Big Ten schools are falling behind when it comes to academic research. The winner? Wichita State
A recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel highlights what those in Shocker Nation have known for a long time: Wichita State University is one of the country’s leaders in academic research and technology transfer.
The article explains that much of the Midwest region is “losing the economic battle because [they] are not able to quickly convert technology insights discovered in academic research centers into local growth businesses — a process that, done correctly, raises the standard of living and promotes economic prosperity.”
Enter Wichita State, one of the fastest-growing research institutions in the United States, with more than 60% of our research funding comes from almost 300 corporate customers of the National Institute for Aviation Research.
“You have to be set up to serve industry in order to be successful,” says Tracee Friess, NIAR’S communications director. "They’re coming to us to solve a problem or develop a system to help them grow their business.”
“Wichita State University is committed to three things as Kansas’ only urban public serving research university – providing an affordable education, helping businesses with a talent pipeline, and as the article states, increasing the economic prosperity of our community,” says Interim President Rick Muma.
Read the full article. (A subscription may be required.)
Trade food, supplies to pay off parking fines
It's time for Food for Fines! Donate food or supplies to the Shocker Support Locker March 2-4 to help pay off any outstanding parking citations.
Food for Fines is an initiative that is offered monthly to support the Shocker Support Locker, while providing a cheaper opportunity to pay parking citations. This semester we are also offering Supplies For Fines, which is an addition to Food for Fines.
This is an effort to help address the current needs of our students during this global pandemic. It works exactly the same as Food for Fines, but with a slight change to the number of items needed to be donated. Special thanks to the Fairmount College Student Advisory Council and Parking Services for being so helpful and supportive in implementing this addition to the program.
If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to the Student Advocate via email at student.advocate@wichita.edu
Learn more about Food/Supplies for Fines
A lesson in Black history: Unknown horsemen, unknown heroes
For over 145 years and counting, socialites from across globe travel to Churchill Downs to experience one of the nation’s premier annual social events: The Kentucky Derby. From the original racially charged lyrics of its opening song proclaiming that “the darkies are gay” to its racist founder, there is nothing on the surface about the Kentucky Derby that speaks to Black History.
Standing outside the venue is a statue of the 1875 inaugural event’s winning horse Aristides, yet no statue exists to pay homage to its Black rider, Oliver Lewis. In fact, 13 of the 15 jockeys in the first Kentucky Derby were Black. Deeper still, 15 of the first 25 winning jockeys were African American riders: Oliver Lewis, 1875; Babe Henderson, 1885; James Perkins, 1895; Billy Walker, 1877; Isaac Lewis, 1887; Willie Simms, 1896; George Lewis, 1880; Isaac Murphy, 1890; Willie Simms, 1898; Babe Hurd, 1882; Isaac Murphy ,1891; Jimmie Winkfield, 1901; Isaac Murphy, 1884; Alonzo Clayton, 1892; and Jimmie Winkfield, 1902.
Black riders, trainers, horse handlers, and bulgers laid the foundation for the sport, and this epic event that embodies it. However, these pioneers are virtually unknown despite their remarkable contributions. Therefore, let us never forget that on opening day, 19-year-old Oliver Lewis along with trainer and former enslaved person Ansel Williamson won the inaugural race and set a new world record. Additionally, there are several others who are worthy of mention yet are overlooked.
In 1955, Isaac Murphy became the first Black jockey inducted to the sports hall of fame after winning the Derby three times on three different horses six decades prior, followed by Simms, Winkfield, Shelby Barnes, and Anthony Hamilton several decades after that. However, not one single Black trainer has ever been inducted into the hall of fame.
Today, many of the sport's early legends, the unknown Black jockeys, are buried with unmarked graves at Lexington Kentucky’s neglected burial ground, African Cemetery #2.
Win up to $10,000 in the Shocker New Venture Competition
The Shocker New Venture Competition is a chance for students to receive insight on their ideas to further develop the skills they need to commercialize them.
More information on the Shocker New Venture Competition
2020 graduate secured a job amidst pandemic
“My internship fell through, and it felt like a blank slate for me. I kept thinking, ‘Where do I go from here?’” said 2020 grad, Jade Mursch. “Your whole college career leads up to graduating and finding a job, and then in one moment, everything is in shambles.” Learn more about how a 2020 graduate secured her full-time job amidst the pandemic.
