Alumnus Brenton D. Myers makes $1.25 million gift to College of Engineering
A $1.25 million gift from the estate of Wichita State University alumnus Brenton D. Myers will support the WSU College of Engineering, where Myers earned the degree that helped him build a lifelong career in engineering and airport planning.
Mr. Myers was a staunch champion of the College of Engineering, endowing the Brenton D. Myers Engineering Scholarship in 2011 and the Brenton D. Myers Innovation in Engineering Education Award in 2015. The award is used to help faculty develop innovative ways to teach students to be better engineers.
Mr. Myers’ estate gift will be divided among three areas: supplementing his scholarship to produce larger awards; increasing the faculty award to make a greater impact; and providing discretionary funds to the dean to strengthen the College of Engineering.
Read complete story on $1.25 million gift.
SEM Update: Goal 4
From Carolyn Shaw, Associate Vice President for Strategic Enrollment Management
Goal 4 Increase enrollment along the I-35 corridor
- Our enrollments of students along the I-35 and I-70 corridors have grown significantly
with the expansion of our Shocker City and Shocker Select tuition discounts for students
in Colorado, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas. Between 2016 to 2019, we’ve seen 111% growth.
This year, we see an increase of 34 new First Time in College (FTIC) students, 106
returning or transfer students, and seven graduate students, bringing our total from
these regions to 936.
Read recruitment and retention tips, plus see SEM Shout Outs
Recruitment and Retention Tips:
- Create a sense of belonging and shared identity with college / department swag (T-shirts, lanyards, etc.) These can also be shared with prospective students.
- Conclude all of your written communications to students with an invitation to contact you if they have questions. This creates an environment for greater engagement.
- Recognize and celebrate student successes in your programs (leadership, event planning, research, scholarships, etc.). One-third of our non-returning students are high achievers. They need to see their opportunities for success here too.
SEM Shout Outs:
- To departments in the Barton School of Business and Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences who have pursued new articulation agreements with two-year colleges outside the state, creating a clear path for transfer students’ classes to apply toward their degree at Wichita State.
- To Jason Bosch in Engineering who sends the Tuesday News Flash to all the students in the college with advising reminders, scholarship information, upcoming events, and other important news.
- To Alicia Newell who connects at orientation with parents and give her cell number to them if they have concerns or questions.
Campus traffic update
Some lanes may be blocked intermittently along Mid-Campus Drive just west of the YMCA today (Wednesday, Dec. 11) and Thursday, Dec. 12. The general contractor will use a lift in the roadway for construction activities on the exterior of the building. Traffic will be directed during any roadway blockages.
WSU Weekly Briefing to feature Interim President Andy Tompkins
The WSU Weekly Briefing will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 12. Please note this week’s briefing will be held in 233 Rhatigan Student Center. The featured speaker will be Interim President Andy Tompkins, who will be overseeing his final event this weekend, WSU’s Fall Commencement on Sunday, Dec. 15. Tompkins will be succeeded by incoming President Jay Golden on Tuesday, Dec. 17.
Andy McFayden, executive director, Strategic Communications, WSU Tech, will give the overall university update.
The briefing will be livestreamed and available later that day at WSU Weekly Briefing. There will be time for questions following the briefing.
Help available with Strategic Planning Initiatives
Need help entering your Strategic Planning Initiatives prior to the winter break? It’s not too late to have your initiatives included. Open labs have been established. Support is available in person the following dates / times in 124 Jabara Hall.
11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Dec. 12
3-4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16
1-2 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 18
Comfortable moving forward on your own, take advantage of online support. Instructional videos are available 24/7 on the Strategic Planning “How-To” website.
New issue of Teaching Today now available
This month's issue of Teaching Today is now available. In this issue, you will learn about WSU's Open/Alternative Textbook Initiative, how to get Adobe Creative Cloud for free, tips for setting up your Blackboard class, and more!
Retirement receptions planned for Betty Elder and Connie Wells today (Wednesday, Dec.
11)
The School of Nursing is celebrating the retirements of longtime faculty member Betty Elder and longtime staff member Connie Wells. Betty has worked at WSU in the School of Nursing for 16 years, and Connie has worked at WSU in the School of Nursing for 19 years.
Betty Elder’s retirement reception will be from 12:30-2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, in 302 Ahlberg Hall.
Connie Wells’s retirement reception will be from 2:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, in 300 Ahlberg Hall.
We thank Betty and Connie for their years of service and hope you are able to join us to celebrate these women and their years of service.
