Wichita State stands in support of our international students
Jay Golden
From Wichita State President Dr. Jay Golden:
Dear Shocker Nation,
I have watched and listened this week with a great deal of focus over the federal government’s announcement regarding international students. This rule change has implications for our international students that could include having to leave the country or transferring to another institution.
We are working hard to do everything we can to minimize the impact that this guidance may have on our students, including offering hybrid instruction – which combines an in-person component with online classwork – in the fall semester. We made this decision earlier in the summer, and many measures are being taken every day to ensure as much safety as possible as we learn to co-exist with this virus.
Click here to read the entire letter.
New $2.2 million estate gift is dedicated to Wichita State students
Nearly 70 years after John and Colleen Wooley first met as students at the University of Wichita, they have established a legacy that will touch the lives of Wichita State University students for generations to come. The couple’s $2.2 million estate gift will provide more than $100,000 in scholarships each year for students with financial need.
Before he died in 2019, Mr. Wooley said he wanted to make a donation that would acknowledge the role the university played in his and Colleen’s lives. Their estate gift will fund the Colleen Lee Wooley and John B. Wooley Scholarship, an endowment that will exist in perpetuity.
“It was important to John that their gift make an impact on the lives of students with financial need in all academic areas of study,” said Darin Kater, WSU Foundation vice president. “He didn’t care about their majors. He just wanted to make sure students with need had the opportunity to get a high-quality education at WSU.”
Have your textbooks delivered to your dorm room
Incoming WSU residents, would you like your textbooks to be waiting in your room when you arrive on Move-In Day? Place your textbook order with the Shocker Store online between July 15-31 and have them delivered to your dorm room before you move in!
Navatek and Wichita State University collaborate to develop inflatable wing technology.
Research firm Navatek to open WSU office; partnership will greatly grow military research
Navatek LLC, a contractor focused on technology research for U.S. government agencies such as the Department of Defense and NASA, is opening an office on the Wichita State University campus in fall 2020.
This collaborative partnership between Navatek and WSU will grow combined applied research capabilities for the military, provide critical hands-on learning opportunities for students and help diversify the local economy.
Among its work, the Navatek-WSU partnership will explore using inflatable wing materials and structures to extend the range that airborne personnel can travel in squirrel wingsuits. The effort promises to open up a whole new set of mission possibilities using the lightweight flight suits, spotlighted in popular culture by daredevils jumping out of planes and off cliffs.
Inflatable technology will be used further to build wings and structures for lighter, smaller unmanned aerial vehicles, or “drones,” and is being used in the design of new space habitats for NASA. The Navatek-WSU team will perform research into new materials, structures, fabrication and deployment techniques, and the aerodynamic performance of prototypes to push this technology to the next level.
FirePoint Innovations at Wichita State provides assistance to US military
Partnered with the US Army’s Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) and Aviation & Missile Center, Wichita State University’s FirePoint Innovation Center is building collaborations with the US Department of Defense.
The partnership, which started two-and-a-half years ago, helps US Army researchers develop technologies and deliver new capabilities to army warfighters. The program accelerates joint technology development and transfers among the CCDC, universities, industry and government organizations.
A Blackhawk helicopter arrives at Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) in Park City, Kansas. NIAR is using two Blackhawks and a B-1 Bomber in its Digital Twin program to provide insight for the military to maintain and repair aging aircraft.
Digital Twin program brings new life to old aircraft
Shockers are breathing new life to aging military aircraft through Wichita State’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)’s Digital Twin program.
“Basically, what we're trying to do with Digital Twin technology is take legacy airplanes, so airplanes built in the 1950s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s — kind of before the digital age — and bring them into the digital age,” said Dr. Melinda Laubach-Hock, NIAR’s director of sustainment and a Wichita State graduate. “We're taking old military assets, taking them apart piece by piece, cleaning the pieces up, scanning them in, and then digitally reassembling them.”
The insights gained through the digital assembly provide valuable data to those who might work to maintain and repair similar aircraft in the future.
