Wichita State University to hold 2018 fall commencement ceremony Dec. 16
Wichita State University will hold its fall ceremony of the 121st commencement in
Charles Koch Arena at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 16. Nearly 1,200 students are eligible
to graduate this fall.
All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral
candidates will be hooded at this ceremony.
Wichita State's fall commencement ceremony in Koch Arena will be available via webcast.
To view the ceremony, go to www.wichita.edu/commencement and click on "Live Commencement Streaming." The site will go live at about 2:25 p.m.
Dec. 16.
Security procedures will be implemented
To ensure the safety of everyone attending commencement, the following security procedures
are being implemented:
Everyone attending, assisting or participating in commencement will be required to
be screened and pass through metal detectors as they enter the arena. Koch Arena will
open at 1 p.m. We recommend you arrive early to allow sufficient time to get through
security.
Please note the following items are prohibited:
- Outside food and drink
- Weapons not allowed by law
- Noisemakers
- Pocket and box knives
- Alcohol and drugs
Wichita State staff reserves the right to prohibit any items deemed inappropriate.
Student Advocate is here to help
Don't forget that the Student Advocate is able to help with grade appeals, parking citations, and more! Fill out the submission form to request help from the Student Advocate.
The Student Advocate will hold office hours until Thursday, Dec. 20, and return Monday, Jan. 14. For more information about the Student Advocate, go to wichita.edu/studentadvocate.
Participate in Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
Undergraduate researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to submit their application for the annual Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol poster symposium on Wednesday, Feb. 20, in Topeka. Researchers must:
- be undergraduates during the 2018-2019 academic year;
- have completed research under the guidance of a Kansas 4-year public institution faculty mentor;
- follow the methodology of the appropriate academic discipline;
- be of sufficient quality to be presented at a professional academic meeting;
- have the skills, resources, and capacity to produce a professional academic poster;
- agree to undergo presentation training and rehearse their presentations prior to the Capitol event.
Go to wichita.edu/undergradresearch for a submission form. More questions?
Email undergraduateresearch@wichita.edu.
Call for Fiscal Year 2020 Educational Opportunity and Student Fee funding requests
It's again time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through Student Government for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY 20. Through student fees, these programs provide funding for financial assistance to students (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs / activities delivered directly to students (student fees).
If you've submitted requests in the past, the Budget / Review Officer should have received an email from the Budget Office last week to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past, but are considering submitting a new request, please contact Lauren Smith, Jason Post, or David Miller in the Budget Office at 978-3030 for more information.
Requests are due no later than Friday, Jan. 25.
Weekly Briefing recap
Here are some of the items that were presented during the university update portion of this week's Weekly Briefing.
Meritrust and Spirit AeroSystems
We want to share a quick update on the campus expansion. On Monday, Meritrust Credit Union opened its doors at Braeburn Square followed by a Wednesday dedication and ribbon cutting.
And over at Partnership Building 2, the Spirit AeroSystems sign is now installed, and Spirit is scheduled to make its move into the second floor of P2 early in the new year.
To Spirit and Meritrust, we want to say: “Welcome to Wichita State.”
We’re excited about partnerships like these and the important role they’ll play in making campus a destination for the entire community and in furthering WSU’s mission.
Shocker Sound Machine – upcoming performances
And, finally, if you missed Shocker Sound Machine’s debut performance during women’s basketball on Dec. 8, you still have several chances to catch this high-energy, fast-moving, loud-and-proud marching ensemble, including the Jan. 29 women’s game and at two men’s games on Jan. 30 and Feb. 28.
We’re pleased to offer this marching band experience that draws upon the talents of current and prospective students who enjoyed the excitement of their high school bands. Shocker Sound Machine will eventually be worked into the curriculum to help music education majors get experience they need to effectively teach marching band.
We look forward to seeing and hearing Shocker Sound Machine in full force starting in the 2019-2020 academic year.
Briefings resume in January
Finally, we want to remind you that university offices will be closed starting Dec, 21 and will reopen on Jan. 2, with briefings starting up again later in the month.
Looking back on this year’s briefings, we’re happy about the positive feedback we’ve received from the campus and community. This feedback has encouraged us to continue holding these briefings on a weekly basis after the break, although the format may be a little different. We’ll keep you updated about any changes.
We wish you a safe and happy holiday season, and we’ll see you in 2019.
