Introducing your 2019 Shocktoberfest winners

Shocktoberfest week was amazing! Thank you to all of the students, staff and community members who made this week long celebration of Shocker pride a success.

The Campus Traditions Committee wrapped up the week at the Orpheum Theatre with Songfest and the Shocktoberfest awards ceremony. After a grueling week of competitions, winners for the Banner Competition, Door Decorating, Dodgeball, Big Pink Volleyball and Songfest Dance & Lip Sync Competitions were announced. The final awards recognized the top competitors of the Men’s Women’s and Co-ed Divisions for Shocktoberfest:

1st Place Shocktoberfest Trophy Winners

Men’s Division: Sigma Alpha Epsilon

Women’s Division: Gamma Phi Beta

Co-ed Division: Transition Mentors

For a list of all the winners, go to wichita.edu/shocktoberfest.

Feedback sought on Woolsey Hall

Design for Woolsey Hall, the new building to house the W. Frank Barton School of Business, is underway. Researchers from the selected architectural team, GastingerWalker out of Kansas City + Gensler Chicago, will be on campus today (Monday, Oct. 28) to become more familiar with the current Barton School of Business facilities, observe how students, faculty, and staff move through campus, and learn about the types of spaces that most resonate with our community. 

The researchers may stop and talk with you briefly to gain a better understanding of places you go to study, to hang out, or meet up with friends. The researchers will be documenting their observations by taking photos. Stop by and say hello! =

A poster session will be set up this afternoon in the RSC, and Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon Oct. 28-30, in the lobby of Clinton Hall, to get feedback from faculty, staff, and students about the types of spaces and activities for the new School of Business building. This is a self-serve activity – you are invited to engage around a series of posters that prompt responses to help the designers learn about what is important to Wichita State and what is important to see in the new building. Plan to stay for a few minutes, or as long as you can. We look forward to your participation!

The architectural team was selected following interviews of a short list of firms provided by the State Building Advisory Commission. The selection committee consisted of staff from Wichita State University and the WSU Foundation, as well as the Office of Facilities and Property Management and the Kansas Board of Regents.

Need help on your final assignments?

As you are working on your final assignments for the semester, check out the free resources available to help you submit the best work you can! The Writing Center can help you with brainstorming ideas, developing a topic or revising your papers. The Math Lab can help with Math 007 through Math 370 assignments, and the Center for Excellence in Oral Communication is a great space to go to practice an individual or group presentation before you have to give it in front of your class.

If you don’t know where to go, stop by the Shocker Learning Center in 107 Lindquist Hall, for assistance. Of course, visiting your instructors during student hours, meeting with a study group, and cleaning and organizing your dedicated study space for the final few weeks are also great ideas to help you finish successfully!

Sale on black apparel for Halloween

For Halloween week, take 20% off all black apparel items in the Shocker Store! Sale is through Saturday in RSC store only.

Faculty soloist joins WSU Symphony Orchestra in concert

Timothy Jones

Faculty artist Timothy Jones appears as soloist with the WSU Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct. 29) in Miller Concert Hall. The concert, featuring music by Brahms, Barber, and Bizet, will be conducted by Mark Laycock.

Associate Concertmaster of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra, Jones is also Visiting Professor of Violin at WSU. He will perform the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra by American composer Samuel Barber. Intensely lyrical and thoroughly virtuosic, the concerto was commissioned by a Philadelphia industrialist for violinist Iso Briselli; it was premiered in 1941 by soloist Albert Spalding, conductor Eugene Ormandy, and the Philadelphia Orchestra.

The concert also features Georges Bizet's Symphony No. 1 in C Major. Composed in 1855 while Bizet was a 17-year-old student at the Paris Conservatory, it is a remarkably mature and assured work. While firmly rooted in the Classical tradition of Mozart and Haydn, the symphony displays the melodic craft, rhythmic propulsion, and endearing charm of Bizet's Romantic operatic masterpiece, Carmen.

