Hyatt Place hotel to break ground next week at WSU
The first hotel on the Wichita State campus is beginning construction.
A 106-room Hyatt Place hotel will break ground next week on Wichita State’s Innovation
Campus, within walking distance of the new Fuzzy’s Tacos, the Shocker Store and Starbucks.
The groundbreaking is set for 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 29, on 19th Street just west
of Oliver. The event will kick off directly after WSU’s 10 a.m. weekly briefing in
the Marcus Welcome Center. The campus community is welcome to walk over from the briefing
to the groundbreaking.
Special invitation for Innovation Campus employees
On Monday, Sept. 9, the Office of Admissions invites the employees of our Innovation Campus partners to bring their high school and transfer students to get an exclusive look at what Shocker Nation is all about.
During this event, students and parents will have the opportunity to take a tour of campus, and hear from university staff about admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, and everything in between at Wichita State. This event is free of charge, and refreshments will be provided.
To RSVP, visit Wichita.edu/visit and click on “Admissions Events.” Questions can be directed to Ellen Nikkel at Ellen.Nikkel@wichita.edu.
University update
The following university update was provided at Thursday’s Weekly Briefing. Information was provided about the presidential search; business and graduate deans; facilities; traffic, parking and shuttle changes; housing; and research.
Presidential search
To start today’s (Thursday, Aug. 15) briefing, we have a quick update on the presidential search process.
According to the Kansas Board of Regents, the search committee met by telephone on Wednesday. It will soon begin reviewing applications, and the final Regents’ selection is expected by mid-November.
We’ll let you know more when additional information becomes available from KBOR.
Business and graduate deans
As you may have heard, the university recently hired two new college deans—Larisa Genin, dean of the Barton School of Business and Coleen Pugh, dean of the Graduate School and associate vice president for Research and Technology Transfer.
We’re happy to announce that both deans are now officially on campus and are actively engaging with stakeholders from across the university.
We welcome them to Shocker Nation and wish them the best of luck.
This week, the university also welcomed 45 new employees into the Shocker family—including many new faculty members. We also want to wish them all the best for a successful, productive school year, and we and look forward to their positive contributions toward WSU’s vision and mission.
Facilities update
Summer has been a busy time on campus with several construction projects underway.
The university-owned NIAR Advanced Virtual Engineering and Technology Lab is scheduled for completion in late October. The facility will house the NIAR Crash Dynamics Lab and Virtual Engineering Lab.
The shell of developer-owned partnership building three, known as P3, is also scheduled for completion in October, and the interior will be finished out as tenants come on board.
In addition, the Steve Clark YMCA and WSU Student Wellness Center, housing Student Health Services and Counseling Services, will open this January.
And construction on the 36,000-square-foot Student-Athlete Success Center has started with an expected completion date of July 2020.
We’re excited for these additions and for the benefits they’ll provide for our students, our growing number of partners—and the community.
While it’s easy to simply talk about current and future buildings, we want to stress that all of this effort isn’t just about construction. It’s about creating spaces for people to learn and collaborate. Elements like art, landscaping, lighting, outdoor seating and signage work together to create an environment that can enhance the campus experience, be welcoming to the community, and attract and retain students, faculty and staff.
Traffic, parking and shuttle changes
In addition to new construction, we’d also like to make you aware of recent traffic, parking and shuttle changes.
First, and most important, please be aware of the two new stop signs located at the intersection near the Memorial ‘70 monument—and be prepared to stop when approaching Perimeter Road from Hillside or Memorial Drive.
On-campus parking has expanded with the opening of The Suites at WSU parking lot, which is available for students, faculty and staff with a valid permit.
We want to remind students that they can ride Wichita Transit for free with their Shocker IDs.
Also, there is a new shuttle stop opposite of the Food Truck Plaza. And the Grace Wilkie shuttle stop has been moved to Mid Campus Drive near Wilkins Stadium.
To keep up to date with the latest traffic, parking and shuttle-related news, visit wichita.edu/parking.
Housing update
One of the best things about the start of the school year is the increasingly large number of students who choose to call campus their home away from home.
Today we’re happy to announce that our occupancy, as of last Friday, between Shocker Hall, The Flats, and our brand-new facility, The Suites, was at 1,463—putting us at full capacity.