Starbucks sale Dec. 14-16
Get into the holiday spirit at Starbucks in the RSC with Holiday Happy Hour BOGO on
any Grande or Venti espresso beverages or hot chocolate after 3 p.m. in the RSC from
today (Friday, Dec. 14) to Sunday, Dec. 16.
Holiday sale at the Shocker Store Braeburn Square location
On Saturday, Dec. 22, if you buy an item at the Shocker Store’s Braeburn Square location, you can take 50 percent off another item of equal or lesser value! The sale is valid all day, and they will be open from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
The 6th Annual Puppy Paddle is tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 15)
Bring your furry friends and take a dip in our pool from 10 a.m.-noon tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 15) at the Heskett Center! You and your puppy can swim together, lob tennis balls or practice jumping in. This event raises money for animals in need and will showcase dogs in need of a fur-ever home.
Hit the books and the beach
Ever wonder what it would be like to hit the books in the morning and hit the beach in the afternoon? Thanks to National Student Exchange (NSE), you can. NSE allows undergraduate, domestic students the opportunity to study at one of nearly 200 universities across the United States and Canada – while paying regular WSU tuition and earning credit toward your degree.
The application materials for exchange during fall 2019 and spring 2020 are available at wichita.edu/nse and are due Friday, Feb. 1, 2019. If you have questions, contact Trish Gandu at trish.gandu@wichita.edu.
Applications are open for the John A. See Innovation Award
Applications for the John A. See Innovation Award will be accepted now to Friday, Feb. 1. The award was established in December 2013 by John A. See to support prototype development, which may include development of products in engineering and science, development of life-enhancing therapeutic products, creation of application of new knowledge and artistic ventures.
Faculty and students are eligible to apply for the Innovation Award. For more information and access to the online application options go to John A. See Innovation Award.
Quilt of Valor presented to member of staff, other heroes
On Monday, Dec. 10, Elliott School of Communication senior administrative assistant Bill Molash and other service members received the Quilt of Valor, a civilian equivalent of the Purple Heart award. Molash served as a member of the Air Force during the Vietnam War, and was stationed at various air bases overseas.
The other recipients who received the honorary Quilt of Valor were Kevin Benavides, a current communications student at Wichita State who served in an active duty combat role; James Thompson, former candidate who ran for Kansas’ 4th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, who served as a member of the Presidential Guard during the Gulf War; and Martin Garcia, who served in an active duty combat role in Afghanistan during the military campaign there.
The Quilts of Valor project traces its roots back to the Revolutionary War as a way for family members and fellow soldiers to cover wounded or deceased soldiers and loved ones on the battlefield, providing warmth and comfort. The quilts are marked with unique insignia, designed to highlight accomplishments and honorable traits of the soldiers, while also identifying their backgrounds and pieces of information about them.
Heskett Center winter break hours now to Thursday, Dec. 20
The Heskett Center has announced its winter break hours.
Friday, Dec. 14: Regular hours
Saturday-Sunday, Dec. 15-16: 1-6 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 17-19: 7 a.m.-8 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20: 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
Wiedemann Natatorium
Friday, Dec. 14: Regular hours
Saturday-Thursday, Dec. 15-20: Closed
Shocker Fit Schedule
Friday, Dec. 14: F45 class from noon-12:45 p.m.
Monday-Wednesday, Dec. 17-19: F45 classes from noon-12:45 p.m. and 5:15-6 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 20: F45 class from noon-12:45 p.m.
All Shocker Fit classes are held in F45 studio
Mortar Board looking to add new individuals
The Fairmount Chapter of Mortar Board is currently looking to add new individuals to the organization for the year of 2019-20. Mortar Board is Wichita State's exclusive honor society here on campus with ideals in Scholarship, Leadership and Service.
Mortar Board provides high achieving students, in said ideals, a chance to improve on their networking skills, community service experience and a chance to interact with other high achieving students here on campus. In addition, you have the opportunity to earn regalia (cords, stoles, medals) to wear at graduation!
If you believe you excel in the said ideals and are interested in the above experiences, please submit an application at Mortar Board.
Game Day Sale at the Shocker Store tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 15)
On Saturday, Dec. 15, head to the Shocker Store at Braeburn Square to take advantage of their Game Day Sale! The day of every men's home basketball game you can take 20 percent off your entire purchase! (Braeburn Square Store only, some exclusions may apply)
Spirit Squad is selling Wichita State shirts
The Wichita State Shocker Spirit Squads are selling the perfect holiday gift for the Wichita State fan in your family. The long-sleeve shirts will be available in youth small to 4XL online.