Wichita State grad's AI software fights COVID-19
Shocker alum Arfath Mohammad is using artificial intelligence to help save lives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Coronavirus has affected thousands of people all over the United States. I wanted to find a way to contribute and help prevent the spread,” said Arfath Mohammad, who graduated with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2020.
Mohammad is making strides with an artificial intelligence-based software that helps enforce COVID-19 safety precautions, such as wearing face coverings, social distancing and hand-washing.
The software uses the face detection capabilities, allowing a machine to continuously monitor the surveillance camera in stores or crowded areas. The software then identifies people who are not wearing face coverings or taking precautions and alerts and managers.
Pictured above: Arfath Mohammad, Shocker Alum, stands beside the wall dedicated to him in the Rhatigan Student Center.
Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc. offers the Aurora Scholarship for WSU students
Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc. offers the Aurora Scholarship for WSU students and incoming freshmen who are enrolled as full-time students.
The Aurora Scholarship recognizes the efforts of all incoming freshmen/all students as they strive to be leaders at Wichita State University and in the community. The term Aurora comes from Latin terminology meaning dawn.
In hopes of establishing a new era for women empowerment in our community and on campus, this scholarship sponsored by Sigma Psi Zeta, and emPRINTING Shop was created to advocate for change in the community.
Attend the Virtual Part-Time Student Employment Fair – July 17
Current and incoming students – attend the Virtual Part-Time Student Employment Fair – from 1-3 p.m. Friday, July 17.
As a Wichita State Shocker, you will be in Wichita quite a bit this fall - why not earn a paycheck and gain experience too? You will create fun, convenient and useful connections with fellow Shockers and Wichitans.
If you are interested in working part-time during school, attend the Virtual Part-Time Student Employment Fair with on-campus and off-campus employers.
Register and sign-up for 5-minute interviews now to Tuesday, 14. Learn more and register at wichita.edu/jobfair.
Student and graduate assistant positions open at University Libraries
University Libraries has two positions open! WSU students can apply for our opening here and graduates can apply here. Questions? Send us a message at librarystaff@wichita.edu.
2020 issue of Kansas English features several works by CAS faculty, students, and graduates
Since March 2017, Dr. Katie Cramer has served as editor of Kansas English, the peer-reviewed journal of the Kansas Association of Teachers of English (KATE). As editor, Dr. Cramer recruits and mentors a diverse editorial review board from across the state, leads authors through a double-blind peer review process, and collaborates with Dr. Susan Matveyeva of WSU Libraries to publish each issue of Kansas English fully and exclusively online through WSU’s digital publication platform Open Journal Systems.
The 2020 issue of Kansas English was published in July and features the work of several WSU-affiliated faculty, students, and graduates.
- School of Education Assistant Professor Dr. Michelle Adler coauthored an article with her graduate student Jennifer Gingerich entitled “The Importance of Reading Across Genres.”
- 2020 English Education graduate Blake Overman published a creative piece entitled “Shaping Rainbows.”
- 2020 English Education graduate Alexis Bean published two creative pieces entitled “Scenes from my Playbook” and “Blank Pages.”
- Several WSU English Education candidates and recent graduates collaborated with YA Book Review Editor Dr. John Franklin (Pittsburg State) to publish their young adult literature book reviews:
o Spencer Arndt reviewed For Every One by Jason Reynolds
o Alexis Bean reviewed Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi
o Caroline Erickson reviewed A Heart in a Body in the World by Deb Caletti
o Blake Overman reviewed Darius the Great is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
o Rhiley Wall reviewed The Strange Fascinations of Noah Hypnotik by David Arnold
- Finally, the 2020 editorial review board includes several WSU faculty: Dr. Michelle Adler, Cathy Durano, Krystal Iseminger, Sally Kimball, Victoria Opalewski, Nancy Sturm, and Elizabeth Roberts.
If you’re interested in submitting your work to Kansas English, please review the call for manuscripts, as well as the submission procedures and deadline.
