WSU Today: May 4, 2020

President's Awards to be announced tomorrow!

The President’s Distinguished Service Awards and the unclassified professionals’ Wayne Carlisle Distinguished Service Award honorees will be announced on Tuesday, May 5, 2020. Stay tuned to WSU Today and follow Wichita State social media to congratulate the honorees.

Join our Virtual Academic Excellence Celebration on May 6

Join the WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion for our Virtual Academic Excellence Celebration at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6. This event honors multicultural students who earned a 3.0 or higher in fall 2019, and are currently enrolled in spring 2020.

You can join us by watching at http://facebook.com/WSUDiversity at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6.

Please email diversity@wichita.edu with any questions.

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Wichita State historian compares COVID-19 with past pandemics

George Dehner might take exception to those who say the COVID-19 pandemic is unprecedented.

“This pattern of the appearance of a novel infection that spreads pandemics is as old as a human story. Once we began to settle in the towns and be connected to larger groups of populations that can sustain this sort of rapid infection element like a virus or some other thing, you have pandemics,” said Dehner, associate professor of history at Wichita State University.

Nor would Dehner say that the pandemic was entirely unexpected.

“COVID-19 itself was not predicted, but something like COVID-19 has been predicted for 25 years. COVID-19 is not a surprise to people who have been doing this sort of modeling” he said. “You can't pick which one it will be, but the fact that some sort of animal disease leapt into the human population and spread globally would not come as a surprise to anybody who does that sort of research.”

See complete story.

Invitation Extended by Councilman Brandon Johnson, Wichita City Council, District 1

 

Attention Shockers!

Do you want to add your voice to conversations about community development happening both near and around our campus?!

Do you know what Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) are and how they can help support the needs of WSU’s students, faculty, staff and neighbors?

Do you believe that it is important for those who live, work, or play in the community to have a voice in what happens there?

During the next six weeks, a committed group of community residents will host Virtual CBA Focus Groups to discuss all these questions and more.

Sign up today to participate and have your voice be heard!

Focus group sign-up

Relief fund established to help local creatives affected by COVID-19

• An emergency relief fund has been set up for Wichita-area creatives who have been financially affected by the current pandemic. 
• Applications are reviewed every Thursday, and $500 grants will be given to those who show the most need.
• To qualify, applicants must meet a list of requirements.

Pictured above: Mary Alexis Wirths, a fund recipient and senior WSU ADCI student studying community and social practice, helps build a class sculpture.

Read the complete story.

Wichita State's Usha Haley in Bloomberg Businessweek on global regulation affecting multinationals

Bloomberg Businessweek approached Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton Distinguished Professor in International Business, Professor of Management and Director of the Center for International Business Advancement, for her views on the post-COVID regulatory environment.

Usha Haley's predictions on imminent global regulation as it affects the operations of multinational corporations, based on her research and expertise over 30 years in international business, can be accessed here.

If you encounter a paywall, please try here.

Pandemic series speaker to discuss his work on COVID-19 vaccines and therapeutics

Bill Groutas

Making sense of the issues surrounding the coronavirus can be challenging. Faculty experts in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Wichita State University are helping clear the confusion.

The last talk in the Perspectives on the Pandemic series is "In search of a COVID-19 vaccine and therapeutics," by Bill Groutas, WSU Foundation Distinguished Professor of Chemistry. His presentation at 3 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, will briefly review coronaviruses, their life cycle, and state-of-the art progress in the development of vaccines and immunotherapeutics, as well as the use of repurposed drugs. Lastly, progress by his research group related to the discovery of inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 3CL protease, an enzyme essential for viral replication, will also be discussed briefly.

LAS COVID-19 Series

Allegiant has top performance in 2020 Airline Quality Rating; airline industry posts declined numbers

Dean Headley

The 30th annual Airline Quality Rating results show an industry that had a performance decline for 2019. Results released today (Monday, May 4) reflect poorer industry performance in all four of the criteria tracked for calendar year 2019.

The AQR is a joint research project by co-researchers Dr. Dean Headley and Dr. Brent Bowen. This research originated at the W. Frank Barton School of Business at Wichita State University in Wichita, Kansas.

See complete story.

Sign up now for the National Science Foundation webinar on their CAREER program on May 13

Sign up now! The National Science Foundation (NSF) is presenting a webinar on the NSF Faculty Early Career Development program (CAREER) solicitation NSF 20-525 on Wednesday, May 13.

The webinar will include a briefing on the CAREER program and key solicitation requirements followed by a question-and-answer session.

NSF CAREER applications will be due July 27, 2020. Email proposals@wichita.edu if you plan to apply, and a grants specialist will be assigned to assist you.

