Convergence Sciences researchers focus on solving complex societal problems
- Four Wichita State University research teams were awarded $300,000 each as part of the Convergence Science Initiatives.
- The Convergence Science Research Initiative brings together a range of academic disciplines to solve complex problems focused on society needs.
- Each of the funded projects will engage undergraduates, graduate students and the community in research.
Participate in the Strategic Plan Town Hall
The Strategic Plan Town Hall will be held via livestream from 1-2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
This university-wide event will be dedicated to updating the Shocker faculty, students, staff, alumni, university partners and the Shocker community on the plan for 2020-21. Join the town hall moderator, WSU Faculty Senate President & School of Music Director Dr. Aleks Sternfeld Dunn as he welcomes President Jay Golden and Executive Vice President and Provost Rick Muma for remarks. Kaye Monk-Morgan, Assistant Vice President for Academic Affairs, will present the refreshed university strategic plan.
For a download of related documents, click on the links provided:
For more information, contact the Strategic Planning Committee at strategicplanning@wichita.edu.
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This year’s Town Hall will be virtual. Click Here to attend.
Please note that this event requires access to a computer/laptop/tablet with access a web browser and sound.
COVID-19: Its impact on the performing arts and its audiences
The disproportionate effect of COVID-19 on the events industry, of which the performing arts is a significant portion, is devastating. It was the first industry to close down and will be the last to fully open back up. This industry supports 11 million jobs and generates over $1.75 trillion a year in direct, indirect and induced spending—greater than agriculture, broadcasting and telecommunications, auto manufacturing, truck and rail transportation, and computer systems design and related services.
The arts, particularly the performing arts, constitute a majority of this gross domestic product–over 4.2% of the national GDP. In Kansas alone, the arts constitute around 3% of the state’s GDP ($4.2 billion), employing about 50,000 Kansans and representing $2.5 billion in salaries alone. When shutdowns occurred in March, this vital aspect of the American economy essentially ceased to exist. It ceased to exist on college campuses as well, according to Wichita State College of Fine Arts Dean Rodney Miller.
But we need what the arts bring us now more than ever. How do we, as artists, respond to those needs in the middle of a pandemic? How do we mentor / educate our students? How do we engage our audiences in new and innovative ways? When will we return to normal, and what will the new normal look like?
Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts, will moderate this panel at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23.
Recommend students to become a part of the Campus Traditions Committee team
The Campus Traditions Committee is looking for hard-working students to be a part of the team.
This committee is focused on planning and executing Wichita State University’s campus wide traditions events. These events include the university’s longest standing tradition, Hippodrome, and for the fall, Homecoming. The whole purpose of Hippodrome and Homecoming is to bring the entire Wichita State community together to celebrate their Shocker pride.
In order for these events to be successful and welcoming to all students across Wichita State, we need representatives from organizations and departments to bring ideas to the table.
The committee meets every Wednesday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Members are expected to be present at every meeting and be able to attend / execute events during Homecoming and Hippodrome.
If you have a student or students you would like to recommend to be a member, please have them email Glynnis Jackson at traditions@wichita.edu.
2020 Paralympic hopefuls reflect on games postponement
Casey Ratzlaff
Casey Ratzlaff is a first-time Paralympic hopeful in wheelchair tennis and current student at Wichita State University.
Deja Young (pictured above) is a two-time Paralympic champion in track and a Wichita State alumna.
Nick Taylor is director of operations for WSU Tennis and a multiple-time Paralympic champion and competitor who is planning a return to the Paralympics.
All three have one thing in common besides Wichita State: their Paralympic dreams have been put on hold for the foreseeable future.
Celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month
National Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, by celebrating the histories, culture, and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America, and South America. In addition, the heritage month honors five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.
Learn more about this cultural month at http://wichita.edu/odievents.
National Hispanic Heritage Month
Get ahead with a no-cost business finance webinar
Do you own a business or are you thinking of starting a business? Whether you want a basic understanding of cash flow as you start a new business or you want to adjust your cash flow in the wake of COVID-19 impact, this workshop will give you tools and knowledge to help you focus and move forward. We hope to see you virtually from noon-1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22.
