Groundbreaking celebrates Woolsey Hall, new home of the Wichita State business school
Alumni, donors and officials from Wichita State University gathered Thursday, Oct. 22 for a groundbreaking ceremony at the future site of Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, the new home for the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
In a statement, Barton School Dean Larisa Genin told students the facility will be a place “where you will explore your full potential and ambitions.”
“Whether it’s launching a career, starting your own business or working to solve problems in our world, Woolsey Hall will be your lab, your sandbox, your incubator, your oyster to create amazing pearls. I can’t wait to see what you accomplish,” Genin said.
Woolsey Hall, named for the Wichita couple who provided the lead gift to the WSU Foundation’s fundraising campaign, will be located on the Innovation Campus. When completed in mid-2022, the business school will move to the new building from Clinton Hall, which has been its home since 1970.
Pictured above: Wichita State University celebrates the groundbreaking for the new Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall on the Innovation Campus. The building will be the new home to the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
The Hyatt Place ribbon cutting is postponed
Due to inclement weather, the Hyatt Place at Wichita State University ribbon cutting that was initially planned for Oct. 27 has been postponed. A new schedule is yet to be announced.
Wichita State doubles output of engineering grads ahead of schedule
- In 2011, Wichita State University vowed to double the number of engineering grants as part of the state's University Engineering Initiative Act.
- One year ahead of schedule, the College of Engineering has surpassed its goal.
- With the help of a $35 million grant from the Kansas Legislature, the College of Engineering has increased graduates by more than 100% for some groups of underrepresented populations.
Mid-West Air Force Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4
This virtual Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4 brings the United States Air Force and the small business community together to connect and collaborate. This enables the opportunity for small business innovation to quickly deliver advanced technologies to the Air Force.
NIAR teams take home gold and bronze awards in Air Force’s inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Olympics
Two teams from Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) have received coveted awards from the inaugural Advanced Manufacturing Olympics (AMO), hosted by The U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office (RSO).
Announced Oct. 23, NIAR’s Sustainers of the Galaxy team received the first place $100,000 award in the Box of Parts technical challenge and NIAR TEAM QuAL Testers and Evaluators of AM (Quick as Lightning) received the third place $40,000 award in the F-16 Approval Sprints technical challenge.
The Advanced Manufacturing Olympics, held Oct. 20-23 is unique virtual experience bringing together advanced manufacturing, technology and sustainment innovation subject matter experts, entrepreneurs, practice leaders, and enthusiasts to discover new technologies and insights from thought-leaders across government, academia and small business.
In the Box of Parts challenge, teams demonstrated the ability of 3D scanning and printing technology to accurately reengineer a part without an existing plan. The end goal is to identify automated or hands-free scanning for rapid and accurate reverse engineering capabilities.
Additional competing teams included Lockheed Martin/Stratasys, ReLogic Research Inc., Aero Design, LLC, 461st Spark Hub, Carpenter Technology Corporation, 3D Printing Colorado, Wilder Systems and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Jeswin Joseph, program and research manager of NIAR’s Emerging Technologies and CAD/CAM Labs was captain of the Sustainers of the Galaxy Team.
"We are absolutely thrilled that WSU-NIAR’s decades of Digital Twin development expertise was validated by being recognized as first in the Box of Parts challenge,” said Joseph. “I am extremely proud of our NIAR Team and we look forward to working with the Department of Defense and industry partners on many more emerging technologies.”
F-16 Approval Sprints teams competed to deliver a polymer additively manufactured replacement solution for rapid deployment of a specified F-16 aircraft component. The challenge was focused on identifying innovative strategies for rapid design, qualification, and deployment of sustainment solutions to leverage new manufacturing materials, processes, and components.
Stress Engineering Services, Inc./Origin/nTopology Inc. placed first in the challenge. Additional competing teams included 3DChimera, Stratasys, Cumberland Additive Inc., Voxel Defense LLC, Markforged, 3-D VHB/Additive America/Addiguru and W.M. Keck Center for 3D Innovation at the University of Texas at El Paso.
