Fall commencement deadline for graduating student tickets is today
Wichita State University will celebrate its fall 2020 commencement ceremonies on Sunday, Nov. 22 at Charles Koch Arena. Approximately 1,200 students are eligible to participate.
The fall ceremonies are being held earlier than in previous years to accommodate students who will not return to campus after the Thanksgiving break. The change to the academic calendar was made to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
To allow for adequate social distancing during the ceremonies, a decision was made to hold two ceremonies at Koch Arena to safely accommodate students and their guests:
- The first ceremony begins at 1 p.m. Nov. 22. Students will check in at the Rhatigan Student Center from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
- The second ceremony begins at 4:30 p.m. Students will check in at the RSC from 2:30 to 4 p.m.
To further ensure the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff and guests, face coverings are required, and social distancing will be in place.
This is a ticketed event. Students must RSVP by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2 to participate.
Each graduate will receive two guest tickets. Graduate and guest seating are assigned and there will be no admittance without a ticket.
Student check-in will be at the RSC on Nov. 22. Students will receive their tickets from their college at check-in.
Guest tickets will be available for pickup at the Koch Arena ticket office beginning Monday, Nov. 9. Students unable to pick up guest tickets at the arena can request their tickets be mailed to them by clicking fall commencement.
Changes coming to Password Management on Tuesday, Nov. 3
A new version of password management will launch at 6 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3. Wichita State’s new Password Management application will add several new features and adopt the new State of Kansas security requirements. Here are the enhancements you will see:
- Passwords will now need to be a minimum length of 12 characters.
- Passwords can be up to 30 characters.
- Passwords are now able to start with a number.
- Passwords can now contain one or more special characters
- Passwords will only be required to be changed every 180 days, expanded from 90 days.
- The new Password Application is mobile responsive.
Your current password will still work until its expiration date. However, to take advantage of the new enhancements, you can log in at any time and change your password.
If you have any questions about, or need assistance changing your password, please contact the Help Desk at helpdesk@wichita.edu or 316-978-HELP, Option 1.
College of Health Professions celebrating 50th anniversary
Ahlberg Hall
Ahlberg Hall
The College of Health Professions (CHP) is celebrating its 50th anniversary at Wichita State University. Since our founding in 1970, the CHP has been highly renowned for its innovative approaches to education and supplying the health care industry with skilled, passionate professionals.
As a college, we have touched countless lives through the past five decades. We hope everyone takes this time to reflect and take pride in the incredible accomplishments of the past 50 years. Thank you to our alumni, donors, students, faculty and staff — both past and present — for your hard work to make the College of Health Professions a leader in health care education.
2020 also marks the 40th anniversary of Ahlberg Hall. The five-story building opened its doors to Wichita State students and faculty on Oct. 31, 1980. Originally named the Health Sciences Building, the building was dedicated as Ahlberg Hall on Oct. 18, 1984, named for former Wichita State president Clark D. Ahlberg and his wife Rowena Osborn Ahlberg. The building houses many programs, classrooms, offices, clinics and laboratories in the College of Health Professions.
The anniversary celebrations will be held Nov. 2-6, and will coincide with the annual CHP Week celebration. Go to wichita.edu/CHP50 to learn more.
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, and the Math Lab can help with Math 007 through Math 370 assignments.
If you don’t know where to go, stop by the Shocker Learning Center in Lindquist Hall room 107, or call 316-978-3023. 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!
All students are welcome to attend Honors Hour: The Goldwater Scholarship & Writing Personal Statements
All students (not just Honors students) are invited to the virtual Honors Hour from 11 a.m.-noon Friday, Nov. 6. Dr. Coleen Pugh and Aaron Coffey will present information about the Goldwater Scholarship, as well as offer guidance on writing personal statements for competitive scholarships and graduate programs.
The Goldwater Scholarship Program supports college sophomores and juniors who show exceptional promise of becoming the nation’s next generation of research leaders in the natural sciences, engineering, and mathematics.
Join here from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android -- Password: 149314
Fairmount College celebrates 125 years of first-generation students
Join Andrew Hippisley, dean of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, in celebrating 125 years of successful first-generation students from 3:30-5 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, in 142 RSC.
Of the entering class in 1895,12 of the 13 were first generation college students: Ella Miller, Alle Miller, Ernest Kramer, Eva Hall, Fred B. Isely, George W. Jackson, Henry Huttmann, Ada Belle Guthrie, Mabel Millison, Sadie Ellis, Clara Bowers and Matile Roulet.