Register for this no-cost webinar at wichita.edu/ksbdcworkshops.
Now accepting fall 2020 I-Corps applications
Wichita State University is a National Science Foundation (NSF) I-Corps site. The Shocker Innovation Corps nurtures and supports Wichita State entrepreneurial teams interested in accelerating their STEM ideas, research, and product commercialization. Ideas / projects can originate from student or faculty work, research and institutional/industrial projects.
In memory of Professor Dharam Vir Chopra
Dharam Vir Chopra
It is with great sadness to announce that Professor Dharam Vir Chopra of the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics passed away Monday, Sept. 14.
Although he was 89 years old, he was still active in research in Combinatorics and Statistics up to the present. He began a phased retirement in January 2020 after being a faculty member at Wichita State University for 53 years. Professor Chopra joined the mathematics department faculty in 1967 as an Assistant Professor. He became an Associate Professor in 1971 and a Professor in 1977. He was instrumental in developing the academic area of Statistics at WSU to the level of becoming a joint department with Mathematics.
Funeral arrangements are pending. A future memorial service will be announced at a later date.
What is consent?
Join Counseling and Prevention Services and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion to continue the discussion on what consent really is! This digital panel is at 1 p.m. today (Friday, Sept. 18).
Please register prior to the event at wichita.edu/odievents.
Our panelists will discuss the resources available to students at Wichita State University. This is an opportunity to ask anonymous questions around consent and learning about the importance of consent. We have a great lineup of panelists who will be part of this virtual panel. Hear from the following panelists:
Meredith Osborne, Campus Advocate, Wichita Area Sexual Assault Center (WASAC),
Ashlyn Riley, Student Services Coordinator, and
Sara Zafar, Title IX Coordinator.
This panel will be moderated by Dr. Selena Jackson.
For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034, diversity@wichita.edu, or go to wichita.edu/odi.
Bloomfield Distinguished Guest Artist, Damin Spritzer, performs in Wiedemann Hall
The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series welcomes distinguished guest artist Damin Spritzer in concert at the great Marcussen organ at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, in Wiedemann Hall. Contact the WSU Fine Arts Box Office for a ticket - 77 seats are available - or watch in our live stream on the WSU School of Music Facebook page.
Don't miss the "Conversation with the Artist" following intermission! The artist is interviewed onstage by Lynne Davis and gives details about her professional career and her program. Works by Bach, Grigny, Tournemire, and Howells.
Register for free Ulrich Virtual program on Tuesday featuring Midwest-based photographer Terry Evans
The Ulrich Museum of Art is excited to offer a free virtual program with Chicago-based artist and Kansas native Terry Evans at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22. Like all Ulrich Virtual programs, it is free and open to the public, but registration is required to get the Zoom link. Register here.
Evans is known for her photographs of the people and landscapes of rural America and the Great Plains, particularly her native Kansas. Her billboard in the Ulrich + Artists + You Community Billboard Project is currently on display at 1101 N. West Street in Wichita.
Celebrate International Day of Peace
Join the Office of Diversity and Inclusion for International Day of Peace and an event from noon-1 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21. Hear from Shana Stephens and Naquela Pack on wellness, being mindful, and harnessing peace.
International Day of Peace is an international event that is observed each year by nations all across the world. Register at wichita.edu/odievents.
The event is commemorated on the 21st of September each year. It is a day that was set aside by the General Assembly of the United Nations for everyone around the world to devote to keeping the peace, despite any differences they may have, as well as play a part in building a peace culture that will last for generations to come.
Take part in promoting the day with your home away from home. Learn more about International Day of Peace at internationaldayofpeace.org.
For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034, diversity@wichita.edu, or go to wichita.edu/odievents.
Join the Graduate School to discuss how COVID-19 is impacting the 21st century workplace
COVID-19 has upended the way we shop, attend classes, socialize, and do business. Join the Graduate School with presenter Dr. Carolyn Speer, Manager of Instructional Design and Technology, as we examine the ways that COVID has impacted the modern workplace and shifted the way we think about remote work from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, on Zoom.
For more information, go to visit the Graduate School's professional development schedule or request the meeting link here.
