Shocker Blast: Feb. 22, 2019

 

Fine Arts Town Hall today (Friday, Feb. 22)

Fine Arts Town Hall Feb. 22, 2019

Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts, will host a College of Fine Arts Town Hall meeting to answer questions and spark discussion on the Shock the Future Referendum, a student-led campaign that identifies a list of academic and student success infrastructure needs.

You’re invited to attend the Town Hall at 3:30 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 22) in Wilner Auditorium.

This is your opportunity to share your thoughts with your dean, and to be a part of 鶹ƽ State’s growth.


Parking Services update

Parking services

Parking Services is experiencing technical issues affecting the reliability of text messages. A portion of lot closure and citation text messages are not reaching recipients.

Please note, men’s basketball has three home games remaining and basketball lots will close on the following dates and times:

Saturday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 28 at 3 p.m.

Tuesday, March 5 at 5 p.m.

We are working on a solution and hope to have reliability restored soon. We apologize for any inconvenience.


New WSU additive manufacturing certificate will address industry need

Additive manufacturing

As manufacturing methods change, so must the skills of the workforce. To address this, 鶹ƽ State University will soon offer a graduate certificate in additive manufacturing. The 12-hour certificate is intended to fill a skills gap identified in the manufacturing industry.

Technological advancements around 3D printing – which now allow for 3D printing of metals as well as plastics and polymers – is expanding cost-saving opportunities in the field known as additive manufacturing, particularly in the aviation industry.

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Spirit AeroSystems, Boeing, Airbus, Textron and GE Aviation all either currently use additive manufacturing to produce parts or have announced plans to do so. The U.S. military also sees cost-saving opportunities in using 3D printing to create replacement parts for aging aircraft.

“By offering this certificate program, we join just a handful of universities nationally providing advanced education in additive manufacturing, proving that 鶹ƽ State is ready to respond rapidly to meet industry’s emerging workforce development needs,” said Dennis Livesay, dean of the WSU College of Engineering. “We are proud to be a leader in expanding the economic development possibilities associated with additive manufacturing.”

鶹ƽ State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research has received more than $26 million in federal grants that support advanced manufacturing in the past five years. More than $10 million has come from the Department of Defense and the U.S. Economic Development Administration to support regional growth of advanced manufacturing methods, including additive manufacturing. This includes $1.9 million for a large-scale Multi-Robotic Advanced Manufacturing system, part of the 3DEXPERIENCE Center in the Experiential Engineering Building.

In November, Air Force Under Secretary Matthew Donovan toured NIAR’s Additive Manufacturing and other facilities, remarking on the potential of the technology to promote military readiness by making it easier to maintain aging aircraft. An additional $16 million grant for development of an aging aircraft sustainment program followed that visit – becoming the largest federal grant in 鶹ƽ State’s history.

Additive manufacturing is revolutionizing the manufacturing process. Traditionally, most manufacturing was “subtractive,” where a block of metal is cut down to desired size and measurements. Additive manufacturing is what 3D printers do, starting with nothing but a strand of material and making something by adding material. This approach saves money by speeding prototype development, reducing material waste during manufacturing and eliminating need for on-hand inventory. It also allows the creation of shapes not possible with a traditional CNC router or milling machine.

“Engineers working in additive manufacturing need to adapt their mindset to approach design problems in entirely new ways, and this certificate will equip them to do that,” said Gamal Weheba, professor of Industrial, Systems and Manufacturing Engineering.

The additive manufacturing certificate requires completion of four, three-hour graduate courses, which will be offered by the College of Engineering’s Industrial Systems and Manufacturing Engineering and Mechanical Engineering departments. To qualify for the program, students must be admitted to the Graduate School in a degree-seeking or non-degree status. Coursework can be applied toward a graduate degree if desired. Students must complete all 12 hours with a 3.0 GPA with no grades below a C. Students can enroll beginning fall 2019.

