Gift to Wichita State will fund solar panel, electrical research
Thanks to a generous gift from utility company Evergy, students in the College of Engineering can learn about and conduct research on solar power technology, as well as how to protect an electric grid from short circuiting.
Read complete story on Evergy gift.
Fairmount College faculty / staff invited to town hall this morning with President Golden
All Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences faculty and staff are invited to a town hall meeting with President Jay Golden at 9 a.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) in 208 Hubbard Hall.
ISME Colloquium on Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) by Jatin Talreja
Jatin Talreja, CEO of Viaanix Inc., will present “Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)” at the ISME Colloquium from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Feb. 7) in 211 Engineering Building.
IIoT, also known as the Industrial Internet, brings together brilliant machines, advanced analytics, and people at work. It’s the network of a multitude of industrial devices connected by communications technologies that results in systems that can monitor, collect, exchange, analyze, and deliver valuable new insights like never before. These insights can then help drive smarter, faster business decisions for industrial companies.
Bio: Mr. Talreja is the CEO of Viaanix Inc. He started the business in his basement seven years ago and now business has expanded with worldwide employee presence and is headquartered in downtown Wichita.
He has earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from Friends University, has Bachelor of Science degree from The University of Texas at Arlington, and an associate degree in Electrical Engineering from the Dayalbagh Educational Institute. He also serves as Vice President of Inventors Association of South-Central Kansas and mentors several very early stage startups. Talreja is a highly dynamic, result-oriented leader. He has built solutions for his clients, which are deployed globally.
2020 Form W-4 is available
The 2020 Form W-4 is available. In addition to the instructions included with the form, the IRS has published Frequently Asked Questions. Employees are strongly encouraged to consult with a tax attorney or tax specialist for guidance regarding the completion of the form to best meet the individual’s unique tax situation.
For more information, go to the 2020 Form W4 Explanation page found here.
myPerformance and myTraining unavailable this evening
myPerformance and myTraining will not be available from 7:30 p.m.-midnight today Friday, Feb. 7, due to routine system maintenance. You will be able to enter content into myPerformance evaluations or access a myTraining session beginning on Saturday, Feb. 8. Questions? Visit myPerformance@wichita.edu or myTraining@wichita.edu.
Managers can add Co-Planners in myPerformance
What is a Co-Planner? A Co-Planner is one who has managed a portion of the employee’s work assignment during the performance evaluation period. If there is a dual reporting relationship, both leaders need to have input into the myPerformance employee evaluation. The employee’s manager can use the co-planner input when they are evaluating the employee’s performance and assigning ratings. Co-planners can also perform reviews as though they were the manager who was assigned the performance review task. These are key factors for complete performance evaluations and for employee development.
Managers can add a Co-Planner by following these INSTRUCTIONS:
- Select the employee’s evaluation in myPerformance
- On the drop-down Options Menu, select Add Co-Planners
- Enter the name of the co-planner to search for options, select the co-planner from the list, then select Save
Visit the Wichita State University myPerformance web page at www.wichita.edu/myPerformance for more information.
Meet and greet / Pancake social for Military and Veteran Service Center today
The Military and Veteran Service Center and the Student Veteran Organization invite you to attend a meet and greet / Pancake Social for a $3/plate donation from 9-11:30 a.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) in 105 Grace Wilkie Hall. The meet and greet will last till 5 p.m. Come and find out about how we support student veterans and how the center works.
Resume Workshop today
Students are invited to join the Career Development Center today from 1:30-2:30 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) in 261 RSC for a Resume Workshop.
In this workshop find out from how to organize your experiences, talents and skills together – and most importantly – what employers are looking for in a resume. You never have a second chance to make a first impression. Let us help you make sure you are putting your best foot forward!
Kick off Black History Month with art that will touch your heart
Join us at 6:30 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7) for the 9th Annual Art That Touches Your Heart (ATTYH) at the Cadman Art Gallery in the Rhatigan Student Center. This is a two-day art experience you don't want to miss.