ShiftSpace seeks food-related art for ICT Community Fridge project
Help ShiftSpace fill up its oversized kitchen with food-related 2D and 3D art! This spring, ShiftSpace is teaming up with the ICT Community Fridge project. Rooted in mutual aid and justice, the ICT Community Fridge project aims to provide free food to any member of the Wichita community who needs it. Our goal is to create a food-themed show that also functions as a drop-off location for donations of dry goods. Your job is to make art to fill our oversized fridge and the gallery as a symbolic act of inspiration.
Participants are invited to create food-themed works of art and deliver them to the gallery located inside Groover Labs at 334 N. St. Francis St. from Feb. 19 to March 2. The gallery hours are 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Monday through Friday. All Wichita State students and community members are welcome to participate.
Participating artists must pick up work between 1 and 3 p.m. March 27 or by appointment.
TRIO Disability Support Services available in person or remote: Apply today
The TRIO Disability Support Services staff and office are available in person and remotely in the Grace Wilkie Annex, room 158 during normal business hours.
We know online learning is difficult for many. Let us help and support you. Apply for the TRIO DSS program to help you start off spring semester on the right foot.
Learn more about TRIO DSS services at
If you have questions, call 978-5949 or email trio.dss@wichita.edu
Apply for the Shocker Neighborhood VISTA by March 1
Apply for the Shocker Neighborhood VISTA. Engage in building mutually beneficial close partnerships with the university and Shocker Neighborhood -- convening and unifying to determine needs and action planning to leverage resources for growth/prosperity. Apply by March 1 at My.Americorps.gov.
Apply to pitch at the Mid-West Air Force Collider
Applications to pitch at the Mid-West Air Force Collider virtual event are due March 1. This virtual event, which is scheduled for April 26-30, 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.
New episode of 'Let's Talk About It" launched
It's Fuse Friday, and we're launching another episode of the "Let's Talk About It" podcast. Today is all about building up our city. How do Wichitans pour back into our community and help those who need it the most? Why is that so important? Who is out there doing the important work? What gaps do we still need to fill? Here to break this down with us is Executive Director of Real Men Real Heroes, Kyle Ellison; and Wichita State senior, Tahjanae Stocker. Thanks for joining us on this episode of, "Let's Talk About It".
About "Let's Talk About It": The mission of the FUSE ICT is to prepare and inspire students to achieve their true passion and purpose; while providing the tools, opportunities, and diverse programming options for them to grow. One of the most effective tools that we have to spark dialogue and unearth passion is dialogue. Our goal with “Let’s Talk About it” is to create a safe, comfortable and casual environment that will foster connection with diverse people in an effort to create meaning, ask questions and start honest conversations about the topics that matter most to college students today.
Listen on Spotify, or listen on Youtube.
Unwind with Zentangle during Self-Care Sunday
Be sure to take time to take care of yourself this semester, and allow yourself time to relax and rebuild. Join the CARE team each month for Self-Care Sunday.
This month, Self-Care Sunday will feature Zentangle from 1-2:30 p.m. Feb. 28. Zentangle is a meditative and relaxing art form to decompress and recenter. Attendees will receive free Zentangle supplies. This event will take place both in-person in Hubbard 208 and virtually.
Register for the 2021 virtual Gender & Sexuality in Kansas Conference
Registration is now open for the eighth annual Gender & Sexuality in Kansas Conference, which will be held virtually on from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Friday, March 12.
Whether you plan to drop in and out to attend conference sessions or keynotes, or if you plan to the full day, attendees must you pre-register in order to receive conference Zoom links. (Note: Zoom authentication will be required, so you must create a free Zoom account if you don't yet have one). Pre-registration will be open until midnight on Monday, March 8. Conference links will be sent to those who register by Thursday, March 11.
As always, the conference is free and open to the public. To register, visit: wichita.edu/genderconference.
Medical Laboratory Sciences to host information session
The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences is hosting an information session at 3 p.m. Friday, March 5 via Zoom. The session will review career opportunities in the Medical Laboratory Sciences profession, an overview of the Medical Laboratory Sciences program at Wichita State, and the application process.
Medical laboratory scientists play an important role in the healthcare system, providing diagnostic services to determine appropriate treatment options for patients. The MLS program prepares graduates to service all departments of a clinical laboratory.
More information on the session
Join First Gen Success to talk about wellness and self-care
You might have heard to put your own oxygen mask on first or that you can't pour from an empty cup, but how do you actually perform self-care? Join First Gen Success to discuss wellness, self-care, and the resources available to you on-campus to help you take care of yourself physically, mentally and emotionally!
