Shocker Blast: Aug. 30, 2019

Morrison Hall Labor Day 2019

University to observe Labor Day

WSU offices will be closed and classes will not be held Monday, Sept. 2, in observance of Labor Day. Normal schedules will resume Tuesday, Sept. 3.


Financial Aid recalculation Aug. 30, 2019

Your financial aid may be impacted with fall enrollment changes

Reminder: Come and visit us in the Office of Financial Aid in 203 Jardine Hall, if you have questions about how your financial aid will be impacted by a withdrawal or other enrollment changes. Give us a call at 978-3430, or send an email to finaid@wichita.edu. Walk-ins are always welcome and encouraged from 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

Financial aid information.


KPERS 457

Student employees at WSU are eligible to save for retirement

We’ve all heard how important it is to start saving for retirement as early as possible. KPERS 457 is a voluntary savings plan for all State of Kansas employees, including undergraduate and graduate students employed by WSU.

It’s easy. You can just choose the Target Retirement Fund that is closest to the year you plan to retire, and the fund will do the rest.

How it works

You choose how much to save and when

• You can start or stop anytime

• You can choose from Roth and pretax options

• Contributions are automatically deducted from your pay

• You can start with as little as $12 per pay period.

• There is no penalty for early distributions!

For more information, go to www.kpers.org/kpers457.html. If you would like more information or are interested in opening an account, you can enroll online using the enrollment information provided below, or you may contact our plan representative below.

Robin Deiter
Empower – Retirement Plan Counselor KPERS 457
(844) 446-8658 x20468
Robin.deiter@empower-retirement.com

If you prefer to enroll online you’ll need the following information:
Group ID: 130000-01
Enrollment Code: udJKeW4M


Shocker Stories

Adult learners share their Shocker Stories

Adult learners at Wichita State often have a poignant reason for finishing a degree. It typically comes with a story, including how they were unable to either attend college after high school, or why they had to give up their journey to college before they graduated. 

The Office of Adult Learning gets the privilege of helping those students and hearing their stories. Many adult learners are grateful for the staff and faculty who encourage and empower them along the way. The Office of Adult Learning created Shocker Stories to not only share their stories, but to highlight the impact staff and faculty have on students. View Shocker Stories.

If you know of an adult learner who has an interesting story, invite them to call Pamela O’Neal at 978-8313 or email pamela.oneal@wichita.edu. Shocker Stories will be updated throughout the semester.


THe Mission welcome party Aug. 30, 2019

Welcome party with The Mission today (Friday, Aug. 30)

WSU students, if you are new to this beautiful campus, you are invited to join The Mission for our Fall Semester Welcome Party at 6:30 p.m. today (Friday, Aug. 30) in 233 Rhatigan Student Center! If you are a current student, you are also invited to join us as we welcome many new students.

Check us out on Facebook.


SAC Cosmic Bingo Aug. 30, 2019

Join SAC for Bingo!

Come unwind after the first two weeks of classes with food, friends and bingo from 8-10 p.m. today (Friday, Aug. 30) in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom, RSC!

Check out our classic games and challenge rounds for the chance to walk away with a fabulous prize. Everyone is welcome to play, but only students are eligible to win.

For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.


Walk-A-Mile Sept. 3, 2019

Register for Walk-A-Mile!

Student Activities Council and the Interfraternity Council invite you to take part in Walk-A-Mile at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in the CAC Theater!

Join us as we walk one mile around campus in the shoes of another to take a stand against rape, sexual assault, and gender-based violence on our campus. Check-in starts at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required.

Register at wichita.edu/WalkAMile by noon Sept. 3. Dinner from the Wichita WagonMasters and T-shirts provided by the Interfraternity Council will be provided to participants at the completion of the walk. For more information about SAC-sponsored events click here, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.


Social Mobility success fall 2019

Wichita State recognized for its efforts in student success

Wichita State's efforts to recruit and retain students from historically under-served and under-represented areas haven't gone unnoticed. WSU is one of six universities recognized by the 2019 Social Mobility Innovator Awards as a student success leader.

The Social Mobility Index ranks nearly 1,400 four-year U.S. colleges and universities according to how successfully they enroll students from low-income backgrounds and graduate them into promising careers. The goal of the SMI is to help redirect the attribution of "prestige" in the higher education system toward colleges and universities that are advancing economic mobility, the most pressing civic issue of our time.

