Melissa Rocha, a biomedical engineering major and officer in Society of Hispanic Professional
Engineers, tries to get fellow students to join at Engineering Block Party held the
first week of school.WSU gets $813,000 grant to boost minority STEM enrollment
Wichita State University has been awarded $813,000 to boost enrollment and retention of students under-represented in science, technology, engineering and math.
The funds are part of a larger $3 million, five-year National Science Foundation grant awarded to Kansas State University, which is sharing grant funds with a statewide coalition of universities and community colleges.
The Kansas Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (KS-LSAMP) program is named for a long-term African American congressman from Ohio. In addition to WSU, participating institutions include Kansas State University, Barton County Community College, Dodge City Community College, Donnelly College, Garden City Community College, Seward County Community College / Area Technical School in Liberal.
The overall goal of the program is to double the number of underrepresented minorities graduating with bachelor's degrees in STEM fields from WSU or KSU within five years of the proposed project. Under-represented minorities include African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans.
Wichita State announces on sale dates for downtown game
Wichita State and Intrust Bank Arena announced ticket prices and on sale dates for
the Shockers' annual downtown game against Southern Miss, scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Dec. 15.
Wichita State men's basketball season ticket holders will have first opportunity
to claim seats during a special presale period, Oct. 15-19. Tickets go on sale to
the general public at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, with prices starting at just $18.
Fans may purchase seats by phone at 855-755-SEAT, online at selectaseat.com or by visiting the Select-A-Seat Box Office at INTRUST Bank Arena.
Primary WSU season ticket account holders should have received a letter with specific
details. In order to protect the integrity of the Shocker Athletics Priority Points
System, ticket holders are asked to not share these codes with others.
WSU students will have access to their normal allotment of student tickets. Pickup
dates for all 2018-19 home games will be announced later this month.
Pizza Hut Museum leans on many disciplines to revive memories
Out of a room full of recipes, menus, sneakers and old photos came a museum that tells the story of entrepreneurship, restaurants, relationships and Wichita.
The Pizza Hut Museum opened on Wichita State University's campus in April. The students who helped transform the promotional items and scrapbook artifacts – started by a donation of around 300 items from the Carney family - into a coherent story came from several academic disciplines. Their work continues when they talk to visitors about a date at Pizza Hut, show them the 1957 magazine story that helped inspire Wichita State alums Dan and Frank Carney, catalog new items and rotate displays.
2019 Kansas Employment Forecast released
Jeremy Hill
Wichita State University's Center for Economic Development and Business Research has released its 2019 Kansas Employment Forecast.
In 2019, Kansas total nonfarm employment is forecast to increase by 13,891 jobs, with an anticipated growth rate of 1.0 percent.
The majority of the growth is expected to occur in the service sector, which is projected to add more than 8,000 jobs and grow 1.3 percent. The production sector is forecast to add more than 2,800 jobs, for 1.2 percent growth, while the trade, transportation and utilities sector is projected to grow 0.9 percent, adding more than 2,300 jobs. The government sector is predicted to grow 0.1 percent.
Read the full 2019 Kansas Employment Forecast at www.outlook.cedbr.org.
WSU Center for Real Estate releases 2019 Kansas Housing Markets Forecast Series
Kansas home prices should rise by 6.3 percent next year according to the 2019 Kansas Housing Forecast published by the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate.
“Home prices across the state continue to climb at a strong pace in the face of tight inventories,” said Stan Longhofer, director of the WSU Center for Real Estate.
Stan Longhofer
Longhofer will present the forecast at 9 a.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 9) at the Kansas Association of Realtors Annual Conference and Education Expo at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Overland Park.
The 2019 Kansas Housing Forecast Series reviews current housing market conditions in the major markets across the state – including Kansas City, Lawrence, Manhattan, Topeka and Wichita – and forecasts housing market activity through the end of 2019. The series also includes Housing Outlooks for 20 smaller markets across the state.
Copies of all of the forecasts and outlook publications in the series can be found at www.wichita.edu/realestate.
Patterson named dean of Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation
The Institute for Interdisciplinary Creativity has been renamed the Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation, a move that the Kansas Board of Regents approved last spring.
The institute was originally developed to serve as a catalyst for innovative interdisciplinary academic programs, and has quickly evolved into a pipeline for connecting students to industry and providing a support system for student initiated startups.
