KBOR announces Dr. Andy Tompkins as Interim President at WSU
Andy Tompkins
The Kansas Board of Regents (KBOR) announced Thursday the appointment of Dr. Andy Tompkins as Interim President at 麻豆破解版 State University (WSU). This will be Dr. Tompkins鈥� second time serving a KBOR university in this capacity, having previously been Interim President of Fort Hays State University from December 2016 to November 2017.
鈥淎ndy Tompkins is very well thought of at 麻豆破解版 State by those of us who have worked with him,鈥� said Lou Heldman, vice president of Strategic Communications. 鈥淒r. Tompkins was CEO when the Kansas Board of Regents selected Dr. Bardo as WSU鈥檚 president in 2012. Dr. Bardo spoke highly of Dr. Tompkins, consulted with him regularly about WSU plans, and relied on Dr. Tompkins鈥� expertise to help shape the university鈥檚 affiliation with WSU Tech.鈥�
Rick Muma will continue as Acting President until Tompkins begins work April 8.
Second business dean candidate to visit campus April 1-2
Larisa Genin, associate dean, Faculty, Accreditation and Undergraduate Programs, School of Economics and Business Administration, Saint Mary鈥檚 College of California, will visit 麻豆破解版 State as a dean candidate for the Barton School of Business on Monday, April 1 and Tuesday, April 2.
Students, faculty and staff are invited to a public forum at 3:30 p.m. Monday, April 1, in 204 Clinton Hall. Information is also available on the Academic Affairs website.
2019 SGA Presidential and Vice Presidential Debate set for today (Friday, March 29)
Join the SGA Elections Commission for the 2019 Presidential and Vice Presidential Debate for your final chance to learn about all four of our tickets at 6:30 p.m. today (Friday, March 29) in the CAC Theater (doors open at 6 p.m.).
The debate will be moderated by Brandon J. Johnson, 麻豆破解版 City Council Member from District 1, and will cover a variety of topics from platform points to broad overviews of their hopes for student government.
Nationally known speaker to lead two events at WSU today (Friday, March 29)
Anne Krook is a nationally known speaker who helps students transition from the academy (university) to the workplace, using the language that employers expect from applicants.
Krook will speak at two events today (Friday, March 29). Read on to learn more about these wonderful opportunities!
* Women and Men in the Workplace: Colleagues & Allies
What are the economic, social, and cultural factors that influence how men and women see and treat each other in the workplace? Students (UG and GR) and faculty are invited to join consultant Anne Krook, Ph.D., for lunch from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. today (Friday, March 29) in 156A Corbin Hall for a discussion that offers two models for making those relations work better: collegiality and allyship, and discusses why those well-known ideals sometimes fall short at work. Finally, it offers tactics for making those models more effective in your workplace. Event cosponsors are Graduate School & Career Development Center. It's too late to RSVP, but there's often extra food available.
* Marketing Yourself After Graduate School: A Talk with Anne Krook, Ph.D.
Join nationally known speaker and consultant Anne Krook, Ph.D. for practical advice for graduate students who want industry jobs outside of academia. We will meet from 2-5 p.m. today (Friday, March 29) in 305 RSC East Shirley Beggs Ballroom to learn from her how to identify your skills, craft a resume, and how to use the language that employers expect from applicants! Snacks served. Cosponsors of event are the Graduate School & Career Development Center. All are welcome.
Apply for fall 2019 tutor positions
TRIO Student Support Services invites you to apply for part-time work study tutor positions in fall 2019. Applications are available at the Student Support Services website or in 309 Grace Wilkie Hall.
WSU women in STEAM feature: Tammy Dorsey
To honor Women鈥檚 History Month, WSU Ventures and the Center for Entrepreneurship at 麻豆破解版 State have collaborated to highlight influential WSU women who have made a difference in the areas of innovation and entrepreneurship.
Every week during the month of March, we will feature an inspirational Shocker for her contributions and accomplishments.
Tammy Dorsey graduated from 麻豆破解版 State University with a biomedical engineering degree and is studying in the Master of Innovation Design program. Last year, Tammy and her team won the Shocker New Venture Competition with their business, Prenatal Hope.
