Wichita State sets new record for research awards
Wichita State University has set a new record for research and development awards, with a total of $136 million in fiscal year 2019, which ended June 30, topping last year’s record-breaking total of $104 million.
The significant increase comes from a steep rise in contracts and awards from the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which increased by more than $40 million from FY18 to FY19.
Annual Appointment Notices will now be online, no longer printed
Effective with the 2020 Fiscal and Academic Year, annual Appointment Notices will be available online and will no longer be printed and distributed to departments.
Please note that University Support Staff (USS) and Non-Benefit Eligible employees (Students, Lecturers and Temporary employees) are not subject to the annual Appointment Notice process. Athletics employees will receive Appointment Notices through a separate process later in July.
Therefore, Unclassified Professionals (UP) and Faculty can view, electronically acknowledge and print their 2020 Appointment Notice through myWSU:
- MyWSU (Chrome is the preferred browser)
- Faculty/Staff tab
- Human Resources Links
- Notice of Appointment (you may need to clear the browser cache to see the new link)
2020 Appointment Notices will be available to view, electronically acknowledge, print and revisit through Aug. 31, 2019. Because of the sensitive nature of this data, always close the browser to protect privacy.
Please contact the Help Desk at 978-4357 for assistance logging into MyWSU.
For questions with any of the information contained on your 2020 Appointment Notice, please discuss with your supervisor and they may contact HR.ServiceCenter@wichita.edu if needed.
Suicide prevention: We all can help out
You can help prevent suicide. Join a training session provided by Counseling and Prevention Services and learn more about how to prevent suicide in our community. This month's session is 10:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 23. This training is part of the #WSUWeSupportU campaign and covers signs that someone may need additional support, how to start conversations with people who may need help, and the resources that are available both at WSU and in the community.
Sally the Robot making fresh salads in the RSC
Soon you will have have more fresh salad options with the addition of Sally the Robot in the RSC Food Court. Sally is a machine that lets you pick from a large variety of salad toppings and have your salad bowl made fresh right in front of you. The goal is to have Sally up and running Monday, Aug. 19. Stay tuned to WSU Today for more details.
Join the Leadership Book Club
There will be in-person discussions from 10-11 a.m. Thursdays. Register by Sunday, Sept. 8, at Leadership Book Club.
For more information on Student Involvement programs, visit our website or contact lead@wichita.edu, call 978-3022, or visit Student Involvement.
‘Democracy on Tap: Riverfront Legacy Master Plan’
Join KMUW for the next Engage ICT event at 5:30 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, Aug. 13), at Roxy’s Downtown, 412 ½ E. Douglas. The title of the program is “Democracy on Tap: Riverfront Legacy Master Plan.”
Wichita community organizations have created a comprehensive vision and master plan for future development on the east bank of the Arkansas River, with a focus on the area south of Douglas Avenue to Kellogg and east to Main Street. Hear from a variety of voices about what the plan could mean for surrounding communities and Wichita's future generations, and how you can share your input at KMUW’s Engage ICT: Democracy on Tap. It’s always free to attend, and appetizers are provided. Learn more at engageict.org or contact info@kmuw.org or call 978-6789.
Solutions to your struggles as a supervisor
Supervising a team can be frustrating, overwhelming and thankless. Gerald Graham will coach you in analyzing the differences that can make you an effective or ineffective supervisor. You will gain practical insights into common supervision mistakes and solutions to put you on the road of successful leadership. The program is 8 a.m-3 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 21. Cost is $299, with a 40% discount for faculty, staff and students. Some restrictions apply. For more information and to register, go to cmd.wichita.edu or call 316-978-3118.
Consider giving to campaign that benefits K-12 students
The Ulrich Museum has been able to bring more than 4,000 K-12 students a year to see
the museum, our sculpture collection and campus through a bus reimbursement program
generously supported by donors. Please help us continue the program through a $50
gift that will be matched by a fund at the WSU Foundation. The Ulrich is about 40%
of the way to its $6,000 goal. Please give now so we can offer the program to more
Kansas schools.
Trademark Tuesday scheduled for tomorrow
Join University Libraries for Trademark Tuesday from 2- 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug.13 in 204 Ablah Library for a quarterly interactive session with experts from the the Rocky Mountain Regional U.S. Patent and Trademark Office's Trademark Assistance Center. During these virtual programs, experts will provide an overview of various aspects of the trademark registration process and answer any questions.
Find out more information or contact Sara Butts at 316-978-5017 or sara.butts@wichita.edu.
Longtime Wichita State SID Larry Rankin passes away
Longtime Wichita State Assistant AD for Media Relations Larry Rankin passed away on Aug. 9, after a two-year battle with esophageal cancer. Rankin worked for the Shockers for more than 25 years.
“We are saddened to learn today of the passing of Larry Rankin,” said Darron Boatright, Director of Athletics. “Larry served as Assistant AD of Media Relations for over 25 years and amassed friends and relationships all across the country, while representing Shocker Athletics. Our thoughts are with Denise, Garrett, Bailey and Wyatt as they remain an integral part of the Shocker Athletics family.”
Rankin, 51, joined the WSU staff in September, 1992 as an assistant sports information director. He took over responsibility of the media relations office as sports information director in 1994 and became an assistant athletic director in 1998.
His responsibilities also included media relations for athletic events hosted by WSU, including duties as media coordinator for the 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2002 NCAA Baseball Regionals, assistant media coordinator for the 1994 NCAA Men's Basketball Division I Midwest Regional First/Second Round and assistant media coordinator for the 1994 NCAA Midwest II Baseball Regional.
Highlights of his tenure at WSU included handling the media relations effort for the
2013 NCAA Final Four men’s basketball team, 1996 College World Series baseball team
and 2006 NCAA Sweet 16 men's basketball team.
He also oversaw the media relations campaign for Roundhouse Renaissance, the $25
million reconstruction of Charles Koch Arena.
In October of 2017, he was awarded the Missouri Valley Conference’s Most Courageous
Award, which is presented to a past or present student-athlete, coach or university
administrator who demonstrates unusual courage in the face of personal illness, adversity
or tragedy and whose behavior reflects honor on the institution or the Conference.
The Stillwater, Okla., native graduated from Oklahoma State in 1992 with a degree
in journalism/public relations. He was a member of the SID staff at OSU from 1986-92,
and handled day-to-day media relations for OSU's 1989 and 1990 National Championship
wrestling teams, as well as the 1991 Sweet 16 women's basketball team.
He also served as coordinator of media relations for the 1989 NCAA Wrestling Championship in Oklahoma City while at Oklahoma State.
He is survived by his wife Denise and their three children, Garrett, 23, Bailey, 19, and Wyatt, 11.
Funeral arrangements are pending. Click here to support the family.