Wichita State hosting in-person, virtual commencement for 3,500 eligible students
Students who had their graduation ceremonies postponed due to the pandemic will finally get their moment 鈥� along with this year鈥檚 newest graduates 鈥� during Wichita State University commencement ceremonies on Friday, May 14, and Saturday, May 15, at Charles Koch Arena.
All fall 2020, spring 2021 and summer 2021 graduates have been invited to attend and be recognized. Approximately 3,500 students are eligible to participate. Students have the option of participating in-person or virtually. All ceremonies will be live streamed.
Read more about spring 2021 commencement ceremonies
Make48 Invention competition selects 黑洞社区鈥檚 GoCreate as a flagship event
With the help of Koch Industries, Make48 is bringing its 48-hour collaborative inventor and maker challenge to Wichita. 黑洞社区鈥檚 GoCreate, A Koch Collaborative will host the event scheduled for June 24-26.
Using the same blueprint of the PBS Make48 TV documentary, local Wichita teams will be able to participate in the unique fastest-invention competition, which helps attendees discover what is possible in 48 hours.
Make48 is a nationwide, invention-competition docuseries that gives teams a challenge at the start of a two-day event. With just 48 hours, teams must create a prototype, promotional video and a sales sheet and present their idea to a panel of judges. The teams have access to a makerspace and numerous Tool Techs that can make almost anything, thus allowing everyone to have a level playing field and the chance to win.
Outdoor classroom spaces available starting March 22
In response to faculty requests, six outdoor classroom spaces will be available for reservation from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday starting on March 22. These spaces will have 30 folding chairs to be arranged as you choose, along with a table. Plans are in the works for white boards and portable amplification. We ask that people limit themselves to two reservations at a time to allow others the opportunity to use these spaces. Information and online reservations are available at www.wichita.edu/classoutside.
HealthQuest Biometric Screenings update
Due to the ever-changing climate of COVID-19, the State Employee Health Plan (SEHP) will only be publishing on-site biometric screening events on a quarterly basis. Also, for the foreseeable future, on-site biometric screenings will only be held the morning of the event in an effort to minimize contact. Since fasting is recommended for the screening event, having morning appointments only will make it easier to fast for the screening event. By publishing the 2021 on-site biometric screening schedule quarterly and in smaller segments, SEHP will be able to minimize the number of event cancellations; make appropriate adjustments to accommodate COVID-19 safety protocols, including social distancing; and make adjustments to accommodate demand.
Continue to check back in your periodically for newly available on-site screening dates. If you are unable to schedule an on-site screening, at-home biometric screening kits and the physician incentive form are available as alternatives and can be requested in the .
Join us for Lunch and Learn on March 29
What does it mean to be student-centered and how does that relate to customer service? Join us for this panel of Shocker experts who will share their insights on how to keep students at the center of our work and how to model superior customer service. Sign up to attend in my黑洞社区 under myTraining.
Encourage students to apply for TRIO DSS
TRIO Disability Support Services assists students with disabilities in obtaining academic success through free services such as academic advising, tutoring, study skill development, financial literacy, and more. Students benefit from any additional help available during this time, so encourage students to apply to TRIO DSS. Online and in-person services are being provided.
Encourage students who might be in need of TRIO DSS assistance to apply at www.wichita.edu/dss or in person in Grace Wilkie Annex, room 158, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
OAT summer grant apps due
The Open/Alternative Textbook (OAT) initiative is designed to promote, incentivize, and grow the use of freely available resources in Wichita State classes to reduce the economic impact of textbook costs on the student body.
The OAT Grant Program provides $2,000-5,000 grants to faculty who apply for the grant to redesign a course with no-cost resources, or to write or contribute to an open educational resource, or other alternative text that can be provided to the students free of charge. These grants are funded by SEM and the course fees.
KBOR is offering Open Educational Resource workshops on March 12, 23, April 1, and April 14.
Wichita State Summer OAT Grant applications due Monday, April 12.