“It was always envisioned to be a stand-alone academic unit whereby additional curriculum could be added”, said Provost Rick Muma. It now houses the master of innovation design, an undergraduate leadership certificate and a wide array of design-thinking coursework.
This fall, the Master of Innovation Design program neared its enrollment cap of 25, with a current enrollment of 21.
With its continued growth and to ensure the quality and consistency of our academic and community engagement programming, Jeremy Patterson, the current director, will take on the title of Dean of Interdisciplinary Innovation. Jeremy has been the director of the institute and has served on the Council of Deans since it was launched in 2016.
The title of dean speaks to both the responsibilities, values and priorities of the institute to WSU. The appointment symbolizes a strong commitment to ensuring new paths to collaboration and discovery throughout WSU in the area of innovation.
According to Patterson: “The creative work coming out of the institute has enhanced the visibility of WSU. Over the past year, students and faculty have given more than 50 public presentations and there have been 27 articles written about this driven interdisciplinary group.”
A key component of the institute is being managed like a startup company where each member works to maintain a culture of humility. When students enter the program, they are joining a team where they fail or succeed together. This accountability among the students provides industry-like pressures and a collaborative mindset.
Partnerships during the past year have included Johnson & Johnson, Gideon BioTech, NetApp, Red Bull, PK Technologies, The Wonder School, Sway Medical, Aerowhon, the city of Wichita, GoCreate, Riseon and others.
To learn more about the institute, watch this video or go to Institute for Interdisciplinary Innovation.
Burks named director of Military and Veteran Services
Larry Burks
Marché Fleming-Randle, vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement, proudly welcomes retired Lt. Colonel Larry Burks as the new director of Military and Veteran Services at Wichita State University.
With 20 years of military experience, Burks has demonstrated a passion for serving active military and retired families, and he has keen understanding of their needs. Burks has experience working with students of all ages and has been a mentor to many young people throughout the community.
Burks is widely respected throughout the Wichita community, and his connections to the greater community will be an asset in growing the WSU's programs for military and veteran families. He will serve as the university champion for military and veteran students and their dependents. In addition, he will serve as the liaison for military and veteran services with community groups.
Burks will report to the vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement, and his appointment began Monday, Oct. 8.
Shocker volleyball at home this weekend
The WSU volleyball team will host ECU at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 12, and Cincinnati at 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 14, in Charles Koch Arena. For tickets, call 978-FANS (3267).
$10 long-sleeve tees on Wednesday
Stop by the Shocker Store in the RSC this week for their next one-day-only sale! Starting
at noon Wednesday, Oct. 10, the Shocker Store will have two long sleeve T-shirts for
$10 each, while supplies last. These will sell out, so hurry in! Limit three per customer.
Sale is in-store at the RSC location only. Offer not valid with other discounts or
promotions, and all sales are final.
Concert Chorale and A Cappella Choir present fall concert
Join the WSU Concert Chorale and A Cappella Choir as they present their fall concert at 7:30 p.m. today (Tuesday, Oct. 9) in Wiedemann Concert Hall. This concert, each choir's inaugural performance of the academic year, features a wide variety of exciting literature.
Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors / military and $6 for students. WSU students
are admitted free with a WSU ID. For tickets, call 978-3233 or go to https://www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice.
Concert Chorale will perform a set of music entitled "Night and Day," featuring works
by William Byrd, Samuel Barber, Ēriks Ešenvalds, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Cole Porter
and Shawn Kirchner.
A Cappella Choir will perform works by Frank Loesser, Gary Kent Walth, Dan Forrest
and Mark Hayes.
The concert will feature a special guest performance by the Lawrence High School Bellissima
Treble Choir.
WSU Symphony Concert features student soloists
Performances by four young artists will be featured in the annual Concerto-Aria Honors Concert by the Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, in Miller Concert Hall. The program, featuring music by Mozart, Glière, Arnold, and Enesco, will be led by Mark Laycock.
The soloists, selected in September by competitive audition, are first-year graduate students in the WSU School of Music: Yu-hsuan Chang, horn, performs the third movement of Reinhold Glière's Horn Concerto; Sarah Larson, oboe, performs the first movement of Mozart's Oboe Concerto; Juan Guillermo Mireles, cello, performs Lars-Erik Larsson's Concertino for Cello and String Orchestra; and Brandon Sklute, trumpet, performs Arutiunian's Trumpet Concerto.