Openings available with VISTA
Anyone wanting to get involved with Volunteer in Service to America (VISTA) can now apply at . 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 by email at shyla.thompson@wichita.edu.
University update
The WSU Weekly Briefing included a university update on a Butler articulation agreement signing and SEM update. Read more below.
Butler articulation agreement signing Wednesday + transfer honor roll
On Wednesday, 麻豆破解版 State and Butler County Community College announced 17 new articulation agreements to provide even more Butler students with a clear track to seamlessly transfer and earn their bachelor鈥檚 degree at WSU.
These articulation agreements span the colleges of Applied Studies, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Sciences and Health Professions鈥攁nd they extend WSU鈥檚 capabilities to help our growing number of transfer students achieve their academic dreams.
Also, this week, the university was named to the 2019 Transfer Honor Roll by Phi Theta Kappa鈥攖he National Transfer Honors Society鈥攆or the second year in a row. Only 78 colleges in the country have earned this distinction.
This organization recognizes the importance of an institution鈥檚 commitment and investment of resources to support transfer students鈥攚hile honoring its excellence and success in transfer pathway development.
And all of this comes on the heels of WSU鈥檚 recent announcement that it has, again, been named the No. 1 transfer destination for community college transfer students in the state鈥攏ow for eight years in a row.
SEM update
Currently in its third year, WSU鈥檚 five-year Strategic Enrollment Management plan, or SEM for short, is a university-wide plan to help grow enrollment, promote WSU, better serve students and ensure that each has an excellent experience as a Shocker.
Last week, Carolyn Shaw, associate vice president for SEM, gave a presentation evaluating the plan鈥檚 impact on enrollment between 2017-18, which showed measured success in each of its eight SEM goals.
A few highlights from the presentation include:
- An overall enrollment increase of 4.6 percent鈥攐r roughly 700 students
- An 11.8 percent increase in first-time-in-college students
- Increases in underserved undergraduate and graduate students
We also surpassed enrollment targets for three of eight goals by:
- Doubling enrollment along the I-35 corridor
- Doubling non-degree-seeking for-credit enrollment
- And increasing enrollment of new fall students in online programs by 149 percent
We want to send a big thank you to faculty, staff and administrators from across the university for their hard work, dedication and continued efforts to recruit, retain and graduate more Shockers.
To keep up to date with the latest SEM plan developments, visit .
Along came a spider
Many people feel squeamish, uncomfortable, disgusted, or even fearful when they encounter a spider. In fact, fear of spiders was found to be the most common fear among a sample of more than 800 college students.
A project is currently underway in the Department of Psychology at 麻豆破解版 State University to investigate different approaches in helping such individuals better manage and cope with discomfort they may experience around spiders. This project being conducted by Kyle Rexer, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, under the supervision of Robert Zettle, director of Clinical Training, seeks volunteer participants who experience at least slight to moderate levels of discomfort around spiders.
Those interested in participating in the project will first be asked to complete a brief, online screening survey that assesses their level of discomfort about spiders. Those who qualify will be contacted with additional information and details about further participating in the project
In addition to learning skills that have shown promise in helping individuals cope with similar distressing situations, participants will also be eligible to receive a $40 dollar gift card and $80 dollar gift card. Our further hope is that the findings from this project may help improve services offered to those who may experience even more severe levels of anxiety and distress.
Interested individuals who may experience slight to moderate discomfort related to spiders can access the brief .
Questions or requests for further information about this project may be directed to either Kyle Rexer at Kgrexer@shockers.wichita.edu, 248-765-4099 or Robert Zettle at robert.zettle@wichita.edu, 978-3081.
Acting on depression project at 麻豆破解版 State
Depression is one the most common and debilitating of all mental health conditions. Nearly 20 percent of us will experience depression at some point during our lifetime, and within this year it is projected by the World Health Organization to become the second leading cause of disability worldwide.
A project is currently underway in the Department of Psychology at 麻豆破解版 State University to investigate different variations of behavioral activation in helping individuals better manage and cope with depression. This program, conducted by Yvonne Chaw, a doctoral student in clinical psychology, under the supervision of Robert Zettle, director of Clinical Training, seeks volunteer participants who are currently experiencing at least a moderate level of depression.