Read complete story on Social Mobility Innovator Awards.


Women's Glee Club fall 2019

Women's Glee Club still accepting singers

WSU's Women's Glee Club is still open for new members! 

The ensemble performs an eclectic mix of classical, folk, and popular music, reflecting the diverse musical interests of its members. Women's Glee performs annual fall and spring concerts, participates in the Candlelight Christmas concert, and performs as part of athletic, academic, and social functions throughout WSU's campus. 

Women's Glee Club is a non-auditioned choir, so anyone with a treble voice (soprano-alto range) who wants to sing in this ensemble is able to do so! Simply register for the class and show up!

Click here for Women’s Glee Club information.


OneStop will adjust its late night hours starting Sept. 3

OneStop Student Services will adjust its late night hours starting Tuesday, Sept. 3. During August and January, the offices will be open Monday-Thursday until 7 p.m., and Friday until 5 p.m. 

In the remaining months, OneStop will be open Monday-Thursday until 6 p.m., and Friday until 5 p.m.


University update

This week’s Weekly Briefing university update included information the Kansas Board of Regents, WSU Board of Trustees, Boats and Bikes grand opening, athletics, and more.

Read university update

KBOR/WSU Board of Trustees

We’d like to start today’s briefing with a Kansas Board of Regents update. Over the summer, three new Regents, Cheryl Harrison-Lee, Shallaine Kiblinger, and Jon Rolph joined the Board. Since their appointments, all three have taken time to visit the WSU and WSU Tech campuses. We are excited about the leadership they will provide in support of higher education in Kansas.

We would also like to welcome two new members to the WSU Board of Trustees, Dr. Nancy McCarthy Snyder and Keith Stevens. The Board of Trustees was established in 1963 and supports the educational undertakings of the university through the management of the university's endowment and the 1.5 mill levy. The board consists of nine members appointed by the governor. 

We’d also like to recognize the service of Ken Hush and Cindy Schwann, former members of the Board, who have helped WSU pursue excellence with their thoughtful and visionary leadership in support of our mission and vision. 

 

Boats and Bikes grand opening

As part of the current transformation of the downtown river corridor, we want to invite everyone to the grand opening of Boats and Bikes tomorrow, Aug. 30, from 4:30-7:30 p.m. at River Vista, located at 150 N. McLean Blvd.

Boats and Bikes is a partnership between River Vista’s development group and the university, which ties in with Shocker Rowing’s new boathouse.

Water and land equipment rentals, as well as event hosting, will be the core of the venture and will provide the public with new and diverse options for activities and programming. Boats and Bikes will also sell branded merchandise and refreshments. A percentage of the net profits go directly to help fund Shocker Rowing, which is supported by Campus Recreation.

We are excited for this additional partnership that benefits our students and the community—and we hope to see you enjoying a kayak, pedal boat or bike rental down along the river soon.

For more information, visit wichita.edu/boatsandbikes.

 

Athletics       

If you love college football and baseball, we have two special events you won’t want to miss this September.

First, we hope you’ll join us for the Heartland Football Classic on Saturday, Sept. 7 at Cessna Stadium. This event pits the McPherson College Bulldogs against the Langston University Lions with a 4 p.m. kick-off. The event’s theme is “Unity Builds Community” and focuses on promoting diversity and inclusion throughout the heartland region—while increasing scholarship opportunities.

As Kansas’ most diverse college campus, we’re proud to host this inaugural event in conjunction with the Wichita Black Chamber of Commerce.

For tickets, visit myvoicetix.com.

And, at 2 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 21, Shocker baseball will host Nebraska in a fall exhibition at Eck Stadium. This will be new head coach Eric Wedge’s debut game—and your chance to get an early preview of the 2020 Shockers. The first 2,000 fans through the gate will receive a commemorative Eric Wedge trading card.

General admission is just $5. Paid season ticket holders, current students, military and first responders get in free with a valid I.D.

Tickets are available at goshockers.com/tickets, by phone at 978-FANS (3267) or at the ticket office on the south side of Koch Arena.

 

WSU recognized as social mobility innovator

CollegeNET Inc., a leading provider of web-based on-demand technologies for higher education and the developer of the Social Mobility Index, recently presented its 2019 Social Mobility Innovator Awards to 10 student success professionals from six universities across the nation.

