Shocker Blast: Sept. 13, 2019

Shockers After Dark tonight (Friday, Sept. 13)

Student Affairs invites students, faculty, and staff to Shockers After Dark from 8-10 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 13), on the first floor, Rhatigan Student Center, and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes.

Come to the RSC for two hours of fantastic free fun! Activities include intuitive readers, a poker tournament, gaming, BINGO, bowling, and karaoke. There will also be free food and prizes. The first 150 attendees will receive a glow-in-the-dark T-shirt. 

For more information, contact Student Affairs at 978-3021 or go to Shockers After Dark.

Students get in free to Shocker Volleyball Classic featuring top competition from around the NCAA

Wichita State Volleyball opens the 2019 home season against AVCA preseason top-25 teams in BYU and Texas, as well as the Rams of VCU for the Shocker Volleyball Classic.

Don't miss out on our 90s Night, T-shirt giveaway and autographs!

As always, WSU students get in free with their Shocker ID!

𝗙𝗥𝗜𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟯

4:30 p.m. | BYU vs Texas

7 p.m. | Shockers vs VCU — First 2,000 fans will receive a Shocker Volleyball t-shirt courtesy of Rotek Services

𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗗𝗔𝗬, 𝗦𝗘𝗣𝗧𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥 𝟭𝟰

Noon | VCU vs BYU

7 p.m. | Shockers vs Texas — Poster Giveaway & Postgame Autographs

Facilities Services after-hours emergency response

Facilities Services wants the campus to be aware of its after-hours emergency response plan.

Facilities Services regular work schedule is 7:45 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Custodial Services Department works two shifts from 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Monday through Friday.

For after-hours emergencies requiring Facilities Services assistance, please contact our University Police Department (UPD) at 316-978-3450. UPD will then contact Custodial Services and/or the appropriate on-call Facilities Services department.

Fire sprinkler testing to be conducted Sept. 16 through Sept. 20

Starting Monday, Sept. 16 through Friday, Sept. 20, WSU Fire & Safety will be conducting quarterly fire sprinkler flow tests in campus buildings from 6-8 a.m. Campus Housing tests will be conducted after 10 a.m.

The fire alarm in the building may sound multiple times for a few seconds. There is no need to evacuate during these short alarms, however, if the alarm sound continuously for longer than 20 seconds, then evacuate the building. With the exception of campus housing, any alarm after 8 a.m. is an actual fire alarm, and evacuation procedures must be followed.

Join Ready 2 Work!

Are you interested in professional development? Are you looking to grow your network? If you answered yes join us for Ready 2 Work (R2W). Come out and get an overview of the program at 1:30 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 13) in 208 RSC.

R2W is a professional development program that works with underrepresented sophomores, juniors, and seniors preparing them for the workforce. Students will have access to workshops, including resume building, interviewing skills, appropriate dress for the workplace, and much more.

Participants will also have the opportunity to meet with experienced professionals in the community. Students will be able to engage in mentorship and shadowing opportunities.

For more information contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034 or visit Wichita.edu/r2w. 

The FAA's Small Airport Student Competition could be your chance to win a $25,000 prize

The FAA challenges undergraduate and graduate students to develop innovative ways to use smart technology in and around airports to enhance the overall travel experience.

The FAA is sponsoring the FAA Challenge - Smart Airport Student Competition to recognize students with the ability to demonstrate innovative thinking focused on improving the efficiency and effectiveness of smart technology in and around the airport environment while enhancing the overall traveling experience.

Finalist teams will be invited to demonstrate their concepts at the FAA William J. Hughes Technical Center (FAA Technical Center) and at a technical symposium in Atlantic City, New Jersey in May of 2020. A stipend of up to $6,000 will be awarded to each of the three finalist teams to help offset the cost of traveling to New Jersey to demonstrate their concepts.

Student participants of each finalist team will receive certificates. Finalist teams will also be invited to an awards ceremony, where a $25,000 prize will be presented to the lead university of the winning team.

FAA Challenge

WSU students can apply for free registration to NASA Conference

WSU, in cooperation with NASA, Tennessee Valley Interstellar Workshop (TVIW), and Ad Astra Kansas Science Foundation, is hosting the 6th Interstellar Symposium and NASA Advanced Propulsion Workshop from Nov. 10-15, in downtown Wichita. This meeting will bring in experts in the physics, engineering, humanities, and social sciences of interstellar travel as part of a Congressionally-mandated NASA effort to launch the first interstellar probe by 2069. 

A private gift from Dr. Robert Hampson will fund the registration costs ($125 value) for a limited number of WSU students to attend the week-long event, including the Sunday evening welcome reception and all conference meals. Those interested in applying for free registration must complete the form.

The application deadline is Monday, Sept. 30.

Each entrant must provide a one paragraph statement describing their interest in attending the Symposium and Workshop. The best applicants will be chosen by the local organizing committee. This opportunity is open to WSU students of any major or field of study – both undergraduate and graduate. 

Here’s more information about the conference.