In 2020, 26% of Fairmount College undergrads are first-generation students.
Campus construction: Woolsey Hall, Deloitte, sculpture among WSU updates
Hyatt Place at Wichita State University is open. The hotel offers 106 suites.
The Hyatt Place is expected to draw people in town for campus visits and events, sports competitions and who are working with Innovation Campus partners.
Its website is available at Hyatt Place.
Pictured above: In October, Wichita State broke ground on Wayne and Kay Woolsey Hall, the new home
for the W. Frank Barton School of Business.
Read complete story.
A guide to avoid late fees
Shockers, do you have a late fee on your account? Here's a guide to making sure you have a plan to pay it off and avoid future fees.
- Make a spending plan checklist. Understand what your monthly expenses are to work towards paying off your tuition and fees.
- Are you able to work part-time and earn extra income? Some student jobs are flexible and pay up to $10 per hour!
- There are tons of scholarships out there waiting for applicants like you! Always make a habit to apply!
- Join our Financial Wellness & Money Management Blackboard course to build your knowledge of finances and make better money choices. Self-enroll instructions
- Schedule an appointment with our Peer Financial Coaches. We can help you make a plan and keep you accountable!
If you have any questions or want to schedule an appointment, please email us at osmm@wichita.edu.
Say ‘Thank You’ for your scholarship!
If you are a Shocker who receives one or more scholarships, take a moment to show your gratitude to those helping with your college education by writing a thank you note.
Join us for Grati-WU Week in person at the listings below or online by following this link.
- Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College – Honors Seminar Room: Monday, Nov. 9
- College of Health Professions – Ahlberg Hall lobby: Tuesday, Nov. 10
- College of Engineering – John Bardo Center lobby: Wednesday, Nov. 11
- College of Fine Arts – Duerksen Fine Arts Center lobby: Thursday, Nov. 12
- W. Frank Barton School of Business – Clinton Hall lobby: Monday, Nov. 16
- Fairmount College of Liberal Arts & Sciences – Lindquist and Elliott Hall lobby’s: Tuesday, Nov. 17
- College of Applied Studies – Hubbard Hall lobby: Wednesday, Nov. 18
- Graduate School – RSC Pete’s Place lounge: Thursday, Nov. 19
* All events will occur from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. in the locations listed above.
→ Visit any location to write your note and receive a complimentary WSU face mask.
→ PPE, sanitizer stations and single-use materials available. Social distancing and facial coverings enforced.
For questions, please contact our team at 316-978-3817 or email us at donor.relations@wichita.edu.
Commit to your goals and make them reality with Shocker Strong
This week Shocker Strong is talking about committing to your goals. Join us on Facebook Live or on Student Affairs' YouTube channel at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5, for a presentation on setting and reaching goals. Learn more about Shocker Strong at wichita.edu/SSRP and sign up for the program at wichita.edu/SSjoin.
Participating in this program can make you eligible to win a $500 book scholarship! Learn more at wichita.edu/SSdrawing.
Join us for our upcoming Real Talk! Debriefing the 2020 Elections
Upcoming Topic: Debriefing the 2020 Elections
Engage in meaningful dialogues around various topics that impact identity, diversity, inclusion, equity and society. We welcome you to lean into discomfort and join in on the discussion.
We will host multiple sessions on the following dates:
Session 1: 1-2:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4
Session 2: 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4
Session 3: 8-9 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Session 4: Noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Session 5: 4-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5
Session 6: 8-9 a.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Session 7: 1-2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6
Session 8: 9-10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 9
Register for any of these sessions at wichita.edu/odievents!
Real Talk – Intersection Dialogues
TRIO DSS supports students with disabilities - applications open!
WSU's TRIO Disability Support Services (DSS) Program is excited to enroll students with disabilities for this academic school year. They offer numerous free services such as academic advising, career development, study skills assistance, financial literacy assistance, tutoring, and more. Many DSS graduates cite DSS as a critical program on campus that provided the support, university connections, and resources necessary for their success.
Quotes from DSS graduates and more information
I will apply what I have learned through TRIO DSS to the next chapter of my life - completing a Master's Degree! I am really thankful for the relationships that I have formed through TRIO DSS and look forward to what new challenges there are to conquer in my near future.
-Tiffany H.
