Design for Woolsey Hall is underway
Design for Woolsey Hall, the new building to house the W. Frank Barton School of Business, is underway! Researchers from the selected architectural team, GastingerWalker out of Kansas City + Gensler Chicago, will be on campus Monday, Oct. 28, to become more familiar with the current Barton School of Business facilities, observe how students, faculty, and staff move through campus, and learn about the types of spaces that most resonate with our community.
A poster session will be set up Monday afternoon in the RSC, and Monday afternoon through Wednesday afternoon in the lobby of Clinton Hall, to get feedback from faculty, staff, and students about the types of spaces and activities they hope to see in the new building. Please stop by and participate!
The architectural team was selected following interviews of a short list of firms provided by the State Building Advisory Commission. The selection committee consisted of staff from 黑洞社区 and the 黑洞社区 Foundation, as well as the Office of Facilities and Property Management and the Kansas Board of Regents.
2020 benefits Open Enrollment events 鈥� Final week!
2020 Open Enrollment is almost over! Log in to the Member Administration Portal at to make your elections.
All benefits-eligible state employees must make their 2020 elections by the deadline on October 31. Employees enrolled in medical coverage who do not make a new election will be defaulted into medical Plan N with a use-it-or-lose-it HRA.
Events occurring next week:
Tuesday, Oct. 29: HR Total Rewards Open Enrollment presentation at 9 a.m. in 142 RSC. Your Total Rewards team will be here to present your 2020 open enrollment benefits and changes. This is the final presentation so if you haven鈥檛 come to one yet, now is your chance!
Wednesday, Oct. 30: Open Enrollment Open Lab from 2:30-4:30 p.m. in 122 Jabara Hall
Thursday, Oct. 31: Open Enrollment Open Lab from 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 . Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.
The Ulrich Museum is hosting Future Now, showcasing research across campus
The Ulrich Museum of Art invites you to join us from 4-5 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25) for PechaKucha style presentations on campus-wide research. There will be four presenters who have seven minutes each. A reception is to follow. The event is free and open to the public.
Campus roads will be re-striped tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 26)
Weather permitting, the Facility Services Department will re-stripe center lines throughout campus from 7:30 a.m.-noon tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 26). Please use caution when driving around workers and their equipment.
Mathematics lecture today (Friday, Oct. 25)
Emily Evans from Brigham Young University will be the guest lecturer for the Lecture Series in the Mathematical Sciences at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25) in 372 Jabara Hall. Emily will present 鈥淔orce-based models of cell-extracellular interaction.鈥�
Please come for refreshments before the lecture at 2:30 p.m. in 353 Jabara Hall.
View the current Lecture Series schedule
Industry Professional Panel to be featured today (Friday, Oct. 25)
The Department of Industrial, Systems and Manufacturing Engineering will host an Industry Professional Panel at 3 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25) in 123 Wallace Hall. All are welcome to come and hear about some ways a degree in Industrial Engineering or Product Design and Manufacturing Engineering can translate to a career.
Check out the Door Decorating competition
Individuals and departments competed in the Shocktoberfest door decorating competition this week. The decorated doors are located in the RSC, Jardine Hall, Grace Wilkie Hall, the Media Resources Building, LIndquist, Shocker Hall, Brennan Hall, 黑洞社区 Old Town and Garvey International Center.
Pep Rally today (Friday, Oct. 25)
The entire community is invited to 黑洞社区 for a pep rally to celebrate
the upcoming season for the Shocker men's and women's basketball teams. The pep rally
is from 7-8 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25) at 黑洞社区's Braeburn Square, and is presented
by the 黑洞社区 Alumni Association.
The evening's events include:
- Appearances by the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as head coaches Gregg Marshall and Keitha Adams.
- Performances by the Shocker Spirit Squad and Shocker Sound
- iHeart Media will emcee the event and provide music. Don Guidas from B98 will emcee and Channel 96.3 will be on site live playing music.
- T-shirt giveaway
- 20% off total purchase at the Shocker Store (7 p.m.-event end; Braeburn Square location only) *some exclusions apply and not valid with other discounts or promotions
The event is free, and will be held along the side of the lake located behind Braeburn Square off of 21st Street at the public recreational area.