ATTYH celebrates black art while informing and educating the attendees on the history and traditions of black art and culture, while presenting and celebrating local and global artists. Many times the black experience is seen as a monolith, but this art show exemplifies the beauty and the differences in blackness through artistic expression.
Black art has always been around us and we are proud to kick off Black History month with art that truly touches your heart! This event is free and open to the public; however, vendors and artists will have items available for purchase. You are encouraged to support black art, especially in the local community. Learn more at wichita.edu/attyh. This event is co-sponsored by the Art That Touches Your Heart Foundation, ODI, Cadman Art Gallery, Wichita Chapter of The Links Inc., and Wichita Public Schools.
News of the day from the Weekly Briefing
Read the news of the day from Thursday’s Weekly Briefing.
MEET OUR NEW SCHOLARSHIP SHOCKERS
Wichita State announced the winners of its Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships and the Linwood Sexton Scholar recently.
MJ Jacques of Topeka High School, Rebekah Krehbiel of Northside High School in Fort Smith, Ark., and Vivian Le of Wichita East High School are the recipients of the Gore Scholarships. Each student will receive a $64,000 scholarship to attend Wichita State.
Jacques plans to study aerospace engineering. Krehbiel plans to major in biomedical engineering. Le wants to attend medical school.
Eduardo Avila is the 2020 Linwood Sexton Scholar. Avila, from Liberal High School, plans to major in education and will receive a full scholarship to Wichita State.
WICHITA STATE ASKS TO BUY FLATS, SUITES
Wichita State has requested approval from the Kansas Board of Regents to purchase privately owned apartment complexes The Flats and The Suites, as President Jay Golden discussed with Wichita State’s shared governance leadership.
In light of the apparent need for long-term student housing, Wichita State evaluated the cost savings of such a purchase and requested approval to pursue the purchase for a price of $49 million, before bond financing costs.
Benefits of the purchase also include: exclusive control over occupancy, control over housing pricing and the ability to renovate or expand as desired.
WU SIGNAL MAKES ITS DEBUT
The Wu Signal light is a play on the bat signal and will be used to call attention to Wichita State events and locations.
The WSU ShiftSpace team will test it on First Friday, Feb. 7, from 6-9 p.m. at WSU ShiftSpace at our new Groover Labs location at 334 N St. Francis. The Sandbox Soup exhibit of student installation art also takes place on Friday.
CHECK OUT THE NEW HOME BASE
Wichita State will hold a ribbon-cutting and open house for Phase V at Eck Stadium on Friday. The ceremony will take place from 2:30-3 p.m. for donors of the project and then the facility will open to the public for tours and an open house from 3-5 p.m.
Phase V, located on the third-base side of Eck Stadium, includes a new 10,000-square foot performance facility that features a strength and conditioning center, two athletic training rooms, locker room, offices for coaches and staff and a ticket office.
RISE OF THE REST VISITS WICHITA
Wichita State students, faculty and staff are invited to pitch their early-stage startups for the Rise of the Rest Road Trip, which will visit Wichita on April 20.
Former America Online chairman and CEO Steve Case is leading the nationwide effort to invest with entrepreneurs in emerging startup ecosystems. Case, who worked in Wichita at Pizza Hut in the early 1980s, will visit with his team to meet with entrepreneurs, startup support organizers, and other stakeholders in the local innovation economy.
Eight local founders will pitch their startups for the opportunity to win a $100,000 investment from Revolution’s Rise of the Rest Seed Fund.
The deadline to apply is Monday, Feb. 24 to be considered. The application can be found here: revolution.com/apply.
WSU Homecoming 2020 group sign-up for competitions closes today
Don’t miss out on the fast-approaching fun of Homecoming Feb. 10-16. From Shocker Athletics to Trivia Night at Fuzzy’s, there is at least one activity during the weeklong festivities that will surely catch your eye. Additionally, student organizations can register for the Spirit Award Competition for a chance to prove their Shocker Spirit and this year’s Campus Decorations Competition challenges campus departments, colleges and student organizations to deck out their spaces in celebration.