For questions about the application process, contact: James Schwartz at james.schwartz@wichita.edu, Nickolas Solomey at nick.solomey@wichita.edu, or Atri Dutta at Atri.Dutta@wichita.edu.

ISME Colloquium today (Friday, Sept. 13)

Clovis S. Ribas, president and general manager, Shuttle Aerospace Inc., will be presenting "Reliability considerations for an aircraft system definition" from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Sept. 13) in 214 Clinton Hall.

In case you missed it

If you missed the Weekly Briefing, here are some highlights from Thursday's university update.

Mark Porcaro highlights USS Wichita Online Scholarship and OneStop service

Mark Porcaro

The following information was provided by Mark Porcaro, executive director of Online Learning and OneStop Student Services, at Thursday’s Weekly Briefing:

In conjunction with Navy Week here in Wichita, I am pleased to highlight a scholarship for USS Wichita sailors who enroll in an online degree here at Wichita State University.

The USS Wichita Online Scholarship allows USS Wichita Crew to offset the costs of enrolling in one of our online programs. With undergraduate tuition rates currently below $250, Military Tuition Assistance benefits for current service members may be used to pay tuition costs, and then the USS Wichita Online Scholarship can be used to cover costs above tuition up to $500 a term. The scholarship is available for a maximum of 3 terms for a total of $1,500. This scholarship may be used to support mandatory fees, online fees, college fees, and course fees, for eligible USS Wichita crew members. It is our hope that this will help reduce the cost of out-of-pocket expenses for them.

Shocker Circle registration is open now!

Registration is now open for the Shocker Circles.

Circles are intended to be an engagement process for collaboration and understanding as it relates to shared governance. Each participant is assigned to a table at random and each will have a trained facilitator. The principles and practices of the circle process provide a structure that allows and encourages idea sharing and conversation. 

Visit the website were more information on the Shocker Circles can be found.

Shocker Circle event registration.

Get your idea off the ground with E-Launch!

Have a product or business idea? Let E-Launch help you take the critical first steps in starting your business! Avoid spectacular failures in execution by learning before you launch, not after. Student/faculty I-Corps Teams attend free and receive seed money. Learn about I-Corps at wichita.edu/icorps and register for E-Launch at wichita.edu/elaunch!

Wichita named 'Most Affordable College City'

In addition to being known as the world’s Air Capital, Wichita now has an additional title: “The Most Affordable College City” in the nation. This ranking by apartments.com is based on a recent analysis of average rent per unit and the amount of affordable housing options available.

We’re happy to say that Wichita beat out Tulsa, Oklahoma City, Fargo and Huntsville, Alabama for the #1 spot. This ranking mirrors WSU’s own status as the most affordable research university in Kansas and one of the most affordable universities in the nation through ranking by College Consensus.

Navy veteran finds success as a Shocker using skills learned on-deck

Psychology and sociology second-year Jonathan Miller can trace a lot of his success back to lessons learned during his service in the U.S. Navy.

When over 5,000 people are packed within a 1,000-foot long aircraft carrier like the U.S.S. Ronald Reagan, it’s easy to build a network.

Although he was trained to launch and land aircraft on the carrier deck as an aviation boatswain’s mate, he considers his time off-deck much more memorable. When off duty, Jonathan found a lot of joy in meaningful conversations with sailors across the ship.

Read complete story on Jonathan Miller.

Randy Bush will present on ‘The Impact of Brexit on the Future of Ireland and the United Kingdom’

Randy Bush will discuss "The Impact of Brexit on the Future of Ireland and the United Kingdom" at the Global Learning Center of Wichita's September event. Join us at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 15, at the Olive Tree Banquet Hall, 2949 N. Rock Road. The event is free and open to the public. More details are available at Global Learning Center and the flier for the event linked there.

‘Creating Globally Engineered Aerospace Factories’

The World Trade Council of Wichita (WTCouncil), part of the Center for International Business Advancement (CIBA) at the Barton School of Business, will kick off its first dinner talk for the new academic year on Thursday, Sept. 19 with a presentation from Spirit Aerospace's senior managers on "Creating Globally Engineered Aerospace Factories."

The event will be held at the Wichita Marriott Hotel, 9100 Corporate Hills Drive. A networking reception sponsored by Spirit AeroSystems Inc., will begin at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The presentation by David L. Nelson, senior manager global SCM, Spirit AeroSystems Inc., is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.

Reservations are $30 for WTCouncil members, $40 for non-members, and $10 for WSU students. For more information, contact Professor Usha Haley, WTCouncil Chair and CIBA Director, at usha.haley@wichita.edu. 

To register for the dinner presentation, contact Sherryl Hubble, administrative specialist CIBA/WTCouncil  at sherryl.hubble@wichita.edu.  We hope to see you there!

Constitution Day event coming Tuesday, Sept. 17

The Department of Political Science in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is planning a Constitution Day 2019 event from 11 a.m.-12:15 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in 208 Hubbard Hall. Admission is free.

A legislator qualifications panel will discuss “Who gets to run for office?” Panelists are T. McGuire Johnson, former chair, Sedgwick Co. Democratic Party; Dalton Glasscock, Sedgwick Co. Republican Party; and Neal Allen, chair of the WSU Department of Political Science.

