On May 8, the theSunflower.com wrote an article in relation to Wayne Chambers being a commencement speaker for the Wichita State University W. Frank Barton School of Business. A copy of their story, “Commencement speaker offers advice for graduates” is below.


Commencement speaker offers advice for graduates

By: Billy Brown, theSunflower.com

May 8, 2013

Giving a commencement speech is a tall order. Getting it right can be tricky. Wichita State has a wide variety of individuals who will speak at this year’s commencements.

Brad Neuenswander is the commencement speaker for this year’s College of Education graduates. Neuenswander is the deputy commissioner for the Division of Learning Services at the Kansas Department of Education Division.

He said a degree in education is exciting because it helps to shape the future.

“It may sound cliché, but education is all about building success stories for kids,” Neuenswander said.

He said a career in education is not just about being prepared academically, but also having the ability to influence students.

One of the biggest mistakes that Neuenswander sees in graduates scouring for jobs is giving cookie-cutter answers in interviews. Neuenswander advises to prepare differently.

If they’re fudging answers, he said applicants should ask themselves if they really want the job.

“People come up with stock answers and get the job because they say what the interviewer wanted, but then realize it (the job) wasn’t what was in their heart or character,” Neuenswander said.

He also recommends not holding out for a single position if it causes limitations in other areas. He said grads should instead prioritize getting their names and application heard while getting experience.

“You may have to go to an area of the state that you’ve never been to, but it’s still going to be a great experience and you’re gonna learn a lot,” Neuenswander said.

Neuenswander is one of six speakers in this year’s commencement ceremonies.

Mike James, president of the Critical Care Systems subsidiary of Express Scripts, is the speaker for the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ commencement. James received his bachelor’s degree at WSU and earned his master’s degree at the University of Chicago.

Paul Uhlig will deliver a commencement speech to the College of Health Professions. Uhlig is a cardiothoracic surgeon at Central Plains Cardiothoracic Surgery in Wichita.

The president and CEO of High Touch Technologies, Wayne Chambers, is the commencement speaker for the W. Frank Barton School of Business. High Touch Technologies is a technology solutions company with a corporate office in Wichita, among five locations across the country.

John Lovitt is the commencement speaker for the College of Engineering. Lovitt is the former CEO of Pattern Insight, a software company based out of San Diego, Calif.

The director of the Ulrich Museum of Art, Bob Workman, is the commencement speaker for the College of Fine Arts. Workman was previously the director of the Flint Hills Discovery Center in Manhattan, Kan.

Commencement speeches begin at 3 p.m. Friday, May 17 with the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and adjourn with the College of Fine Arts ceremony at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18.