this award and deserve it, I’m just blessed my number came up this year,” Convirs said. “I work for the best university and athletic director in the country. Dr. Rob Ramseyer has an innate ability to foster a system that gets the best out of everyone, me included. I’m also grateful for the support President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey consistently shows myself and our athletic department.”

“SID life can be a challenge, I wouldn’t have lasted in this business without the support and encouragement of a strong family, from my mom and dad to my wife Michelle and three sons (Matthew, Luke & Peyton),” Convirs continued. “I also want to thank my graduation assistant Melissa Juhnke for all her support, she’s been so loyal to me over the last five seasons that I feel like part of this award is hers. I’m blessed to work at a Christ-centered institution, and I never take for granted the opportunity I’ve been given to tell the story of Friends University athletics every day.”

Nominated by a fellow Sports Information Director in the conference, Convirs’ dedication to Friends University Athletics and expanding the amount of content related to the Falcons were highlighted. The following is an example of what Convirs does/has done to promote Friends Athletics and the KCAC as a whole:

• Working with local and state news outlets to highlight the Falcons.
• Facilitating podcasts with Friends head coaches.
• Elevating the amount of social media content and the quality of said content.
• Working with SIDEARM (the website provider for Friends University Athletics) to come up with new and engaging ways to promote the Falcons.
• Working at many KCAC championship events.

“This award is well deserved,” Dr. Rob Ramseyer, Vice President of Athletics and Strategic Expansion at Friends University, remarked. “Levi is a great person who is always willing to serve and works incredibly hard. He is dependable, mission-aligned, and humble, and I am grateful to be working with him at Friends.”

“Levi has most certainly earned this honor,” Mark Hoffhines, KCAC Assistant Commissioner for Sports Information and Communications, said of Convirs. “He does whatever it takes to highlight Friends student-athletes, and has expanded his reach into long-form storytelling this year. Levi is also one of the first to offer up his services at KCAC championship events, and is willing to serve in any role that is needed. He truly wants to provide a quality game experience for KCAC student-athletes, coaches, and fans. His hard work and dedication is an example to others in the KCAC.”

Previous KCAC Sports Information Director of the Year Winners

• 2023-24: Tim Hackett, Avila University
• 2022-23: David Toelle, Kansas Wesleyan University
• 2021-22: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
• 2020-21: Trent Hinton, York College
• 2019-20: David Toelle, Kansas Wesleyan University
• 2018-19: Josh Booth, Bethel College
• 2017-18: Nick Morris, Oklahoma Wesleyan University
• 2016-17: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
• 2015-16: Scott Nuss, Southwestern College
• 2014-15: Scott Nuss, Southwestern College
• 2013-14: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
• 2012-13: Scott Nuss, Southwestern College
• 2011-12: David Toelle, Kansas Wesleyan University
• 2010-11: Alan Grosbach, McPherson College
• 2009-10: Katie Tooley, Ottawa University
• 2008-09: Carol Swenson, McPherson College

About A. John Pearson

Mr. Pearson was hired at Bethany College to first work as the Director of Public Relations and Alumni Affairs, under the Dr. Arvin W. Hahn presidency during a very challenging and, yet, a very rewarding era in college history. He continued in that position until 1992 when he became the Director of the Archives and Heritage Center and of Sports Information until 2004, when he retired. He served as the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) statistician, and was inducted into the Bethany Athletics Hall of Honor in 2004 and received the 2007 Clarence “Ike” Pearson Award from the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Sports Information Directors Association. In 2011, he was honored by receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award from the College Sports Information Directors Association. Pearson also served as NAIA Great Plains, later Region IV, Information Director. Sadly, Pearson passed away in 2023.

About Carol R. Swenson

Mr. Swenson served as sports information director at McPherson College from 2000 to 2009, following a 30-year career in the McPherson school district. When an individual thinks of track and field in the state of Kansas, Swenson is one of the most notable names to come up. A virtual encyclopedia of cross country and track and field, Swenson as served as public address announcer at the KSHSAA Track and Field Championships since 1974, the Big 12 Outdoor Track Championships three times and the Indoor Championships once, and serves as PA Announcer at the KCAC Indoor and Outdoor Track and Field Championships. He also served several times as the USA Track and Field Press Officer for USA National Teams at a myriad of competitions worldwide.

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/ 

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The initiative will help the university continue its mission of increasing access to education, while also aiding in its goal to achieve status as a Hispanic Serving Institution. As of Fall 2024, Friends University was serving 21.6% undergraduate Hispanic or Latino students, surging the need for more translated services and aid. 