Come to the haunting at the Heskett
Join us tonight for a frightening good time at the Heskett Center. Take a walk through our haunted hallway, try your luck at the escape room, and nibble on some spooky snacks. Costume contest, movies and more from 9-11 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25).
Attend the Halloween ComicFest hosted by the University Library
Come celebrate Halloween with University Libraries at our Halloween ComicFest tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 26). We will have a variety of events happening throughout the day, including a a costume contest, a green screen photo booth, appearances by the 501st Legion, 3-D Printing Demonstrations, a screening of "House on Haunted Hill," a kids craft table, free comic books, and more.
This event is free and open to the public.
Weekly Briefing university update
At Thursday鈥檚 Weekly Briefing, information was shared about a pledge to America鈥檚 workers, composite materials handbook, president search, climate survey, President鈥檚 Club Celebration, Wichita State featured in the Wichita Business Journal, and a pep rally at Braeburn Square.
PLEDGE TO AMERICA鈥橲 WORKERS
Earlier today, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump visited Wichita. They first visited the 黑洞社区 Tech National Center for Aviation Training for a tour and roundtable.
Dr. Sheree Utash, President of 黑洞社区 Tech and Vice President of Workforce Development at 黑洞社区, is a member of the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board co-chaired by Ivanka Trump and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross.
After the roundtable, a group of Wichita-based aviation companies signed the Pledge to America鈥檚 Workers. The Pledge to America鈥檚 Workers is a White House initiative that boasts pledges from over 360 companies who have so far committed to over 14 million new or enhanced career and job training opportunities for American workers.
The Secretary and Advisor Trump visited Textron Aviation for a tour and meet and greet with Textron Aviation employees who have benefitted from Textron鈥檚 Pledge to America鈥檚 Workers commitment of 22,240 opportunities.
The Textron Aviation opportunities have been realized largely through the Aviation Pathway partnership with 黑洞社区 Tech. This program is a high school aviation curriculum, where students have the opportunity to receive their high school diploma and technical certificate in Aviation Production or Aviation Maintenance upon graduation.
COMPOSITE MATERIALS HANDBOOK 17
Around 175 people are meeting at Wichita State for the CMH-17 PMC Coordination Group Meetings, wrapping up today at the Rhatigan Student Center.
The group meetings give advanced materials users the chance to contribute to various topics and sections of the CMH-17 Handbook. The handbook is written in partnership with industry professionals every eight months.
The group meets in Wichita every three years; this is the first time at Wichita State. Attendees include representatives from groups and businesses, such as NASA, the U.S Air Force and Airbus, that use composites for manufacturing.
PRESIDENT SEARCH
The Presidential Search Committee, chaired by Steve Clark, completed its work last week by submitting three to five candidates for consideration by the Kansas Board of Regents.
The Board of Regents met Sunday and Monday to consider candidates.
No date has been set, but the Regents plan to hold a meeting at 黑洞社区 to confirm their selection and introduce the new President. The day, time and place for that event will be announced by the Regents and communicated in advance to students, faculty, staff and media.
CLIMATE SURVEY
Wichita State students, faculty, staff and administrators are encouraged to respond to the 2019 Climate Survey from the 黑洞社区 Office of Assessment.
This survey is intended to provide information to campus leaders, appropriate offices and initiatives, related to experiences and perceptions of the campus climate. The survey will examine both satisfaction and comfort with the current climate with diversity and equity as its lens.
The survey launched Tuesday, via e-mail to students, faculty and staff, and remains open for three weeks.
DAVID UNRUH HONORED AT PRESIDENT鈥橲 CLUB CELEBRATION
The President鈥檚 Club Celebration takes place tonight (Thursday). David Unruh will receive The Board of Trustees鈥� Award, given to a person who has made significant contributions to the vital and rewarding partnership that exists between 黑洞社区 and the community. The recipient is selected from worthy honorees nominated by a committee from the 黑洞社区 Board of Trustees and reviewed by the University鈥檚 President to select a candidate for final approval by the board.
As a member of the Sedgwick County Commission for 16 years, Dave Unruh dedicated himself to improving the quality of life for all residents. Early in his tenure, he recognized the important role 黑洞社区 plays in helping to create a vibrant community. He consistently supported initiatives to grow and strengthen the university, with one of his most notable accomplishments being to champion the partnership between 黑洞社区 and Wichita Area Technical School to create 黑洞社区 Tech.