Webinar Link to Sign Up

NSF CAREER Program Page

Office of Research

National Science Foundation (NSF) will require two new forms to be submitted in an NSF-approved format starting June 1, 2020

National Science Foundation (NSF) update: Upon implementation of the revised Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) (NSF 20-1) on June 1, 2020, all proposals submitted on or after June 1 will be required to submit biographical sketches and current and pending support using an NSF-approved format. Proposals without these NSF approved documents will be blocked from submission.

NSF-Approved Formats for the Biographical Sketch

NSF-Approved Formats for Current and Pending Support

Build your Resume with the Career Development Center - May 5

The resume is a crucial document in the job search process. Whether you are applying for a part/full-time position, on-campus employment, co-op/internship, graduate school admissions, research, fellowship, scholarships, volunteer experience, you will need to develop and maintain a professional document to apply for these opportunities.

Join the Career Development Center for this Resume Building workshop from 2-3 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5).

Build Your Resume

Career Development Center invites you to join KCOE at 6 p.m. today

If you are struggling to make sense of how to retake control of your career ambitions, or if you are interested in gaining perspectives on how to handle adversity in the workplace in uncertain times KCOE ISOM invites you to join us for our upcoming webinar: Pursuing your Career Path in Challenging Times at 6 p.m. today (Monday, May 4).

KCOE has assembled a team of leaders and experts to help guide you through the process of dealing with adversity in the workplace, creating a mentor relationship, expanding your professional network, and creating a strategy to move forward when it feels like the world is going in reverse. This will be a great opportunity for you to understand how to collect your emotions, clarify the purpose and goals of your career, and make connections virtually.

This hour-long interactive webinar and panel Q&A will be led by James Boyd, Talent Advisor, and Samantha Dinkel, Senior Campus Recruiting Specialist.

Join KCOE at 6 p.m. today for this webinar presentation.

Pursuing Your Career Path in Challenging Times

Shocker Career Chats - Working in Professional Sports - Today @ 4 p.m.

Shocker Career Chats - Working in Professional Sports will be available at 4 p.m. today (Monday, May 4)

Join Wichita State graduates as they share how their time at Wichita State set them up for careers in the professional sports industry. See participant list below.

Boomer Jenkins, Business Intelligence Strategist, Sporting Kansas City

Tom Rudawsky, Pro Personnel Intern, New York Giants

Jenny Young, Account Executive and Season Ticket Sales, Oklahoma City Thunder

Brandon Grengs, Premium Sales Executive, Miami Marlins

The link will go live at 4 p.m. at wichita.edu/ShockerCareerChats

Shocker Career Chats

Tuesday Talks with Sara Friesen and Student Health Services

For the next Tuesday Talks at 2 p.m. tomorrow (Tuesday, May 5), join mental health nurse practitioner Sara Friesen, APRN, PMHNP-BC, for a Q&A about mental health!

Join us on Facebook Live at 2 p.m. to discuss mental health and its stigma, culture, and discussing it with your family. Missed our last Tuesday Talks? Check out the previous ones here.

Join us for Lavender Graduation on May 7

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion and Spectrum: LGBTQ & Allies are excited to host this year's Lavender Graduation at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7.

Lavender Graduation is an annual ceremony conducted on many campuses to honor lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ+) students, and to acknowledge their achievements and contributions to their institutions. Due to ongoing concerns of COVID-19, we will adjust the format of this program to be a virtual celebration at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 7 via Zoom. To rsvp and learn more, go to Wichita.edu/lavender.

CAPS is still here

Counseling and Prevention Services is still here to support your students' mental well-being, and our counselors want you to know that you and your students are not alone. If you feel a student of yours is struggling, encourage them to reach out to us at 316-978-4792 to set up a teletherapy appointment. There, they'll be able to begin setting up a self-care plan. Then, follow us at @ShockersCAPS on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for mental health tips, mindfulness live streams, and daily updates from CAPS counselors.

IDA will assist with new online and remote class Blackboard setups

Instructional Design and Access would like to help instructors in the shift to remote classes for summer, so starting immediately, we are offering a new service.

If you would like IDA to do the initial setup of your remote or new online course in Blackboard, simply provide the necessary information on this form.

As part of our service, we will upload your syllabus, set up discussion and assignment links, and upload a course banner. There are various options you can choose from to ensure the course setup you receive reflects your personality and supports your content.

Questions? Contact us by email at IDA@wichita.edu.

Donna Hughes retires after 36 years of service

Donna Hughes

Donna Hughes, International Admissions Officer in the Office of International Education, is retiring from Wichita State University after 36 years. Donna started at Wichita State as a student, earning degrees in Anthropology, Psychology, and Spanish Education.