We anticipated the possibility of higher requests for housing again this year, so we created expandable spaces to accommodate an increase in numbers. These rooms were identified prior to the room selection/assignment process, and students have been notified over the summer if their space was ultimately expanded.
This higher demand is also reflected in our increase in application numbers, particularly with students who have previously lived on campus and wish to move back to campus this fall. As of Aug. 12, we have 460 of these returning students, compared to 355 the previous year.
We’re pleased to see continued success in our strategy to create a campus environment where more students want to be—before, during and after class.
Research
And, finally, WSU continues making great strides through its strong commitment to applied learning and research.
The university has set a new record for research and development awards, with a total of $136 million in fiscal year 2019, which ended June 30, topping last year’s record-breaking total of $104 million.
This significant increase comes from a steep rise in contracts and awards from the U.S. Department of Defense, which increased by more than $40 million from fiscal year 2018 to fiscal year 2019.
Recent DoD awards include:
- $33 million from the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Command Aviation & Missile Center for emerging materials for high-speed missile applications.
- $23.5 million from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory for advanced materials and automated manufacturing.
- And $7 million from the Office of Naval Research for multiple projects involving advanced materials, digital modeling and advanced manufacturing.
According to John Tomblin, WSU vice president for research and technology transfer, this relationship with the Department of Defense “has opened up connections that will benefit Wichita State students, faculty and staff, in addition to the state of Kansas, manufacturing industry, various DoD agencies and the nation as a whole.”
We’re also proud of our faculty research—particularly for its innovation and the recognition it brings WSU. A prime example is assistant professor of chemistry Dr. Alexandre Shvartsburg, who recently received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers. This is the highest honor bestowed by the U.S. government on STEM professionals. Dr. Shvartsburg is the first-ever recipient from Wichita State and only the third from Kansas. We congratulate him on this great accomplishment.
Fuzzy's Taco Shop now open in Braeburn Square
Fuzzy's Taco Shop is now open in Braeburn Square. They're open seven days a week to handle all your taco cravings. See their hours and menu.
U.S. diplomat to speak about space exploration
The Wichita Space Initiative (WSI) kicks off the second year of its Space Exploration Lecture Series with a talk from Michael Michaud. Michaud was a Foreign Service Officer for 32 years before turning full time to writing. He is author of “Contact With Alien Civilizations,” as well as a novel and 35 articles and journal papers on the implications of possible future contact with extraterrestrial intelligence.
His Foreign Service assignments include Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Director of the State Department's Office of Advanced Technology, and Counselor for Science, Technology, and Environment at the American embassies in Paris and Tokyo.
Michaud led successful negotiations for science and technology cooperation agreements with the Soviet Union and Poland, and played a major role in the negotiation of a new space cooperation agreement with the Soviet Union. He was one of the initiators of U.S.-Soviet anti-satellite arms control negotiations and served on the U.S. delegation.
Michaud’s talk, “Extraterrestrial Intelligence: Grand Thought Experiment or Possible Future Discovery?”, will discuss issues related the impact of a future discovery of extraterrestrial intelligent life. It will take place at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, in 100 Lindquist Hall. As always, WSI talks are free and open to the public. Visit our website for more information at wichita.edu/space.
Engage WSU 2019 to feature keynote address from Lt. Gov. Lynn Rogers
The Public Policy and Management Center and the Division of Diversity and Community
Engagement will present Engage WSU, a day that brings together University, public,
nonprofit and community leaders for current research and knowledge exchange in public
service from 7:30 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 13.
Engage WSU will be held at WSU's Marcus Welcome Center and will feature a keynote
address on economic development and the connections between rural and urban success
from Lt. Governor Lynn Rogers, Parting Words from retired Sedgwick County undersheriff
Brenda Dietzman, the Road to Public Service with Leavenworth Mayor Jermaine Wilson
and various breakout sessions.
The breakout session topics will include Media Coverage of Community Driven Issues;
Profiles of High Utilizers of Mental Health Community Services; Continuing the Connecting
Conversation: Talent & Retention; and Diversity and Community Engagement.
The Continuing the Connecting Conversation: Talent & Retention breakout session will
feature a discussion with university and private sector human resources directors
about attracting and retaining an engaged, diverse workforce.
To learn more about Engage WSU and available sponsorship opportunities, visit www.wichita.edu/engagewsu.