After purchase, you can and either have it delivered to you by a cheerleader or dancer that you know, or have it mailed to you for a flat rate of $5.
*If shipping is selected please provide the address you would like the shirts sent to on the first record only. The long-sleeved shirts range in price from $20-$32, and will begin being delivered by Thursday, Dec. 20. Online sales will last until tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 15).
For more information, please contact Kelli Rappard at krappard@goshockers.com.
Save the date and call for submissions for 3rd Annual DiverseCity
On behalf of the President's Diversity Council, we are proud to announce our 3rd annual diversity showcase, DiverseCity. This week-long event gives Shocker Nation a glance of the successes from individuals, departments and organizations in the campus community that were made possible through diversity. The week takes place from Monday-Friday, April 15-19, 2019. Throughout the week, we encourage you to stop by and support the various events being hosted! This is a great way to get involved at Wichita State University and celebrate the various kinds of diversity we have to offer. A list of events will be available during DiverseCity.
DiverseCity Showcase Kickoff
President Bardo and Marche Fleming-Randle, vice president for Diversity and Community Engagement, will provide remarks to kick off the start of DiverseCity. We encourage you to stop by and view all of the work from the submissions that highlight successes related to diversity. The showcase kickoff takes from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, April 15, in 233 Rhatigan Student Center.
Call for submissions
All students, faculty, staff, student organizations and departments are invited to submit entries that are examples of diversity or highlight successes related to diversity. We are looking for all kinds of diversity entries from individual / group projects, workshops, events, mixed media, photography or artwork. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m. Friday, March 15, 2019.
For more information and to submit your entry, go to http://wichita.edu/diversecity.
Campus Post Office to provide limited hours during the holiday closedown
As in previous years, the Campus Post Office will provide only limited hours during the holiday closedown. No deliveries will be made to university departments, and departments may come to the Campus Post Office to collect incoming mail during the times listed on the chart here.
The Campus Post Office will not accept any bulk or automated mailings. The final day any mass mailings will be processed before the holiday closedown is Tuesday, Dec. 18.
No sales will take place at the service windows at the times shown, and any mail to be metered on a university account may also be brought to our office by 11 a.m. to be sent that day.
Additionally, no sales will take place at the service windows. This includes passports, USPS, UPS and FedEx services.
No passports will be processed during the holiday closedown and no stamp purchases will be provided through state accounts.
Campus Post Office Holiday Information
FirePoint at Wichita State University has job opening for web development
Wichita State University has a Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) to support a multi-year effort focused on fostering new research and development collaborations to advance military technology and move it more quickly into the hands of Army users.
This PIA initiative is managed through the FirePoint Innovations Center located on Wichita State's Innovation Campus (P2 Building). FirePoint works closely with AMRDEC scientists and engineers to expand engagement and collaboration in future vertical lift technologies with industry, universities and other Department of Defense (DoD) researchers.
These new collaborations will assist AMRDEC to address technology gaps and enhance its ability to develop and deliver new capabilities that will continue to provide a competitive advantage to the nation's warfighters.
Position: Student Assistant – FirePoint Website 2.0 Development
This position is to assist the FirePoint Team with the further development and expansion of its website to Version 2.0. This position requires demonstrated experience in website design and development. Current website –www.gofirepoint.org
- Any undergraduate major is acceptable. Majors in engineering or business preferred.
- Experience with tools such as Wordpress or SquareSpace is required
- Must be able to show a portfolio of designs or websites developed to date
- Proof of U.S. citizenship will be required. (Provide with application and resume)
- Qualified applicants should send a resume to Lauren Beastall at lbeastall@gofirepoint.org
- Veterans and active U.S. military are encouraged to apply
Best wishes for safe and happy holidays!
Most university offices will be closed from Friday, Dec. 21 through Tuesday, Jan. 1.
The last edition of Shocker Blast for fall is today (Friday, Dec. 14).
Shocker Blast will resume for the spring semester on Friday, Jan. 18, although most classes don't start until Tuesday, Jan. 22. There's no Shocker Blast on Monday, Jan. 21, because of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
If you have news or information to share with students, please submit it to shockerblast@wichita.edu by noon Thursday, Jan. 17, for the Jan. 18 edition.
Information should be submitted by noon Tuesday, Jan. 22, for the Wednesday, Jan. 23, edition of Shocker Blast.