Wichita State’s engineering graduate programs are now the highest ranked in Kansas
In the latest U.S. News and World Report rankings of universities offering a Ph.D. in engineering, the College of Engineering at Wichita State University is again ranked in the top 100 engineering graduate programs, the only institution from the state of Kansas to make it in the top 100.
The 2021 rankings by U.S. News and World Report are based on a number of factors including reputation among peer institutions and industry recruiters, student selectivity, faculty resources and research expenditures – an area where Wichita State far outperforms peers. A recently released National Science Foundation report of FY2018 total engineering research expenditures ranked Wichita State 54th in the nation, well ahead of any other institution in Kansas.
Impressively, Wichita State’s rank – 94th – is tied with a number of state “flagship” universities, including the University of Missouri, the University of Kentucky and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. This is particularly noteworthy given Wichita State’s urban-serving role. In fact, less than a third of the top 100 engineering programs – Wichita State included – are located in one of the country’s 200 largest cities.
Wichita laboratory scientist gives inside perspective on the fight against COVID-19
Sarah Nickel is an assistant professor working at Wichita State, who also works for Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital.
Nickel receives samples from dedicated nurses working in a unit that specifically deals with COVID-19 cases. Once Nickel receives the samples, she outsources the results from independent laboratories.
Pictured above: Dr. Sarah Nickel teaches her students in the medical lab at Wichita State University before COVID-19 social distancing measures were put in place.
Meet a Shocker: Spring 2020 graduates
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the course of our history and the Wichita State University campus during the spring 2020 semester. While we cannot have a traditional commencement ceremony in May, the WSU community celebrates our more than 2,400 Shocker graduates with a spirit of unity and pride. Here's what some of them have to say about their time at WSU and their futures.
Meet Wichita State University's new Golden boy
Jay Golden and Rudy
As a new Wichita State University staffer (Sara Ornelas, Marketing Content Strategist), I really wanted to make a good impression on my new boss, President Jay Golden, during our first Zoom-to-Zoom interview. But I was transfixed by the face I saw staring back at me: fuzzy ears, floppy tongue, expressive eyes and a shiny black nose.
No, it wasn’t Dr. Golden. It was Rudy, Wichita State’s new first dog, who was adopted by Dr. Golden and his wife, Dina, on May 1 from the Kansas Humane Society.
“I’m not sure if I rescued him or he rescued me,” said Golden, who is clearly as enamored with Rudy as Rudy is with his new dad.
Golden, whose 12-year-old golden retriever recently passed away from cancer, had put some feelers out to local rescue groups and the Kansas Humane Society about adopting a new dog of the same breed.
“Someone from the Humane Society heard that I was looking for a golden, and the stars aligned,” Golden said. “A golden was rescued and brought in.”
Shocker Innovation Corps now accepting applications for the online summer 2020 cohort
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
This summer cohort will be held completely online. With the university continuing classes online for the summer term, we want to offer the flexibility of attending the E-Launch sessions online. Visit www.shockericorps.org to find out more information or to apply.
Enjoy free online self-paced courses!
Wichita State University Office of Workforce, Professional and Community Education in partnership with Ed2Go is excited to announce free professional development opportunities to the community. Ten free self-paced tutorial courses are now offered to you at no cost!
Free self-paced courses include:
- Creating Web Pages
- Creating WordPress Websites
- Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
- Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
- Keys to Effective Communication
- Managing Customer Service
- Marketing Your Business on the Internet
- Personal Finance
- Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
- Individual Excellence
How to Register
To register and view the courses, click here. To take advantage of this special opportunity, you must select the courses titled, FREE Self-Paced Tutorial.
Courses are available through June 30, 2020.
For more information or questions, contact jennifer.harry@wichita.edu
JoVE Science Library streaming free for WSU students and faculty
Find innovative instructional streaming collections at JoVE Science Library! Through University Libraries, WSU faculty and students have free access to JoVE through June 15. This online resource has videos on a variety of STEM subjects. More information is available here.
Perspectives on the Pandemic series now on Fairmount College YouTube channel
Making sense of the issues surrounding the coronavirus can be challenging. Faculty experts in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University are helping clear the confusion.
The Perspectives on the Pandemic series features several Fairmount College faculty and community members explaining various aspects of the pandemic. The presentations may be found on the Fairmount College YouTube channel.
Join us for a Real Talk program
Real Talk - Intersection Dialogues will be held from 1-2 p.m. Wednesday, May 20. A Zoom link will be provided after you RSVP for the event, which is brought to you by WSU Counseling and Prevention Services, and the Office of Diversity Inclusion. RSVP at wichita.edu/odievents.
Engage in meaningful dialogues around various topics that impact identity, diversity, inclusion, equity, and society. We welcome you to lean into discomfort and join in on the discussion. The upcoming topic will be "Processing Ahmaud Arbery."
For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034.
Koch Innovation Challenge winners advance to national competition
One team of Wichita State University students has emerged as a Grand Champion team in the 2020 Koch Innovation Challenge.
In the final pitch competition, teams recorded their three-minute elevator pitch and prototype demonstration and submitted the videos to a panel of judges. Team Wire Pullers was selected by the judges over four other teams with their invention: a magnetic device to make pulling wires through walls easier. Team members included Braden Botkin, a sophomore in engineering technology; Adam Brown, a freshman in engineering; and Nicholas Ridpath, a freshman in applied computing.
Review the Office of Diversity and Inclusion's Annual Celebration Programs
Each year, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion acknowledges the value and uniqueness of our underrepresented student experiences by honoring them through various celebrations. These ceremonies serve to commemorate and highlight the accomplishments of Wichita State University's diverse students.
Due to COVID-19, the office is saddened that we are not able to celebrate these programs in person; however, we strive to produce quality virtual programs to ensure that our students are well-represented at the university. Below are three video links to our Multicultural Graduation Celebration, Lavender Graduation and Academic Excellence Celebration.
The Multicultural Graduation Celebration is a longstanding tradition at Wichita State University that honors our graduates and their rite of passage. View the 25th annual Multicultural Graduation Celebration video here.
Lavender Graduation is a special ceremony that honors the achievements of graduating lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) students at Wichita State University. View the 6th annual Lavender Graduation video here.
The Academic Excellence Celebration recognizes Wichita State University's diverse students in honoring their academic excellence. View this semester’s Academic Excellence Celebration video here.
Learn more about the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at http://wichita.edu/odi.
RSC reopening information
The Rhatigan Student Center will reopen on Tuesday, May 26 with operating hours of 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
Starbucks and Shocker Card Center will also reopen on May 26. Starbucks hours will be 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday, and Shocker Card Center hours will be 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Other departments in the building will have varying opening dates within the next few weeks.
Please see our webpage for reopening information on individual departments. Upon reopening, all food services will be carryout only and lounges / dining areas will be initially closed to the public. Within the building, guests are expected to wear masks and maintain 6-feet of social distancing. Remember, we are also still available to assist you remotely through email, phone calls and curbside options!
Save on Shocker gear during the Memorial Day Sale
The Shocker Store is having a sale on Shocker gear for Memorial Day weekend! From Friday, May 22-Monday, May 25, at shockerstore.com, take 20% off Shocker gear; plus, select hats are just $10. Free shipping on orders over $25, or choose curbside pick-up at the RSC location. Sale not valid with other discounts or promotions.
Free shipping is on Shocker gear only, not textbooks / course materials, and will be applied upon order fulfillment.