WICHITA STATE FEATURED IN WICHITA BUSINESS JOURNAL
The Wichita Business Journal recently compiled a 鈥淏est of the 2010s鈥� list.
It included Wichita State鈥檚 men鈥檚 basketball success, the Innovation Campus and 黑洞社区 Tech鈥檚 rebranding and affiliation with Wichita State. The list of Wichita鈥檚 business, cultural and construction highlights also included Intrust Bank Arena, Eisenhower National Airport, the popularity of the Wichita flag and Cargill鈥檚 downtown relocation among the 18 items.
PEP RALLY FRIDAY AT BRAEBURN SQUARE
The entire community is invited to a pep rally to celebrate the upcoming season for the Shocker men's and women's basketball teams. The pep rally is from 7-8 p.m. Friday at 黑洞社区's Braeburn Square, and is presented by the 黑洞社区 Alumni Association.
The event includes appearances by the men's and women's basketball teams, as well as head coaches Gregg Marshall and Keitha Adams. The Shocker Spirit Squad and Shocker Sound will perform.
Become a free member of the Ulrich Museum of Art
The 黑洞社区's Ulrich Museum of Art offers a free membership. As a member, you receive invitations to exhibitions, programs and special events. Members have a free subscription to the biannual Ulrich Update and receive our bi-monthly e-newsletter.
In lieu of membership dues, we ask that you consider giving money through US Ulrich Sponsorships. To give, visit the Ulrich Sponsorship sidebar on our website.
Military and veterans celebration - register for free lunch!
The next Women of 黑洞社区 Luncheon, in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7, in 233 RSC. The luncheon will feature a potato bar for $12. Please RSVP on the website by Friday, Nov. 1.
All veterans and active duty service members are invited to attend and receive a free lunch! If you have served our country, we want to serve you. Women of 黑洞社区, in collaboration with the Division of Diversity and Community Engagement, invites you to lunch to thank you for your service. All veteran and active duty military staff will receive a complimentary lunch. We want to spotlight military and veteran service members, and request service members let us know the branch of service in which you served and send a photo to highlight your service in our presentation.
The featured presenter will be Marche Fleming-Randle, 黑洞社区 Vice President for Diversity and Community Engagement. She will deliver a motivational / inspirational speech titled 鈥淭he Home of the Free: Because of the Brave!鈥�
Please send your photo to Deanna Carrithers at deanna.carrithers@wichita.edu by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4, if you want to be included in the presentation. We hope you'll join us.
Attend Big Pink Volleyball today (Friday, Oct. 25)
Big Pink Volleyball is a philanthropic event raising funds for breast cancer research and is coordinated by Campus Recreation. The games begin at 10 a.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25) in the Heskett Center Gymnasium.
The event began in 2002 at Western Illinois University. To date, the games have raised $200,000 at 48 different universities, high schools and businesses.
View the Shocktoberfest event schedule
Join the ASL Club for a special showing of Nosferatu
At 5:30 p.m. today (Friday, Oct. 25) in 218 Hubbard Hall, 黑洞社区's ASL Club will be hosting a Silent Movie night featuring a spooky-themed showing of Nosferatu! The showing is free to attend; however, this is a fundraising event and as such we will be selling drinks and snacks during the event. Hope to see you there.
Twenty-six schools to compete in 21st annual Kansas BEST robotics competition
The 21st Annual Kansas BEST robotics competition, designed to inspire and motivate high school students toward careers in engineering, science and technology, will be held from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, in Charles Koch Arena.
Kansas BEST is sponsored by 黑洞社区's College of Engineering. Admission is free.
The BEST (Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology) competition challenges students to build a remote-controlled robot that accomplishes a defined task within a competitive setting. For the first time this year, robots will also operate autonomously for part of the competition. Professional engineers and school teachers volunteer to coach teams through the engineering design process.