Brahms's dramatic and stirring Tragic Overture will open the program.

For tickets, contact the WSU Fine Arts Box Office, at 978-3233 or go to www.wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice. Admission is free for students with a current WSU ID. 

Space heater policy warning

Cooler temperatures are arriving and Wichita State University Environmental Health and Safety reminds you that space heater are prohibited on campus. Please refer to University policies 11.20 Space Heaters and 11.27 HVAC System Standards for more information.

Care Team update to campus community

As we approach the end of the semester and the added stress of finals season, the Care Team would like to remind everyone that we’re here to help. The campus community is the Team’s eyes and ears, and we hope you will all continue to let us know when you’re concerned about someone’s well-being.

Attend the motivational speech given by Richard Taylor Jr. 

Join FGCC and SAC during the First Generation Student Appreciation Week from 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in 233 RSC. Join and hear from keynote speaker Richard Taylor Jr., a TRiO SSS Alum who has overcome obesity, depression, suicie, failing in college and domestic abuse. Through his struggle, his challenges have struck a change within people from different walks of life. His message breaks cultural boundaries and the bias in social norms. 

Nominations are open for outstanding adult learner

In March of 2020, the Office of Adult Learning will host the inaugural Adult Learner of the Year (ALOTY) awards ceremony. In this awards ceremony, the Office of Adult Learning will celebrate five years as an office and name an ALOTY. 

The Office of Adult Learning needs the WSU community to help find an adult learning deserving of the title. The criteria for ALOTY is below.

• 3.25 GPA at WSU 
• Displays perseverance in obtaining a degree
• Demonstrates Shocker pride
• Possesses leadership qualities

If you know anyone who meets the criteria, nominate them using the link below. If you have any questions, contant Pamela O'Neal at 316-978-8313 or email pamela.oneal@wichita.edu

Submit nominations for the Adult Learner of the Year

Shocker Printing will be closed briefly for training

Shocker Printing Solutions will close at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, for staff training. Jobs may still be submitted using the online storefront during this time. The service window opens back up at 1 p.m. and regular service will resume.

Participants needed for audiology research

You are invited to participate in a research study of Digit-Pair Speech Recognition Thresholds in Adults with Hearing Loss. We hope to learn the validation and generalization of using digit recognition thresholds during hearing evaluations.

If you decide to participate, you will be scheduled for a hearing evaluation. Once criteria are determined, additional hearing testing will be conducted.

Testing is expected to last about 55 minutes.

If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Marian Smith, mxsmith18@shockers.wichita.edu, or call 361-290-7015, (Yes, area code is not 316); or Stacey Kampe at stacey.kampe@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7264.

Elements Mixed-Media Arts Competition accepting submissions Oct. 28-Nov. 4

Students are encouraged to enter into the Elements Mixed-Media Art Competition. Applications are being accepted between Oct. 28-Nov. 4. This is an opportunity for students of all majors to showcase their art.

Winners will be selected and their work will be displayed in the Cadman Art Gallery, located on the RSC first floor, between Nov. 11-22. More information regarding the competition and how to apply can be found online or in the Student Involvement Office, 216 RSC.

Elements Multi-Media Arts Competition

Gameday sale at the Shocker Store

For every home men’s basketball game, the Shocker Store at Braeburn Square will have a sale for Shocker fans! For the game against Northeastern State tomorrow(Tuesday, Oct. 29), buy one apparel item, get one ½ off all day in the Braeburn Square location only. Some exclusions apply. Second item must be of equal or lesser value. Not valid with other discounts or promotions.

Learn how to use Excel and organize your data with the Graduate School

Join the Graduate School with speaker Heather Merchant, Instructional Designer with Instructional Design and Access, from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 142 RSC, for the lunch learning Excel to organize and understand data. The lunch will cover the best ways to organize data within Excel, common mistakes to avoid and some simple functions for analyzing data. 