According to the catalog description, “the curriculum focuses on key materials, technologies and benefits, and include topics on design considerations, post processing, secondary operations and important quality and safety factors. Additional concepts important to product development in aviation and biomedical industries are addressed and exercised as term projects.”

For more information, contact Gamal Weheba,  316-978-5777 or gamal.weheba@wichita.edu.


OneStop office will be closed this afternoon

鶹ƽ State University’s OneStop Office in 112 Jardine Hall will be closed from noon-5 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 22) for professional development. The office will resume normal business hours on Monday, Feb. 25.


Hiring in the Humanities Career Workshop

Humanities Career Workshop Feb. 22, 2019

The Department of History is hosting a career workshop from 3:30-5 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 22) in 319 RSC. The workshop will feature Sandra Reddish who will discuss the current hiring trends in the humanities, and how students can make the most of their humanities degree!

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Reddish is an alumna of 鶹ƽ State University's history program. She currently serves as the Historic Sites Coordinator at History Nebraska. Prior to serving in this role, she was the director of the Legacy of the Plains Museum, a role that built on her years of experience with museums and consulting work. In addition to her museum and history background, she has worked with Boeing and has served in the Marines. 

This is a great opportunity to connect with fellow humanities students and get information about career opportunities and advice from an experienced member of our alumni base. 

If you have any questions about the event, contact the Department of History at 978-3150 or stop by Fiske Hall.


Run in the upcoming SGA general election

SGA invitation to run for office

The time is now. The SGA Elections Commission encourages and welcomes you to submit your paperwork to run in the upcoming general election to seek a position on SGA.

The Declaration for Candidacy for the SGA Senate continues to be open. Senators on the voting legislative body of SGA, are required to complete two office hours per week, they are able to work on specified initiatives, and attend weekly committee and senate meetings on Wednesdays.

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The Student Government Association represents the entire student body, while advocating for anything that could affect students and student life and the university, local, state and national level. Without adequate student representation, the student body is voiceless and powerless.

Please consider running yourself and encourage your peers to consider running as well. For more information, go to  to learn more.


Weekly Briefing university update

This week’s university update included information on scholarship awards, Teacher Apprenticeship Program, I-35 recruitment, flag-raising ceremony and Honors College construction.

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Scholarship Awards

The university is always looking for ways to enable students from all backgrounds to achieve their academic and professional dreams—and that includes funding their success through scholarships. Today, we’re happy to announce that the university has awarded roughly $1.2 million in scholarships so far this year.

This includes a new $34,000 scholarship, created by former Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson and his wife, Stacy, which was recently awarded to two incoming freshmen. Also, the university recently announced the recipient of this year’s $26,000 Lenora N. McGregor Scholarship. The recipient, Gabe Kimuri, is a senior at Lawrence Free State High School and plans to major in aerospace engineering and music performance.

We look forward to having all of our scholarship winners on campus this fall.

In addition, Shocker Nation has been exceptionally generous in giving to the Shock the World Campaign. In just the first five years of the campaign, contributions have increased scholarship awards by 50 percent, with a continued goal of raising additional scholarship money for students with financial need. To find out more about the Shock the World campaign, and to donate, visit foundation.wichita.edu.

Teacher Apprenticeship Program

WSU’s Teacher Apprenticeship Program, also known as “TAP” continues to make a positive impact in communities across Kansas by helping to reduce the statewide shortage of elementary and special education teachers.

TAP helps para educators become licensed teachers of record. The program, which is less than three years old, already has 430 paras enrolled, and 72 of the TAP candidates have received teacher of record status and have been hired by 26 school districts. We anticipate 50 candidates will graduate this spring.

To quote a special education teacher from Independence, Kansas: ““The WSU Teacher Apprentice Program came at a critical time. Not only were we able to fill five positions that we otherwise would not have been able to, but we have teachers in positions that we have known for at least a year as para educators.”

