An invitation from President-elect Golden
I’d like to extend an invitation to anyone in the Shocker and Wichita community to join me for dinner and discussion from 6-8 p.m. today (Friday, Dec. 6), at Fuzzy's Taco Shop at Wichita State. This is a casual chance to get to know each other and talk about whatever topics you want. Chips and salsa are on me!
Meet a Shocker: Gabrielle Owens, aging studies grad
Gabrielle Owens surrounded herself with strong mentors she could look to when she doubted herself at Wichita State. She also took advantage of the opportunities offered through the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to successfully complete her master’s degree.
Gabrielle is one of more than 1,100 students eligible for fall 2019 graduation. Learn more about her time at Wichita State and what is next for the grad.
Be aware of increase in bike thefts on campus
Police Chief Rodney Clark says there has recently been an increase of bicycle thefts around campus, particularly near the dormitory bicycle racks. Many of the bicycles were not properly locked or secured to the rack at the time they were taken. The Wichita State University Police Department encourages students to practice safekeeping of all personal property.
The Police Departments wants to remind students to ensure their property is secured when unattened. They recommend obtaining a heavy duty "U" lock, which requries a key to unlock and locking the mechanism around the frame of the bike, instead of the wheel. Students who have a bike may register it with the Housing and Residence Life office to keep it on file incase it is lost or stolen.
While the Wichita State University Police Department is continuing to investigate these thefts, we remain committed to proactively serving our campus community and making safety our priority. If you see suspicious behavior, please contact the Wichita State University Police Department at 978-3450.
Big ideas to be pitched in fourth-annual Koch Innovation Challenge
Come and encourage nearly 30 multidisciplinary teams of WSU first-year students as they deliver their Big Idea two-minute pitch to a panel of industry judges. The pitch competition will be from 9 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Dec. 6), in 107 Devlin Hall. The awards ceremony will follow at 12:30 p.m. The come-and-go event is free and open to the public.
Five winning teams will be selected and announced at a brief awards ceremony at 12:30pm. Winning teams will receive up to $1,200 in seed money to continue their projects and each team member will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
To date, 464 students from more than 30 majors across campus have participated in this competition. Sponsored by Koch Industries, this competition supports our College of Engineering to foster a culture of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship, and teamwork among students. Read more at http://www.wichita.edu/kochchallenge.
Koch Innovation Challenge on Facebook.
Wichita State tops national rankings for aeronautical R&D
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released updated rankings for university research and development (R&D) expenditures, and Wichita State has held its position as the top university in the country for industry-funded aeronautical R&D with a total of $39 million in fiscal year 2018.
The rankings are derived from the NSF’s Higher Education Research and Development survey, compiled by its National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, which includes information from all reporting universities.
Read complete aeronautical R&D story.
Attend Spanish Immersion day in the RSC today (Friday, Dec. 6)
Today (Friday, Dec. 6), high school students will come to the Rhatigan Student Center for a day of immersion in Spanish language and Hispanic culture. The Department of Modern and Classical Languages and LIteratures, together with the Kansas Association of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese (KATSP) and USD 259, are organizing the event.
WSU graduate and undergraduate students will facilitate different sessions on dance, food, crafts, conversation and a market. If someone is interested in participating or has questions, please contact rocio.delaguila@wichita.edu.
Stop by and say ¡Hola!
Fairmount College to induct three into Hall of Fame
A professional golfer/business owner, an ambassador and a physician, all of whom exemplify the merits and advantages of a liberal arts and sciences education, will be inducted at the inaugural Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame ceremony from 1-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6, in Wiedemann Hall. Induction into the Fairmount College Hall of Fame is the highest recognition of outstanding alumni who have had a significant impact on the region, nation and world. The event is open to the public.
- Judy Bell, major in psychology; minor in sociology, 1961 - Bell was the first woman to head the U.S. Golf Association, and began her golf career at the 1950 U.S. Women’s Open at the age of 14. She is also a successful entrepreneur, operating seven businesses during her career.
- Robert D. Blackwill, majors in English and history, 1962 - Blackwill is the former ambassador to Vienna and was the head of S.-Russia conventional arms negotiation in Europe. He has also served as ambassador to India, presidential envoy to Iraq, deputy national security advisor, Henry A. Kissinger senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and is an accomplished author.
- Donna Sweet, major in biological sciences; minor in chemistry, 1970 - Sweet is one of Kansas’s top HIV-positive and AIDS specialists and a noted national and international speaker on the subject.