Service-Learning Showcase seeks submissions
The Service-Learning Showcase is a unique opportunity for students who participate in service-learning through applied learning opportunities to showcase their experience through a research or reflective poster about the application of their course work to current community issues. This year the showcase will be held in a digital format and judged by a team of community partner leaders.
The showcase is an open forum for students to interact with faculty/staff, community partners and other students to engage in conversation about 黑洞社区's commitment to the public good. Awards are presented in the following categories:
- Outstanding Overall Service-Learning Project 鈥� $150 scholarship to winning entry
- Innovation and Creativity in Problem Solving 鈥� $100 scholarship to winning entry
- Community Impact/ Community Choice 鈥� $100 scholarship to winning entry
- Collaboration and Leadership in Service-Learning 鈥� $100 scholarship to winning entry
Submissions are due on April 1.
More information about the Service-Learning Showcase
Graduate School seeks GRASP judges
The Graduate School is seeking volunteers to judge the 2021 Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium on April 2. GRASP will be held online this year and all judging will be done asynchronously online on April 2. To indicate your willingness to volunteer for judging, please complete the by end of day Friday, March 26. More information regarding the logistics of the day will follow via email in the coming weeks. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn about the diverse research and scholarly projects in which graduate students across campus have been engaged and we would greatly appreciate your help.
Shocker Volleyball Set hosts in-state rivals Kansas Jayhawks tonight
Shocker Volleyball takes on the Kansas Jayhawks in at 6 p.m. today at Charles Koch Arena. Be a part of the action as the excitement ramps up for this in-state rivalry matchup. Seating is limited due to Covid-19 restrictions, but tickets are still available. Get yours today and Watch Us by visiting or by calling the Shocker Ticket Office at 316-978-FANS.
Take a virtual tour of Special Collections, University Archives
RESCHEDULED FROM FEBRUARY: Join Wichita State curator and archivist Jessica Cerri on a virtual tour of Special Collections & University Archives from noon to 1 p.m. Friday, March 26. Special Collections and University Archives are where the libraries' rarest and most unique materials are preserved and made available to the public. Join this free webinar at .
Enjoy lunch at the Food Truck Plaza today
Stop by the plaza for lunch with Dr. Tawook food truck! Get your meal to go, or spread out on our socially distanced picnic tables or beautiful green space. The truck will be on site from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. today.
Ulrich features Pulaski, Smith at today's talk
The Ulrich Museum of Art's series of virtual talks with artists featured in the XXIII Faculty Biennial exhibition continues at 10 a.m. today when Jeff Pulaski, director and associate professor of graphic design, and Joshua A. Smith, assistant professor of design, share their thoughts on the artistic process. The program is free and open to all, but . To register:
"The XXII Faculty Biennial: It's All Part of the Process" is on display at the Ulrich until May 8. Gallery hours: Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; closed Sundays, university and major holidays. Safe self-distancing practices observed. Admission is always free.
Beat the virtual escape room, win prizes
Can you escape in time? University Libraries invites everyone to test their knowledge and puzzle-solving skills in this year鈥檚 Virtual Escape Room. Anyone who can complete all the puzzles within the time limit is automatically entered to win awesome Shocker prizes! Play now at . The Escape Room is open until March 19, and prize winners will be announced the following week.
Office of Adult Learning announces ALOTY awards and finalists
The Office of Adult Learning recently celebrated its second annual Adult Learner of The Year (ALOTY) awards. Student awards bestowed during the event were for the ALOTY as well as the inaugural Shocker Pathway Student of the Year (SPSY). In addition to the student recipients, a university partner and community partner were also recognized. The finalists and winners were:
- 2021 University Partner 鈥� Chad Steinkamp, assistant director undergraduate admissions
- 2021 Community Partner 鈥� Working Men of Christ Ministries
- 2021 ALOTY Finalists 鈥� Kate Magathan and Emily Hedrick
- 2021 ALOTY 鈥� Billy Wilson
- 2021 SPSY Finalists 鈥� Chelsea Morales and Breasia Sharkey
- 2021 SPSY 鈥� Apple Holder
The Office of Adult Learning will be featuring the full story about the ALOTYs in the next Office of Adult Learning Newsletter.