Shocker Blast: Oct. 31, 2018

 

International Thanksgiving Dinner to be held Tuesday, Nov. 13

Thanksgiving Dinner Nov. 13, 2018

黑洞社区 students are invited to the third annual International Thanksgiving Dinner at 黑洞社区 from 6:30-9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, in 142 Rhatigan Student Center.

Please come and gather around the table for traditional foods, activities and thanksgiving. The first 60 guests will enjoy a traditional meal of turkey, cranberry salad, mashed potatoes and gravy, green bean casserole, corn, rolls and pumpkin / apple pie. This is available on a first- come, first-served basis.

For more information, go to .


Alternative Spring Break informational meetings

Alternative Spring Break 2019

Alternative Spring Break will expose 黑洞社区 students to complex social and cultural issues through community visits, experiential learning, direct service, group discussion, common readings and reflection activities.

This year we are offering two trips dedicated to service-learning in two different focuses. The first trip will be to Washington, D.C., exploring hunger and homelessness in our nation's capital.

The second trip will be to Houston, focusing on long term disaster recovery post Hurricane Harvey.

Informational meetings will be held from noon-1 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5, in 262 RSC, and 5:30-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 15, in 142 RSC. Pick up an application in person at Student Involvement in 216 Rhatigan Student Center, or go to wichita.edu/springbreak to download a copy. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.


Nov. 1 Town Hall to feature the value of a liberal arts and sciences education 

Town Hall Nov. 1, 2018

Come to the Town Hall at 3 p.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 1) in the CAC Theater for Fairmount College's town hall dedicated entirely to discussing the value of a liberal arts and sciences education.

The participants include Robert Litan, a nonresident senior fellow at Brookings Institution, as moderator.

Panelists are:

  • Jean Griffith, associate professor, department of English, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
  • Debbie Haynes, retired family physician and chair of the 黑洞社区 Foundation Board
  • Eric F. Melgren, United States District Judge, District of Kansas
  • Jay Price, professor and chair, Department of History, Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences 

The last 15 minutes of the program will be open to audience questions. A wine and cheese reception will take place after the town hall.

Please encourage your students to attend; you might consider awarding extra credit for their attendance. This event is also open to the public.


Graduate School Professional Development Series event tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 1)

Grad School event on Nov. 1, 2018

The Graduate School Professional Development Series will present Career Chats for International Students from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in 266 RSC. The event is co-sponsored by Career Development Center and the Graduate School.

Presenters include AccuWeather Enterprise Solutions, Airbus, Case New Holland, Johnson Controls, NetApp and Northwestern Mutual

International students - are you ready for the workforce 鈥 but missing that polish? Are you building a professional network? Come to this face-to-face interactive session and receive career tips from Wichita area employers.


Opera Theater to present 鈥楽treet Scene'

Street Scene November 2018

黑洞社区 Opera Theater will present Kurt Weill's 鈥淪treet Scene鈥 in semi-staged concert performances at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2 and 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 4, in Miller Concert Hall, Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

黑洞社区 Opera Theater is under the direction of Alan Held. The 黑洞社区 Orchestra, conducted by Mark Laycock, will lead this great piece of opera-music theater.  

鈥淪treet Scene鈥 is a dramatic portrayal of life on the gritty streets of New York. Much humor surrounds the tragic and exciting plot line. The work includes some of Weill's greatest writing with wonderful arias, great ensembles and fabulous chorus numbers.  

For tickets, call 978-3233 or go to  free 黑洞社区 student ticket.


Wichita State business school dean to retire

Anand Desai

Anand Desai

W. Frank Barton School of Business Dean Anand Desai has announced plans to retire from 黑洞社区 on Aug. 17, 2019. This date marks 25 years of service in higher education in the Kansas Board of Regents System. Desai has been dean since 2015. Prior to becoming dean, Desai was associate dean and associate professor in the College of Business Administration at Kansas State University.

