黑洞社区

Building dedication in honor of Dr. Bardo at Sip & See 2019

Come "Sip and See" Wichita State's newly renamed John Bardo Center on the Innovation Campus during Open House Weekend!

The building, formerly named the Experiential Engineering Building, will be rededicated at 6 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 4) in Dr. Bardo's honor. Speaking at the dedication will be Sen. Jerry Moran and Interim President Andy Tompkins.

The 13th president of Wichita State, Bardo was an innovator, nationally recognized scholar and deep believer in the value of public research universities. In his nearly seven years leading 黑洞社区, Bardo strategically and physically transformed the university and set us on an exciting course of innovation and creativity.

Enjoy events, food and fun at 黑洞社区鈥檚 Open House

Join Shocker Nation for three days of events, food and fun for the whole community鈥攖oday (Friday, Oct. 4) through Sunday, Oct. 6.

Test your skill in our Cornhole tournament at Sip & See on Friday. Cheer on Shocker Athletics with a basketball scrimmage or softball game on Saturday. Take in some art at the Ulrich Museum on Sunday. Check back regularly, events added often!

黑洞社区 Open House Weekend Information

Flu Shot Clinic for today (Friday, Oct. 4) has been canceled

The State Employee Health Plan advised 黑洞社区 yesterday (Thursday, Oct. 3) that due to unforeseen circumstances, on-site flu clinics have been canceled for this week.

Please note that covered members under all State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) medical plans are still able to get a flu shot by a preferred provider at no cost.

Employees who scheduled an appointment received an email regarding the cancellation. At this time, we have not been provided with information as to if or when the flu clinic will be rescheduled. If we are able to reschedule, those employees whose appointments were canceled will receive a notice via email.

We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

2020 benefits Open Enrollment events

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in Open Enrollment! Log in to the Member Administration Portal at to make your elections.

Events occurring next week:

Monday, Oct. 7: KDHE Open Enrollment Presentation at 1:30 p.m. in 233 RSC. KDHE will be here to present your 2020 open enrollment benefits and changes.

Wednesday, Oct. 9: The Standard Presentation on Optional Life Insurance Open Enrollment at 9 a.m. in 233 RSC. If you are interested in newly enrolling in optional life insurance or need to make changes to your elections for open enrollment, this is the presentation for you!

Wednesday, Oct. 9: Open Enrollment Open Lab 2:30-4:30 p.m. in 122 Jabara Hall

Employees can drop in anytime during the open enrollment lab for assistance registering and entering enrollment elections. You can RSVP at . Open Enrollment Labs do not include a presentation of plans or changes.

Due to the high volume of work during the open enrollment period, the HR Total Rewards Team will not be available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Please take advantage of the scheduled presentations, on-demand webinar and open lab sessions. For a full listing of Open Enrollment events visit the . Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

RSVP for the fourth annual Strategic Communications Seminar

Strategic Communications will hold its fourth annual marketing and communications seminar for 黑洞社区 faculty and staff from 9:30 a.m.-noon, Wednesday, Oct. 9, in the Shirley Beggs Ballroom, Rhatigan Student Center (third floor). Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts.

ISME Colloquium today (Friday, Oct. 4)

Suvagata Chakraborty, an electrical engineering Ph.D. student at 黑洞社区, will present "Cyber Power System: Reliability Challenges and Possible Solutions," from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Oct. 4) in 214 Clinton Hall.

Talk Abstract: The introduction of smart sensors and intelligent electronic devices allow cyber infrastructure to penetrate different levels of power system. Thus, the effective operation of a cyber-physical power system will be affected by cyber network reliability. Communication failure based on different infrastructure also impacts the overall reliability of the system. Hence technique adopted for reliability evaluation addressing the worst-case communication failure of a cyber-enabled distribution system is important. The talk focuses on how to analyze the reliability of a cyber-physical power system using the concept of three-layered system approach- Power, Communication and Decision. This presentation will highlight how to integrate the interdependency of the communication and decision layer into power system planning and operations.