Comparisons with other psychological approaches, as well as medication, has identified behavioral activation as one of the more effective means of coping with depression. As its name suggests, behavioral activation stresses the importance of systematically re-engaging in a range of activities that are often abandoned in the face of depression.
Those interested in participating in the project will first be asked to complete a brief, online screening survey that assesses their level of depression and obtains some relevant background information. Those who qualify will be contacted with additional information and details about further participating in the treatment phase of this project which consists of eight weekly, individual sessions following some further assessment.
Our hope is that participants will learn some new strategies for more effectively coping with depression and that the overall findings from this project may also help improve psychological services offered to others who also struggle with it.
Interested individuals 18 or older experiencing a least a moderate level of depression can access the brief .
Questions or requests for further information about this project may be directed to either Yvonne Chaw at jxchaw@shockers.wichita.edu, 316-882-4966 or Dr. Robert Zettle at robert.zettle@wichita.edu, 978-3081.
National Graduate Student Appreciation Week is April 1-5
The Graduate School celebrates all grad students, and there are fun events planned for National Graduate Student Appreciation Week April 1-5. We want to give a big shout out to our Graduate Student Association (GSA) leadership team. Thank you to these students for their hard work and committed service in 2018-19 to all graduate students: Jacob Armstrong, president; Aisha Prince, vice-president; Randy Barbour; Fenil Desai; Ricky Leitner, and Vijay Matheswaran.
We invite all faculty to express WSU鈥檚 appreciation of our graduate students during the designated week. Please spread the word and encourage students to attend the events held in their honor. Read more below.
- 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, RSC north patio (rain site is RSC Tables #16 and #17) - Stop by the RSC North Patio for Let Them Eat Cake! Enjoy a piece of cake (or a couple) and mingle with your Graduate Student Association and Grad School staff.
- 4-7 p.m. Friday, April 5, RSC Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes - Take a well-deserved break from graduate work and come out to play! The Graduate Student Association (GSA) is sponsoring a Graduate Student Appreciation Party! Join us for food, drinks, billiards, and meeting with good friends.
Take quick survey for communication graduate research
Please consider taking a five-minute electronic survey for communication graduate research. is completely anonymous.
If you have any questions, please contact LaRissa Lawrie at LLLawrie1@shockers.wichita.edu.
Faculty Artist Series presents the Orfeo Trio
The Orfeo Trio 鈥� Julie Bees, piano; Leonid Shukaev, cello; and Evgeny Zvonnikov, violin (guest) 鈥� will present a Faculty Artist Series concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, March 31, in Wiedemann Hall. The trio will perform works by Mozart, Turina and Beethoven.
Tickets are $7 for adults, $3 for students, and free for students with a current WSU ID.
For tickets, go to or call 978-3233.
Recruiting fellow Shockers
Courtney Carlin, a 2018 WSU graduate who majored in Human Resources and Entrepreneurship, recently came back to her alma mater to recruit other Shockers at Biz Fest. Working at Fidelity Bank as an HR Administrative Assistant, Carlin is a fantastic example of how being involved on and off campus can open the door to amazing opportunities. Read more.
Applications are open for Shocker Leadership Awards
Applications are now open for the 7th Annual Shocker Leadership Awards. The Shocker Leadership Awards are a way to recognize the work of student-led organizations, students, faculty and staff at 麻豆破解版 State University. Recognized student organizations, university affiliated student groups and individuals may be nominated by a student, faculty member, staff member, or organization, or may nominate themselves for one of the awards.
One application form must be completed for every award for which one wishes to be considered. A nomination must have all parts to be considered by the selection committee. It is the responsibility of the nominator to turn in a complete packet. Click on to learn more and to submit your application. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, April 12. For questions, contact Gabriel Fonseca, assistant director of Student Involvement at gabriel.fonseca@wichita.edu.
Justin Noel Hall to present a graduate marimba recital
Justin Noel Hall presents 鈥淢an of the Woods,鈥� a graduate marimba recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 1 and Wednesday, April 3, in Wiedemann Recital Hall. Admission is free and open to the public.