I-35 recruitment – Shocker Cities

WSU’s I-35 recruitment strategy continues to attract increasing numbers of students by offering in-state or reduced tuition rates to students in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and, most recently, in Denver and St. Louis. As a result, our enrollment from these areas has grown from 262 in 2015, to 749 last fall.

We will continue our I-35 recruitment efforts in order to attract and retain the talent that is vital to meeting the workforce and economic development needs of our state.

Flag-raising ceremony held Monday

The American flag that flies outside of Grace Wilkie Hall, which houses Military and Veteran Services, will now remain flying 24 hours a day thanks to new lighting, which was donated and installed by WSU’s maintenance and grounds department.

On Monday, the flag was raised for a final time in a ceremony honoring our country and those who serve. Military and Veteran Services director Larry Burks said the flag represents not only our patriotism but also our unwavering dedication to the success of our more than 900 active military and veteran students and their dependents.

Honors College construction

And, finally, for those of you who haven’t been over to Shocker Hall, the Cohen Honors College expansion is fully underway and is expected to be completed this July.

The expansion will give the college a front door to the rest of the university and provide more accessibility, and additional study and community spaces, for our growing number of roughly 600 Shocker Honors students spanning more than 90 majors.


Jump!Star call for entries: Tell a ‘star story’

Jump!Star call for entries

As part of the Creative Concourse of the Diverse Women's Summit, Jump!Star artist George Ferrandi invites members of the WSU community to submit their own "star stories" inspired by Jump!Star's 12 star characters.

Presentations could be stories, images, poems, monologues, videos, songs or performances. All presentations must be seven minutes or less, relate to the attributes of the Jump!Star characters, and meet the submission deadline of Wednesday, March 6.

More information


University Libraries to host advanced webinars on Scopus

Scopus event March 1-7, 2019

The University Libraries is hosting a series of basic and advanced vendor webinars on Scopus, a newly acquired database, from March 1-7, in 217 Ablah Library.

The webinars are open to all faculty, staff, and students. For more information and to sign up for a basic and / or advanced webinar, go to .

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Scopus is considered the largest citation and abstract database of peer-reviewed literature covering a wide range of disciplines in the sciences, social sciences, and arts and humanities. Learn all about searching the database for journal articles, books, conference proceedings, and patents and using the metrics available in Scopus to assess the impact of published research. Those metrics include CiteScore, an alternative to journal impact factor.

With the recent cancellation of Web of Science, Scopus is now a key database for peer-reviewed interdisciplinary research as well as citation searching and metrics.


Art That Touches Your Heart by Office of Diversity & Inclusion in Cadman Art Gallery

Art That Touches Your Heart Feb. 22, 2019

Art That Touches Your Heart is an art exhibition presented by Office of Diversity & Inclusion. The art work will be on display now to Friday, March 8.

This exhibit helps to inform, educate on the history and traditions of African art and present historical content of influences on modern art disciplines.

Join the artists for their opening reception at the Cadman beginning at 4 p.m. today (Friday, Feb. 22). The Cadman Art Gallery is located on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. For more information about this exhibit and others, visit .


WSU to celebrate 50 years of women's athletics

Women's athletics 50 years

鶹ƽ State will embark on a year-long celebration to recognize and honor 50 years of women's athletics. The opportunity for women to compete in athletics for 鶹ƽ State University was solidified in September of 1969. 

This year marks the 50th season of intercollegiate women's athletics at WSU and the Shockers will celebrate that milestone over the next 10 months, highlighted by sport reunions, recognitions and other special events.


Volunteers needed for research study

Students who are in good physical condition with no known vestibular, muscular, or neurological disorders, are needed for a research study in the Human Performance Laboratory in the Heskett Center. 

The purpose of the study is to determine whether tongue posture within the mouth affects an individual’s functional balance. Such findings may improve an individual’s balance at rest and during movement.