NIAR technical director for advanced manufacturing, Chris Holshouser served as captain of TEAM QuAL and drove NIAR’s AMO participation efforts.
“We’ve worked very hard to build up unmatchable teams in additive manufacturing qualification and reverse engineering in order to revolutionize the way we qualify materials and provide sustainment programs for the DoD,” said Holshouser.
In addition to placing in the competition, the NIAR team was selected to have their printed part installed and flown on an F-16, making this the first additively manufacture part flown on this vehicle – demonstrating the promise of additive manufacturing for rapid sustainment.
“I’m happy to see that the Wichita State NIAR results came out very well and that is the part that’s being flown because they were quite high on the list as well in terms of their innovative proposals for qualification,” said Ellen Le, additive manufacturing technical lead, Ford Motor Company.
“It was fairly novel geometry and it outperformed the Stratasys part, based on the information that was provided,” said Mark Diller, P.E., senior design engineer for the University of Dayton Research Institute. “That’s where the most confidence was between testing and submitted info.”
Competing teams were required to submit a significant portfolio of documents and videos in order to be chosen to compete in the competition and advance to the final round.
Cash prizes for the challenges were $100,000, $50,000 and $40,000 respectively for first, second and third places; a cherry on top the respect and exposure gained by securing the top places.
“The awards confirm that the Wichita State NIAR team has unique capabilities and technologies suitable for transforming the R&D and sustainment efforts across the Department of Defense,” said John Tomblin, WSU senior vice president for Industry and Defense Programs and NIAR executive director. “We will continue to employ and improve these technologies and programs in an effort to serve as a resource for additional DoD programs and increase readiness levels for the fleet.”
The U.S. Air Force RSO increases mission readiness by rapidly identifying, applying and scaling technology essential to the operation and sustainment of the Air Force.
To view NIAR team application videos produced by the Wichita State Media Resource Center visit the following links:
Ulrich Virtual program today will feature exclusive screening of Chinese Artist Zhang Huan's videos
The Ulrich Museum of Art will not have an artist talk with Zhang Huan on Tuesday, Oct. 27, as originally planned. Huan, who is working on a project in a remote part of China with extremely limited access to wifi, sends his regrets. In his place, however, he has sent six video shorts selected exclusively for our Ulrich Virtual program, which will be airing during the scheduled program, which takes place at 6 p.m. The virtual screening is free and open to all, but you have to register first to get the Zoom link.
Active in Beijing in the 1990s, New York City, and now Shanghai, Zhang Huan is one of the foremost figures of Chinese contemporary art. His billboard in the Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboard Project is on view at 5455 E. Central in Wichita.
The First-Gen Student Organization (FGSO) is hosting a fundraiser, but they need your help
The First-Gen Student Organization (FGSO) is hosting a fundraiser but they need your help. The Hill is their location of choice, if you are able to order on Oct. 30, please click the link below and commit. The deadline is today (Tuesday, Oct. 27).
11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday Oct. 30, at The Hill Bar and Grill Take-Out and Delivery Fundraiser, 4800 E. Douglas Ave.
Organizer: Heather Hunter, FGSO President
The Hill will donate back 15% to the student organization.
Purpose: FGSO was formed as a platform for First-Gen students to discussed shared experiences and advocate for their needs on campus. The United States Department of Education’s define First-Generation as a student whose parents do not have a baccalaureate degree.
SBA webinars teach you how to get the most for your business
The Kansas SBDC will present the following no-cost webinars:
Is Your Company Ready to Achieve SBA's 8(a)/BD Program Certification?
9 a.m.-10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Join Teri Taylor with the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the SBA 8(a)/BD certification program requirements. This program is designed to assist socially and economically disadvantaged firms in their attempts to grow and succeed, including potential access to government contracting.
Located in a HUBZone — Get Certified!
10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30
Join Teri Taylor with the Small Business Administration for an in-depth discussion about the HUBZone program requirements. If your principal office is located within a HUBZone, the SBA's HUBZone certification program may benefit your company in seeking Federal contracts or subcontracting efforts.
You can register online.
We look forward to seeing you there!