This is no April Fools鈥� joke. It is the culminating performance of Hall鈥檚 graduate studies here at 麻豆破解版 State University. The marimba has been his muse for as long as he can remember, and he鈥檚 so excited to share a full recital of only marimba repertoire with both transcriptions and original compositions. The marimba is both the beauty and the beast in his eyes. Such raw power and sound can come from this instrument and at the same time it can be cute, sentimental, and even quite high-brow.
Deadline for URCAF 2019 abstract submissions is Friday, April 5
The annual Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) will be held on Friday, April 19, in the Rhatigan Student Center. The forum provides an excellent opportunity for undergraduate students at 麻豆破解版 State to present their scholarly and creative activity to a faculty, student and community audience, while competing for cash awards. Abstract submissions are due by Friday, April 5. For more information, go to .
Alumni Weekend Set for March 29-31
麻豆破解版 State softball will hold its alumni weekend March 29-31 vs. UConn as part
of the 50 Years in Women's Athletics Celebration.
During the UConn series, 麻豆破解版 State will be honoring the 1989 Gateway Tournament
championship team, the 2014 Missouri Valley Conference championship team and all former
麻豆破解版 State softball coaches. All former softball players are invited to attend
as well as any former women's athletes of any sport at WSU.
Celebrating women in Asian cultures event on March 29
Join Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Inc. during this month's Final Friday for a one-of-a-kind cultural event that showcases the art of community members, especially those from femme and Asian, Pacific Islander, and Desi American (APIDA) backgrounds. It will be held from 7-10 p.m. today (Friday, March 29) in Garvey Center, 250 W. Douglas Ave. #100.
Save big at Braeburn Square Shocker Store
SThe Shocker Store at Braeburn Square is having a sale to celebrate the Shockers reaching the semifinals of the NIT tournament! Tomorrow (Saturday, March 30) take $25 off $100, $50 off $200, and $75 off $300 in-store. Some exclusions apply. Offer valid at Braeburn Square location only. Congratulations, Shockers!
Graduate School - Annual Awards for Academic Year 2019-20
Students must be nominated by a graduate faculty member to be considered for the next year financial awards listed below. The awards are only available for students who will not graduate until fall 2019 or later. Spring and summer 2019 graduates are not eligible for consideration. The faculty online nomination deadline is Friday, April 5. Only one student per program, per award, may be nominated - program faculty must work together to determine who should be nominated. Click on the awards website.
Awards open for nomination by a faculty member:
- Tilford Fellowship: To be eligible, a student must be admitted to a graduate degree program in good standing, be enrolled full-time, and demonstrate financial need. Preference is given to minority students who are U.S. citizens.
- Delano Maggard Jr, Research Grant: To be eligible, a student must be admitted to a graduate degree program in good standing, be enrolled either full-time or part-time, have completed nine graduate credit hours, and demonstrate financial need. This award entails the following additional criteria: (1) student must submit a budget for the research project and (2) if the proposed research involves human or animal subjects, a copy of the approval from the WSU institutional Review Board or Animal Care and Use committee should be included.
- Dora Wallace Hodgson Outstanding Graduate Student Award (Masters and Doctoral/PhD): To be eligible, a student must be admitted to a graduate degree program and in good standing.
Public Health Sciences seniors invite Shockers to free activities April 1-5
National Public Health Week (NPHW) is promoted each year during the first week in April. Each day of NPHW focuses on a specific public health topic with the aim to bring together communities and reduce the causes of poor health and disease.
Seniors in the Department of Public Health Sciences invite all Shockers to celebrate NPHW by participating in the free event.
National Public Health Week events
Updated invitation for 麻豆破解版 State Night at the K
It鈥檚 麻豆破解版 State Night at the K. Join Campus Recreation鈥檚 Outdoor Adventures team as we watch the Royals take on the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium. With it being 麻豆破解版 State night, you will receive a KC Royals hat with a WSU stamp.