The First Gen Success Wellness & Self-Care event will take place on Monday, Mar. 8. The in-person event will be from 1-3 p.m. in Rhatigan Student Center, room 265 (Lucas Room); and the virtual session will take place from 4 to 5 p.m. via Zoom. For virtual attendees, the link will be sent in your calendar invite, and both virtual and in-person sessions will be come-and-go.
Learn more and sign up at wichita.edu/FGSwellness.
Did you know attending this event can help make you eligible to win a free meal on campus, or even $100 in dining dollars? Learn more at wichita.edu/FGSdrawing!
Join the Shocker Career Accelerator for the Design Your Life workshop today
The Shocker Career Accelerator invites students to the Design Your Life workshop on Zoom at 10:30 a.m. Feb. 26. Choosing a career path or a major can seem like a daunting task. In this workshop, we’ll start with where you are and begin to define where you would like to go. We’ll take initial stock of your interests, talents, skills, goals, problems you’d like to solve, and then focus on potential future paths.
Virtual Career Fair Prep & Professionalism workshop: March 1
Join the Shocker Career Accelerator in the Virtual Career Fair Prep & Professionalism workshop on Zoom at 1:30 p.m. March 1. The Shocker Career Accelerator and other departments hold career fairs throughout the year to get you in front of employers. They can be intimidating and scary if you have never participated in one. Register for this workshop and get the most out of your career fair experience! We cover:
- Preparation before the fair
- What to expect during the event
- The basics of networking with employers
- Answers to all your burning questions, and much more!
Shockers host SIUE for three-game series
Shocker Baseball hosts a three-game series versus SIU-Edwardsville this weekend from Feb. 26 to Feb. 28. First pitch times are set for 3 p.m., 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. respectively. A limited amount of single-game and free student tickets are available, so come out and enjoy a weekend of Shocker Baseball! Dates and times are subject to change.
Programs help students hone leadership skills
Leadership Development serves to provide students with the resources they need to enhance the many leadership skills they already possess. Through targeted programming, students have the opportunity to choose how they would like to learn about leadership.
Emerging Leaders is a unique opportunity for Wichita State students to get on the fast-track to student leadership, campus, and community involvement. Schedule: 2 p.m. Wednesdays from March 10 through April 28.
The Evolving Leaders Program is designed for returning students to Wichita State who are looking to expand upon their leadership skills and abilities. Schedule: 2 p.m. Fridays from March 12 through April 30.
The Engaging Leaders program allows students to connect with industry leaders that are associated with each of Wichita State’s academic colleges. Schedule: 4 p.m. Wednesdays and 10 a.m. Fridays from March 10 through April 30.
Register for these programs at www.wichita.edu/leadership.
Watch webinar recording to learn more about study abroad
Would you like to learn more about scholarships and financial aid for study abroad programs? Watch our webinar recording. The Gilman Scholarship is highlighted and Wichita State student Maribel Sánchez shares about her experiences with applying for scholarships and becoming a Gilman Scholarship recipient for her summer 2019 program. Information on scholarships for all programs including summer, semester and yearlong is also provided in the video. Webpage for all webinar recordings: www.wichita.edu/studyabroadwebinars.
Deadline for SGA awards approaching
All three SGA Awards (The Wichita State University Student Employee of the Year Award, The Graduate Teaching Assistant of the Year, and the Academic Advisor of the Year) awards are still accepting nominations until 5 p.m. Friday, March 5. To learn more and submit a nomination, please visit wichita.edu/SGAawards. Questions? Please contact Gabriel Fonseca via email at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu
WWSU Scholarship applications due May 31
Women of Wichita State University (WWSU) Scholarship/Fellowship Applications for 2021-2022 Academic Year must be received by May 31, 2021. WWSU administers the WSU Dames, CUW and the WWSU Scholarships. Preference will be given to non-traditional female students (graduate or undergraduate) with a minimum GPA of 3.0. Recipients must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester. For more information including guidelines and applications, go to wichita.edu/WWSUscholarship.
Women of Wichita State University was formed in the fall of 2018 by the combination of two groups: the Wichita State University Women's Association, founded in 1928; and the Council of University Women found in 1930. The purpose of the group is to serve the interests of the university, to provide student scholarships, and to promote social interaction and a sense of community among its members.