Registrations for both the Spirit Award and Campus Decorations competitions are due at 5 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 7). For all event details and to register for the competitions, go to www.shockeralumni.org/homecoming.
JCPenney Suit-up event – 60% off! Open to faculty, staff and students
Faculty, staff and students – attend the JCPenney Suit-Up event at the Towne East or Towne West mall anytime from 6-9 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9. Find everything you need for that next interview, career fair, or new job including suits, dresses, sport coats, dress pants, shoes and accessories.
Show your WSU ID and receive up to 60% off select professional dress apparel.
WSU Libraries host Spring 2020 Entrepreneurship Research Series
WSU Libraries presents the Entrepreneurship Research Series for Spring 2020 - helping inventors and entrepreneurs learn how to protect their intellectual property and support their business through research. Upcoming dates include: Tuesday, Feb. 11 - "Intellectual Property Basics;" and Tuesday, Feb. 18 - "Trademark Basics: Protect Your Business Name." Workshops take place from 5:30-7 p.m. in 217 Ablah Library.
Entrepreneurship Research Series
Professional studio portraits available
In conjunction with WSU’s new website profiles, Strategic Communications is taking appointments for scheduled portraits. Photos are taking place in the Office of Strategic Communications, 102 Morrison Hall.
To learn more, and to book your 10-minute appointment, go to https://wsu.news/portraits.
Wichita State University Opera Theater presents annual ‘Scenes and Songs’ concert
Wichita State University Opera Theater presents its popular annual performances of "Scenes and Songs" at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 7, and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, in Wiedemann Recital Hall.
Selections will be heard from "La Traviata", "The Magic Flute", "Madama Butterfly," "Don Giovanni," "Peter Grimes," "Hansel and Gretel," "Manon," "Fidelio," "The Tales of Hoffmann," and "L'incornazione di Poppea."
The concert serves as a great introduction to opera for all as well as a joy for seasoned opera lovers. WSU Opera Theater is under the direction of Alan Held with Bridget Hille assisting.
Tickets are available by calling the WSU College of Fine Arts Box Office at 978-3233 or going to Fine Arts Box Office.
Admission is free for a student with a WSU ID.
Celebrate Financial Aid Appreciation month with events throughout February
The Office of Financial Aid invites you to join them as they kick off the celebration of Financial Aid Appreciation month with an information table from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, on the first floor, RSC. Accompanying them will be guests from the Office of Student Money Management. Come and learn about financial wellness from the experts on campus. Candy and swag may be included!
457 Retirement counselor will be on campus Feb. 11
Robin Deiter, Retirement Plan Counselor with Empower for KPERS 457, will be on-site from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 11, for individual retirement counseling appointments in 238 RSC. You can schedule an appointment with Robin here.
If you would like more information, contact our plan representative below:
Robin Deiter, Empower – Retirement Plan Counselor KPERS 457
(844) 446-8658 x20468 or Robin.deiter@empower-retirement.com
If you prefer to enroll online, you’ll need the following information:
Group ID: 130000-01
Enrollment Code: QWTq5zXP
Graduate School Professional Development Privilege and Oppression is Wednesday
Join the Graduate School and presenter Danielle Johnson, assistant director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, for lunch from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in 142 RSC for Privilege and Oppression, an interactive workshop where you will participate in the Privilege Walk and the matrix of oppression activities. This workshop is a safe space for participants showing how power and privilege can affect lives, while bringing awareness to your own privilege and how to provide opportunities to others.
Professional Development Series
Wichita State bowlers honored to earn spot on Team USA and wear the uniform
Three Shocker bowlers will train with Junior Team USA this summer in Arlington, Texas. Freshman T.J. Rock, who qualified in January in his hometown of Las Vegas, credits Wichita State coaching with boosting his confidence.
Read story on Wichita State bowlers.
