Shocker Blast: Feb. 7, 2020

2019 video of Shockers abroad

Shockers are traveling the world and taking advantage of the many study abroad programs that Wichita State University has to offer each year. Check out our latest video showing all of the places Shockers went in 2019.

More information about study abroad programs is available at www.wichita.edu/studyabroad.

Resume Workshop today

Students are invited to join the Career Development Center today from 1:30-2:30 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) in 261 RSC for a Resume Workshop.

In this workshop find out from how to organize your experiences, talents and skills together – and most importantly – what employers are looking for in a resume. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. Let us help you make sure you are putting your best foot forward!

Resume Workshop

Gift to Wichita State will fund solar panel, electrical research

Thanks to a generous gift from utility company Evergy, students in the College of Engineering can learn about and conduct research on solar power technology, as well as how to protect an electric grid from short circuiting.

Read complete story on Evergy gift.

JCPenney Suit-up event – 60% off! Open to faculty, staff and students

Faculty, staff and students – attend the JCPenney Suit-Up event at the Towne East or Towne West mall anytime from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Find everything you need for that next interview, career fair, or new job including suits, dresses, sport coats, dress pants, shoes and accessories.

Show your WSU ID and receive up to 60% off select professional dress apparel.

Suit-up event 

Speed mingling today

Finding friends can be a challenge, especially if you are new to WSU. Luckily SAC has your back with speed mingling at 7 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) in 233 RSC. We’ll have different stations set up that will allow you to find new friends with similar interests to help you get through your time as a Shocker. This is a great way to explore, step out of your comfort zone, and meet a ton of new people.

Paid summer research opportunity for WSU undergraduates interested in city government

Two paid ($1,900) Undergraduate Research Fellowships are available for Summer 2020. The research topic is “Free Speech in Public Places.” All WSU undergraduates are eligible to apply by the March 20 deadline.

Interested students should contact Neal Allen, chair of Political Science, at neal.allen@wichita.edu or 978-7133.

Students are welcome to participate in new logo competition

WSU students, faculty and staff are encouraged to participate in the competition for a new logo for the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism’s popular (and now renamed) Walk-In Fishing Access program or WIFA. This program provides fishing access to private lands on thousands of acres of Kansas waters. The logo competition runs from now until Sunday, March 1.

The designer who wins will receive $2,500. Entries must be submitted at KSoutdoors.com/WIFA_Logo. Only original artwork will be considered, copyrighted images may not be used. Only Electronic submissions will be accepted.

Entries must be submitted in black and white. A color version of the logo may be submitted in addition to the black and white logo.

Participants must be at least 18 years of age by March 1, to participate. To learn more about this program and contest rules, go to KSoutdoors.com/WIFA_Logo.

Shocker Sight: WSU Homecoming 2020 upcoming next week, group sign-up for competitions ends today!

Don’t miss out on the fast-approaching fun of Homecoming Feb. 10-16. From Shocker Athletics to Trivia Night at Fuzzy’s, there is at least one activity during the weeklong festivities that will surely catch your eye.

Additionally, student organizations can register for the Spirit Award Competition for a chance to prove their Shocker Spirit, and this year’s Campus Decorations Competition challenges campus departments, colleges and student organizations to deck out their spaces in celebration.

Registrations for both the Spirit Award and Campus Decorations competitions are due at 5 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7). For all event details and to register for the competitions, go to WSU Homecoming 2020.

Ulrich Museum's free film series resumes downtown today

The Ulrich Museum of Art’s free film series resumes downtown at 6 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) at mamafilm at The LUX, 120 E. 1st Street North, with films examining technology out of control. Admission is free.

Emotions Go to Work: The Film Series, is co-curated by Zoe Beloff and Rebecca Cleman. The theme is “It’s Gonna Blow – Gadgets Go Mad.” This group of films focuses on the home and household gadgets gone wild.

Kick off Black History Month with art that will touch your heart

Join us at 6:30 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) for the 9th Annual Art That Touches Your Heart (ATTYH) at the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center. This is a two-day art experience you don't want to miss.

ATTYH celebrates black art while informing and educating the attendees on the history and traditions of black art and culture, while presenting and celebrating local and global artists. Many times the black experience is seen as a monolith, but this art show exemplifies the beauty and the differences in blackness through artistic expression.

Black art has always been around us and we are proud to kick off Black History month with art that truly touches your heart! This event is free and open to the public; however, vendors and artists will have items available for purchase. You are encouraged to support black art, especially in the local community. Learn more at wichita.edu/attyh. This event is co-sponsored by the Art That Touches Your Heart Foundation, ODI, Cadman Art Gallery, Wichita Chapter of The Links Inc., and Wichita Public Schools.

Earn extra cash by helping with the US Census 2020

Help get dividends for a decade for your community by working for the US Census. Apply online at 2020census.gov/jobs or text “kansasjobs” to 313131.

Invent for the Planet 2020 call for participants

It's time for the 3rd Annual Invent for the Planet (IFTP). Join the global movement to solve the world's most pressing problems in 48 hours. This public event is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members of all disciplines. How do you make the world a better place?

