Three Southwestern College graduates will be inducted into the Natural Science Hall of Fame on Saturday, Nov. 7, in Deets Library on the campus of Southwestern College. 

The new members are Bradley Bruner, Bradley Newell, and Brooke (Baird) Istas.

The celebration will begin at 5 p.m., with a reception and dinner (cost is $25 per person; seating is limited, and RSVPs are necessary) in Deets Library. The induction ceremony follows a meeting of the Natural Science and Mathematics Division Advisory Council. Dinner will be served prior to the formal program. To make reservations, contact Cheri Kindt Gonzales project manager for the Office of the Institutional Advancement Director at Southwestern College, at (620) 229-6279 or email cheri.kindtgonzales@sckans.edu.

This hall of fame honors Southwestern College alumni who have made significant contributions in fields relating to natural sciences and mathematics. Since the inaugural year of 2001, nearly seventy-five notable Moundbuilders have been honored by having their names placed in the Natural Science Hall of Fame.  The physical Hall of Fame display is located at the north end of Beech Science Center on campus, but the Hall of Fame gallery may be viewed at www.sckans.edu/hof. 

“These three Moundbuilders embody the spirit of Southwestern College and our academic division well in their work and service,” said Lisa Braun, Chair, Division of Natural Sciences; Director of Physical Performance and Sports Studies; Associate Professor of Athletic Training.  “We look forward to celebrating their many contributions as we rightfully welcome them into this prestigious hall." 

Bradley Bruner ’81

Bradley Bruner ’81 is an associate professor of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Kansas School of Medicine – Wichita. He was born and raised in Sedan. He received his bachelor of science degree from Southwestern College in 1981 with majors in biology and chemistry. During his time at Southwestern, he was a member of the football team. He was accepted into the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1981. He completed an orthopedic surgery residency in Madison, Wisc., in 1990. He then completed his fellowship in Sports Medicine in Wichita under Dr. Charles Henning. Dr. Bruner earned his Board Certification in Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He then elected to remain in Wichita, where he practiced in Orthopedic Sports Medicine for 35 years. Bruner became one of the team physicians for Southwestern College in 1992 and continues this role currently. He was elected to the Southwestern College Athletic Hall of Fame in 2001. He is deeply committed to family, having 11 children and 11 grandchildren. He is grateful for the educational opportunities that were provided to him by the faculty at Southwestern College.

Bradley Newell ’02

Bradley Newell ’02, is a distinguished pharmacist, educator, researcher, and academic leader whose career has been dedicated to improving patient care, advancing pharmacy education, and developing the next generation of healthcare professionals. A proud graduate of Southwestern College, he earned both a bachelor of science in business and computer information systems and a bachelor of arts in computer science in 2002, graduating cum laude. He later earned his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy in 2008.

Today, Dr. Newell serves as Associate Dean of the Wichita Campus and Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Kansas School of Pharmacy. He also holds a secondary faculty appointment with the KU School of Medicine. In these roles, he provides leadership for academic programs, student success initiatives, faculty development, and community partnerships while continuing to teach throughout the PharmD curriculum.

In addition to his academic leadership, Dr. Newell practices as an ambulatory care pharmacist with Ascension Medical Group Via Christi in Wichita, where he works directly with physicians and healthcare teams to manage chronic diseases such as diabetes and obesity. Throughout his career, spanning community pharmacy, long-term care, hospital practice, and ambulatory care, he has championed patient-centered healthcare and innovative pharmacy services.

His professional service extends far beyond the classroom and clinic. Dr. Newell has served in leadership roles with state and national pharmacy organizations, on editorial review boards, as a peer reviewer for several professional journals, and as a member of the Southwestern College Board of Trustees. His commitment to service, education, and healthcare excellence has earned numerous honors, including recognition as a Fellow of the American Society of Consultant Pharmacists, the Southwestern College Outstanding Young Alumni Award, and the University of Kansas Spotlight on Faculty Excellence.

Dr. Newell often reflects on the profound influence Southwestern College had on his life and career. He credits a visit to campus, encouraged by his cousin, Mary Lou Martin, and her husband, President Carl Martin, with setting into motion the educational journey and professional path that followed. That introduction to Southwestern College sparked a lifelong commitment to learning, service, and leadership, ultimately shaping a career dedicated to improving the health and well-being of others.

Brooke (Baird) Istas ’05/’08

Brooke (Baird) Istas ’05/’08 graduated from Southwestern College with a bachelor of science in mathematics with honors in 2005 and a master of science in Leadership in 2008. She continued her graduate studies at Emporia State University and earned a second master's degree in Adult, Occupational, and Continuing Education from Kansas State University. In 2023, she completed her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education at Southern Methodist University.

Istas has dedicated more than 20 years to higher education at Cowley College in Arkansas City, where she currently serves as Department Chair of Natural Science and Mathematics. Throughout her career, she has taught mathematics, developed curriculum, and provided academic leadership, with a particular emphasis on improving mathematics instruction and student success.

Her contributions to mathematics education extend nationally and internationally. Throughout her career, Istas has delivered more than 100 professional presentations and has supported several thousand educators through professional development, training, and instructional leadership. She has served as a mathematics and numeracy subject-matter expert and moderator for the U.S. Department of Education's Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS). She also serves as a trustee on the board of Adults Learning Mathematics (ALM), an international organization dedicated to research and scholarship in adult mathematics education. Additionally, she has held leadership positions as Secretary and Webmaster for the Adult Numeracy Network (ANN), contributing to the advancement of adult numeracy education and professional collaboration among educators.

Her commitment to teaching and educational innovation has earned recognition at both the institutional and state levels. In 2025, Istas received Cowley College's Paul Stirnaman Memorial Award for Teaching Excellence. In 2026, she received the Kansas Board of Regents Sunflower Award for Corequisite Innovation in recognition of her contributions to mathematics education and student success.

To learn more about the Academic Halls of Fame at Southwestern College, view the full list of inductees, or to make a nomination, visit www.sckans.edu/hof.