Grad School mixer today (Friday, Dec. 6) at the Ulrich Museum of Art
The Ulrich Museum of Art is excited to welcome WSU graduate students to explore galleries and mingle with fellow grads and faculty from across campus. The event takes place from 3-5 p.m. today (Friday, Dec. 6) at the Ulrich Museum. The event offers door prizes, giveaways food and more. It is free and open to all WSU grad students.
Learn about foreign patent applications at workshop today (Friday, Dec. 6)
Did you know that patents offer country-by-country protection? Learn how to protect your intellectual property in foreign jurisdictions. The USPTO's International Patent Legal Administration will host a two-hour seminar from noon-2 p.m. today (Friday, Dec. 6) in 217 Ablah Library, on considerations and options for filing foreign patent applications. The discussion will include an overview of the Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT) and the use of the Paris Convention for non-PCT countries.
This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact sara.butts@wichita.edu.
Attend the Mechanical Engineering Seminar
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Yaha Nasersharifi
Attend the Mechanical Engineering Seminar covering 3D engineered capillary evaporators for enhanced critical heat flux and heat transfer coefficient in pool boiling and vapor chambers from 3:30-4:30 p.m. today (Friday, Dec. 6) in 128 Jabara Hall. The speaker is Yaha Nasersharifi from the Mechanical Engineering Department.
Koskei named AAC Runner of the Year for second straight year
Winny Koskei was named the American Athletic Conference's Women's Cross Country Runner
of the Year for the second consecutive season, the conference office announced Tuesday.
"I think it's validation for her more than anything," said cross country coach Kirk
Hunter. "She has had fabulous years in back-to-back years in a tremendous conference.
I think it also shows people identify her as a great cross country athlete."
Koskei had another standout year for the Shockers filled with top performances on
the national and conference stages.
Read complete story on Winny Koskei.
Weekly Briefing university update
At Thursday’s Weekly Briefing, a university update was given with information about meeting President-elect Golden at Braeburn Square, upcoming final exams, congratulations to campus partner Spirit, WSU staff winning the Shocker Support Locker Challenge, and information about a free shuttle to home men’s basketball games.
MEET THE PRESIDENT-ELECT AT BRAEBURN SQUARE
President-elect Jay Golden invites the university and Wichita community to drop in for dinner and discussion from 6-8 p.m. Friday at Fuzzy’s Taco Shop in Braeburn Square. Free chips and salsa will be provided.
President-elect Golden will officially become president on Dec. 17. He is in Wichita this week for a series of meetings on campus and around the city.
GOOD LUCK ON FINALS
Today is the last day of classes. Friday is a study day. Final exams begin Saturday and continue until Dec. 12.
CONGRATULATIONS TO CAMPUS PARTNER SPIRIT
Spirit Aerosystems announced its first delivery of the assembled forward 767 section to Boeing on Tuesday at Building 39K, the new addition to its Wichita facilities.
Historically, Spirit has built panels that were shipped to Boeing and assembled into the forward section in Everett, Washington. Using the new building, Spirit is assembling the panels into a completed forward section in Wichita which will be transported by the Dreamlifter to Everett – the same aircraft that transports the 787.
Spirit, which houses research labs in Partnership 2 Building on the Innovation Campus, collaborates with Wichita State on the acceleration of research – which incorporates applied learning experience for students – and improvement of workforce training services.
STAFF WINS SHOCKER SUPPORT LOCKER CHALLENGE
Wichita State faculty and staff donated 3,776 items, weighing 1,586.8 pounds, to the Shocker Support Locker Challenge.
Congratulations to staff for donating the most number of items and being named this year’s challenge winner. SGA presented Julie Scott, UP Senate president, and Matt Houston, USS Senate president with a traveling trophy at the SGA meeting Wednesday evening.
The Shocker Support Locker aims to alleviate food insecurity on campus and contribute to the overall health and well-being of our students, faculty and staff, by providing a variety of nutritional and functional resources to Shockers at no cost.
TAKE FREE SHUTTLE TO MEN’S BASKETBALL GAMES
The Alumni Association is sponsoring free shuttles to all men’s basketball games beginning on Thursday at Braeburn Square. The shuttle runs one hour before each game and one hour after the final buzzer.
While at Braeburn Square, fans are encouraged to visit Fuzzy’s Taco Shop and the Shocker Store.