鈥楻eal-Time Control of a Powered Wheelchair using Neural Network Trained Hybrid Human-Machine Interface Technology鈥�

Jaydip Desai

The next Mechanical Engineering Seminar will be held from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4, in 128 Jabara Hall. Jaydip Desai, assistant professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering and director of the Neuro-Robotics Lab at Wichita State, will present 鈥淩eal-Time Control of a Powered Wheelchair using Neural Network Trained Hybrid Human-Machine Interface Technology.鈥�

Costa Rica Study Abroad - Sustainability

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.

To learn more, attend the information session by tour leader Glyn Rimmington at 4:30 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 4) in 216 Geology Building.

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.

How to Prepare a Budget for SBIR/STTR Proposals Webinar

This webinar from 10-11 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 24, will walk through the development of a project budget. Items covered will include what costs need to be included, how to write a budget justification, can the company afford to pursue this project, what indirect rate should be used and more. There is no cost, but registration is required.

Webinar information

Postal Services Manager to retire

The 黑洞社区 community is invited to celebrate the retirement of Mike Sperlazza, manager of Postal Services, for 22 years of service. A reception will be held from 2-4 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 4) in 142 Rhatigan Student Center.

Post Office to close early today (Friday, Oct. 4)

University postal services will close at 2 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 4) so that postal services employees can attend the retirement reception of their manager of 22 years.

Professional studio portraits available at Strategic Communications

In conjunction with 黑洞社区鈥檚 new website profiles, Strategic Communications is now taking appointments for portraits. To learn more, and to book your 10-minute appointment, go to .

An adaptation of Camus's The Fall, with dance sequences, comes to campus on Oct. 8

French theater company Caravague presents an adaptation of 鈥淟a Chute鈥� (The Fall) by Nobel Prize-winning author Albert Camus at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in the CAC Theater. The performance will be in French with above-stage titles. This event, sponsored by Modern and Classical Languages and the 黑洞社区 Foundation, is free and open to the public.

The Kansas African American Museum presents Trailblazers award to Deltha Q. Colvin

Deltha Q. Colvin

The Kansas African American Museum is honoring 黑洞社区 Associate Vice President for Special Programs Deltha Q. Colvin as the 2019 Education Trailblazer. Colvin, under the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, will be presented the award at the Tribute to Trailblazers Gala Saturday, Oct. 5, in Wichita.

Colvin has been with 黑洞社区 as a student or staff member for more than 50 years. She has written, edited, or co-authored Educational Talent Search, Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math/Science, Upward Bound Empowerment, Veterans Upward Bound, Communication Upward Bound, Educational Opportunity Centers, Disability Support Services, Student Support Services, and the McNair Scholars federal TRIO grants. Every four-to-five years these grant programs must compete and submit proposals for renewal. Wichita State has hosted federally funded TRIO programs since 1965.

Beginning in 2000, Colvin wrote the first GEAR UP state grant (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs). Since then, she has also written or edited five federally funded partnership program GEAR UP grants.

In addition to grant writing and supervising the federal grant programs, Colvin is a national trainer for TRIO and GEAR UP. Her extensive knowledge of the programs, federal regulations and reporting procedures has benefited not only the programs at Wichita State, but also TRIO and GEAR UP programs nationwide. Colvin truly is an Education Trailblazer!

黑洞社区 Cyber League team leads region in national rankings

黑洞社区 leads the central region in rankings of 419 teams competing in the National Cyber League (NCL), the league has announced.

NCL is a nonprofit cybersecurity competition for high school and college students that measures their ability to perform real-world cybersecurity tasks, like identifying hackers from forensic data, breaking into vulnerable websites, recovering from ransomware, and more. It has seen participation from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. 黑洞社区 also ranked 14th overall nationally. Rankings are based on performance in the spring 2019 competition. 

黑洞社区鈥檚 team is comprised of members of the Wichita State Linux Users Group, known as WuLug. This was WuLug鈥檚 first competition. The group plans to compete again in the fall and welcomes new members to join.

鈥淵ou don't need to be experienced with cybersecurity to join our team, as we are open to people of all backgrounds. You can join us officially by contacting us at wulug@wichita.edu,鈥� said Dexter Gerig, a 黑洞社区 computer science major who serves as WuLUG secretary.