Hear from the WSU Latinx keynote speaker Kat Lazo

The Latinx Heritage Month Reception Take the Lead featuring keynote Kat Lazo will be held at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19, in the CAC Theater.

Take the Lead is a program that builds and fosters relationships between allies and the Latinx students, faculty, staff, and Wichita community. Come out and engage with the movers and shakers in the Latinx community.

Our keynote this year is Kat Lazo from the Kat Call. Lazo shares what inspired her to create “The Kat Call,” and how acknowledging the different ways Latinx people embody both oppression and privilege can bring us all closer to liberation.

This event is free and open to the public. Learn more about the Office of Diversity and Inclusion Lecture Series.

Free Postpartum Exercise Class offered

Free Postpartum Exercise Classes hosted by Jennifer Celso and research students are being offered!

We are testing the effectiveness of two exercises on Diastasis Rectus Abdominis (separation of the abdominal muscles that commonly occurs during pregnancy and often doesn’t close on its own after the baby is born).

If you are 18 years or older and have had a baby in the last two years, you can participate.

You will need your doctor’s approval to join in the exercise classes. We will hold 16 classes on Monday and Thursday evenings from 6:30-7:05 p.m. from Sept. 16 to Nov. 8. We have free childcare available onsite, and would love to have you come!

Please see the image above for more details and to sign up. You can also email Taylor Golay at trgolay@shockers.wichita.edu to register for this study.

WSU Symphony Concert features faculty soloist

Faculty artist Rachelle Goter will appear as soloist with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17, in Miller Concert Hall. The concert, featuring music by Beethoven, Holst, and Oscar Navarro, will be conducted by Mark Laycock.

Tickets ($12 for general admission with discounts available) may be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office at 978-3233 or online at http://www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. Admission is free for students with WSU ID.

Friday the 13th Pumpkin Run special offer

Sign up today (Friday the 13th) to get $3 off the 5K Pumpkin Run registration - using the promo code FrightNight.

You don't want to miss out! Join runners/walkers at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19, for a fun journey through one of the prettiest campuses in Kansas, while supporting our charity partner ICT SOS supported by Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc. Don't forget to also sign up the little runners for the 4th annual Little Pumpkin Fun Run.

A week later, join us if you dare, for our free second annual Fright Night event from 9-11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at the Heskett Center. It will be a night of scary events and fun adventures!

Student-led sustainability initiative to be discussed on Sept. 20

WSU has adopted a new Sustainability Plan! We need input about student priorities for sustainability. Join us to discuss student-led sustainability initiatives on campus. Engage with us at 3 p.m. Friday Sept 20, in 256 RSC. 

For more information, email Carolyn.shaw@wichita.edu.

Join SAC for Adulting 101!

Adventuring into adulthood without a clue? Join Student Activities Council to receive resources for effective budgeting, learn basic recipes, show you how to tie a tie, and teach you some laundry basics from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 16, on the RSC first floor. Visit all of the stations and you can be entered into a raffle for prizes that will help with all of your grown up responsibilities! For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.

Project Management gold standard curriculum

Project Management Essentials will be offered from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Sept. 26-27. The workshop will be led by DeAnn Sullivan, PMP. The cost is $899. There’s a 40% discount offered to students, faculty and staff. Some restrictions apply.

This class is designed for business professionals faced with getting projects done on-time, within budget and to the customer’s satisfaction. It provides interactive training that will benefit both first-time and experienced project leaders and team members. Participants will develop skills through hands-on exercises that allow them to practice the processes to organize, define, plan, track, and manage any project successfully.

• Managing scope, schedule, cost and quality
• Managing risk, procurement, communication plans, and resources
• Integration and closing the project

For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 978-3118.

Free webinar opportunity

NSF’s new Project Pitch requirement gives quick feedback on whether your project meets the agency’s program objectives of supporting innovative technologies that show promise of commercial and/or societal impact and involve a level of technical risk. All of this has to be accomplished in three pages that determine if your proposal can move forward.

Attend this webinar and learn from national experts, BBC Entrepreneurial Training & Consulting, how Project Pitch works and how to address your project’s Technical Innovation, Technical Objective and Challenges, Market Opportunity and Company and Team in a succinct, compelling pitch.

This event does not cost, but registration is required. Registration here for the Project Pitch Webinar. Once you register, a registration link will be sent to your email.

Contraception coffee chats

Are you interested in learning about what birth control methods are right for you? Join Student Health Services for a Contraception Coffee Chat! This is a 15 minute walk-in consultation with one of our college health specialists to discuss different contraception methods from 9 a.m.-11a.m. Friday, Sept. 20; Friday, Oct 18; and Friday, Nov. 15, in 209 Ahlberg Hall

First Pee for Pizza event of the year!

Pee for Pizza is a free sexually transmitted disease-testing event for chlamydia and gonorrhea. Walk in and submit a urine specimen, and walk-out with free pizza and a piece of mind from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, in 209 Ahlberg Hall.