Helmed by Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Success Dr Preston Todd, Title III Project Coordinator Alexis Evans, Director of Hispanic Serving Initiative Bellaly Escalante, and Web Developer Mickey Shannon, the project assists with strengthening services and expanding educational opportunities for current and prospective Hispanic students. 

“I am very excited for the launch of the Spanish pages,” said Escalante, “It was also great for us to have partnered with local business AB&C Bilingual Resources for our translations. Having these pages available will make exploring our website more inclusive for students with Spanish speaking families and native Spanish speakers will be able to navigate our website with more ease.” 

The Spanish pages are available at https://www.friends.edu/es. 

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/ 

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Simpson Construction, Shelden Architecture and John A. Marshall Co. are working together to take on the long-anticipated refresh in May. The eight-week project will include new carpet, tile, lighting, chairs, booths and tabletops in addition to a fresh coat of paint. A new lounge area will also be constructed to provide additional seating for small group meetings. 

Friends University has seen tremendous growth including an increase in fall enrollment, new partnerships, new degree programs and the creation of new centers, maxing out the potential space within our university walls. This renovation will elevate the on-campus dining experience for students and visitors, allowing them to feel the collaboration between the university and its partners in their daily lives. 

“We are very excited about the renovations that will take place in the dining hall this summer,” said Dr. Guy Chmieleski, Vice President of Student Affairs. “Aladdin, our new food service provider, is proving to be a great partner for the university, providing a much-improved dining experience for our campus community.” Chmieleski has been working with the construction teams and Friends University CFO, Scott Frey, on the new design and is confident the students will be excited by the upgrades. 

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/   

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Bethany Gray, Director of Center on Family Living & Campus Mental Health, has been facilitating these services, emphasizing the need to show up for the community through care and mental health support. 

“We are devastated by the plane crash that occurred this week and know that this will have a long-term impact on our Wichita community and country,” said Dr. Rebecca Culver-Turner, LCMFT, Program Director of Wichita Master of Science in Family Therapy Program. “We can guess that the grief experienced within this community will be immeasurable and run deep for generations.” 

If you or someone you know wants to use these services, please contact the Center on Family Living at 316-295-5638, wichitacfl@friends.edu or https://www.friends.edu/student-life/wellness-therapy/center-on-family-living/ 

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/ 

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The partnership has allowed intentional and impactful service to the community, bringing meaningful opportunities to ensure families experience joy and generosity during the holidays. As part of Friends University’s RISE values (respect, inclusion, service, excellence), our annual service is a commitment to servant leadership, caring for each other and the community.   

Beyond the gift distribution Salvation Army is known for, the organization has been launching a number of innovative initiatives. These include a new urban farm, a home for addiction recovery and a program designed to aid in situations of long-term, intergenerational poverty. 

The university community will sort toys and gifts, prepare and disperse donated gifts, decorate the Salvation Army distribution center, wrap gifts and assist with the organization’s Angel Tree and Star of Hope programs.   

Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dr. Ken Stoltzfus, serves as the chair of the Salvation Army’s advisory board, and looks forward to the impact Friends’ service will have on the Wichita community. “I’m constantly impressed by the Salvation Army’s service to our community in the name of Christ,” said Stoltzfus. 

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Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/ 

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Samaranayaka has received a Bachelor of Science in Business in Finance from the America College of Higher Education in Colombo, LK. His experience includes working as a detention deputy and a deputy sheriff for the Sedwick Country Sherrif’s Office; a police sergeant for Butler Community College Public Safety Department in El Dorado, KS; a protective service specialist for QuikTrip in Wichita, KS; and a deputy chief of police and assistant director of public safety for Butler Community College. 

Samaranayaka has certification in Kansas Law Enforcement, Sedgwick County Detention, CPR, First Aid, CIT, FTO, School Resource Office, and Taser Instructor.  

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual, and professional lives. Friends University offers 60+ undergraduate degree options along with adult online, graduate and doctoral degrees. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. For more information, visit our site at https://www.friends.edu/     

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Friends University President to serve on NAICU Board as region VII representative.   

Friends University’s President, Dr. Amy Bragg Carey has been elected to serve a three-year term as the Region VII (Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota) representative on the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities Board of Directors.   

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (NAICU) serves as the unified voice for the 1,700 private, nonprofit colleges and universities in our nation. Founded in 1976, NAICU is the only national membership organization solely focused on representing private, nonprofit higher education on public policy issues in Washington, DC. NAICU’s membership reflects the diversity of private, nonprofit higher education in the U.S. Our member institutions include major research universities, faith-based colleges, Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic-Serving Institutions and other Minority-Serving Institutions, art and design colleges, conservatories of music, traditional liberal arts and science institutions, women’s colleges, work colleges, two-year colleges and schools of law, medicine, engineering, business and other professions.