My advisor believed in me when everyone wrote me off. That kind of belief and caring is so strong, it turned a college dropout into a student with a WSU GPA of 3.8 who is going to graduate in a month. I was able to get my first all “A” semester last fall because of their encouragement. Without my advisor’s support, I do not think I would be graduating at all.
-Ben L.
For more information, or to apply, go to www.wichita.edu/dss or call 978-5949. TRIO DSS is located in 158 Grace Wilkie Annex.
Flag Tag Hunt
The WSU Student Veterans are hosting a flag hunt from now through Veterans Day on Nov. 11. This event is to raise awareness on military and veteran suicide. There is an average of 22 suicides of service members every day.
There are 22 flags planted in various locations throughout campus for 16 days concluding on Veterans Day. Each flag has one tag with a number on it from 1-352 to signify the 352 military-affiliated people who have committed suicide in Kansas.
Two ways to win
- Students are encouraged to find the location of the flags, remove the dog tag and a crisis help-line phone number, take a selfie, and post to social media with the hash tag of #svo22 to be entered in a drawing for a prize.
- Present the tag to the desk at the Heskett Center, and the first person on that day will receive a T-shirt.
Mid-West Air Force Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4
This virtual Collider event on Dec. 3 and 4 brings the United States Air Force and the small business community together to connect and collaborate. This enables the opportunity for small business innovation to quickly deliver advanced technologies to the Air Force.
Learn about Fairmount College, win prize in scavenger hunt
Have fun learning more about Fairmount College’s role in establishing Wichita State University during a scavenger hunt created by the Department of Anthropology to learn about Fairmount College's 125-year history.
From now through the end of January 2021, faculty, staff and students are encouraged to participate in this fun event that begins on campus and ends at Maple Grove Cemetery at 1000 N. Hillside, where many faculty and staff from the early years of Fairmount College are buried.
Students who complete the scavenger hunt will be entered into a drawing for an iPad
on Feb. 1, 2021. Faculty and staff participants will be entered into a monthly drawing
for a Shocker Store gift card.
Have fun, stay safe and good luck! For more information, go to www.wichita.edu/anthropology.
Earn credit for solving national security issues!
Hacking for Defense™ (H4D), is a new course designed for ALL undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines and programs. It takes an entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary approach to America’s hardest national security challenges. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team to research, design, and propose a solution for a real national security challenge.
Students can vote for a WSU tartan!
As part of the 125th anniversary of Wichita State, WSU students will receive an email
asking them to vote for a WSU tartan. A tartan is a distinctive pattern of lines and
checks found on kilts and is usually associated with Scottish clans. However, communities,
states, and even universities can have tartans. With so many activities for the 125th
changed or put on hold, here is a chance to show school pride!
Students from Dr. Chris Parks’ art class, in conjunction with Dr. Jay Price in history,
came up with four different designs for a possible tartan. Some designs emphasize
the yellow of the school colors while others highlight the black. Now it is up to
the students to vote which design they like best. Students are asked to select your
first, second, and third choice. When completed, Price will work to get that design
listed in the Scottish Register of Tartans.
The voting will last until Nov. 25, the start of Thanksgiving break. One email has already gone out and another reminder will go out later in November. If there are questions or ideas, please contact Jay Price at jay.price@wichita.edu for more information.
After that, don’t be surprised to find WuShock in a kilt some time!
First-Generation Student Organization Hot Cocoa & Bake Sale
The First-Generation Student Organization will have a Hot Cocoa & Bake Sale from 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5.
We will be located on the east side of the RSC on the patio.
Apply now for LAS Scholarships / Fellowships available in 2021/22
The Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences invites all LAS students planning to continue their education at Wichita State University in the 2021/22 academic year to fill out a LAS General Scholarship / Fellowship application found here.
The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2021.
November workshops are here to strengthen Shocker research
Savvy Scholar Workshops continue into November! Visit Savvy Scholar Workshops for the full schedule and event information. These workshops are designed to strengthen Shocker research strategies.
Psychology researchers want to learn how your child is coping with 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 click the link below.
If you have any questions, contact Samantha Gregus, Ph.D., at samantha.gregus@wichita.edu.
First Gen Shockers invited to Library Lounge!
First Gen Shockers – you’re invited to our Library Lounge! Join the Libraries’ first gen faculty and staff for an informal chat from 3-4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 2.
Have questions about how to use the libraries or what we offer? Want to find out what it’s like to be a librarian? Just want to say hi and talk about your favorite book? We’d love to see you join us.