Twenty-six schools from Kansas will compete in the Kansas event. This year's game is called "Off the Grid,鈥� and the theme is repairing an electrical power grid after a natural disaster strikes. In the simulated disaster, robots will repair high voltage and residential electrical lines and buried cables, transport and replace insulators and transformers, and clear debris. The game is played on a 24鈥� x 24鈥� field divided into four power grids, where four robots will compete at a time.
Faculty advisor needed for new student organization
Phi Sigma Pi is a gender-inclusive National Honor Fraternity established in 1916. Faculty advisors play an important role in the collegiate chapter by building a bridge between the local chapter and the university community. Responsibilities of the faculty advisor include:
- Assisting the chapter with day-to-day operation questions
- Provide guidance to chapter officers and committee chairs
- Encourage smart financial decisions
- Promote Phi Sigma Pi to other students on campus
- Attend meetings, ceremonies, and events when possible
*You are not required to be an Alumni Member of Phi Sigma Pi in order to serve as a faculty advisor.
Currently, there is only one Phi Sigma Pi chapter in the state of Kansas. With your help, we believe Wichita State can become the newest home to the Phi Sigma Pi family! Informational meetings will be held at 12:30 and 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28, and 2 and 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 29, in 240 RSC.
Please contact Katie if you have any questions at krhefner@shockers.wichita.edu or wsuphisigmapi@gmail.com.
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Submit event requests for Final Frenzy
Each semester, Student Activities Council hosts events during Finals Frenzy week. If you are a department or organization on campus hosting one or more events during that week and want to be included in Finals Frenzy marketing, submit your event(s) by 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 28.
Don't get spooked by your finances!
It might be spooky season, but your finances don't have to be!
Join the Office for Student Money Management (OSMM) from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, on the first floor, RSC. Let's have a conversation, play games, and learn the steps towards financial wellness.
Contact us at financial.wellnessGA@wichita.edu or OSMM@wichita.edu if you have any questions.
Senior balances engineering internship with role on 黑洞社区 Cheer Team
Senior industrial engineering student Sydney Jaeger is making the most of her college experience. It鈥檚 not always easy, but she finds a way to balance time as an engineering intern and student, member of 黑洞社区 Cheer and a campus leader.
With an early interest in renewable energies stemming from her family鈥檚 biodiesel plant in western Kansas, Sydney knew she wanted to go into engineering.
Read complete story on Sydney Jaeger.
Come join the Arts and Crafts Fair hosted by SAC
Come join SAC at the annual Arts and Crafts Fair from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 20 and Thursday, Nov. 21. We are looking for vendors to fill the RSC with arts, crafts and oddities.
Arts and Craft Fair information
Learn how to use Excel and organize your data with the Graduate School
Join the Graduate School with speaker Heather Merchant, Instructional Designer with Instructional Design and Access, from noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 30, in 142 RSC, for the lunch learning Excel to organize and understand data. The lunch will cover the best ways to organize data within Excel, common mistakes to avoid and some simple functions for analyzing data.
Graduate Students Professional Development
Attend the SBIR Workshop
The one day workshop presents an overview of the SBIR/STTR process of preparing a competitive Phase 1 of SBIR/STTR proposal and an overview of keeping records for an SBIR award. The event is from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6 in the Marcus Welcome Center. Admission to the workshop is $5 for students and $25 for general admisssion. The fee includes lunch. The event is open to the public.
Learn more about the Greenwood workshop
Attend the annual Spooktacular Halloween event
Spooktacular is FHCP's annual Halloween event. The event will take place from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 31, in the lobby of Ahlberg Hall. We invite students, faculty and staff to enjoy free food, win prizes, and participate in Halloween themed booths such as pumpkin painting, temporary tattoo station, cornhole and more. Come celebrate Halloween with FHCP.
Registration for Diversity and Inclusion in the workplace training is still available
Diversity in Action training will be available from 2-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 19, in 266 RSC. This training will highlight the benefits of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, social identities, recognizing and understanding microaggressions, introducing the matrix of oppression, understanding how to get past stereotypes and prejudices, addressing issues, as well as how and who to report them to.
This interactive training is part of the Diversity in Action program and is designed to shape your understanding of diversity and inclusion while providing an open forum for questions and concerns.
This training is free and available to all 黑洞社区 employees (faculty and staff). Log into my黑洞社区 and register through myTraining. For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.
View more information about Diversity in Action