Honors Community News
WHEAT Halloween Party Oct.30
Join WHEAT for pumpkin painting, games, a movie, and lots of candy. Costumes are optional, but there will be a costume competition.
Honors Alumnus Christopher McHugh to Speak at Wichita Space Initiative Lecture Series
In 1969, the United States met the impossible challenge leveled by President John.
F. Kennedy eight years earlier, to land a man on the moon and return him safely to
earth. The heroism of the moment culminated in Neil Armstrong’s collection of the
first lunar rocks into the Apollo 11 Lunar Sample Contingency bag. Embodying the self-sacrifice,
courage, ingenuity and fortitude of an entire nation, the Lunar Contingency bag was
the ultimate trophy for the winner of the space race. It was like the Lombardi trophy,
the Stanley Cup, and every Olympic Gold Medal, all rolled up into one and multiplied
by a thousand...and NASA lost it! This is the story of the Chicago woman who found
it almost 50 years later, and her battle with NASA over a national treasure. Chris
McHugh is a litigation attorney at Joseph Hollander & Craft in Kansas City. He represents
clients all over the country in all types of litigation matters from criminal cases
to $100 million business disputes. Chris was born and raised in Wichita. He graduated
from WSU in 1997 and is still involved on campus as a member of the WSU Cohen Honors
College Advisory Board.
Honors Faculty in the News
Congratulations to Noell Birondo, associate professor of philosophy, who accepted an invitation to be a visiting researcher for three months during the 2020 spring semester at the Institute for Philosophical Research, National Autonomous University of Mexico. Birondo will continue his research on the influence of European colonialism and specifically the European encounter with the Americas on our conception of the moral virtues.
Neal Allen, chair of the political science department, signed on “Fix the Court,” a national advocacy group for judicial reform. The group released an open letter from scholars of Constitutional Law that calls for reform on supreme court limits. Read the article.
Allen and three of his students were quoted in an article on KAKE. The article discusses reactions to the impeachment inquiry. Read the article.
Honors College Students Research Variable Stars for International Project
Ivy Daugherty works each summer at a YMCA camp near Emporia. Her favorite time is
the weekly camp-out at night, when the Kansas sky opens, the galaxy is on display
and she can tell stories.
“It really impresses the kids … when you’re pointing out the Big Dipper and they’re in so much awe that you know all of this stuff about space,” Ivy said. “I’ve always thought stars were cool.”
Daugherty, a sophomore secondary physics education major, is one of four Dorothy & Bill Cohen Honors College students taking part in an international astronomy research program this semester. The program involves a remote observing research project using several remotely controlled telescopes to study variable stars to determine galactic distances.
Most stars don’t change their brightness. Those that do are called “variable.” Their luminosity varies, in most cases, because of an object passing by or because they pulsate.
The group meets each Wednesday under the direction of Honors College professor Martin Ratcliffe. One of their earliest tasks was to choose a variable star, from hundreds of possibilities, to study. The students follow the process that a scientist follows in constructing, analyzing, interpreting, writing and publishing their work. The project is designed to give the students “an experience of the essence of the scientific endeavor while contributing to the actual scientific literature.”
Read full WSU News Story by Paul Suellentrop
Costa Rica Travel Seminar
Take advantage of this opportunity to travel and learn more about sustainability and culture in a country with high biodiversity and wilderness conservation. This tour will last nine days during the summer pre-session of 2020, and you can select your choice of geology, Honors College or Spanish courses for one or three credit hours. The tour will be organized by EF College Study Tours.
For more information, contact glyn.rimmington@wichita.edu or call 978-6140 Geology Department, or email ann.burger@wichita.edu or call 978-5374, Study Abroad Office.
Campus News
Get Ready for this Year's Trunk or Treat!
Looking for a spooktacular and safe alternative to trick or treating? Have an unboolievably good time with trick or treating, crafts, concessions, a costume contest, and more exciting interactive activities! This fangtastic Halloween-themed event is open to everyone from 1-4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 19) in Braeburn Square.
Transition Mentor Applications now Open
First-Year Programs in Student Success is seeking nominations for next year’s transition mentor staff! We are looking for exceptional students who are passionate about WSU and want to help welcome new students to our campus.