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Participants’ functional balance will be tested using the BlOdex Balance System while maintaining two different tongue posture. Participation is expected to last about 45 minutes.

Inclusion / Exclusion criteria:
Participants must be 18 or older

No known muscular disorders

No known balance or vestibular disorders

No known neurological disorders

No known tongue or oral health disorders.

If you are interested in participating in the study, contact Hanna Chastain at hjchastain@shockers.wichita.edu or call 316-554-6954.

If you have any questions or concerns, email Heidi Bell at Heidi.bell@wichita.edu or call 316-978-5150.


Study abroad opportunities for summer 2019

Study Abroad ISA discounts 2019

Would you like to study abroad this summer? There is still time to apply for summer programs.  International Studies Abroad (ISA) has many options available in countries all around the world.  And they are offering a $550 discount off their program fee for WSU students. 

Students must complete the WSU study abroad application first. Then, apply through the ISA website, after they have approval from the WSU Study Abroad Office.

Questions: email studyabroad@wichita.edu.


WSU College of Engineering to host new robotics competitions

VEX robotics competition Feb. 23, 2019

The 鶹ƽ State College of Engineering will host the 2nd Annual Shocker Special Vex Robotics Competition in the Heskett Center gymnasium on Saturday, Feb. 23.The event runs from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. is free and open to the public, marking the culmination of Engineering Week at 鶹ƽ State.

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The Shocker Special “Turning Point” Competition has 43 high school team registered, including teams from 鶹ƽ East, 鶹ƽ West, Derby, Maize and Maize South high schools. In the competition, students program robots for driver-controlled and automated scoring tasks.

鶹ƽ State's College of Engineering has a nearly 20-year history of sponsoring robotics competitions, annually hosting the Kansas BEST Robotics Competition in the fall and the Shocker MINDSTORMS Challenge, held in the spring. On March 9, WSU will host 17 elementary and middle school teams for the VEX IQ State Championship.(It was previously scheduled for Feb. 23, but postponed due to predicted weather affecting western Kansas teams.)

Newer VEX competitions are being adopted due to an increasing number of schools using VEX kits in the classroom, particularly schools that have the pre-engineering and computer science Project Lead The Way (PLTW) curriculum supported by the 鶹ƽ State College of Engineering. About 26,000 students in 269 schools statewide offer PLTW classes. Many PLTW classes require VEX equipment as part of their curriculum. Many VEX teams are comprised of robotics classes; some are afterschool clubs.


Get involved with VISTA

VISTA Feb. and March 2019

Anyone wanting to get involved with Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) can now apply at my.Americorps.gov. AmeriCorps VISTA members have a mission to bring individuals and communities out of poverty. Members make a year-long, full-time commitment to serve on a specific project at a nonprofit agency. For more information, Please contact WSU VISTA Leader, email shyla.thompson@wichita.edu.


Have a safe and fun Spring Break!

Spring break 2019

Whether you are staying or leaving town for Spring Break, stop by our table from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 28, on the first floor of the RSC. Learn more about how to have a safe and fun Spring Break!

Try our “Drunk Goggles” and learn about making smart choices for common spring break situations.


Celebrate your body at these upcoming events

Celebrate your body Feb. 25-26, 2019

Wellness Services invites you to celebrate your body with self-care tips during National Eating Disorder Week. We will host a love my body tabling event and eating disorder screenings from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 25, on the first floor, RSC. We will have an outline of a human body for you to place sticky notes about what they love about your body.

Ann Hunter, the nutritionist from Student Health, will be available from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, Feb 26, on the first floor, RSC, to answer questions about nutrition and how food is self-love, as well as eating disorder screenings and information from the Counseling and Testing Center.


Psychology students: Psi Chi is for you

Psi Chi organization

Majoring or minoring in psychology? Psi Chi is the organization for you! Students who are eligible may apply online on the official Psi Chi website. For more information, contact Inneke Vargas at ilvargas@shockers.wichita.edu