The competition will be held at the John Bardo Center lobby (JBC) Feb. 14-16. Breakfast, dinner, and refreshments will be provided to participants. Specific details on the schedule and competition will be communicated to participants near the start of the event.

Go to wichita.edu/IFTP for registration information.

IFTP will challenge you to put your theory into practice by solving real-world problems. You will focus on developing products to make the world a better place for the inventors of tomorrow. IFTP aims to motivate student innovators, entrepreneurs and creative thinkers to come together, apply design thinking, and find solutions for difficult and wide-ranging problems.

You will form teams of three-to-five participants and work to design and prototype a solution for a wide range of global concerns. At the same time, students from across the globe will tackle the same issues, allowing you to collaborate and learn from peers all over the world. Mentors will be available, and teams will present their solutions to judges for a chance to win more than $500 worth in prizes.

A generous donation by Airbus allows for this event to be free of charge.

Alternative Spring Break is in Seattle, Washington

Alternative Spring Break will take place from March 21-26 in Seattle, Washington. This year the focus revolves around hunger and sustainability. The cost is $650 per person and includes airfaire, ground transportation in Seattle and all lodging and food costs.

Applications are available at Wichita.edu/altbreak or in 216 RSC. All participants must attend a six week seminar that will meet once a week for an hour before the trip. 

For more questions, call 978-3022 or stop by 216 RSC.

Register now for Wu's Big Event XII

Join us from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 8) to make a huge impact in the Wichita community. Individuals, groups, organizations, faculty, staff, students, alumni, friends and family are all encouraged to participate in Wu's Big Event, Wichita State's largest volunteer event. Registration is free and includes a light breakfast, lunch, a t-shirt and transportation to and from service sites. For questions, email CSB@wichita.edu or call 978-3022.

Register Now

Wichita State University Opera Theater presents annual ‘Scenes and Songs’ concert

Wichita State University Opera Theater presents its popular annual performances of "Scenes and Songs" at 7:30 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, in Wiedemann Recital Hall.

Selections will be heard from "La Traviata", "The Magic Flute", "Madama Butterfly," "Don Giovanni," "Peter Grimes," "Hansel and Gretel," "Manon," "Fidelio," "The Tales of Hoffmann," and "L'incornazione di Poppea."

The concert serves as a great introduction to opera for all as well as a joy for seasoned opera lovers. WSU Opera Theater is under the direction of Alan Held with Bridget Hille assisting.

Tickets are available by calling the WSU College of Fine Arts Box Office at 978-3233 or going to Fine Arts Box Office. 

Admission is free for a student with a WSU ID.

Participants wanted for a study on dialectical thinking and creative problem solving

We hope to learn whether different age ranges (18-24) and (50+) experience different levels of correlation between different perspective thinking and the ability to creatively problem-solve.

If you decide to participate, we will provide you with an online link, where you can complete a questionnaire called the Social Paradigm Beliefs Inventory (SPBI) related to some of your thinking skills. At the end of the questionnaire, you will have the option to continue the survey and respond to four scenarios. The questionnaire will take between 25 and 30 minutes to complete.

To be eligible to participate:

• You must be between the ages of 18-24 or 50+
• Must have a fluent understanding of English
• Must be an undergraduate at WSU

If you are interested in participating in this study, contact Mercedes Lubbers at mercedes.lubbers@wichita.edu or click the Qualtrics link here.

Create change for language learners

We are interested in learning whether one’s first language and cultural background affects how he or she understands education. This is important information for those who teach English to nonnative speakers as well as nonnative speakers who want to learn English. If you are 18 years old, are from another country, and speak a first language other than English, your contribution to this data could be essential!

Click here to access the survey. 

For any questions about the research, contact undergraduate student Sierra Bauman at srbauman@shockers.wichita.edu or English professor Dr. Mythili Menon at mythili.menon@wichita.edu.

News of the day from the Weekly Briefing

Read the news of the day from Thursday’s Weekly Briefing.

Become a founding member of Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity (co-ed)!

Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity is searching for students with the potential to Act Boldly as a leader and make a positive impact at Wichita State University. We are looking for enthusiastic, creative, loyal, and impactful students who are seeking a rewarding challenge of starting a strong organization on campus by joining the Phi Sigma Pi Interest Group at Wichita State.

Phi Sigma Pi is open to all majors and all undergraduate students, with the goal of bringing the best and brightest students together to make a larger impact on their campus, community and world. Our members form lifelong friendships through our principles of Scholarship, Leadership and Fellowship.

We are excited to start this process in the spring 2020 semester, and want you to be involved. Follow the link here to indicate your interest.

Contact Katie if you have any questions, at krhefner@shockers.wichita.edu

Phi Sigma Pi

Celebrate Financial Aid Appreciation month with events throughout February

The Office of Financial Aid invites you to join them as they kick off the celebration of Financial Aid Appreciation month with an information table from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, on the first floor, RSC. Accompanying them will be guests from the Office of Student Money Management. Come and learn about financial wellness from the experts on campus. Candy and swag may be included!