Provost Rick Muma will work with the college faculty and staff to conduct a national search so that the next dean is in place prior to his departure. Shirley Lefever, dean of the College of Applied Studies, will chair the search.

"Dean Desai has made a tremendous amount of progress in the Business School by growing enrollment, launching several new academic programs, and most importantly, raising nearly $30 million for the school's replacement facility known as Woolsey Hall," said Muma. "Anand has been a great colleague and he will be missed. We wish him well in the next chapter of his life."

"I am most proud of my service at Wichita State,鈥 says Desai. 鈥淲orking together with business school faculty and staff and academic leaders across campus, we have made progress in the following key areas:

  • Launching the Professional Edge program for business students, a career development program supported by Meritrust Credit Union at no cost to students.
  • Launching several new academic programs in supply chain management, human resource management, and data analytics.
  • Successfully securing private funding for the Institute for the Study of Economic Growth and the new Barton School facility.

    "I am proud to be associated with 黑洞社区 and will reflect fondly on my time here," said Desai.

LeaderShape application deadline is today (Wednesday, Oct. 31)

黑洞社区 will host our second session of LeaderShape, a six-day experience that challenges participant to lead with integrity. This is a nationally recognized organization that facilitates participants through a series of dynamic, challenging and exciting sessions designed to increase, develop and launch the leadership capacity of students. This experience will not only benefit you individually, but professionally and the communities / organizations you go on to lead and serve in the future.

Participants will cultivate leadership skills, reflect and discuss leadership lessons within a small cohort or cluster of students. LeaderShape will be held at Rock Springs 4-H Center in Junction City, Kansas, from January 13-18, 2019.

Apply at by today (Wednesday, Oct. 31). An application is considered complete with $50 cash deposit to Student Involvement in 216 RSC.

For questions or more information contact Kennedy Rogers at kennedy.rogers@wichita.edu or call 978-3022.


黑洞社区 Weekly Briefing to feature presentation on Spirit AeroSystems expanding footprint at Wichita State

Weekly Briefing

The expanding footprint of Spirit AeroSystems in the Partnership 2 building at Wichita State University will be featured in the 黑洞社区 Weekly Briefing at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Thursday, Nov. 1) in the Marcus Welcome Center.

Kevin Harrison, community engagement coordinator, Diversity and Community Engagement, will give the overall university update.

The briefing will be livestreamed and available later that day at . There will be time for questions at the end of the briefing.


Wanted: Undergraduate research assistants to help with research projects

Recruiting undergrad research assistants

The Visual Perception and Cognition Lab is recruiting undergraduate research assistants of all majors to assist with research projects and recruit and run participants. Students will gain experience in a psychology lab necessary for graduate school no matter what their major, but computer science, engineering, and media and art students may have specific tasks. 

Computer science majors will be programming using Python, C++, or Unreal Engine to help on a variety of projects. 

Mechanical engineering students should be handy with mechanical devices and could help to set up experimental devices. 

Electrical engineering students familiar with electronic devices could help modify these devices. 

Media and Art students who are skilled in creating computer generated 3D models and characters, could help with generating assets for our virtual reality environments.

If you are interested in becoming a research assistant, email Dr. Rui Ni at rui.ni@wichita.edu.


Virtual U.S. Patent and Trademark Office workshop in Ablah Library

IP for Beginners Nov. 2, 2018

University Libraries is hosting a virtual U.S. Patent and Trademark Office workshop, 鈥淚ntellectual Property for Beginners: Design Patents鈥 from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in 204 Ablah Library.

Part II in the series will give a more in-depth overview on design patents, as well as how and when an entrepreneur or business might consider applying for a design patent as opposed to, or in addition to, a utility patent.

