No football? No problem! Wichita State to start marching band this fall
It's the start of a new tradition: Starting this fall, Wichita State will have a marching band.
This is not your traditional marching band synonymous will football. Shocker Sound Machine (SSM) will be fast-moving, high-energy and more akin to performances by Drum Corps International.
The new band will include brass, saxophone and a drum line.
“This ensemble will be about entertainment,” says Tim Shade, director of bands in the School of Music. “Imagine exciting, energetic, high-octane performances. That is what we are looking to create.”
The band will perform predominantly during WSU basketball games, as well as other athletics and big student events. The goal is to grow to 200 band members, says Aleks Sternfeld-Dunn, director of the School of Music.
President Bardo to give Congressional testimony
President John Bardo has been asked to testify for the second time this year before the Congressional committee on Education and the Workforce. Next week he will speak about Wichita State's integrated approach that focuses the mission and direction of the university to have maximum impact on student's education; the region's competitiveness and our global positioning for the future.
WSU recognizes that the speed of change in higher education is picking up. Various technologies are driving not only new products and processes but even how we organize our economy and how we operate as a city, region, state and nation. Wichita State is focused on addressing the emerging needs of our region with regard to economic innovation and entrepreneurship, and we are honored to be asked to speak about our initiatives for the second time this year before Congress.
New CMS Triage Lab from 3-5 p.m. today
Mike Marlett, website manager in Media Resources Center, will hold a first-come, first-served, no reservations open lab from 3-5 p.m. today (Friday, July 20) in 122 Jabara Hall. This lab is open to everyone who has already attended basic training. To get basic and next level training in the new CMS, go to the MRC CMS Training page
Blackboard Ally is now on in Blackboard classes
Wichita State has invested in a powerful tool to help instructors improve accessibility
in their classes. The new product, called Ally, is now turned on and working in all
of your classes in Blackboard, including classes from previous semesters.
Instructors now see small accessibility dials next to many elements in their Blackboard classes, which are indicators of the relative accessibility of that element and a link to more information and instructions on how to improve the accessibility of that element. Students do not see these indicators.
For more information on what Ally is doing and how it can help faculty, go to Blackboard Ally or contact Instructional Design and Access at IDA@wichita.edu.
Reduce the cost of printing letterhead and envelopes at Duplication Station
Duplication Station has purchased a high-speed printer specifically to print envelopes,
and will begin printing all WSU letterhead and envelopes beginning Wednesday, Aug.
1. The new technology will greatly reduce the cost of printing letterhead and envelopes.
The new machine uses HD Laser-safe toner. This is a printer with special toner that won't transfer if the page is run through another printer again.
For more information, contact Duplication Station, 978-3546.
Expanding educational opportunities
Wonder will open for the first time on Tuesday, Sept. 4. Thirty-eight students from ages 3-11 will attend.
We are excited that three of the full-time Wonder studio guides (traditionally known as teachers) are WSU students or graduates. The goal for Wonder is to challenge children to use critical thinking, creation, collaboration and innovation in their education.
This concept for an experience-based learning environment is consistent with what we are creating all across the university. Because of Wonder's learner-driven, innovative philosophy, we believe it's a good match for WSU.
It is important to emphasize that it is part of a much broader push by WSU to expand K-12 educational outreach opportunities in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (or STEAM).
This summer, the WSU College of Applied Studies partnered with USD 259 to host STEM summer camps, which were very well attended. WSU continues to have interest in partnering with USD 259 to eventually have a magnet school located on or near campus with an emphasis in STEAM.