Purchase your cardboard cutout for the 2020-21 sport seasons at Koch Arena
Now's your chance to celebrate the 2020-21 season, by bringing your face into Charles Koch Arena in a "big" way. We're filling Charles Koch Arena with two-and-a-half-foot high fan faces sponsored by Patterson Legal Group.
Fans can purchase a two-and-a-half-foot high (32 in. x 16 in.) likeness of their face to be featured in the lower-level at Charles Koch Arena for all home games for men's and women's basketball and volleyball for the 2020-21 season. Each individual "big head" will be authenticated and returned to fans after the season as a keepsake.
Each cutout is $125 for the premium lower bowl and $50 for a non-guaranteed prime location with proceeds from the program aiding the Shocker Pride Fund. Purchase your cutout here.
Identity is the way we perceive and express ourselves
“Identity: A First-Generation Student Art Exhibition” in the main gallery and Looking Glass at Cadman Art Gallery, opened Monday, Oct. 26 and runs through Friday, Nov. 6.
One's identity may change over time depending on our unique circumstances and life experiences. WSU's first-generation students applied, and 11 were selected to exhibit their unique artwork based on the theme "Identity."
Join us during the university F1RST-Gen Week in a socially distanced mixer from 2-4 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, on the first floor, RSC, Cadman Art Gallery & Looking Glass, as Best of Show, and first and second place winners will be announced.
This event is hosted by the the First-Generation Students Organization (FGSO) and the First-Generation Coordinating Council (FGCC).
Free tutoring and academic mentoring for diverse Shockers!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is offering free tutoring and academic mentoring!
Our tutors help students develop a deeper understanding of class material and gain successful skills that can improve their overall GPA.
Our academic mentors offer biweekly meetings to help you with academic success skills, such as time management, effective studying and note-taking, test preparation and more!
You can drop in any of the listed times or schedule an appointment. See when we are open, what classes are offered, and how to request appointments at wichita.edu/pass!
Because change begins with YOUth
Positive change in our community begins by helping our younger generations achieve success in life. All they need is friendship, guidance, and support of someone like YOU! Register for Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters (KSBBBS) virtual info session at noon Thursday, Oct. 29, to learn more about KSBBBS.
All webinar attendees will receive a free T-shirt (while supplies last), and one lucky winner will receive a gift card to a local restaurant!
Did you know that more than 100 Wichita State students, faculty, and staff serve local youth through KSBBBS mentoring program?
Track and Field holding its annual Shocker Holiday Sweatshirt Fundraiser
The Wichita State track and field program announced its third annual Shocker Holiday Sweatshirt Fundraiser.
Shocker fans can click here to order Shocker holiday sweatshirts. This year's options include both black and yellow crewneck sweatshirts and are available in adult and youth sizes. Orders will be taken until Monday, Nov. 2 and will be available for in-person pickup only.
Pickup will be available from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 16-20 at the Student-Athlete Success Center in the track and field offices, located directly southeast of Charles Koch Arena.
All proceeds go to the Wichita State track and field and cross-country programs.
For more information, please contact Heidi Benton at hyost@goshockers.com or Rob Garcia at rgarcia@goshockers.com.
Please help less fortunate children this Christmas
Our Toys for Tots toy drive is happening now until Dec. 16! We had fantastic support last year ending with a box brimming over with toys. We helped so many underprivileged children in Wichita. Let's shoot to double it this year!
You can stop by the Campus Credit Union lobby between 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, to donate.
The F45 Playoffs are back!
F45 Playoffs are here from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, (56 timeslots available) at the F45 Studio in the Heskett Center.
Form a team or compete individually and make your way through 10 F45 stations. Complete the most reps to be crowned the champion. Registration is free this semester for all participants. Please register with any instructor in our studio. Scores are based on the maximum total number of reps completed.
Creepy Cosmic Bowling
Visit the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 or Saturday, Oct. 31, for some Creepy Cosmic Bowling! Enjoy $2 bowling games with free rental shoes. Bonus - wear your costume and receive a punch card with six free bowling games to use on a future visit. Offer not valid with other coupons or specials. Call 316-978-3479 for details. Open to the public.