To RSVP to this event and other workshops for inventors and entrepreneurs, visit  


Learn about the Wichita Space Initiative at 黑洞社区

Wichita Space Initiative

Did you know that 黑洞社区 is home to leading, internationally-recognized space exploration researchers hailing from a diverse array of academic departments, including aerospace engineering, physics, biological sciences, human performance studies and philosophy?  

The Wichita Space Initiative has been created to advance space exploration and space research at 黑洞社区. The WSI provides a platform for highlighting and promoting space research conducted by 黑洞社区 faculty and students. It is also a resource for current and prospective students to learn more about space at 黑洞社区, and contains information about 黑洞社区 courses on space, scholarship and internship opportunities, as well as space-themed student organizations.

Visit the WSI website (wichita.edu/space) to learn more. You can also follow WSI on Facebook at .

If you have space-related news to share -- such as presentations, publications and local events -- the WSI would love to hear about it. Email inquiries to james.schwartz@wichita.edu.


Pee for Pizza Halloween

Pee for Pizza Halloween

Getting tested for STIs doesn't need to be spooky! Stop by from 1-4 p.m. today (Wednesday, Oct. 31) in 209 Ahlberg Hall, to receive free testing for STIs and free pizza.


Purchase your ticket to Drag Show on Friday, Nov. 2

Drag Show Nov. 2, 2018

The Drag Show is back for its 9th year, and the queens and kings are better than ever! Don't miss your opportunity to witness all of the sass, style and sexy from local, regional and student Kings and Queens as well as our featured national entertainer: Blair St. Clair from RuPaul's Drag Race Season 10! The show for mature audiences, will be held at 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, in the CAC Theater.

Pre-sale tickets are available in Student Involvement, 216 Rhatigan Student Center now until the day of the show. Tickets are free to 黑洞社区 students with 黑洞社区ID, $8 for 黑洞社区 faculty / staff, and $10 general admission. A limited number of pre-sale tickets are available so don't wait to get yours! Cash or check only.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. for pre-sale ticket holders and 7 p.m. for non-ticket holders. At least 100 tickets will be sold at the door at the same rates on a first-come, first-served basis.

A meet and greet with all of our Queens and Kings will be held at 6 p.m. for a select number of guests. Look for our information tables in the RSC and follow us on social media for a chance to win passes!

For more information about SAC-sponsored events, go to  or call 978-3022. 


Information session on summer 2019 program in France

Study Abroad in France summer 2019

Come learn more about our six-week summer 2019 program in France called Global Entrepreneurial Experience at our information session at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, in 256 RSC. More information about the program is also available on our website at:  Study Abroad in France summer 2019

Questions?  Ann Burger at 316-978-5374 or ann.burger@wichita.edu.


黑洞社区 to host panel discussion and film preview about Kansas as inspiration

Kansas panel discussion Nov. 3, 2018

The Department of History and Great Plains Studies Certificate Program at Wichita State will host a free and unique exploration of the Sunflower State at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 3, in 233 Rhatigan Student Center.

The discussion of the film 鈥淜ansas: An Eclogue鈥 will kick off with a panel discussion by noted experts in the topic. Jay M. Price from the Department of History will introduce the speakers before turning the discussion over to them. Panelists include Victoria Foth Sherry, Marci Penner and Kelly Kindscher. All three panelists have produced extensive work and have either featured Kansas in their creative endeavors or been shaped by their time in the state. 

This will be no ordinary panel discussion. This will be an exploration of how being on the ground creates a place to encounter a state often dismissed as 鈥渇lyover.鈥 In addition, filmmaker Patrick Ross will treat the audience to a trailer for the upcoming documentary 鈥淜ansas: An Eclogue.鈥 Following the screening, there will be time for audience Q&A.

Principal funding for the program is provided by Humanities Kansas, a nonprofit cultural organization connecting communities with history, traditions, and ideas to strengthen civic life. The Watkins Museum, in Lawrence, Kansas, is a partner in the presentation of this program series and the production of the documentary film.