Wichita State bowlers honored to earn spot on Team USA and wear the uniform

Three Shocker bowlers will train with Junior Team USA this summer in Arlington, Texas. Freshman T.J. Rock, who qualified in January in his hometown of Las Vegas, credits Wichita State coaching with boosting his confidence.

Read story on Wichita State bowlers.

Third Annual Constructed Language Undergraduate Student Panel

Are you interested in knowing more about how to create a language like Game of Thrones 'Dothraki', or 'Klingon from Star Trek? Attend the 'Third Annual Constructed Language Undergraduate Student Panel' at 3 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, in 211 Hubbard Hall. The panel will feature four constructed languages created by undergraduate students.

The presenters will talk about world building, creating a phonetic inventory, using morphology to create words, and sentences. You will have the opportunity to ask the presenters any questions you may have about constructed languages and creating one. This event is free and open to the public.

Graduate School Professional Development Privilege and Oppression is Wednesday

Join the Graduate School and presenter Danielle Johnson, assistant director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, for lunch from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in 142 RSC for Privilege and Oppression, an interactive workshop where you will participate in the Privilege Walk and the matrix of oppression activities. This workshop is a safe space for participants showing how power and privilege can affect lives, while bringing awareness to your own privilege and how to provide opportunities to others.

Professional Development Series

Spread the love

Have a Hippo Valentine’s Day with SAC, CSB, and SGA from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, on the first floor, RSC.

Come and make flowers to take to your Valentine and make a Valentine’s Day card that we’ll take to the children at the Wichita Children’s Home and Wesley Pediatric Unit. Play some romantic games with Huxley and visit with SGA to let them know how they can show you the love by giving them feedback for what you would like to see on campus.

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

Student Activities Council

Written communication skills are essential

Powerful Business Writing Skills will be presented by Lee Schmucker, MBA, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.

Effective business writing differs from other types of writing. Learn guidelines to increase positive results from every business letter, newsletter or report. Apply these techniques immediately to help you be more persuasive, clearer, more powerful and more professional each time you put words on paper.

- Principles of powerful writing
- Organizational strategies
- Editing Techniques

The cost is $299 with a 20% discount available for WSU faculty, staff and students. Some restrictions apply.

For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 316-978-3118.

Call for presentation proposals from students, faculty and community members

Diverse Women’s Summit call for presentations:

Individual students, groups and community members are invited to submit abstracts / proposals to present papers, posters, art works, dialogues, skits, and other projects at the summit. The proposal should be 100-200 words describing the presentation (type, subject, theme and purpose). Presentations that focus on the following topics will be given priority:

• Research on issues of special populations
• Citizenship before and after the suffrage.
• Gender-based violence
• Celebration

Submit your proposal to chinyere.okafor@wichita.edu. We are accepting abstracts until Thursday, Feb. 20.

For more information, go to the Women’s Studies’ website or click here.

For questions, call the departmental office at 978-3358 or Cathy Doughty at 978-7165.

WSU Police Department asks for design ideas for new uniform patch

Current Police Patch

In an effort to represent the community we serve, the WSU Police Department is soliciting ideas for a redesign of the patch worn on police uniforms.

We would like something that represents WSU or Wichita, and get away from the State Seal currently used, to give a more local or university representation. 

Examples could include the iconic clock tower on Morison Hall or the Keeper of the Plains Statue, a Buffalo Soldier representing the linkage of diverse service in Kansas, or whatever you might suggest. 

We welcome faculty, staff and student input on what the patch should look like and become. 

Please send ideas to Police@wichita.edu by Saturday, Feb. 29.

Come learn about Condom Sense with SAC

Just in time for V-Day, stop by to learn about safe sex with the Student Activities Council and Student Health Services! We’ll be in the RSC from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, with free condoms, activities and information about safe sex and consent. For more information about SAC sponsored events, please visit wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.

This event is sponsored by Student Activities Council.

Volunteers needed for Wednesday's at the Lord’s Diner

Join the Community Service Board for Wednesday's at the Lord's Diner from 5-8 a.m. Feb. 12. Transportation is available for this event. Sign up to volunteer at Wichita.edu/volunteerICT

Register to volunteer

Join the Community Service Board

 

Learn more about local nonprofits and ways that you can get involved in our community. The Community Service Board meets every Thursday from 3:30-5 p.m. in 142 RSC.

These meetings are open to all WSU faculty, staff and students. Preregistration is not required.

To find out more, visit our website at Wichita.edu/CSB. For questions, email CSB@wichita.edu or call 978-3022.

YMCA parking lot rules have changed

In an effort to address student concerns about parking at the Steve Clark YMCA, members of University Parking Services, the YMCA, Student Affairs, Student Government Association and other university representatives met to explore a resolution that benefitted all YMCA patrons.

As a result of those meetings, the university is changing its parking policy. Effective immediately, any student, faculty, staff or community member who is actively using the YMCA facility, utilizing the child watch, Student Health and Wellness Center or the Wesley Urgent Care, will be able to park in the YMCA lot for up to two hours at a time.