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Picture of 1958 sit-in from The Enlightener

Feb. 5, 2021 - The Dockum Drug Store sit-in of 1958 is attracting new attention during Black History Month, in part thanks to NBC’s Today and Wichita native Sheinelle Jones. Several University of Wichita students participated in the sit-in, which is increasingly recognized as a landmark event in the Civil Rights Movement. NBC’s Today featured the events in a recent broadcast.

Students attend class wearing face coverings.

Feb. 4, 2020 — Amidst the chaos, confusion and grief of the coronavirus pandemic, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty are stretching their teaching skills and using the experience for teachable moments.

The Vizling app will help visually impaired people read comic books.

Feb. 3, 2021 — Kapow! Zap! Pop! Zoinks! A Wichita State University researcher is working to develop an app to make those words come alive for visually impaired comic book readers, Dr. Darren DeFrain, associate professor of English and director of Wichita State’s writing program, has recently been granted $11,000 from the John A. See Innovation Award to develop Vizling.

Hanna Chastain

Feb. 2, 2021 - Hanna Chastain, a junior biology major from Wichita, will present virtually at the National Council on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) conference in April. Her presentation is titled “Development of PARROT, a Wireless Orofacial Myofunctional Imaging and Pressure Mapping Device.”

Dr. Selena Jackson and Danielle Johnson facilitate Real Talk discussions.

Feb. 1, 2021 — Five minutes of scrolling through social media, and it’s evident that many people need a lesson in civil discourse. Wichita State University’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is working to change that through Real Talk discussions to promote respectful dialogue among people with varying viewpoints.

Neymara Freeman

Jan. 22, 2021 — Neymara Freeman — a senior at Sumner Academy of Arts & Science in Kansas City, Kansas — has been named the 2021 Linwood Sexton Scholarship at Wichita State University.

Noel Live is an suspense/thriller.

January 20, 2021 — “Noel Live” follows Noel, a man with a mysterious case of short-term memory, who has lost everything. As he seeks to kill the man who took everything from him, he finds himself with a choice: forgiveness or revenge. Which will he choose? The film is told using reverse chronology and inspired by Christopher Nolan’s movie “Memento.”

Students talking

Jan. 19, 2021 — A Kansas couple has pledged an estate gift of $3.5 million to the WSU Foundation to endow a general scholarship fund for Wichita State University students who demonstrate financial need.

Wichita State's Molecular Diagnostics Lab

Jan. 14, 2021 — Wichita State University’s Molecular Diagnostics Lab (MDL) is partnering with the Kansas capitol in Topeka to keep the state functioning during the COVID-19 pandemic. As of early January, the MDL began processing thousands of tests per week for the people who work and visit the Kansas State Capitol in Topeka — including legislators, staff, the media, lobbyists, or conferees.

10 self-improvement tips for winter 2021

January 11, 2021 — Here are my 10 student self-improvement tips for winter break.

Champs Logo

Jan. 5, 2021 – Wichita State students Hannah Jasinski and Taylin Fox developed a student organization focused on diversity, equity and inclusion within sports.

The Single Patient Stethoscope™ from Ad Astra Medical Devices, LLC

Jan. 5, 2021 - A Wichita State University-based program aimed at aiding frontline workers in the fight against COVID-19 has resulted in the formation of a new Wichita startup company and a premium disposable stethoscope. The Single Patient Stethoscope™ from Ad Astra Medical Devices, LLC, boasts a sturdy, lightweight design engineered for maximum performance in today’s demanding medical environments.

Diversity classes

Dec. 14, 2020 – In response to student interest, Wichita State is focusing on developing new courses focused on diversity. Currently, Wichita State offers more than 330 courses on diversity content. Additionally, two-thirds of the first-year seminars offered are flagged with diversity and about 35-40% of students complete a diversity course while pursuing their degree.

Children laughing

Dec. 17, 2020 – Wichita State University’s Community Engagement Institute’s coalition is working to better the lives of children by encouraging workplaces to establish family-friendly practices. WSU-CEI works closely with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to establish multisector partnerships and resources for the execution of the Child Maltreatment Prevention Plan across Kansas. WSU-CEI also organizes a statewide coalition for this effort called Kansas Power of the Positive.

Dawna Raehpour

December 11, 2020 - Dawna Raehpour is the recipient of the Stanley Z. Koplik Memorial Scholarship for 2020-21. She will graduate in May with major in public health science and a minor in sociology. The $1,200 scholarship is in honor of Koplik, who served as executive director of the Kansas Board of Regents from 1982-93.