The 黑洞社区 Department of History and the Great Plains Studies Certificate Program is proud to host this program and invites everyone with a love of Kansas and a curiosity about our fascinating state.


Country artist John King to perform at the Country Jam Kappa Gam

Kappa Kappa Gamma and John King

Kappa Kappa Gamma will host Country Jam Kappa Gam at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in the CAC Theater. Country artist John King will perform for Wichita State students. Tickets are $10 and proceeds will go to Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. T-shirts for the event are also available for $16.

Links for tickets and T-shirts are available in the Facebook event titled "Country Jam Kappa Gam." Contact a Kappa with any questions. We look forward to seeing you there!


Asian Student Conference to hold Date Auction on Friday, Nov. 9

Asian Student Conference Nov. 9, 2018

The Asian Student Conference will hold its annual Date Auction event at 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in the CAC Theater. Date Auction has been a tradition for more than 10 years and this will be the last.

Our theme this year is Happily Ever After to commemorate the ending of our tradition.


鈥業ntro to Excel' workshop coming Nov. 8

Library Workshop Nov. 8, 2018

University Libraries is holding the workshop "Intro to Excel鈥 from 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in 217 Ablah Library.

Learn how to create and navigate a basic spreadsheet in MS Excel 2013. Creating new pages and sheets, tool bar navigation, using math operators and formula functions, using many basic tools such as sorting, manipulating rows and columns, and cell formatting will be practiced in this introduction.

This is one in a series of Digital Literacy workshops to be held this semester, and is open to all 黑洞社区 students, faculty and staff. 

For more information about this workshop and others in the series, visit . To RSVP, visit . Seats are limited, so sign up today!


鈥楬ow Do I Write Papers in APA style?'

Library workshop Nov. 9, 2018

University Libraries is holding the workshop 鈥淗ow Do I Write Papers in APA Style?鈥 from noon-1:15 p.m. Friday, Nov. 9, in 217 Ablah Library.

Identify strategies to avoid plagiarism, and learn and practice using the American Psychological Association (APA) 6th edition style to write and format research papers and citation lists in this very helpful workshop!

This is one in a series of Savvy Researcher workshops this semester. The workshops in this series are open to 黑洞社区 students, faculty and staff.

For more information about this workshop and others in the series, visit . To RSVP, go to . Please encourage your students to sign up for workshops in this very helpful series!


KMUW will bring Kansas voices to national NPR audiences through '1A Across America' collaboration

1A Across America on KMUWKMUW announced recently that it will bring more stories from Kansas to the national audience of the daily weekday public radio program 1A through 1A Across America,鈥 a two-year collaborative effort. Leading up to the 2020 general elections, 1A Across America introduces a fresh model for strong community-based coverage of critical issues.

Supported by a $750,000 grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the 1A Across America project will be spearheaded by WAMU 88.5, Washington's NPR station and the station that produces 1A. During the course of two years, KMUW will be an editorial partner to WAMU. KMUW and five other public media stations will work closely with 1A's production team to source stories, conduct live broadcasts and events, produce collaborative content and elevate local journalism.

 "We're proud that KMUW is making the voices of Kansans count in this critical time across America," said Debra Fraser, KMUW general manager. "I think that these conversations will be constructive locally as we identify where we are going as a community as how to get there. Engagement will be a key part of everything moving forward."

WAMU selected the six partner public media stations, including KMUW, because of its deep community ties. Additionally, the participating stations represent a geographical and political cross-section of America. Through 1A Across America, the nuanced, diverse issues and concerns of the communities that KMUW covers will be brought to 1A's 3.6 million weekly listeners on 335 NPR stations.

"To host a truly national conversation, we must leverage our connections to the powerful grassroots network of public media stations around the country," said Andi McDaniel, senior director of content and news at WAMU. "1A Across America gives 1A the opportunity to uncover critical local conversations, tap into the original journalism taking place at partner public media stations like KMUW, and bring it forth to national audiences."