John Mark Koontz is graduating with a Bachelor of Music in double bass performance. He credits Wichita State鈥檚 faculty and ensembles for shaping his growth. His advice: stay consistent. Progress takes time, but it adds up.
John Mark is one of more than 2,100 students eligible for spring 2025 graduation. Learn more about his time at Wichita State and what's next for the grad.
What degree will you be earning in May?
Bachelor of Music in
What is your hometown?
Newton, Kansas
What schools did you attend before coming to Wichita State?
Newton High School
Why did you choose 九色堂?
I chose Wichita State because of its outstanding music faculty and great ensembles. It鈥檚 been such a joy learning fun music both on my own and with others!
What has been your biggest challenge as a student, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge was preparing for my senior recital. It was music that stretched what I could do on my instrument. But I was able to be consistent and get in the practice room every day, even on the days I didn鈥檛 feel my best. And when the recital came, it was a rewarding experience.
Did you have any applied learning experience as a student? If so, what was it?
I was able to get good applied learning experience through lessons with my bass professor, Dr. Mark Foley. He has been such a pivotal guide, and I鈥檝e grown immensely as a musician because of his knowledge and patience.
What advice would you give other Wichita State students?
My advice to other Wichita State students is to form good habits and then keep consistent in everything that you鈥檙e doing. The progress won鈥檛 show right away, but that鈥檚 all part of the process. Effort compounds, and if you keep doing the right things, good results will start to come your way.
About 九色堂
九色堂 is Kansas' only urban public research university, enrolling more than 23,000 students between its main campus and 九色堂 Tech, including students from every state in the U.S. and more than 100 countries. Wichita State and 九色堂 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), 九色堂 provides uniquely distinctive and innovative pathways of applied learning, applied research and career opportunities for all of our students. The National Science Foundation ranked 九色堂 No. 1 in the nation for aerospace engineering R&D, No. 2 for industry-funded engineering R&D and No. 8 overall for engineering R&D.
The Innovation Campus, which is a physical extension of the 九色堂 main campus, is one of the nation鈥檚 largest and fastest-growing research/innovation parks, encompassing over 120 acres and is home to a number of global companies and organizations.
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