Click here for free registration and we’ll send you the Zoom link and a special Ablah Library background.
SAC Disney Trivia Night on Nov. 3
Join for this special edition of Trivia night. How much do you know about Disney? Consider yourself an expert? Well, test your knowledge this Tuesday, Nov. 3!
Gone are the days of joining HQ trivia only to get booted on the fifth round. Join SAC on the first Tuesday of every month for a quick HQ/Kahoot style trivia game for the chance to win some awesome e-gift cards to places like Amazon, Walmart, and event Visa gift cards! $100 and $50 prizes will be given out each game to first- and second- place finishers, respectively.
The highest point scorer across all four games, Oct. 6, Oct. 20, Nov. 3, and Nov. 10, will receive a $200 Amazon gift card. For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/SAC or contact us at SAC@wichita.edu.
Next Pee for Pizza will be Nov. 4
On the first Wednesday of every month from 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Positive Directions, ODI, and SHS will host Pee for Pizza! Reserve your spot now for free STI testing! Call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment, no walk-ins will be accepted. Masks will be required at this event.
BMES Career Development Workshop
Join us at 6 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 4, in 264 John Bardo Center to polish up your job-hunting techniques, resume writing, and interview skills with our Career Development Workshop.
WSU Ceramic Guild invites you to join us at our annual holiday sale!
Come stop by and check out handmade pottery produced by students and faculty. The Annual Holiday Pottery Sale will be held from 5-9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5 in 105 Henrion Hall.
If you have any questions regarding the sale, feel free to reach out to us at ceramicsguild.wsu@gmail.com or on instagram @wsuceramicsguild.
Do you have questions about making health care appointments?
In place of Tuesday Talks this week, join Student Health's Kim Vermillion as she explains what you need to know about calling a health care provider to make an appointment, information you need to give them, and going to the actual appointment. View it here.
Physics Seminar Series presents Francesco Brizioli on Nov. 4
Join us for our next Physics Seminar at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 4 via Zoom.
You can find all the details here.
RBOS Distinguished Guest Artist Isabelle Demers to perform in Wiedemann Hall
Join us either through the live-stream or in person (limited attendance) for the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series Distinguished Guest Artist Isabelle Demers, professor of organ and head of the organ department at Baylor University, Waco, Texas. The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 10, in Wiedemann Hall.
Her program on the great Marcussen organ is a spectacular mix of old and new with Bach, Beethoven and Louis Vierne, who was born 150 years ago this year.
Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office. WSU students are able to still get free student tickets with your myWSU ID, as long as tickets are available.
Masks and social distancing respected.
Leadership opportunity: Catalyst on Nov. 14
CatalystTM is a one-day program designed for anyone who is interested in starting something extraordinary. Participating in Catalyst is a first step in the life-long process of learning, exploration, and action.
We will be limiting spaces due to social distancing restrictions. This event will be held in person and participants are expected to follow all guidelines pertaining to in-person events (masks, social distancing, etc.)
When: Wednesday, Nov 14
Deadline to register: Sunday, Nov. 8
For more information, go to www.wichita.edu/catalyst.
Join Wellness Services in this week's virtual and in person events
A lot is happening this week in Wellness Services. Join us Tuesday for a talk on making doctor's appointments. On Wednesday, get a free STI test and receive a slice of pizza (only 40 slots, call 978-4792). In the afternoon, Keep Calm and Breathe. Thursday, learn more about effective warm-ups. On Friday, join us for a Lifting Clinic in person at the Heskett Center or on Facebook Live. Need a quick dental screening? Sign up for one on Friday by calling 978-4792.
Free tutoring and academic mentoring for diverse Shockers!
The Office of Diversity and Inclusion is offering free tutoring and academic mentoring!
Our tutors help students develop a deeper understanding of class material and gain successful skills that can improve their overall GPA.
Our academic mentors offer biweekly meetings to help you with academic success skills, such as time management, effective studying and note-taking, test preparation and more!
You can drop in any of the listed times or schedule an appointment. See when we are open, what classes are offered, and how to request appointments at wichita.edu/pass!
The F45 Playoffs are back!
F45 Playoffs are here from 6-8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 20, (56 timeslots available) at the F45 Studio in the Heskett Center.
Form a team or compete individually and make your way through 10 F45 stations. Complete the most reps to be crowned the champion. Registration is free this semester for all participants. Please register with any instructor in our studio. Scores are based on the maximum total number of reps completed.