Her excellent work ethic and commitment to WSU started as a graduate assistant in the Intensive English Program, where she worked her way up to the Office Manager, then moved to the Graduate Admissions area, Anthropology Department, back to Intensive English, and finishing in the Office of International Education as an Admissions Officer.

She has served on several national and regional committees for AACRAO, NAFSA, KAFSA, KIE, as well as presenting at their conferences. Donna also has a huge passion for Wichita State, and has served on several committees such as President’s taskforce for Veterans, Military and First Responders, Council of University Women / Women of WSU, WU Crew, Interdisciplinary Awards Committee, a judge for WSU Student of the Year Competition, a member of the USS Senate, and several more.

Donna has impacted countless students, faculty and staff through the years, and will be greatly missed. We extend our warmest wishes to Donna and wish her well as she enjoys retirement!

Donna’s last day at WSU is Friday, May 8. The Office of International Education is accepting cards for Donna, and will ensure they are delivered to her.

Please send cards to:

Donna Hughes

Office of International Education

Campus Box 122

Wichita State University

1845 Fairmount St.

Wichita, KS 67260

A letter from Misty Bruckner for Public Service Recognition Week

Bruckner family lore dictates that spreading mulch around plants and trees in one of the worst household chores there is. So, after appropriately avoiding human contact to get his truckload of mulch, my husband made the dreaded announcement: “Mulch spreading at 2:00.” I don’t know whether it’s the mulch in the socks or mulch dust in the eyes, but disdain was palpable from the teenage children… okay, and from me.

So gloved and ready, imagine my surprise to find my gleeful eight-year-old in the truck bed, joyfully announcing, “I’m Rakeman. It’s a huge promotion. I didn’t even have a title last year.”

The enthusiasm for my son’s new title gave me pause to think of all the millions of people across the country taking on new titles as public servants.

SBDC offers webinar series in May

The Kansas SBDC will offer two “Succeeding in the New Normal” webinar series this month.

For more information, go to http://www.wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.

Enjoy free online self-paced courses!

The Wichita State University Office of Workforce, Professional and Community Education in partnership with Ed2Go is excited to announce free professional development opportunities to the community. Ten free self-paced tutorial courses are now offered to you at no cost!

Free self-paced courses include:  

• Creating Web Pages
• Creating WordPress Websites
• Fundamentals of Supervision and Management
• Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search
• Keys to Effective Communication
• Managing Customer Service
• Marketing Your Business on the Internet
• Personal Finance
• Small Business Marketing on a Shoestring
• Individual Excellence

How to Register 

To register and view the courses, click here. To take advantage of this special opportunity, you must select the courses titled, Free Self-Paced Tutorial.

Courses are available through Tuesday, June 30.

For more information or questions, contact jennifer.harry@wichita.edu.

Textbook Buyback is now online only

Spring Textbook Buyback is now online only! Ship your gently used textbooks for free and receive cash for your books. Visit the “Course Materials” section of shockerstore.com for more information.

WSU Course Materials

Mother's Day Sale

Looking to find some great gifts for the Shocker moms in your life? The Shocker Store is having a Mother’s Day Sale online at shockerstore.com from May 3-9. It will feature select products at awesome prices! May not be combined with other discounts or promotions.

Learn how you can make a BIG difference with Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters

Are you ready to be a part of something BIG? Learn more about Kansas Big Brothers Big Sisters during Kansas' BIGgest Virtual Info Session ever at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 5. Register today for the free webinar; space is limited.

There are currently more than 1,500 Littles waiting for a Big across the state of Kansas. Will you join the more than 100 Wichita State faculty, staff and students already involved by being a friend to the youth in need? For more information visit KansasBigs.org.

Volunteers needed for a research study

 

Test-Retest of the SWAY Mobile Application: Telemedicine Approach

Purpose of the study: To assess the accuracy of the balance, reaction time and cognitive assessment modules of the SWAY mobile application through a telemedicine approach using virtual Zoom meetings and a SMART device.

Procedures: Participants balance, reaction time, and cognitive function will be tested using the SWAY application using a SMART device and receiving instruction through a virtual zoom session.

Time: Participation will include three separate sessions placed one week apart. Each weekly session is expected to last about 30 minutes.

Student Ambassador Society to award scholarship to current Wichita State student

The Student Ambassador Society will award the Amie Montgomery Scholarship of $500 to one current Wichita State student. Amie had a tremendous impact on the lives of other students who knew her during her time as a student at Wichita State University and as a student ambassador.

To find additional requirements and apply for the scholarship, visit www.Wichita.edu/SASscholarship. The deadline for the 2020-2021 school year is 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 13.