Be visible and proud on Bisexual Visibility Day
Bisexual Visibility Day will be observed Wednesday, Sept. 23. Visible identities and representation are important to your home away from home. Share your stories and photos with pride using the #BisexualandProud and #WSUDiversity on any social media platform you like. Tune into the Bisexuality and Beyond TEDxUCLA talk by Tania Israel at wichita.edu/odievents. Access the page by clicking on the event Bisexual Visibility Day.
More resources for the LGBTQ+ community can be found at wichita.edu/lgbtq. For questions, contact the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at 316-978-3034, diversity@wichita.edu, or go to wichita.edu/odievents.
Shocker Store Tent Sale
To celebrate the reopening of the Shocker Store’s Braeburn Square location, we’re having a Tent Sale so you can get some steals and deals on Shocker gear!
Join us in the parking lot outside our Braeburn Square location (4521 E. 21st St. N.) from noon-4 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19. See you there, Shockers!
Stay up-to-date on our Facebook event page.
Feeling hungry? Join us at Journey East Asian Grill!
Be one of the first two customers at Journey East Asian Grill located in Braeburn Square and receive a FREE Bowl. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. every day. Limit one free bowl per the first two customers per day.
Looking for Dental Care? Sept. 22 Tuesday Talks will discuss resources available to students
Our Tuesday Talks: Mini Wellness Fair Version continues at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22, on Facebook Live. Join Student Health, representatives from the AEGD program and the WSU Dental Hygiene Clinic for a conversation about the dental care resources available to WSU students.
Don't forget to subscribe to Student Health's YouTube channel! When we reach 100 subscribers, we'll enter you to win a prize.
Know an outstanding Shocker senior? Nominate them today!
WSU Homecoming Court nominations are open! Nominees must be a current undergraduate student with senior status and good academic standing as of spring 2020 and must not have previously been a Homecoming candidate. Individuals are welcome to self-nominate, or may be nominated by a WSU student, faculty or staff member.
Homecoming Court nominations will close Monday, Sept. 21.
Wichita State Homecoming will be held Oct. 19-26.
Click here to make a nomination.
Wanted: Volunteers to help with 2020 bicycle and pedestrian count event
Volunteers are needed to help manually count bicycle and pedestrian activity across 35 sites in the Wichita Metro area.
The annual event, sponsored by the Wichita Area Metropolitan Planning Organization will be held Sept. 24 and 26.
This important event relies heavily on the commitment of community volunteers to gather data about how our network of paths and lanes are being used.
According to Tricia Thomas, WAMPO Communication’s Manager:
“One of the greatest challenges facing the bicycle and pedestrian field is the lack of documentation on usage and demand. Without accurate and consistent demand and usage figures, it is difficult to measure the positive benefits of bicycle and pedestrian investments, especially when compared to the other transportation modes such as the private automobile.”
As such, this event is the only source for regional-scale bicycle and pedestrian data. The results of this data are then used to guide investments throughout the regional transportation system.
So please consider volunteering! This annual event is a real opportunity for local residents to become involved in a piece of the regional transportation planning process. As we know, bicycle and pedestrian investments stimulate the economy, public health, and the overall quality of life in a variety of ways. Communities that invest in these facilities inherently attract people and businesses so it’s good for everyone! Register to volunteer here!
Lock your car doors and protect your belongings
Wichita State police report that multiple cars have had things taken where students park late at night. All of those cars had been left unlocked.
Please lock your car doors, hide your belongings, put them in the trunk, or take your belongings with you.
Don’t give a thief an opportunity to make you a victim. The WSU PD takes great pride in keeping the campus safe, but we need your help to accomplish that.
Please, if you see something, say something!
Study Abroad Webinar: Semester Exchange Programs
Want to learn more about study abroad programs? Join us for our second webinar to hear about our semester exchange programs. We will provide an overview of our exchange partner universities and how students can apply for a semester or yearlong study abroad program. During the webinar, we will highlight a few exchange programs and also discuss how to apply for scholarships. Be entered for a chance to win a $500 scholarship by attending a webinar or double your chances by attending two.
Register for webinars at wichita.edu/studyabroadwebinars.