New look for library software
The University Libraries has made changes to the SmartSearch and Interlibrary Loan platforms this August. Try out the new look and functionality! We welcome your feedback.
SmartSearch now has a cleaner interface, and can be accessed as before through the
University Libraries’ homepage. To access any saved items you may have you may log
in to the old SmartSearch interface. We recommend you export your items into a citation manager (such as EndNote or Zotero)
to preserve them long term.
The new Interlibrary Loan service shows you all of your requests on a single page, links to articles, and details about
the status of your requests and item due dates. Note that your request history in
ILLiad cannot be imported into the new system, but you will be able to login to ILLiad
to access it until Thursday, Oct. 1.
We hope that these changes enhance your library experience and streamline how you
manage your requests!
If you have questions, contact Ginger Williams at ginger.williams@wichita.edu.
Check out Welcomefest scheduled events
Welcomefest takes place during the first two weeks of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. Welcomefest booklets will be available at Welcome Tables throughout the first days of the semester. We look forward to seeing you out and about on campus!
To download the Fall 2019 Welcomefest Booklet, go to wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions or would like to request a print version of the booklet, contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.
Welcomefest deals at Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is kicking off the fall semester with some great deals! From Monday, Aug. 19-Friday, Aug. 30, we’re offering $2 hot dogs and free billiards all day, every day! The free billiards offer requires at least one Shocker ID Card per group. We’re excited to start another great year in the SSGL!
Pay attention when driving on campus!
A WSU staff member submitted the following reminder:
After watching a student drive past me this morning (Thursday, Aug. 15) in a golf cart with his cell phone in his hand in front of him, I would like to remind those driving vehicles around campus to do so without using their mobile devices. Please put them down.
Special exhibition on WSU campus showcases artist's commemoration of NASA Apollo missions
From now to Nov. 17, a piece of space race history is viewable on Wichita State University’s campus. A special exhibition titled “Lowell Nesbitt: Apollo 1969” is on display at the Experiential Engineering Building, and features prints made by artist Lowell Nesbitt.
Nesbitt was commissioned by NASA in 1969 to commemorate its Apollo 9 and 13 missions as part of the NASA Art Program. The exhibit was made possible through a new program at WSU’s Ulrich Museum of Art called Ulrich Connections, which ties the museum’s robust exhibition and event programming more directly to the world outside its walls.
Ulrich Director Leslie Brothers said the exhibition was not only a way to connect with other campus units, but also tapped into the ongoing excitement of celebrating the moon landing exactly a half century ago. Brothers said displaying the exhibition in the Experiential Engineering Building was a perfect match because WSU faculty and students continue to conduct NASA-funded research there.
“As a university art museum, we are making connections through the collection around what people care about – across campus and in the community,” Brothers said.
Scott Miller, professor and chair of aerospace engineering at WSU and director of the NASA in Kansas organization, said visitors to the exhibition would find Nesbitt's artwork just as exciting today as audiences did the first time around.
"The Ulrich Museum, through the art of Lowell Nesbitt, once again captures the sights and emotions of an amazing time," Miller said. "The NASA in Kansas organization is extremely proud to play a small role in this exhibit.”
"Lowell Nesbitt: Apollo, 1969" is cosponsored by WSU’s College of Engineering and NASA in Kansas; the exhibition is free and open to the public.
Get your fall 2019 Student Involvement Calendar
Check out the fall 2019 Student Involvement Calendar. Packed full of great events
that you will not want to miss, be sure to get your copy today!
This semester calendar is available as a download from our website and in print format.
If you would like a print version please visit one of our Welcome Tables, stop by
Student Involvement in 216 RSC, or email us at getinvolved@wichita.edu to request a copy through campus mail.
‘Welcome New Shocks’ an exhibit by First-Year Programs
Hundreds of new Shockers took their first steps on campus this summer participating
in New Student Orientation. This photo collection captures the many new students as they embrace their first moments as Shockers. The
images in this collection were taken by Transition Mentors and staff of First-Year
Programs. Stop by and get a glimpse of WSU's newest Shockers!
Welcome New Shocks will be on display in the Cadman Art Gallery, first floor, Rhatigan
Student Center, now through Friday, Aug. 30. To see the complete list of exhibits,
visit Cadman Art Gallery, and follow us on Instagram.