On Wednesday, we were happy to announce that Wichita State, represented by Provost Richard Muma and Director of Student Success Kim Sandlin, was one of the winners.

The Social Mobility Index ranks nearly 1,400 four-year U.S. colleges and universities according to how successfully they enroll students from low-income backgrounds and graduate them into promising careers.

The goal of the SMI is to help redirect the attribution of "prestige" in the higher education system toward colleges and universities that are advancing economic mobility, the most pressing civic issue of our time.

We want to thank our dedicated faculty and staff for their efforts to recruit, retain and serve our diverse student body in ways that enhance their college experience and ensure their academic and personal success.

 

WSU Tech: Women in Manufacturing event

Today (Thursday, Aug. 30) is a special day at WSU Tech—and for 31 rock-star women who recently participated in the Women in Manufacturing program funded by a grant through Metallica’s All Within My Hands Foundation.

At 11 a.m., WSU Tech will hold its Metallica Scholars honor event, showcasing several of these students, in the hangar at the National Center for Aviation Training. Foundation representatives, area industry and community partners are invited to hear their stories—and also hear from the employers who hired them.

Announced in December 2018, The Metallica Scholars - Women in Manufacturing program promised to pay tuition and fees for eligible students while guaranteeing them a job interview with one of WSU Tech’s partners and a paid internship.

Through a competitive proposal process, WSU Tech was one of only 10 community colleges nationwide to receive this $100,000 grant.

We applaud these women for their academic achievements and recognize WSU Tech for its unrelenting dedication to the success of its students, our current and future workforce, and to the economic prosperity of our city, state and region.


‘Mikrokosmos’ is looking for readers

“Mikrokosmos,” Wichita State's literary journal, is looking for readers!

If you're interested in publishing, enjoy writing, or just like to read, this community is for you. Readers for Mikro can choose to read either fiction, nonfiction, or poetry submissions, help decide what we print in our journals, and get a behind-the-scenes experience of what it takes to publish a literary journal. All WSU students are welcome to apply.

Applications are due Tuesday, Sept. 3.

If you have any questions about the position, email mojoeditors@gmail.com.


Conversation leaders fall 2019

Become a conversation leader for Intensive English Language Center

If you enjoy learning about other cultures and meeting people from around the world, come volunteer as a conversation leader at the Intensive English Language Center! 

Conversation outings are Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m.; and 12:30-2 p.m. 

Fall 2019 Conversation Schedule 
Sept. 4, 11, 18, 25 
Oct. 2 and 23
Nov. 6, 13, 20 
Dec. 4 

Orientation for conversation volunteers is at 9:50 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, at the Intensive English Language Center, 1741 N. Hillside. 

For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Nancy Millham at nancy.millham@wichita.edu.


Boats & Bikes story

Boats & Bikes opens to get people moving on the Arkansas River

Olga Navarro spent the summer renting boats, counting paddles and teaching people how to row at Boats & Bikes on the Arkansas River in downtown Wichita.

She is a senior industrial engineering major and a member of Wichita State’s rowing team who will soon leave the water for her career. While that next step won’t require her to explain water safety, it will likely require her to speak to groups, explain plans and work with customers. 

Those skills don’t come naturally to Navarro, so she views her time at Boats & Bikes as a valuable real-world, applied learning experience. Boats & Bikes is a store that rents bikes, boats, kayaks and paddleboards and is managed by Shocker Rowing.

Read complete Boats & Bikes story.


Mentoring fall 2019

Youth mentoring opportunity for three credit hours this fall

The INSPYRE research lab directed by Samantha Gregus is currently recruiting undergraduate mentors for a three-hour course in the fall 2019 semester. Mentors eat lunch with an elementary school student twice each week. In return, mentors receive three hours of course credit and many great experiences.

Mentors are required to undergo background checks, have reliable transportation to and from the elementary school, and should have availability from noon-2 p.m. at least twice a week. 

We do not meet regularly like a traditional class (time mentoring takes the place of class time). We do, however, have a course syllabus, class readings, and paper assignments. Mentors will receive training at the beginning of the course and a grade at the end based on attendance and completion of assignments. We are interested in recruiting mentors from any college and major. For more information, contact the INSPYRE research lab at inspyre@wichita.edu ASAP.