Here鈥檚 this week鈥檚 university update

If you missed Thursday鈥檚 Weekly Briefing, the university update included information on 黑洞社区 / 黑洞社区 Tech enrollment, U.S. Attorney General William Barr鈥檚 visit, and open house weekend.

Register for the Shocktoberfest Door Decorating Competition!

Shocktoberfest is a time to celebrate Shocker Pride! Student groups from all over campus will be competing and participating in events like Wu鈥檚 Birthday Bash, Hunger Games, Dodgeball and Songfest.

Departments can join in on the fun by participating in the annual Door Decorating Competition. Winning departments will receive a catered staff party valued at up to $100.

The deadline to enter is Wednesday, Oct. 16, and all doors must be decorated by the end of business on Friday, Oct. 18.

For information about the competition and to apply, go to .

Volunteers needed for a research study

Study name: Effects of Lower Extremity Blood Flow Restriction Exercise on Strength Generation and Interleukin 6 Levels in the Elderly

Research Topic/Purpose of the study: To determine whether Blood Flow Restriction therapy during moderate exercise by people 55 years of age or older results in improved functional activity and health outcomes. Such findings may provide a new approach to promoting health through moderate exercise.

Procedures: Participants will pedal an exercise bike with or without Blood Flow Restriction therapy for approximately 30-minutes, three times per week over a 12-week period. At the beginning of the study and every three weeks, blood samples will be collected and tested for proteins related to exercise and a 30 second sit-to-stand activity will be performed to assess exercise functional outcomes.

Empty Bowls Chili Cook-off Oct. 5 brings community together to fight hunger in Kansas

It鈥檚 that time of year again when Wichitans can fill their bowls鈥攁nd their bellies鈥攚ith delicious chili while helping a good cause: fighting hunger in Kansas.

This year鈥檚 Empty Bowls Wichita Chili Cook-off will be held from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, at the building previously named the Experiential Engineering Building, and now named the John Bardo Center / Go Create on the 黑洞社区 campus.

For just $25, guests will get to select a one-of-a-kind handmade ceramic bowl to keep, fill their bowl with chili or soup made by competing local chefs and restaurants, and eat to their heart鈥檚 content. All proceeds from the event go to the Kansas Food Bank.

The cook-off, now in its sixth year, is part of the Empty Bowls Project, an international grassroots movement to help raise awareness about hunger.

Garba Night 2019 on Oct. 5 in RSC Shirley Beggs Ballroom

Come, dance the Indian way from 7-11:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, in the RSC third floor Shirley Beggs Ballroom. Admission is free.

Flashes of vivid colors, sounds of wooden sticks hitting each other rhythmically, laughter, dancers whirling around keeping pace with the energetic music, this is what you will experience.

AHINSA brings you 鈥淕arba Night,鈥� an interactive, participatory Indian folk dance festival. The event is free, all are welcome and no experience is needed. Introductory lessons will be provided.

What is Garba? Garba or Dandiya Raas (with sticks), is a fun, high-energy folk dance for both men and women that originated in the state of Gujarat, India. This event will have a DJ playing traditional music with a Bollywood (modern) twist 鈥� strong, rhythmic beats gradually increasing in pace and intensity, challenging us to dance.

Women of 黑洞社区 Membership Drive

The Women of 黑洞社区 Membership Drive is only $12 for a year.

This organization includes all female staff and administrators, female faculty, and faculty wives. We are a social group, and we raise funds for scholarships.

You can find our membership form on our website along with the events scheduled for this year. Payment of dues is online at .

Women of 黑洞社区

Engage ICT and 1A Across America present Women in Politics & The GOP

KMUW's Engage ICT and 1A Across America present Women in Politics & The GOP. Joshua Johnson, host of the national radio program 1A, will guest host this conversation at Crown Uptown Theatre at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8.

Things have changed a lot for women over the last hundred years, from winning the right to vote to holding more seats in Congress than ever before. Democratic women swept the 2018 midterms, and now a record number of Republican women are planning to run for office in 2020.