“The important work being done by NAICU is invaluable to private, non-profit higher education institutions and I couldn’t be prouder to serve on the board and represent Friends University and region VII to advance the charge for educational equality and be a voice for private, liberal arts education.” said Amy Bragg Carey.

Each year, private, nonprofit colleges and universities graduate more than 1.2 million students.  Additionally, the economic impact of the private, nonprofit sector of higher education for academic year 2022-23 totaled $652 billion, and the sector generated $99 billion in tax revenues and supported and sustained 3.4 million jobs.

 Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.

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Dr. James Bryan Smith, author, minister, and founder and executive Director of the Apprentice Institute for Christian Spiritual Formation will give the commencement address. Smith has authored 12 books, most notably The Apprentice Series, which includes The Good and Beautiful God. He is also one of the founders, alongside Richard J. Foster and Dallas Willard, of the spiritual renewal ministry, Renovare. Smith is also the host of the Things Above Podcast.

James received his B.A. in Religion and Philosophy at Friends University, his M.Div. at Yale Divinity School, and his D.Min. at Fuller Theological Seminary. He has taught at Friends University for over 30 years, teaching primarily in the area of Christian spiritual formation and holds the title of Dallas Willard Chair for Christian Spiritual Formation.

Livestreaming will be available for those unable to attend in person. More information on the livestream link and Commencement can be found at friends.edu/commencement. 

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.  

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Salcido comes to Friends with an accomplished police and military background and will be a valuable asset to ensure the safety and security of the campus community. Salcido takes the reigns from longtime Security Director Richard Vinroe who is retiring after 30 years of service at Friends University. 

Salcido holds a Master of Business Administration from Baker University, a Master of Military Operational Arts and Sciences from Air University and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Wichita State University. He previously held positions at the Wichita Police Department including Deputy Chief of Investigations for the Wichita Police Department; Deputy Chief of Support Services; Patrol South Bureau Commander; and Officer, Detective, Sergeant and Lieutenant. Salcido also served over 26 years in the Kansas Air National Guard as a Major, Healthcare Administrator and Medical Readiness Officer.  

Escalante will serve as the new Director of HSI at Friends University. The position was created as part of the Department of Education Title III: Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP) grant which is designed to help eligible institutions of Higher Education to become self-sufficient and expand their capacity to serve low-income students by providing funds to improve and strengthen the academic quality, institutional management, and fiscal stability of eligible institutions.  

Escalante is no stranger to Friends University as she is a Friends University alumna where she completed both a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre. Her previous positions include HR Administrative Assistant at Phoenix Home Care and Hospice and a para educator for Wichita Public Schools.   

Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives.  

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Service is one of Friends University’s RISE values (respect, inclusion, service, excellence), part of the core values to provide a commitment to servant leadership, caring for each other and the community.  

The University community will sort toys and gifts, prepare and disperse donated gifts, decorate the Salvation Army distribution center, wrap gifts and assist with the organization’s Angel Tree and Star of Hope programs. 

 Friends University, a Christian University of Quaker heritage, equips students to honor God and serve others by integrating their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives. 

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This year’s celebrations will shine brighter with generous donations from Even Temp of Wichita, Inc., Evergy and Tree Top Nursery to make the lighting event special and to fund the lighting of the tower for the holiday season.  

The Ceremony of Lights activities will begin at 6 p.m. with a welcome from President Dr. Amy Bragg Carey, performances by the Singing Quakers and Brass Band, a reading of the Christmas story, an announcement of the student club Christmas tree winners by special guest, Larry Hatteberg, followed by the lighting of the Friends University Christmas lights including the iconic Davis Tower. Attendees can enjoy cookies, hot chocolate and making a special appearance is Santa Claus who will be on hand for photos. 

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Constitution Day commemorates the signing of the U.S. Constitution on Sept. 17, 1787, by the delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. Friends University is pleased to celebrate this day with current and aspiring Wichita city leaders Dalton Glasscock, Brandon Johnson, Brandon Whipple and Lily Wu, to discuss civic service, and how they decided as citizens to get involved in public life as it relates to American citizenship and the U.S. Constitution. 

“It is exciting to host an honest-to-goodness Constitution Day,” said Russell Arben Fox, professor of political science, director of the honors program, and Model U.N. sponsor at Friends University. “This event is not a campaign event; it is, instead, a civic event, where we can present to the university community and interested people from throughout the Wichita area different perspectives and approaches to the responsibilities we all share as citizens.” 

The Path to Public Service: A Constitution Day event is free and open to the public. For additional information, contact foxr@friends.edu.  

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