WSU Police Department invites campus to participate in Sergeant’s assessment
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The WSU Police Department invites faculty, staff and students to participate in a Sergeant’s assessment on Tuesday, Dec. 10, with community presentations at 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. in 319 RSC.
The officers taking the assessment are required to give a 10-minute presentation on community policing and what it looks like on the WSU campus. This presentation includes a Q&A session, and we are asking all who participate to do an evaluation form provided.
Help us reduce WSU’s carbon footprint; we need your help!
As part of the effort in Sustainability Plan at WSU, we are currently researching the amount of CO2 we are emitting on Wichita State University. However, we need to obtain data from everyone on campus. It will only take about five-to-10 minutes to fill out the survey.
If you have question, contact Dakota Blair at drblair@shockers.wichita.edu, or Ikram Ahmed at ikram.ahmed@wichita.edu.
The survey response is anonymous. If you have taken the survey before, we would like to express our gratitude. You don't have to fill out the survey again. Help us by filling out the survey here.
Come watch Christmas on Ice!
The Wichita Ice Center is hosting their 2019 Annual Christmas Recital at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Come enjoy the show and see fellow Shockers Gus Pachta, Laura Gibbs and Nick Coates perform!
KMUW covers stress and self care at December’s Engage ICT
The holidays are a wonderful time, but with them also come health risks due to stress and seasonal depression. Find out about warning signs, risks, and ways to mitigate stress at Engage ICT on Tuesday, Dec. 10. The conversation gets underway at 5:30 p.m. at Roxy's Downtown. Engage ICT events are free and open to the public. Appetizers are provided by Roxy’s Downtown, and drinks are available to purchase.
Panelists include: Mary Jones from Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas, Telecia Lyons of Emerge Skin & Body spa, counselor and spiritual leader Annie Montgomery, and Constance Porazka of Retreat to Joy.
Graduation cords for student veterans now available
Student veteran’s graduation on Sunday. Dec. 15 are entitled to receive a graduation cord to add to their graduation regalia. Graduation cords will be available for pick up at the Military and Veteran Center the week of Dec. 9. Please bring proof of military service.
Shocker Store offering sale on diploma frames
Now through Dec. 14, take 20% off diploma frames at the Shocker Store. Sale is in RSC store and online at shockerstore.com.
SHOCKER STRONG - A season of giving
The Wichita State Strength and Conditioning staff is trying to help bring Christmas to hundreds of local children, and it can’t be done without your help and support. Between now and Friday, Dec. 13, we’re trying to collect at least 250 new toys (from newborn babies to 14 years of age) to donate to Toys for Tots.
Please help us give each parent the chance to see their child excited as they open a gift of Christmas Day. Please donate so we can help as many local families as possible this Christmas season!
Toys and gifts can be brought to the varsity weight room between 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Go to the glass doors that are used to enter the Multi-Purpose Gym. Next to the glass doors you’ll see a gray door. Go in the door and down the stairs, which will take you to the weight room entrance.
Merry Christmas from Kerry, Hannah, Garrett, Jake and Carlea
If you have questions, call Kerry Rosenboom, head strength & conditioning coach, at 978-3599
Hannah Wilkinson, associate head strength & conditioning coach, at 978-7595
Donate to the Toys for Tots program
There are only a few days left to donate toys to help children in need here in Wichita. Please consider donating a toy to the Toys for Tots program by stopping by our lobby during normal business hours.
Submit your spring events for the Welcomefest listings
Welcomefest takes place during the first two weeks of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. Popular programs awaiting new and returning Shockers include the Springfest, Shocker Resource Fair, Syllabus Party, RSC Unplugged and more!
You can submit your department or organization events to be included in the Welcomefest marketing, including a printed guidebook. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 6.
Please note, Student Involvement reserves the right to deny or terminate any events that are not planned completely or are deemed inappropriate for Welcomefest and/or the people in attendance.
To register your event, please visit wichita.edu/welcomefest. If you have questions, please contact Student Involvement at 978-3022 or getinvolved@wichita.edu.
Apply to attend the Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
The Kansas Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol event is an opportunity for students to present their research experiences to state lawmakers in Topeka on March 4, 2020. Up to 40 students participate each year representing each of the state’s eight public four-year institutions.
Please visit wichita.edu/undergradresearch for more information and to apply.
Undergraduate Day at the Capitol
2020/21 scholarships for LAS students now available
The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invites all LAS students planning on continuing their education at Wichita State University in the 2020/21 academic year to fill out an LAS General Scholarship/Fellowship application. Application deadline is Feb. 1, 2020.