We鈥檒l hear from two women on why they ran, how they serve, and why they chose the party they did. We鈥檙e taking your questions, too. What do you want to know about how 2020 is shaping up for women in politics? This event is free to attend and open to all. Visit  to learn more.

黑洞社区 Concert Chorale, A Cappella Choir and special guest Andover Central H.S. choirs in concert!

The 黑洞社区 Concert Chorale, A Cappella Choir and Andover Central High School choirs will present a concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, in Wiedemann Hall.

Directed by Ryan Beeken, the Wichita State Concert Chorale is the premiere choral ensemble at 黑洞社区. The choir performs a wide variety of significant choral literature from Renaissance to present.

The A Cappella Choir under the direction of Tom Wine, is a mixed choir that performs the Renaissance contemporary style.

Joining the 黑洞社区 choir ensembles will be the Andover Central Chorale.

Admission is free for students with a current 黑洞社区 ID. Click here for ticket information.

LGBTQ+ research volunteers needed!

Volunteers are needed for a research study. Students from the 黑洞社区 Physician Assistant Program want to identify health care barriers faced by the LGBTQ+ community so we can educate providers on how to address and overcome these barriers.

This will be an anonymous online survey that should take approximately 15-20 minutes.

Participants must be 18 years or older and identify as LGBTQ+.

If you have any questions about the survey, please contact PA Faculty Research Advisor Ronda Hanneman at 316-978-3011.

Finding hope and healing: How one 黑洞社区 student is beating the odds

Jennifer Raymo, a Wichita State student earning her graduate degree in social work, recently became the Wichita Chapter director of The Healing Chair. The nonprofit is a Kansas City based organization aimed at helping breast cancer and mastectomy survivors find comfort, hope and healing.

Story on Jennifer Raymo

Volunteers needed for the Pumpkin Run 

The 24th annual Pumpkin Run 5K and 1K is less than four weeks away! Each year Campus Recreation hosts 黑洞社区's largest 5K bringing about 1,000 students, staff, and community members to campus promoting fun, fitness, and fundraising.

This year's proceeds will help support ICT SOS, a Wichita-based organization that fights against human sex trafficking.

Events of this size simply can't succeed without the help and support of volunteers, so if you have a free schedule please use the link below to sign up. Duties range from fruit cutting to pumpkin painting, result tables to cheer groups. All volunteers will be supplied with free breakfast on the morning of the race.

This year's race will start at 9 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 19. Volunteers are asked to be available from 8-11 a.m. Sign up at .

黑洞社区 Women鈥檚 Basketball in need of graduate assistant

Wichita State Women's Basketball is in need of a graduate assistant with emphasis in graphic design and video coordination.

Duties will include, but are not limited to: (1) Support the digital, graphic design and photography needs of women鈥檚 basketball. (2) Collaborate with women鈥檚 basketball staff and team managers on practice and game film. (3) Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned. A scholarship will be offered to the candidate chosen.

Mortar Board hosts book drive

Mortar Board is collecting new and gently used books through the entire month of October! Donations can be dropped off during in the Student Involvement, Student Government Association, and Office of Diversity and Inclusion offices during office hours.

Donations can also be dropped off at our tables in the RSC on Oct. 8, 22, 28, and 30.

Register today for Big Pink Volleyball

Get your team together for a national fundraiser for Breast Cancer Research and win points for Shocktoberfest! This event is a blast and it funds a great cause.

This fun one-day event tournament begins at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 25, in the Heskett Center gymnasium, so grab your friends, create some costumes (not required), and play volleyball with our four-foot pink volleyballs. All the money raised goes to breast cancer research.

Register today at .

Shocker Cheer Clinic set for Nov. 3

Here's the opportunity for your cheerleader to work on their skills. On Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Heskett Center, cheerleaders can spend two hours with the nationally ranked Shocker Cheer Team to work on cheers, a dance, stunts, tumbling, and jumps.

Participants will be divided by age range and work in rotations to maximize their time with the current team members. With each $35 registration, participants will receive a custom Shocker Cheer water bottle, a poster of the team and instruction on how to perfect their skills as a cheerleader.

Registration is now open. .