Tickets, $12 for general admission with discounts available, may be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office at 978-3233 and Fine Arts Box Office.
Free training offered at WSU Haysville in November
The National Association for Dual Diagnosis will offer “Mental Health Approaches to
Intellectual / Developmental Disability on Saturday, Nov. 3 and 10, at WSU Haysville,
106 Steward Ave. in Haysville. This training is aimed at bridging the gap between
mental health issues / concerns and individuals who have intellectual or developmental
disabilities in Sedgwick Co. The training is free and classes fill quickly.
Click for more information and to register
‘The Laramie Project' to be shown Thursday, Oct. 11
“The Laramie Project,” a presentation in recognition of National Coming Out Day and the 20th anniversary of the murder of Matthew Shepard on Oct. 12, 1998, will be shown at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 11, in the CAC Theater. The presentation features performers from Stage9 Productions in Hutchinson. Admission is free.
Shepard was brutally murdered in Laramie, Wyoming. His only crime was who he loved. This event proved instrumental in the development of hate crime laws throughout the United States. “The Laramie Project” draws on hundreds of interviews conducted by the theatre company with inhabitants of the town, company members' own journal entries and published news reports.
Fall break cosmic bowling
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes has a great deal for anyone hanging around for fall break! Go cosmic bowling for just $1 per game with free rental shoes! The special is valid from 5-9 p.m. daily Friday, Oct. 12 through Tuesday, Oct. 16. Availability may vary due to special events or group reservations. Offer is not valid for group reservations. This offer is open to the public!
Garba Night invitation for Oct. 13
Garba is a traditional Indian dance form performed in the state of Gujarat, India. This dance is performed during the festival of Navratri, a nine-day festival celebrated for praying and thanking the different goddesses in Hindu mythology. This year, from 7-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom, third floor, Rhatigan Student Center, AHINSA is organizing a Garba Night to celebrate the festival of Navratri. Admission is free.
Don't forget to register for Trunk or Treat
Trunk or Treat is a fun and safe alternative for families and kids of all ages to interact with Wichita State University student organizations and campus departments, trick or treat, and participate in interactive and festive fall activities. This Halloween-themed carnival on Saturday, Oct. 20, is packed full with games, activities, inflatables and a petting zoo!
Would you like to register your organization for Trunk or Treat or volunteer to help SAC facilitate the event? Go to wichita.edu/sac.
Get your team together and support breast cancer research
Get your team together for this national fundraiser for breast cancer research. The event is a blast and it funds a great cause. This is a one day tournament begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 26, at the Heskett Center Gymnasium.
Grab your friends, create some costumes (not required) and play volleyball with our four-foot pink volleyballs. Sign up at Big Pink Volleyball
Physical therapy students are looking for volunteers with chronic ankle instability
Students in the Doctor of Physical Therapy program at Wichita State are looking for participants for their research study on the effects of an ankle strengthening exercise program on functional ankle instability. Your participation in this study may help the field of physical therapy to more effectively treat ankle instability.
If chosen to participate in our study, you will be required to come to the WSU Old Town campus at 213 N. Mead on Friday, Oct. 19, for an initial evaluation. You will be able to select a 15-minute time block that is convenient for your schedule.
After scoring appropriately, you will then perform a muscle strength test for your ankle and be tested on the flexibility of your ankle. After testing, you will be assigned to a group, which may include a six-week ankle strengthening exercise program or a control group who will not be performing any exercises.
All materials and instructions will be provided. The exercise program groups will be required to submit a video to the researchers of themselves performing the exercises at the three-week interval (halfway through the program) and then return to the WSU Old Town campus on November 30, 2018 for a 6-week re-evaluation lasting approximately 10-15 minutes.
If you are interested in participating, click on the link below to complete a brief questionnaire about your ankle stability. It will only take about 5-10 minutes of your time. Once you have completed the survey, you will receive an email with further information within five-to-seven business days.
Your participation is graciously appreciated, voluntary, and your responses will remain confidential.
Should you have any questions or concerns, email Melynda Bussman at mjbussman@shockers.wichita.edu or Barb Smith at barb.smith@wichita.edu.