LAS General Scholarship/Fellowship Application
Open / Alternative Textbook initiative to reduce student expenses
The Open / Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely-available resources in WSU classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs on the student body.
A $10/student course fee will be applied to an approved course that is using Open / Alternative course materials that have no cost to the students. Instead of paying the cost of a textbook (often over $100) and perhaps some additional materials/online content, students will simply pay a $10 fee for the course (although other lab and program fees will still apply). Every student in the class will have full access to the course materials. The money from the fee will be split between the department offering the course (60%) and a grant program to develop additional open resources (40%). The first courses with an OAT designation will be approved for Fall 2020. Courses with the OAT designation will be marked in the online course schedule.
The OAT initiative will be managed by Academic Affairs. Applications will be reviewed by a panel be made up of: Two faculty members (appointed by Faculty Senate), a representative from University Libraries, a representative from Instructional Design and Access, at least one student (appointed by SGA) and the Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management (ex officio).
Volunteers needed for SHOCKERTHON, an applied learning opportunity
SHOCKERTHON is looking for two more student leaders to join the executive team. SHOCKERTHON is a WSU RSO committed to create a community that is aware and supportive of the Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals to better the lives of children and families in need.
In the first four years alone, we’ve raised over $179,000. This money helps to pay expenses not covered by insurance – such as medicines, therapy, hearing aids and more. The money raised also allows hospitals and other health care facilities purchase necessary equipment to help care for the children in need.
Contact Alex Powers adpowers@shockers.wichita.edu for more info.
Enroll for a service-learning course in psychology
The INSPYRE research lab is currently recruiting undergraduate mentors for a 3-hour service-learning course in psychology for the Spring 2020 semester. Prior to enrolling in PSY 416, mentors are required to pass an interview, background check, have reliable transportation, lunch availability from 12-2 p.m. twice a week and class from 3:30-6 p.m. on Mondays.
Mentors will receive training at the beginning of the course and a grade at the end based on attendance and completion of assignments. For more information, contact the INSPYRE research lab at inspyre@wichita.edu
Doorbuster sweatshirt and 20% off at the Braeburn Square Shocker Store
Visit the Shocker Store’s Braeburn Square location on Saturday Dec. 7 for a $20 crew sweatshirt doorbuster. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the Shocker store is offering 20% off ornaments, holiday apparel and Nike apparel. Sales are only available at the Braeburn square location and while supplies last. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday and 12-6 p.m. on Sunday.
Limit 3 per customer on door buster and all sales final. Offer not valid with other discounts or promotions.
On-campus student employment opportunity for the spring 2020 semester
Build your professional resume by becoming an internationally certified Peer Tutor with WSU Student Support Services (SSS).
SSS is a federally funded TRIO program that provides free academic support services to first-generation students, limited income students and students with disabilities. Applicants must be enrolled at WSU, have completed at least 30 credit hours and maintain a GPA of 3.0 or greater. Students from similar backgrounds as program participants preferred. Visit the official SSS website for instructions to completing an application.
WSU News page has the latest campus news and highlights
Did you know Strategic Communications has a web page dedicated to WSU news, student success stories, campus life and research highlights? And nearly all of the content is produced by our amazing student interns. Check out our latest stories at www.wichita.edu/news.
12 Days of Christmas sale continues today (Friday, Dec. 6)
Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store’s Rhatigan Student Center location for its annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale from now to Saturday, Dec. 14. Or shop the sale online at shockerstore.com.
New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion, or while supplies last. Visit the Shocker Store Facebook page each day to find out the new sale item(s). The sale items for today (Friday, Dec. 6) are $7 for a select coffee mug, and 20% off professional wear.
Santa letters available at WSU Post Office
WSU Postal Services is selling letters to Santa now to Friday, Dec. 13. The letters will be sent to Santa Claus, Indiana, and will receive a pictorial cancellation when sent to the recipient. The cost per letter / envelope is $1.50, and covers all postage.
SGA Scholarship applications are now open
SGA Scholarship application are no open for the 2020-2021 school year. Applications close on Feb. 3, so apply today. Applications can be turned into the SGA Office, 219 RSC.
New Student Wellness Center opening in January
Student Health Services and CAPS are moving to the Steve Clark YMCA building. Both departments will be closed Dec. 16-Jan. 6 to pack and relocate. The departments plan to reopen at 8 a.m. on Jan. 6, 2020, in the new Student Wellness Center.