Enjoy lunch at the Food Truck Plaza
Start the new school year off right with lunch from the Food Truck Plaza! Follow the plaza on Facebook (@wichitastatefoodtrucks) and Twitter (@wsufoodtrucks) for any last minute schedule changes. You’ll also find a few trucks at Cessna Stadium on Friday night after Clash of the Colleges!
‘Technology Takes the Wheel’ Autonomous Vehicle Seminar Series
“Transportation Transformation: An Overview of Autonomous Vehicles,” will be presented from 9-11:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 30, at the National Center for Aviation Training Student Center, lecture hall, 4004 N. Webb Road. Free admission, but registration is required at www.wichita.edu/autonomousvehicles.
We are headed down the road toward the future of transportation with connected and autonomous vehicles (AV) – one that will greatly impact society, including our cities, rural communities, commerce, and even agriculture. Learn about the AV applications happening now, and the vision and planning taking place to create safe, inclusive and interconnected autonomous transportation systems of the future.
Upcoming seminars are planned for Oct. 11, Jan. 31, and April 17.
Campus Credit Union welcomes back Shocker Nation
The Campus Credit Union has proudly met the banking needs of Shocker Nation since 1952. It is located on campus next to the WSU police station across the road from the WSU YMCA construction; a short walk from The Flats or Suites.
We offer free checking and a no fee ATM. We also partner with ALLPOINT to offer surcharge free ATMs all across Wichita and the U.S. (70 local ATMS). We have online and mobile banking, including bill pay, and partner with Sallie Mae to offer private student loans.
In addition, we offer highly competitive auto loan, CD, and home loan rates. You can find out more online at www.campuscu.org or on Facebook and Twitter. Stop in and become a member today!
Sign up for the annual Pumpkin Run
Welcome home Shockers! It’s the fall semester, which means the Pumpkin Run is happening soon. This annual fun 5K winds through the beautiful Wichita State Campus. The Little Pumpkin Run is perfect your little pumpkins 1-12 years of age.
Be sure to visit Runners Village for pumpkin decorating, massage and more family activities. All participants receive a commemorative T-shirt. Cross the finish line and receive a medal.
Get a head start and take advantage of the early bird pricing today! For more information and to sign up go to Pumpkin Run.
Donations needed: Career Closet
The Career Development Center is in desperate need of professional clothing for our Career Closet event! Donate your professional dress items now through Wednesday, Sept. 4, to Brennan III, M-F 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (closed Tuesday mornings).
Professional dress items include suits, dress pants, professional shirts or blouses, professional skirts, belts, neckties, briefcases, shoes, cuff links, tie clips, and more. We are not accepting T-shirts, PJs, or undergarments. Professional clothing only. We particularly lack women’s petite and men’s small.
For questions, contact Kim Kufahl at 316-978-6981 or kim.kufahl@wichita.edu.
Ashley HomeStore to sponsor Shocker Classic
Ashley HomeStore will be the presenting sponsor of the Wichita State Shocker Volleyball
Classic, it was announced this week.
The classic, which is scheduled for Sept. 12-14 at Charles Koch Arena, will feature
the Shockers, in addition to BYU, Texas and VCU.
Read more about the Shocker Classic.
Shocker Tennis to host free clinics
Shocker Tennis will host a free tennis clinic every Wednesday from noon-1 p.m. RSVP to Justin DeSanto at jdesanto@goshockers.com or just come to the Sheldon Coleman Tennis Complex. All faculty, staff, and guests are welcome. Rackets will be available to borrow.
‘A Lifetime Afloat’ by Ahn Nguyen
Ahn Nguyen is a senior Business Administration major in the Barton School of Business. Her exhibit will be on display now through Friday, Aug. 30, in the Cadman Art Gallery, RSC first floor. To see the complete list of exhibits visit Cadman Art Gallery - wichita.edu/CadmanGallery - and follow us on Instagram.
From the artist: “This exhibit consists of photographs taken at the Floating market in Song Trang Vietnam. This particular market is a famous attraction in Vietnam and draws in thousands of tourists yearly. There have been countless photographs taken here, with the purpose of promoting tourism or cultural bragging. However, this exhibit focuses on the real people making a living at the market, in the time of the year where there isn't a single tourist in sight. This exhibit aims to 'unromanticize' the idea of the 'exotic' destination, by putting the spotlight on those who struggle to stay afloat.”