Doctoral students need participants for their research projects
Two WSU graduate students (Doctor of Audiology and Doctor of Philosophy) need participants for their research projects. They are studying an existing and a newly developed clinical technique for evaluating function of the middle ear.
Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have normal hearing, have not had an ear infection in the past three months, nor had a cold or flu in the past two weeks.
Participants will receive a free comprehensive hearing evaluation and ear examination prior to testing. The testing will take about an hour. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Devon Holt at deholt2@shockers.wichita.edu or 586-747-3774 or Professor Xiao-MingSun at xiao-ming.sun@wichita.edu.
Empty Bowls Chili Cook-off coming Saturday, Oct. 13
You're invited to the Empty Bowls Chili Cook-Off from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, in the Experiential Engineering Building.
Join the fight against hunger in our community! In exchange for your $20 donation ($10 for students), choose a bowl to keep as a reminder of all the empty bowls in the world.
Select your favorite bowl from hundreds of handmade ceramic vessels, fill it to the brim with over 25 varieties of chili donated by local celebrity chefs, and enjoy a fun-filled afternoon. All proceeds will benefit the Kansas Food Bank in honor of Hunger Awareness Month.
This year, Dillons will donate 10 meals for each bowl sold in celebration of Zero Hunger | Zero Waste. Spirit Aerosystems is the event's official sponsor. Follow Empty Bowls on Facebook for more information.
Nominate a special Shocker
Every year since 1955, the WSU Alumni Association has honored Shocker excellence through
its WSU Alumni Awards Program, which applauds the accomplishments and service of not
only deserving alumni, but also faculty, staff and friends of Wichita State University.
Nominations are being taken now through Monday, Nov. 5 for 2018 honorees, who will be recognized during a gala ceremony on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
Nominate a special Shocker today at Shocker Alumni Award Nomination.
Graphic above, from left: M. Lee Pelton, Mike James, Cindy Claycomb, V. Kaye Monk-Morgan,
Lisa Teachman, Dorothy and Bill Cohen, and Bob Gutschenritter, 2017 Alumni Award honorees
The Road To Change by Emiliano Molina in Cadman Art Gallery – Looking Glass
The Road To Change is an art exhibition presented by student artist Emiliano Molina. His work will be displayed now to Friday, Oct. 12, in the Cadman Art Gallery.
This show is a series of paintings and drawings which reflects the artist relationship with his brothers and their journey in their own lives, leaving him behind and making him acknowledge the changes in his life and isolation.
The Cadman Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. For more information about this exhibit and others, go to Cadman Art Gallery.
‘Better Late Than Never' by various artists in Cadman Art Gallery – Main Space
“Better Late Than Never” is an Art Show by various artists in Cadman Art Gallery, first floor, RSC, now through Friday, Oct. 12.
The show consists of four seniors representing four different styles and meanings through their work. In this show they come together to create their own painting representative of their peer's styles and meaning as well as a collaborative piece.
As art education majors, this show represents the unity that is needed in education and a further education to themselves so they can relate to their students' art.
Join the artists for their opening reception at The Cadman beginning at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5. For more information about this exhibit and others visit Cadman Art Gallery.
Save some cash, help the environment
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes has a new reusable, refillable tumbler. Our 32 oz. tumbler can be purchased full of your favorite fountain beverage, tea or lemonade for $6. Refill any time for just a buck! Save some paper while saving some cash!
WSU Police Department reaches out to child diagnosed with Retinoblastoma
WSU police officer Efrain Rueda has a friend whose child was recently diagnosed with Retinoblastoma. The girl lost her left eye and is awaiting her prosthetic while undergoing chemotherapy to salvage what they can in her right eye. Luna will be 2 years old and already has shown she's very strong by smiling every day.
Rueda collected money to buy her a bear form Build-A-Bear Workshop. The bear is a jumbo size 36-inch bear wearing a WSU cheerleader outfit. Luna and her family are huge supporters of WSU and WSU athletics.
Officer Rueda and members of the WSU Police Department recently presented Luna with a bear and other WSU gifts!
Only short-sleeve tees remain for Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Patterson
Shocker Store in the RSC has sold out its supply of long sleeve pink T-shirts for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. However, short-sleeved tees are still available in the RSC.