125th anniversary lapel pins now available
Power of Prep - Lunch & Learn on July 15
Have questions about financial aid and what to expect throughout the semester? Are you in a time crunch? We know you're dedicated to enhancing your life for the long run, we get it! With school starting, we've gathered so many powerful resources to fuel your academic goals.
We are hosting a Lunch and Learn event for Online and Adult Learners. Pop in and say hi from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, July 15. We will be featuring the Office of Financial Aid and discuss the following:
- How to pay for school and what are my options
- What to expect your first semester
- Q&A with your peers
- Attending the event will automatically place you in a drawing for WSU Back-to-School Gear
Tuesday Talks with Student Health Services will return to Facebook Live July 14
For new Shockers this fall, join Nurse Heather and WSU students to discuss what international students need to know about starting classes at Wichita State. Tune into Facebook Live at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, and ask any questions you have about managing your health on campus!
Wichita State University face masks in the Shocker Store
The Shocker Store is now selling Wichita State University face masks in the RSC store and online at shockerstore.com. Be safe and responsible only in the best Shocker fashion!
Shockers, Wildcats revive hoop series after 17 years
Wichita State head coach Gregg Marshall and Kansas State's Bruce Weber have agreed
to a four-game series, beginning in 2021, and will also stage a special charity exhibition
game this October.
The exhibition is scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 24 at INTRUST Bank Arena in downtown
Wichita with proceeds benefitting Kansas residents affected by COVID-19. Details will
be announced at a later date.
The new series begins with a Dec. 5, 2021 matchup at INTRUST Bank Arena and continues
with stops at Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan (2022), the Sprint Center in Kansas City
(2023) and Charles Koch Arena (2024).
Child participants needed for online study on COVID-19
Researchers at Wichita State University, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, are doing an online research study to see what 10-17 year-old children think about COVID-19 and what they think about their parents' beliefs and behaviors during this time.
When children complete the survey, their family will be entered into a raffle for a $10 gift card. We hope about 250 children complete our survey, and we will raffle 50 of the gift cards. If you have a child living in your home who is 10-17 years old, your child might be eligible for this study.
If you are interested in learning more about being in this study, please copy and paste the link below into your browser:
https://wichitastate.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5bzHDOpp9rcHVSB
If you have any questions, please contact Samantha Gregus, Ph.D., at samantha.gregus@wichita.edu.
Diversity and Inclusion career resources
The Career Development Center is committed to serving students, alumni, and community
members of diverse backgrounds and seeks to provide comprehensive career services
that reflect multicultural awareness. We are excited to launch these new resources
that are designed to provide information that can assist in career preparation and
job search.
Visit our Diversity and Inclusion Career Resources page for career information, legal
resources and job boards.
Follow our Diversity and Inclusion Career Development page on LinkedIn for up-to date
news articles, content and conversation.
Shocker shout-out to Margarita Baez, Career Development Specialist for spear-heading
this effort, researching and gathering content.
Badges transitioning from Credly to Acclaim
To improve our badge service, Wichita State has transitioned all badges from the Credly.com platform to Acclaim, Credly’s improved platform. If you have earned any Credly badges in the past, you should have already received an email about this transition. All you need to do is follow the information in the email from Acclaim and accept the new version of your badge. All badges going forward will come directly from Acclaim.
Save 30% during the Christmas in July Sale
Save big at the Shocker Store’s Christmas in July Sale! From July 13-18, take 30% off sweatshirts, sweatpants and cold weather accessories (gloves, scarves, hats, etc). Valid on regular-priced items. Sale is in RSC store and at shockerstore.com. RSC store hours are Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Be rewarded with free pool in July
Members of the EAT.DRINK.PLAY. Rewards Program in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes can enjoy an entire month of free billiards in July. There is no limit and no restrictions! Simply show your rewards card and enjoy.
If you are not already a member, joining is free and easy. Simply stop in and ask for details. Current hours of operation are 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday.
NOTE: We are working hard to keep our guests healthy and safe with added measures to sanitize equipment after every use!
Join us at the Heskett Center
Not sure when to visit the Heskett Center? Are you worried about social distancing? Download the FitDegree app today to keep track of facility occupancy.