Pictured above l-r: Betty Elder annd Connie Wells
PowerUp with new Microsoft Office 365 features
Are you curious about new features and updates in Microsoft Office 365? PowerUp with knowledge at a quick informational session in January with Microsoft Certified Trainer Ali Levine. Artificial Intelligence, time saving tips, new accessibility settings, creative inspiration, and even a couple extras for fun … this will be an action-packed hour. Sign up in myTraining and we will save you a spot and a free guide.
The session will be offered twice:
- 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 8
- 10-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15
Call for Fiscal Year 2021 Educational Opportunity and Student Fee Funding Requests
It’s again time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through Student Government for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY ‘21. Student Fees provide funding for programs / activities delivered directly to students, and the Educational Opportunity Fund provides funding for financial assistance to students.
If you’ve submitted requests in the past, the Budget / Review Officer should have received an email from the Budget Office to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past, but are considering submitting a new request, please contact Lauren Smith, Jason Post, or David Miller in the Budget Office at 978-3030 for additional information.
Requests are due no later than Friday, Jan, 24.
SBIR/STTR Innovation Summit today (Wednesday, Dec. 11)
This is a livestream event from NMSU’s Arrowhead Center featuring powerhouse speakers addressing the Navy SBIR / STTR program’s $350 million in non-dillutive funds available to small businesses. On site one-on-one sessions with a Navy SBIR representative will be available by appointment.
Managing the Employment Relationship Training is today (Wednesday, Dec. 11)
The next session of Managing the Employment Relationship Training is scheduled for 2:30-4:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Dec. 11) in 264 RSC. To register, go to myTraining through myWSU.
This course is provided for leaders who supervise employees (UP, USS, students), and will focus on managing the employment relationship. It will provide guidance on setting clear expectations, listening intentionally, managing performance, identifying when an employee is not meeting expectations, and effectively addressing those concerns. This training will also introduce you to tools to use to effectively manage the employment relationship.
If you have questions, contact mytraining@wichita.edu.
New Omni Update (OU) Campus Webpage and Document Accessibility open labs
Jeremy Webster, website manager in the Media Resources Center, will hold several first-come, first-served, no reservations Webpage and Document Accessibility open labs from 1-3 p.m. Thursdays in 124 Jabara Hall. Bring your accessibility questions and issues related to documents and webpages in OU Campus.
Licensed Journeyman HVAC Technician Position open to WSU employees only
The HVAC Shop is looking for a Licensed Journeyman HVAC Technician. Applications will be accepted until 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16. To apply, go to Internal Postings and follow the directions. For questions or assistance, contact the Talent Acquisition Team at 978-3065 or email hremployment@wichita.edu.
WSU Political Science prof published in Washington Post
Dinorah Azpuru
Dinorah Azpuru, professor of Political Science, has published an article in "The Monkey Cage," a Political Science blog published by The Washington Post. Her article discusses the region-wide decline in support for democracy in Latin America, and its connection to recent protest movements and political instability.
Dinorah Azpuru article in The Washington Post
Instructor Training Day is Jan. 15, so sign up now!
Wednesday, Jan. 15 is "Instructor Training Day" at the RSC. Choose from many topics and times by signing up through myTraining. Topics include:
* Applying the QM Rubric (APPQMR)
* Image Manipulation for Classroom Use
* Creating Accessible Video (covers adding video to classes in different platforms)
* Accessibility Exceptions Procedures (counts as your mandatory accessibility training for 2019-20 academic year)
*Aligning Blackboard Content to your Face-to-Face Class
Trainings are offered all day, so choose one or several topics based upon your interest and time availability. Please bring your laptop or other device to the trainings you choose.
To find the trainings in myTraining, simply search by name or look on Jan. 15 on the training calendar. Spaces are limited, so sign up today.
Join Meritrust Credit Union for its anniversary celebration at Braeburn Square today (Wednesday, Dec. 11)
Meritrust Credit Union invites you to stop by for refreshments for our way to say, “Thanks for the opportunity to serve you,” from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. today (Wednesday, Dec. 11), at the Braeburn Square branch.
Tickets still available for WSU Intrust Bank Arena game
Tickets are still available for Wichita State's basketball game this Saturday, Dec. 14, at Intrust Bank Arena. Purchase yours today and spend the evening cheering on your Shockers as they take on the Oklahoma Sooners! Tip-off is at 5 p.m.
