Weekly briefing update: Dean Rodney Miller shares importance of infrastructure initiative to the College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts is located in two of the most iconic buildings at Wichita State - Wilner Auditorium and Henrion Hall, both of which are in line for improvements to support academic priorities. Their combined repair / renovation would account for $3.5 million of the funding provided by the proposed infrastructure initiative, according to Rodney Miller, dean, College of Fine Arts.
Wilner Auditorium, originally called the Auditorium and Commons building, was built with federal funds provided under the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which made possible its construction in 1938.
Wilner Auditorium was renamed in honor of George Wilner, first head of speech and theatre, who joined the university in 1923. The 553-seat Wilner Auditorium still serves as the main stage for theatre activities, and has been an important launching pad for the professional careers of WSU theatre graduates.
While final decisions have not been made, Miller said, “It is our hope to improve the natural acoustics through modifications of the existing orchestra pit and remaining balcony. This will benefit students, faculty, staff, and the public who attend the performances.”
Henrion Hall, the second oldest building in use on the Wichita State campus, is even more iconic. It is an amalgam of three facilities – two gymnasiums and the concrete stands of WSU's original football stadium.
The first facility, the west gym, originally called Memorial Hall in honor of the servicemen who gave their lives in World War I, was constructed in 1921. The second gym, the ladies' gym, was built in 1937 as another WPA project. It connected the original Memorial Hall gym with the brick stands of the original football stadium, built in 1928. Because of this unique configuration, the building offers three immense open areas with few load-bearing walls in between. This provides a veritable blank slate for architectural configuration.
Henrion has never been renovated. Although the building is structurally sound, a number of building code, Americans with Disabilities Act, ventilation and other building system deficiencies exist. It is our hope that the $2 million allocated from the student fee money, combined with the $850,000 WSU has committed from this year's budget for repair / renovation, will go far in rehabilitating this wonderful facility, while benefiting students, faculty and staff.
According to Miller, the allocation from the infrastructure initiative also has a $500,000 budget for upgrades to technology infrastructure for both of these facilities as well as Miller Hall, bringing the total Fine Arts portion of the fee to $3.5 million.
WSU Tech responds to recent announcements of increased aviation jobs by offering tuition-free training to meet workforce needs
As Wichita's aviation companies plan to add more jobs, WSU Tech is ramping up its training opportunities and offering them tuition-free. Through WSU Tech's Wichita Promise scholarship program, individuals will have the opportunity to get trained for select high-demand jobs with tuition and fees paid and a guaranteed job interview.
“Our hope is people who are currently looking for a way to get into a career, whether they are unemployed or underemployed, will see this as their opportunity to make that happen,” said Sheree Utash, WSU Tech president.
The eligible aviation programs include Aviation Sheetmetal Assembly, Process Mechanic Paint, and Composite Fabrication. All training can be completed in as little as six weeks to three months, and students will receive a technical certificate upon completion.
“We are seeing over 95 percent of our students in these programs receive job offers,” said Megan Madasz, director of Employer Relations at WSU Tech. “For programs like aviation sheetmetal assembly and process mechanic paint, aviation companies are interviewing students in the first few weeks of their training, and most will have contingent job offers before they graduate. This is exciting because students are then able to go to work almost immediately after they complete their training.”
For individuals interested in a career outside of aviation, WSU Tech will be offering the Wichita Promise Scholarship for their pre-health courses for surgical technology, dental assistant and practical nurse.
Classes for the eligible programs will start in January. Scholarship applications are currently being accepted at WSUTECH.edu/WichitaPromise, and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
WSU School of Music's Faculty Artist Series presents flutist Carmen A. Lemoine
Join Carmen A. Lemoine and the School of Music at 7:30 p.m. today (Friday, Nov. 16) in Wiedemann Hall, for a free concert of flute chamber music. The concert will include Mike Mower's Sonata Latino with Banda Hispanica's professor John Goering, alumna Renea Abdallah, and Joel Montes.
"…Lemoine's sheer sound was so engrossing. With deep and rich tone, Lemoine spins lovely, long lines that could rival those of anaerobic string instruments." -- San Francisco Classical Voice
Lemoine is assistant professor of flute at Wichita State and principal flutist of the Wichita Symphony Orchestra. She has performed on four continents as an orchestral, chamber and solo musician. After living on the West Coast for 13 years, she's thrilled to make Wichita her home and contribute to its thriving community of artists and musicians.
Total Rewards requesting Open Enrollment feedback
The Total Rewards team would like to recognize the efforts of every department at WSU for a very successful Open Enrollment season. KDHE has indicated that Open Enrollment will be an active enrollment each year moving forward.
With an eye on the future, the Total Rewards team is asking that everyone who participated in Open Enrollment share their feedback on how we can improve communications and resources available next year. Please give five minutes of your time to take a brief survey on your computer or mobile device. We appreciate your time and input!