Attention students! How can we better our parking system?
For my Technical Writing class, one of the required projects involves working collaboratively as a group, with the goal of writing a proposal that identifies a problem or opportunity that impacts an organization or community we belong to. The project plan that my group came up with was fixing the ongoing parking situation that occurs at WSU. In order to successfully complete this project, our group needs to gather information that will be used in our proposal.
One of the primary sources we wanted to include in our paper was surveying students at WSU. The survey questions mainly revolve around asking the audience about how they feel about the current student parking system, and if they have any suggestions to try to improve it.
While this proposal is not official and will not be submitted to anyone but our professor, we have to treat it and write it as if it were real. We would greatly appreciate any of the inputs that the audience has to provide.
Save with regalia packages from the Shocker Store
Are you graduating in November? Now through Nov. 6 you can bundle your regalia items and save! The Shocker Store offers Greenweaver regalia bundles for bachelors, masters, specialist and doctorate degrees.
Visit us in store (RSC location only) or on our “graduation” tab at shockerstore.com for specific pricing and details.
For more information, email shockerstore@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7021.
Help support First-Generation Student Organization with Digital Dozens!
First-Generation Student Organization is holding a virtual Krispy Kreme fundraiser. We are doing pre-sales for $10 dozens. Once you place the order, we will email a link with the code that you will use to redeem your dozen. This code can be used at any location there is a Krispy Kreme available. If you have additional questions, please email wsufirstgen@wichita.edu
Try the Angry Bird Burger
Visit the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes in November to try their newest Burger of the Month, the Angry Bird! The burger patty is topped with American or pepper jack cheese and three grilled slices of turkey.
Brownies now available at Chick-fil-A
Craving a brownie? Head to Chick-fil-A to try one! Brownies are now available beginning Nov. 2 at Chick-fil-A in the RSC.
$1 off Nitro Cold Brew in the RSC
Starbucks in the RSC's deal of the month is $1 Off Nitro Cold Brew during November!
Bake sale at the SAE House! Preorders accepted until Nov. 8
What would autumn be without an old-fashioned bake sale? That's why Sigma Alpha Epsilon and Kappa Delta Chi Sorority Inc., are excited to announce our first joint philanthropy event! Fill out an order form by Sunday, Nov. 8, and stop by the SAE House on Nov. 15 to benefit the Children's Miracle Network and the American Cancer Society. We also deliver.
We are offering a selection of assorted cake pops, snickerdoodles, puppy chow, and Rice Krispy treats. We also have gift boxes available.
Preorders are accepted at tinyurl.com/sae-kdchi-bakesale.
Business students are collecting canned food and personal hygiene products for those in need
Business students in Management 463 are operating a Remote Food and Necessities Drive now through Thanksgiving to aid those affected by Covid-19. Non-perishable canned food, and hygiene items like soap, lotion, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products are in great need.
We can arrange porch pickup of food and supplies via our Facebook Page to encourage social distancing, or we have local drop-off locations at area businesses and the south entrance of the Rhatigan Student Center (by the parking lot). We also accept monetary donations to the Kansas Food Bank via our Facebook Page.
Join Wu's Big Challenge
Join Wu’s 2020-21 Challenge! Due to COVID-19 and university restrictions around social distancing, we have had to reschedule our BIG events, but we have a challenge for you!
Commit to volunteering five hours. Hours may be completed virtually or in person or both. Students may complete the challenge in both semesters or only one. You decide what works best for you.
How it works:
Visit volunteerICT for ongoing volunteer opportunities and choose the ones you would like to serve between now and May 6, 2021.
Sign-up and volunteer five hours. Track your hours on your volunteerICT account.
Submit your volunteer resume to CSB@wichita.edu or bring it to the Student Involvement office in 216 RSC, and you will receive your Wu’s Big Challenge T-shirt and other goodies from the Community Service Board. Your name will also be entered in a raffle to win prizes throughout the year.
Do you still have questions? Email CSB@wichita.edu
Join us for Community Service Board (CSB) member meetings
Have you ever thought about volunteering? Join the Community Service Board for a virtual meeting every Thursday afternoon from 3:30-5 p.m. During meetings you will have a chance to learn about CSB's service events and about ways you can become involved. All meetings will be held virtually. Sign-up at Wichita.edu/CSB.
Still have questions? Email CSB@Wichita.edu.