All call for WSU Graduate Student of the Year judges
The WSU Graduate Student of the Year scholarship competition is a competitive and prestigious opportunity for graduate students who have proven exemplary leadership, involvement, and service both to the WSU and Wichita communities. Applications and nominations are now open for students who wish to participate. We are calling for judges to serve throughout the selection process. The dates and details for each round are below. We are looking for two different sets of judges, so upon indicating interest, please include which round you would be most interested in serving.
Round 1: Application Review – Completed by Thursday, Feb. 20
- This process would be going through the qualified applicants and meeting to decide on which students move onto the next round.
Round 2: Interviews/Presentations – Friday, Feb. 28
- Our judges panel will sit through a series of interviews which include a presentation of those selected to move on from the application round. Deliberation and decision on the final court of 5 students will follow the interviews.
Please send which round you would like to serve, or any questions to Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or 978-7402.
Free academic resources are available through TRIO Student Support Services
Student Support Services (SSS) is funded by the U.S. Department of Education to provide free academic services to students from First-Generation (FG) and Limited- Income (LI) backgrounds, as well as students with disabilities.
The free services include individualized tutoring, academic advising, textbook loans, assistance completing financial aid applications, and scholarships exclusively for student participants.
We are located on the third floor of Grace Wilkie Hall, in suite 309. For more information, visit our website or contact our offices at 978-3715.
SLI Squad Leader applications sought
Are you interested in leadership development of yourself and your students? We are calling for five cluster facilitators at the 2020 Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) this year. The five-day event will take place May 18-22.
We will host a few meetings leading up to the event to discuss logistics and preparations for the week. This week is time spent developing yourself as well as mentoring our students through their leadership journey. You’ll be part of community building and leadership exploration both during the institute and when we return to campus.
If you are interested, please fill out the application online.
For any questions, contact Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or 978-7402.
First-generation college students take great pride in succeeding and graduating
Attend a brown-bag lunch and learn on “Becoming an Individual & Institutional Advocate for First-generation College Students.” Join the First Gen Coordinating Council at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 12, in 233 RSC for a brown bag lunch webinar and brief Q&A session.
Colleges and universities have an opportunity to shift the paradigm of support for first-generation college students from a deficit approach. First-generation college students take great pride in succeeding and graduating (Gibbons & Woodside, 2014). However, first-generation students “who dropped out of college believed they needed to figure out how to do college on their own” (Lightweis, 2014, p. 466). Instead, when higher education institutions shift this paradigm, they have an opportunity to not only improve retention rates, but also provide a holistic support system for student success.
This live briefing will focus on opportunities for students and academic affairs professionals of all functional areas and levels to become individual and institutional advocates for first-generation student success.
Attendees are invited to bring their lunch and join in. Contact Lydia.Santiago@wichita.edu with any questions.
Paid summer research opportunity for WSU undergraduates interested in city government
Two paid ($1,900) Undergraduate Research Fellowships are available for Summer 2020. The research topic is “Free Speech in Public Places.” All WSU undergraduates are eligible to apply by the March 20 deadline.
Interested students should contact Neal Allen, chair of Political Science, at neal.allen@wichita.edu or 978-7133.
Written communication skills are essential
Powerful Business Writing Skills will be presented by Lee Schmucker, MBA, from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 25.
Effective business writing differs from other types of writing. Learn guidelines to increase positive results from every business letter, newsletter or report. Apply these techniques immediately to help you be more persuasive, clearer, more powerful and more professional each time you put words on paper.
- Principles of powerful writing
- Organizational strategies
- Editing Techniques
The cost is $299 with a 20% discount available for WSU faculty, staff and students. Some restrictions apply.
For more information, go to cmd.wichita.edu or register at 316-978-3118.
Spread the love
Have a Hippo Valentine’s Day with SAC, CSB, and SGA from 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 13, on the first floor, RSC.
Come and make flowers to take to your Valentine and make a Valentine’s Day card that we’ll take to the children at the Wichita Children’s Home and Wesley Pediatric Unit. Play some romantic games with Huxley and visit with SGA to let them know how they can show you the love by giving them feedback for what you would like to see on campus.
For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to wichita.edu/sac or contact us at sac@wichita.edu.