We will have Jimmy John鈥檚 boxed lunches on the ride up to Kansas City, arriving at the stadium by 5:30 p.m. ***Food and drinks will not be provided at the game. This will be an out of pocket expense.***
After the game we will head straight back to 麻豆破解版. Follow up communication will be emailed prior to the trip. Contact Kaycee Miller at Campus Recreation at 978-5820 or kaycee.miller@wichita.edu for any questions. .
The bulls are back
The toughest sport on dirt is back to 麻豆破解版 at the Intrust Bank Arena on Saturday, April 13. Don鈥檛 miss the rankest bulls and redeem WSU20 for ticket discounts for all 麻豆破解版 State University students, faculty and staff. Go to and use the code WSU20 and save 20 percent on all ticket prices, excluding the $15 price level.
Celebrate Holi 鈥� the Festival of Colors
People of all ages and backgrounds take to the streets to celebrate this colorful festival. The same air of celebratory fun and friendship will be felt in our event from noon-3 p.m. Saturday, April 13, on the east lawn of Hubbard Hall. The color, noise, and entertainment that accompanies the celebration of Holi will bear witness to a feeling of oneness and a sense of brotherhood.
Entry is $5. Dress in white to enjoy the colors.
Sign up as a WSU Heart Walk Coach or join a team
Heart disease is the #1 killer in the nation and stroke is #5. Everyone knows someone who has been impacted by one of these. Help support the American Heart Association by signing up as a Heart Walk Coach for the 麻豆破解版 State University team.
The Heart Walk will be held Saturday, June 8 on the 麻豆破解版 State campus. If you are interested in being a WSU Heart Walk Coach, you can create a team or join an existing team . If you have any questions, contact Trish Gandu at trish.gandu@wichita.edu.
How2Heal invites submissions for a logo design
How2Heal is a new initiative being launched by several community groups to change the dialogue of substance use and mental health issues through storytelling, community mobilization, and student-led projects. How2Heal is looking for a logo design that best embodies its purpose and mission. The deadline to submit is Thursday, April 18. More information is available .
The winner will receive a $50 Visa gift card!
Register for the F45 Playoffs
The F45 Playoffs are back on Friday, April 26. Form a team or compete individually and make your way through 10 stations. Complete the most reps to be crowned the champion and get awesome prizes! Register at the Guest Services Desk in the Heskett Center. Registration is $10.
Not sure what to expect? Don鈥檛 worry. Join us from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, April 25, in 141 Heskett Center, for a practice clinic.
Questions? Contact cr.fitness@wichita.edu.
Free HIV testing available on Tuesday, April 2
Student Health Services, the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Housing & Residence Life, and Positive Directions Kansas are offering free HIV and Syphilis testing from 1-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 2, in 209 Ahlberg Hall.
Shockerthon is coming Saturday, April 6
Shockerthon is coming to WSU on Saturday, April 6 at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. Shockerthon is a philanthropy event for the community and students of all ages to raise money for Children鈥檚 Miracle Network Hospitals at Ascension Via Christi. In its first six years, Shockerthon raised more than $320,000. This year, run by a newly established student organization, the goal is to raise $50,000.
CMN is a national organization which supports sick and injured kids and, locally, Ascension Via Christi Hospitals, through direct family financial assistance and enhancements to children鈥檚 units at the hospitals. Some uses of funding include paying for expenses not covered by insurance such as medication, therapy, hearing aids, wheelchairs, specialized formula, and travel expenses; helping health care facilities purchase innovative care technologies, such as vein viewers, virtual reality distraction technology, and movie goggles specifically for MRI testing among others at Ascension Via Christi Hospital鈥檚 newborn intensive care, and ChildLife Center pediatric care units.
Shockerthon 2019 is a six-hour event consisting of family-oriented activities, games, dancing, and food. Families active within Children鈥檚 Miracle Network and attendees are invited to participate in a day of celebration and fun after a year of fundraising. Go to to sign up to participate or to support students who are raising money for the effort.
Readers of Shocker Blast can obtain a special registration price of only $10 when using promo code BLAST when registering. Come join the movement for the kids!
For questions, contact Bethanie Miller at dancerrelations_WSU@outlook.com.