Graduate Students Professional Development

Military and veterans celebration - register for free lunch!  

The next Women of WSU Luncheon, in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov.  7, in 233 RSC. The luncheon will feature a potato bar for $12. Please RSVP on the website by Friday, Nov. 1.

All veterans and active duty service members are invited to attend and receive a free lunch! If you have served our country, we want to serve you. Women of Wichita State University, in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, invites you to lunch to thank you for your service. All veteran and active duty military staff will receive a complimentary lunch. We want to spotlight military and veteran service members, and request service members let us know the branch of service in which you served and send a photo to highlight your service in our presentation.

The featured presenter will be Marche Fleming-Randle, WSU Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement. She will deliver a motivational / inspirational speech titled “The Home of the Free: Because of the Brave!”

Please send your photo to Deanna Carrithers at deanna.carrithers@wichita.edu by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, if you want to be included in the presentation. We hope you'll join us.

Team of researchers from ME Department recognized at The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo 2019

Davood Askari and his students Ramanan Sritharan (Ph.D.) and Nicholas Reyes (undergraduate), were among the winners of the Technical Posters at "The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) 2019" that was held in Anaheim, California, last month. The title of their research poster was "Effects of Carbon Nanotubes Geometries on Flexural Properties and Shear Strength of Laminated Polymeric Nanocomposites."

Every year, CAMX recognizes outstanding composites research that will impact the next generation of composites innovation. CAMX technical sessions cover critical areas important to the composites and advanced materials industry from business, applications, and research perspectives. Poster sessions put the work of the next generation of researchers, engineers and industry professionals on display.

Poster session award winners

Technical paper and poster session winners

Submit event requests for Final Frenzy

Each semester, Student Activities Council hosts events during Finals Frenzy week. If you are a department or organization on campus hosting one or more events during that week and want to be included in Finals Frenzy marketing, submit your event(s) by 5 p.m. today (Monday, Oct. 28).

WSU School of Performing Arts presents 'Anything Goes'

Show times for Anything Goes are 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Seating is reserved. Contact the WSU Box Office at 978-3233 or wichita.edu/FineArtsBoxOffice to reserve tickets. All WSU students get in free with Shocker ID.

Music, dance, laughs and the age-old tale of boy meets girl – no musical puts it on stage better than "Anything Goes." 

Read the complete story of Anything Goes

FAFSA fun coming Oct. 30

Join the Offices of Financial Aid and Diversity and Inclusion to work one-on-one with a financial aid advisor to complete your FAFSA from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 208 RSC. Ask questions, enjoy refreshments and fun giveaways. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.

School of Social Work Friday on Nov. 1

The School of Social Work is hosting its Social Work Friday on Friday, Nov. 1. We will have open advising from 9:30 a.m.-noon; pizza and Grad School from noon-1 p.m.; BSW Program Orientation from 1:30-2:15 p.m., and BSW Practicum Orientation from 2:15- 3 p.m. The event is open to all students -- new, prospective and current.

BSW Program Orientation is required for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work Program.

Grace Wilkie Annex restroom remodel underway

The Offices of Grace Wilkie Annex (TRIO- McNair Scholars, TRIO - DSS, ROTC and the Office of Adult Learning) will be without restrooms while the current facilities are being remodeled. These offices will remain open during the remodel. Sorry 

Join our final session for the LGBTQ+ shared read

Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion’s LGBTQ Shocker Ambassadors for their first-ever shared read from 3-4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 202 RSC. We are reading “This Book is Gay,” by Juno Dawson.

Our final session will cover chapters eight through 12. For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, at 978-3034.

Don't get spooked by your finances!

It might be spooky season, but your finances don't have to be!

Join the Office for Student Money Management (OSMM) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on the first floor, RSC. Let's have a conversation, play games, and learn the steps towards financial wellness.

Contact us at financial.wellnessGA@wichita.edu or OSMM@wichita.edu if you have any questions.