Free HIV testing Sept. 3, 2019

Free HIV testing on Sept. 3

Confidential free HIV testing with results in 20 minutes will be available from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 3, in 245 RSC. The testing is sponsored by Positive Directions, WSU Student Health Services and WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion.


Sarah Myose

Mural is a wish fulfilled for Honors student

Up until August, the Clinton Hall outdoor staircase on campus was a bare landscape in need of some attention. As part of WSU’s placemaking efforts to active spaces across campus, a call for proposals was put out seekig artists to create a mural on the stairs.

Senior Honors student Sarah Myose’s design won, and the mural was completed just in time for the start of the fall semester.

Read complete story on Clinton Hall mural


Coffee review by Andrew Martin

One student's coffee review: RSC Starbucks

Marketing intern Andrew Martin says coffee is an essential part of his life. He begins every morning with a cup at home, and it fuels him throughout the day.

Some might even say he’s addicted. Others might say he’s a coffee snob.

His review will be one out of four, so let’s set some … ground… rules for the coffee.

Read coffee review


Back to Business Bash Sept. 5, 2019

Back to Business Bash coming Thursday, Sept. 5

Barton School Dean's Ambassadors invites all business students to join us in the RSC East Courtyard from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at the RSC east courtyard, for the Back to Business Bash!

Come meet the new dean and learn more about business organizations on campus. Students are welcome to free food, games, and prizes.

Business Bash


National Cheese Pizza Day Sept. 5, 2019

National Cheese Pizza Day – Free pizza!

Celebrate National Cheese Pizza Day with Student Activities Council and Campus Credit Union by stopping by from 4-6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, on the north patio of the Rhatigan Student Center. Come and enjoy some pizza while the supply lasts.


Ulrich Fall Exition Opening Party Sept. 12, 2019

Ulrich Museum invites public to Fall Exhibition Opening Party

Wichita State University's Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to join us at the museum from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, for an exploration of our newest suite of exhibitions on display this fall. The new exhibitions are:

Teachable Moments: The XXII Faculty Biennial
Clay Currents: The Wichita National Ceramics Invitational
Solving for X=Accessibility: GuideBeacon: Wayfinding and Multisensory Access to Works of Art for People Who Are BVI and Mobility Impaired

Ulrich receptions are a conversation, a gathering, an engagement of artists and art enthusiasts intertwined with music, fine fare, and possibility. The reception is free and open to the public. For more information call 978-3664 or email ulrich@wichita.edu.

More information on Ulrich Fall Exhibition Opening Party is available at ulrich.wichita.edu or on Facebook.


Teen study participants needed to help explore perceptions of relationships

Are you a parent of a teenager? The INSPYRE research lab is exploring what makes relationships healthy or unhealthy in adolescence 

Purpose of this study: To explore perceptions of healthy and unhealthy relationships in teens 

Procedures: After parental consent and teen assent has been obtained, teens will be asked to participate in a survey that gathers information on demographics and perceptions of dating relationships.

Read more on teen study.

Time: This survey will take approximately 20 minutes to complete 

Eligibility Criteria: Participants must be 13-19 years old, and must be fluent in English 

We provide flexible locations for study participation! Study participation can be done: 

* in person in 417 Jabara Hall

* in person at an outdoor public meeting place (Eg: ICT Pop-Up Urban Park, Bradley Fair) 

* through email 

* through mail 

Compensation: A small prize will be offered 

Interested? Contact the Inspyre Research Lab: inspyre@wichita.edu or call 978-6180

Inspyre Research Lab


Kversity group fall 2019

Do you enjoy dancing? Join Kversity!

Kversity is a dance group that specializes in KPop dance covers and Hip-hop choreography. We are looking for new members to join in on all the fun this year! If you enjoy dancing, want to learn to dance, or just simply love Kpop, Contact us at kversitydance@gmail.com or come visit us at our dance practices. No dance experience required and open to all!


Police hot dog event Sept. 4, 2019

Dog days of summer with the WSUPD

Come and have a hot dog on the WSUPD, and meet some of the officers working on campus. Officers will begin serving free hot dogs at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, on the north side of the Rhatigan Student Center until they run out. Veggie dogs will be available as well.


Fresh Mex is back at SSGL

Fresh Mex is back

The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes has added back a selection of freshly prepared Mexican cuisine to the menu! Fresh Mex is now available for lunch, Monday through Friday. Stop in and grab a taco, burrito or some chips with white queso and our house-made salsa.