If you have feedback you would like to share on 2019 plan changes, including employee cost, plan options or carriers, you can submit this feedback directly to the Kansas Healthcare Commission at kdhe.benefits@ks.gov.
The next generation of Wichita State alumni is asking for your help!
Wichita State is excited to launch the new Shocker Mentorship Network. Give back in an impactful way – offer your time and talent to help the next generation of Shocker alumni get their start. Easily, on your own time – give back whenever and how often you want, on topics you know well. With your privacy protected – the platform doesn't share your contact info.
Register as a mentor today, visit wichita.firsthand.co and click ‘Give Advice.' Create your profile within minutes by registering with your LinkedIn profile and specifying the types of advice you'd like to offer. Give the next generation of up-and-comers the advice you wish you'd had.
If you're interested in learning how you can use this tool in your program or department with WSU students, contact brian.austin@wichita.edu.
Wallace Hall elevator will be shut down tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 17)
Please note that the Wallace Hall elevator will be shut down tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 17). The interior elevator finishes and flooring are being refreshed as part of the Wallace Hall first floor refurbishment project that is wrapping up this fall.
Blood drive coming to WSU Nov. 19-20
The Red Cross is currently facing a severe blood shortage because of the hurricanes and California wildfires. Your donation can give a patient in need something to be extra thankful for this holiday season!
A blood drive will be held from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday, Nov. 19, and Tuesday, Nov. 20, in the Heskett Center lobby. A free T-shirt will be given to donors, while supplies last.
To schedule an appointment, go to WSU Blood Drive and enter the sponsor code Wichita State or on the Red Cross app. Walk-ins are welcome.
A photo ID or Red Cross donor card are required.
Music educator and historian to present lecture ‘Changing the Tune'
Carolyn Glenn Brewer
Music educator, performer, critic and Kansas historian Carolyn Glenn Brewer will present “Changing the Tune,” at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, in 203 Rhatigan Student Center. The lecture is free and open to the public.
She has published numerous articles and books, most recently Changing the Tune: The Kansas City's Women's Jazz Festival, 1978-1985. This important festival was organized by women, and it featured some of the greatest jazz women of all time, as well as providing a venue for Kansas women emerging as jazz artists.
Brewer's archival and interview research takes readers backstage to explore the issues that shaped this historic festival.
Her presentation is a result of an invitation from the departments of Women's Studies, Music, and History at Wichita State.
For more information on Brewer's work, go to Carolyn Glenn Brewer.
WSU Elliott School of Communication recognizes outstanding alumni
The Elliott School of Communication honored alumni and current KSN broadcasters Jeff Herndon and Lisa Teachman at the school's “CommWeek,” which is held annually after fall break on the Wichita State University campus. Herndon and Teachman were awarded “2018 Outstanding Alumni” in recognition of their exemplary professional work and personal success.
Game Day specials all day Nov. 16 and 18
The Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes (SSGL) is your Shocker basketball headquarters! For each men's basketball game, they will have a different game day special, honored all day long. Today (Friday, Nov. 16) SSGL will have $1 off full-size salads. The special for Sunday, Nov. 18, will be $1 off any burger combo.
SAC presents Amal Kassir on Nov. 29
Amal Kassir is a Muslim woman, born and raised in Denver to a German-Iowan mother and a Syrian father. She is an international spoken word poet, having performed in 10 countries and more than 45 cities.
Join Student Activities Council at 6 p.m. Thursday Nov. 29, in the CAC Theater. Doors will open at 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, go to Student Activities Council.
Jason White gives back to WSU by supporting Eck Stadium project
Jason White
Jason White has had a successful career since his days in 1991-92 on the WSU baseball team. He played for the Oakland As for three seasons before returning to Wichita in 1996 and working the next 16 years for various aviation companies. In 2012, he moved to Aero-Mach, where he's been president the past five years. He attributes much of his success to his time at WSU.
“I've been able to use my experience at Wichita State in the business world by showing the importance of teamwork and the accomplishments that can be produced when you work together,” White says. “I'm appreciative of the opportunity Wichita State gave me.”
With that in mind, White chose to give back by donating to the campaign to complete the fifth and final phase of the Eck Stadium development plan.
Get your Wichita State ugly sweaters and tees at Shocker Store
Get in that festive, Shocker spirit with some Shocker ugly sweaters and tees from the Shocker Store! There is a different sweatshirt and long sleeve tee option at the RSC location and the Braeburn Square location.
All options are available online at shockerstore.com. Sizes are small-3XL. Make sure you are decked out Shocker-style for the holidays!
Burger of the Month
The November burger of the month at the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is “The Feast.” It features grilled turkey burger, grilled stuffing patty, Swiss cheese, and dried cranberry with sweet potato fries and a garnish of spicy fried green beans.