Costume Casino coming Oct. 30

Come join SAC for some casino games, costumes, and prizes at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on the RSC first floor. Come in your best costume and test your luck!

Learn about Dia de Los Muertos

Learn the history and traditions of Día de los Muertos from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in 208 RSC. We will also have traditional sweets and activities from our various Latinx student groups.

For more information, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.

Japanese Culture Association will host Japanese Culture Night

Japanese Culture Association (JCA) will host a Japanese Culture Night, showcasing performances ranging from traditional dances to martial arts demonstrations. There will also be performances from Wichita Asian Festival's Ms. Japan, and K-State's Yosakoi dance group. The event will be held from 7-9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 1, in the CAC Theater.

The event is free for WSU students and faculty, and $5 for outside guests, and $2 for children.

Japanese Culture Association

Looking for Native American students to start a professional organization

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national organization that celebrates students of Native heritage in STEM fields. There are over 180 chapters at colleges all across the United States, but there is not a chapter at Wichita, which is why we are recruiting members to establish the WSU chapter.

AISES offers…

• A community for Native Americans
• A community for STEM students
• Future job opportunities
• Possible scholarships and paid internships
• Other benefits TBD

In order to start this organization, five members are required to sign up. If you are interested, contact wsuaises@gmail.com

Litigation attorney to speak about case involving lost Apollo 11 samples

The Wichita Space Initiative welcomes litigation attorney Christopher McHugh, who will give a talk "The Legal Battle Over Apollo 11 Samples," at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in 319 RSC.

In 1969, the United States met the impossible challenge leveled by President John. F. Kennedy eight years earlier, to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth. The heroism of the moment culminated in Neil Armstrong’s collection of the first lunar rocks into the Apollo 11 Lunar Sample Contingency bag.

Embodying the self-sacrifice, courage, ingenuity and fortitude of an entire nation, the Lunar Contingency bag was the ultimate trophy for the winner of the space race. It was like the Lombardi trophy, the Stanley Cup, and every Olympic Gold Medal, all rolled up into one and multiplied by a thousand ... and NASA lost it! This is the story of the Chicago woman who found it almost 50 years later, and her battle with NASA over a national treasure."

As always, WSI talks are free and open to the public!

Space Exploration Lecture Series

Come join the Arts and Crafts Fair hosted by SAC

Come join SAC at the annual Arts and Crafts Fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Nov. 20-21. We are looking for vendors to fill the RSC with arts, crafts and oddities. 

Mentor youth at the Boys and Girls Club with the Community Service Board

Tutor youth in the community by providing homework assistance in a variety of subjects. Joing the Community Service Board from 4-6:30 p.m. today (Monday, Oct. 28) at the Boys and Girls Club of South Central Kansas. 

Sign up to volunteer with the Community Service Board

Join the Community Service Board volunteering at a local senior center

Join the Community Service Board from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, volunteering at Larksfield Place. Enjoy a game of bingo, bridge or converse with local senior citizens in the community. 

Register for the volunteer opportunity

Become a founding member of the newest chapter of Phi Sigma Pi

Phi Sigma Pi is a gender-inclusive National Honor Fraternity established in 1916.  Informational meetings will be held at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, and 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in 240 RSC. Join us and receive numerous member benefits such as social events year-round, exclusive scholarships, optional leadership certification, volunteer opportunities, member discounts and more. Currently, there is only one chapter in the state of Kansas. With your help, we believe Wichita State can become the newest home to the Phi Sigma Pi family. Join today to become a founding member.

Please contact Katie at krhefner@shockers.wichita.edu with any further questions, or if you are unable to attend a meeting. 

Phi Sigma Pi information

Wichita State director receives American Association for Adult and Continuing Education Presidential Award

The American Association for Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) recently presented Wichita State’s Susan Norton with the 2019 AAACE Presidential Award for Exceptional and Innovative Leadership in Adult Continuing Education, an award given to someone who demonstrates exceptional and innovative leadership in the field of adult continuing education.