Transition Mentors are responsible for transitioning students to WSU beginning in the summer with orientation, and mentoring new freshmen throughout the fall semester.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to make nominations now through Wednesday, Oct. 30, at www.wichita.edu/TM or email Shareika Fisher at shareika.fisher@wichita.edu.
All Students Invited to a Mock Law Class by Prof. Bill Rich, Washburn Law School
Interested in law or public policy? Just want to learn more about the second amendment? Students are invited to a mock class by Professor Bill Rich, Washburn Law School, Thursday, October 31st 12:30 – 1:30pm in RSC 261. Topic: "The Second Amendment: Which Guns, When and Where?"
Dr. Rich has provided readings to serve as background material for the class. Please note that you are welcome to attend the class even if you are unable to study the material beforehand.
The Fourth Annual Ad Astra Conference for First-Generation Students Oct.25-26
This conference is a two-day event where first-generation college students across the state meet each other, share common challenges and opportunities and get information about how to better understand the college experience and society.
This year's conference will focus on topics such as imposter syndrome, using your strengths for success, developing soft skills, and the importance of the advising relationship, among others. It will include a game night, fashion show and other interactive networking sessions.
Important Spring 2020 Registration Information
- Honors students receive priority registration and will be able to enroll on the first day. The below types of students have mandatory advising and will not be able to enroll without having met with an advisor. We will not be able to clear these students for registration – this must be done in their respective areas.
- Students in their first year
You have already received an email invitation to schedule an appointment with your First Year Advisor. If you haven’t already scheduled please check your email. If you can’t find the link email onestop@wichita.edu to have it resent to you. If you have a large number of credit hours you may want to meet with an advisor in your area of study as well. They will not be able to clear you to register but they can review the schedule you have worked out with your First Year Advisor and an offer additional advice. - Engineering majors
o Please visit this link to find the contact information for your specific major.
(link for sentence above) https://www.wichita.edu/academics/engineering/essc/advising/Student_Success_Advisors.php - Fine Arts majors
o Please call 978-6634 Option #2 or cfa.advisor@wichita.edu to schedule.
For students who aren’t required to meet with an advisor – you should do it anyway. The advisor will verify your plans for next semester are working towards graduation and let you know of changes that may have happened in your area of study since your last meeting which may benefit you.
Pre-Med majors should be meet with a Liberal Arts & Sciences (LAS) pre-Med advisor at least once year, including those with majors in non-LAS colleges. These advisors spend time reading and learning about what medical, dental, optometry schools etc. are looking for in successful applicants. Email las.advisor@wichita.edu or call (978) 3700 Option #2 to schedule.
Students with graduate plans in Health Professions (HP) such as Physical Therapy and Physician Assistant should meet with an advisor in Health Professions at least once a year. These advisors stay in contact with these graduate programs and can let you know of changes in coursework or experience requirements. Email Chp.Advisor@wichita.edu or call (978) 3304 Option #2.
For Honors Advising please email Honors@wichita.edu or Jessica.Raburn@wichita.edu to set up a time.
Soon, there will be a new way to schedule advising appointments for all advisors. Online scheduling will be available on the Home tab of your MyWSU account. It will be located under the Student Tools section by the Request a Tutor link. It will function in the same way the online scheduling works for tutoring now. Information and instructions will be coming out in Shocker Blast once it has gone live.
Volunteers Needed for STEM Outreach Event on Campus
Are you looking for a way to share your excitement for STEM careers with the next
generation? Do you want to engage with STEM professionals from on and off-campus while
inspiring the next generation of women in STEM?
Sign up for WSU’s 7th annual Expanding Your Horizons STEM conference for middle school
girls from 8:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26.
T-shirt and lunch provided to all volunteers.
Sign up to volunteer here: https://forms.gle/v89BzNys3QUKSjRm6
For questions, email moriah.beck@wichita.edu.
Honors Office News
Advising Appointment Protocol
To schedule an Honors Advising Appointment email Honors@wichita.edu or Jessica.Raburn@wichita.edu. If you happen to be in the Honors College or nearby when a question occurs to you, please feel free to stop by to see if the Honors Academic Advisor can visit with you immediately.
-Jessica Raburn, Assistant Director and Academic Advisor
Office Hours - Dean Engber
Walk-Ins: Thursday, 1:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.
By Appointment: email honors@wichita.edu.
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