Researchers offer parenting training sessions
Parenting can be tough! Researchers at Wichita State University are seeking to help parents manage behavioral concerns in children ages 3 to 12. Behaviors may include whining, tantrums, and difficulty following directions. The study will include three telehealth parent training sessions (about 45 min each) and follow up assessments one week, one month, and six months after treatment in order to track long-term behavior change.
Parents who complete all three parent training sessions and corresponding assessments will be entered into a raffle for a $25 gift card. We are looking for about 25 families to participate in our study. If you have a child living in your home who is between 3 and 12 years old and is exhibiting behaviors that are difficult to manage, you may be eligible for this study.
If you are interested in learning more about this study, please contact Ashley Ormond at aeormond@shockers.wichita.edu or Dr. Rachel Petts at 316-978-3720 or rachel.petts@wichita.edu.
Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum set for April 9
The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) provides an opportunity for undergraduate students at Wichita State University to present scholarly and creative activity to a faculty, student, and community audience while competing for cash awards. Each student's work at the forum is presented under the mentorship of a Wichita State faculty member.
There are no limits to the kinds of submissions that will be considered. The next winner could be you! For more info or to submit an abstract, visit www.wichita.edu/URCAF.
Support WSU students at the Virtual Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol
The Undergraduate Research Day at the Capitol is being held virtually March 2-4. Faculty, staff and students are encouraged to visit the event website at http://ltblogs.fhsu.edu/urd2021/ to view the video presentations and post comments and questions.
Congratulations to the 2021 Wichita State University Student presenters:
- Barrett Houchen, presenting “Investigating the Spatial Structure of Macrophomina phaseolina and Its Correlation With Biotic and Abiotic Factors in a Native Tallgrass Prairie Community.”
- Shamir Khan, presenting “Improving Personalized Medicine Through Systematic Protein Engineering of LDH.”
- Cameron McGinley, presenting “Deep Learning Detection of Phishing Emails.”
- Rupert Nunez, presenting “Spatiotemporal Access to Healthy Food in Sedgwick County.”
- Alexandra Olmstead, presenting “Computerized Sentence Building as a Therapy Tool for People with Aphasia.”
Applied learning highlight of the week: Cheyenne D. Stillinger
Major: Anthropology
Hometown: Bellevue, Nebraska
Applied Learning Project Title: Spirit AeroSystems and Doc’s Friends Inc., Intern
Cheyenne Stillinger’s role is to educate guests about the rich heritage of the women’s impact on aviation and the B-29 Superfortress production from WWII. She met with museums and organizations to gain knowledge, researched artifacts and created information labels to highlight women around the world.
"During this internship, I have learned the importance of taking advantage of opportunities to absorb the history that makes you who you are. Continue listening to oral stories and ask questions from elders. Learn how your roots began!"
Fun facts about Cheyenne:
- Member of the Wichita State Shooting Sports Team
- Senior Facilitator for HOBY Kansas
- Collects thimbles from new locations
Schedule a free dental screenings on March 5
The Advanced Education in General Dentistry program will be hosting free dental screenings at 1 p.m. March 5 at Student Health Services. Appointments are required. Call 316-978-4792 to reserve your spot!
Service-Learning Showcase submission open
The Service-Learning Showcase is a unique opportunity for students who participate in service-learning through applied learning opportunities to showcase their experience through a research or reflective poster about the application of their course work to current community issues. This year the showcase will be held in a digital format and judged by a team of community partner leaders.
The showcase is an open forum for students to interact with faculty/staff, community partners and other students to engage in conversation about Wichita State University's commitment to the public good.
Awards are presented in the following categories:
- Outstanding Overall Service-Learning Project: $150 scholarship to winning entry
- Innovation and Creativity in Problem Solving: $100 scholarship to winning entry
- Community Impact/ Community Choice: $100 scholarship to winning entry
- Collaboration and Leadership in Service-Learning: $100 scholarship to winning entry
Submissions are due April 1. For more information and to submit, please visit our showcase website.
Prevention Services seeks actors
Prevention Services is recruiting volunteer actors to perform in the sexual violence prevention training being developed for Wichita State. Looking for individuals, groups, and couples to be in short clips, as well as several narrators who are willing to speak and appear on camera throughout the training. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we are looking especially for actors who are members of a household together and can act in group or relationship shots. You will be helping to make the training more immersive and interesting. Shooting will start soon for some scenes.