“I was surprised and honored to receive the award and the recognition,” she said. “I have been fortunate to spend my professional life doing something that I love and that defines me to my core.”

Norton is the director of the Office of Adult Learning at WSU, where she manages the recruitment and retention of the post-traditional population returning to WSU to finish their degrees. She can relate to the students she works with because she pursued her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees as a returning adult.

Her research interests continue to revolve around participation in continuing education, returning adult students in higher education and barriers to participation in continuing education. 

With a long list of contributions to adult learning, Norton has demonstrated her passion for the field for years. She has worked with Kansas institutions to increase opportunities for military and veterans to attain credit for prior learning, presented at conferences and training for elected officials and serves on numerous community and institutional committees.

Attend the annual Spooktacular Halloween event 

Spooktacular is FHCP's annual Halloween event. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the lobby of Ahlberg Hall. We invite students, faculty and staff to enjoy free food, win prizes, and participate in Halloween themed booths such as pumpkin painting, temporary tattoo station, cornhole and more. Come celebrate Halloween with FHCP.

You're invited to Ulrich Family Fun Day

Bring the whole family and explore your creative side with the Student Activities Council and the Ulrich Museum of Art from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2. Together we will explore the galleries with a scavenger hunt, play games, and participate in hands-on art-making activities inspired by the artists, ideas, and materials featured in the Ulrich’s current exhibitions. The Ulrich Museum is located on the southwest corner of the Wichita State University campus (17th and Hillside).

The event is free and open to the public.

Join the 400 Years & Beyond Movement

You’re invited to attend Awareness, Action, and Healing Business & New Practices, from 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in 130 Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

International speaker Angel Acosta presents this mindful approach, which focuses on informing and healing through action. Acosta will speak about change starts in the workplace.

Join the 400 Years & Beyond Movement and hear from other speakers on topics around diversity and inclusion, mindfulness, and developing stress resilience just to highlight a few. Inequality is a threat to our health and democracy. Nearly 400 years of division have created an apartheid society: we need a new social infrastructure to carry us through the challenges of climate change, decaying physical infrastructure, rapidly evolving jobs, underperforming schools, uneven access to health care and lack of affordable housing.

Communities and organizations across the country are already observing the call, and addressing these inequalities in bold and impactful ways. Get in engaged through attending this program. The program is free and open to WSU students, faculty, and staff. Learn more at https://newpractices.eventbrite.com/ or contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034.

You are invited to a free documentary screening, ‘Chicago at the Crossroad’ on Nov. 6 

You are invited to a free documentary screening hosted by multiple campus and community partners of “Chicago at The Crossroad,” a feature film that explores the history of housing segregation and violence in Chicago and America. A panel discussion will follow.

Film synopsis: Much is said about the violence that plagues segregated communities. But what is known about the systems that created it, the laws that isolated it, and the policies that abandoned it? And how does a city heal from decades of heartbreak and pain? A feature documentary filmed over the course of 15 years, “Chicago at the Crossroad” answers these questions, offering a penetrating look at the incessant segregation, violence, and disastrous public-policy decisions that affect Chicago and cities across the country.

View Website & Trailer.

The evening will start with a meet-and-greet, and then the documentary will begin at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. Stick around for the panel after the film at 7:45 p.m. The panel will focus on both the documentary and its parallels to Wichita. The panel will include Brian Schodorf, producer and director of the film; Robert Weems, Williard W. Garvey Distinguished Professor of Business History; Angeline Johnson, Chief Opportunity Zone Officer; Brandon Johnson, City Councilmen District 1; and Lavonta Williams, former Councilmember for District 1 and serving as the moderator.

For more information or questions, contact the WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 978-3034 or email danielle.johnson@wichita.edu.

“Chicago at the Crossroad” viewing