Basketball game tickets for WSU vs. Oklahoma
More than 1,100 students eligible to graduate in WSU’s fall commencement
More than 1,100 students are eligible to participate in Wichita State University’s 122nd fall commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in Charles Koch Arena.
All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at this ceremony. The ceremony will be available via webcast. To view the ceremony, go to www.wichita.edu/commencement and click on "Live Commencement Streaming." The site will go live at about 2:25 p.m. on Dec. 15.
Former Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. An honorary degree is an exceptional honor bestowed upon a person without fulfillment of the usual requirements. It is conferred only upon persons of notable intellectual. scholarly, professional, creative achievement or service to humanity consistent with the endeavors of WSU.
Parkinson is the CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based American Health Care Association,
a trade group of about 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Parkinson
earned summa cum laude honors with his bachelor’s degree in political science from
WSU in 1980. He later graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law.
Security procedures will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone attending commencement.
The following security procedures are being implemented:
Everyone attending, assisting or participating in commencement will be required to be screened and pass through metal detectors as they enter the arena. Koch Arena will open at 1 p.m. We recommend you arrive early to allow sufficient time to get through security.
Please note the following items are prohibited:
- Outside food and drink
- Weapons not allowed by law
- Noisemakers
- Pocket and box knives
- Alcohol and drugs
Wichita State staff reserves the right to prohibit any items deemed inappropriate.
Teen study participants needed
Are you a parent of a teenager?
The Inspyre research lab is exploring what makes relationships healthy or unhealthy in adolescence. The purpose of the study is to explore perceptions of healthy and unhealthy relationships in teens.
After parental consent and teen assent has been obtained, teens will be asked to participate in a survey that gathers information on demographics and perceptions of dating relationships.
The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. Participants must be 13-19 years old, and participants must be fluent in English.
Flexible locations are provided for study participation. Study participation can be done:
*in person in 417 Jabara Hall
*in person at an outdoor public meeting place (Eg: ICT Pop-Up Urban Park, Bradley Fair)
*through email
*through mail
Compensation: A small prize will be offered.
Interested? Contact the Inspyre Research Lab at inspyre@wichita.edu or call 316-978-6180.
12 Days of Christmas sale continues today (Wednesday, Dec. 11)
Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store’s Rhatigan Student Center location for its annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale from now to Saturday, Dec. 14. Or shop the sale online at shockerstore.com.
New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion, or while supplies last. Visit the Shocker Store Facebook page each day to find out the new sale item(s). The sale items for today (Wednesday, Dec. 11) are $6 pint and coaster sets.
Volunteer opportunities available during winter break
VolunteerICT has hundreds of volunteer opportunities from local nonprofits looking for volunteers. All students, faculty and staff have an account through myWSU. Set-up is simple and easy by visiting our website at Wichita.edu/volunteerICT.
Shop the Shocker Store for doorbuster tumblers and more on Saturday
Visit the Shocker Store’s Braeburn Square location this weekend as you shop for the Shocker fans in your life. On Saturday, Dec. 14, they will have a $10 tumbler doorbuster item that will be available while supplies last. Also, on both Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, take 20% off blankets and enjoy buy one, get one half-off apparel.
Sales are in Braeburn Square location only. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 12-6 p.m. Sunday.
Prescription refill notice from Student Health Services
If you need a prescription refilled before the winter break, please submit refill prescriptions by 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 12, for pick up by 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13.
Student Health Services will close on Monday, Dec. 16, and reopen Monday, Jan. 6, in the new Student Wellness Center.
Join WSUSSLHA's annual Barnes and Noble fundraiser
Wichita State’s Student Speech and Language Hearing Association is having their annual Barnes and Noble fundraiser on Dec. 14. This will take place at the Barnes and Noble located at 1920 N. Rock Road, and will last from 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Join WSUSSLHA for shopping, book readings and crafts! WSUSSLHA will also be providing gift wrapping for your Barnes and Noble purchase. Donations are welcome and we hope to see you there.
Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes offering members only happy hour appetizers
Members of the EAT.DRINK.PLAY Rewards Program in the Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes can enjoy exclusive happy hour specials in December. Show your rewards card from 2-4 p.m. Monday-Friday and take 25% off any starter menu item. If you are not already a member, joining is free and easy. Simply stop in and ask to sign up!
Shocker Store offering sale on diploma frames
Now through Saturday, Dec. 14, take 20% off diploma frames at the Shocker Store. Sale is in RSC store and online at shockerstore.com.