Wichita State University has awarded the 2026 Mike and Mary James Scholarship to Derby High School senior Noah DeVault, who plans to study communication at Wichita State beginning in fall 2026. 

DeVault was selected from a competitive pool of more than 150 high school seniors considering majors in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or the College of Fine Arts. Five finalists advanced in the selection process. 

“I think Noah is exactly the kind of student the James family had in mind when they generously created the scholarship to support a student with varied interests and talents, and the propensity to be a campus leader,” said Bobby Gandu, associate vice provost for strategic enrollment initiatives. “Noah’s skillset in band, news, and sports at Derby High will transition extraordinarily well to Wichita State and I have no doubt he’s going to plug into academic and campus activities with vigor, while also supporting his fellow Shockers just as he did with his Derby classmates.”  

The James Scholarship is valued at $40,000 and recognizes outstanding students pursuing studies in liberal arts or fine arts at Wichita State. DeVault’s total combined scholarship package from Wichita State is $50,000. 

A student journalist, musician and athlete, DeVault has built a strong record of leadership and involvement at Derby High School. 

Since August 2023, he has contributed to Panther Publications — which includes the school’s newspaper, yearbook and website — serving as sports editor while producing written and multimedia content, including a student podcast. His work has earned top-three placements in Kansas Scholastic Press Association competitions each year he has participated. 

DeVault also plays varsity baseball and has been active in Derby’s music programs throughout high school. He has performed in marching band and drumline all four years and serves as drumline captain as a senior. He has also participated in jazz and pep bands throughout high school, earning recognition at the Kansas Bandmasters Association State Jazz Championships. 

Beyond school activities, DeVault serves on the principal’s Student Advisory Council and is a member of the National Honor Society. His volunteer work includes supporting the Special Olympics, the Derby Food Pantry, community trunk-or-treat events and Vacation Bible School. 

“Noah is a fantastic young man,” said Derby High School Principal Gretchen Pontius. “He’s always been one of the students who would come up and talk to me, just a very genuine and kind person. He’s a joy to have here.” 

DeVault has already gained early applied learning experience through sports media, including working at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament games hosted in Wichita. 

He plans to combine his interests in sports and journalism into a future career covering athletics. 

Education runs in DeVault’s family. His father, Adam DeVault, is the band director at Derby High School, and his mother, Amy DeVault, is a faculty member in Wichita State’s Elliott School of Communication. His older brother also attends Wichita State. 

Established by Wichita State alumni Mike and Mary James, the James Scholarship supports high-achieving students pursuing degrees in the liberal arts and fine arts while encouraging leadership, creativity and community engagement. 

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Wichita State University is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 25,000 students between its main campus and the WSU Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology (WSU Tech), including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and WSU Tech are recognized for being student-centered and innovation-driven.

Located in the largest city in the state with one of the highest concentrations in the United States of jobs involving science, technology, engineering and math (STEM), Wichita State University provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked WSU No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry- and defense-funded engineering R&D and No. 9 overall for engineering R&D.

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