Shocker Blast: Nov. 13, 2020

FEATURED STORIES

International Education Week

Celebrate International Education Week from Nov. 16 to Nov. 20!

International Education Week is Nov. 16-20! Our events are virtual this year, so be sure to check out our list of events at  to find what interests you. Events offered this year include virtual international trivia, career workshops and an immigration information session. Follow our Facebook page @鶹ƽStateInternationalAdmissions during International Education week for some facts about international students at 鶹ƽ State and much more.


Textbook buyback

Textbook buyback options

Students -- participate in one of the Shocker Store’s textbook buyback options and receive cash for your gently used textbooks. In store buyback is Nov. 16-20 in the RSC location during normal operating hours. Or take advantage of the online buyback option and ship your books for free!

Visit the Course Materials section of for details. For rental textbook return information, go to .


Shocker Strong prize drawing

Complete 8 of 11 Shocker Strong modules to be entered to win a $500 book scholarship

In addition to boosting your resilience and coping skills, the Shocker Strong Resilience Program could also help pay for your books! Complete and submit eight of 11 modules in Blackboard to be entered to win one of five prizes. That's five chances to win! Available prizes are two book scholarships worth up to $500 and three Shocker Surprise Grab Bags. Learn more at .

Not seeing Shocker Strong in Blackboard? Sign up at !

Entries are due by midnight Friday, Dec. 4.


Are you stressed?

Are you stressed?

We get it. With the end of the semester and holidays approaching, not to mention the pandemic, we have seen a lot of students who are experiencing more stress than usual. Let us help! Email student.success@wichita.edu to schedule a quick one-on-one session and receive some effective, quick techniques to help you manage your stress in the coming weeks.

Student Success


Honors College admission requirements

Make the most of your college experience by joining the Cohen Honors College!

All current students are eligible to apply. Starting this year, there are no minimum ACT / SAT or GPA requirements. Applicants are evaluated on their preparation for challenging academic and professional work as well as creative approach to solving problems, urge to make a positive impact on the community and in the world, and open-minded embrace of diversity in backgrounds, values and perspectives.

Go to Cohen Honors College Admission Requirements to learn more and start your application. Applications are reviewed monthly November through August.


Free flu shots for students

Student Government and Student Affairs offers free flu shots

In partnership with Student Affairs, SGA is offering free flu shots for the first 200 students who register from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 16. To schedule an appointment, please go to .

NEWS

Spring Classes 2021

Discover how spring classes will be taught

The newest course schedule is now available for students to start picking their spring classes. Courses will be offered similarly to fall classes, with some fully online and others as hybrid classes. For more information about the different types of classes, see www.wichita.edu/codes.

Instructors have been asked to submit information about how they plan to teach their courses. You can see their details for instruction, testing, and what to do on the first day of class. See . If you have additional questions, faculty contact information is provided or you can reach out to an advisor at .

2021 Course Design Plans

Spring Calendar and Academic Changes


Activating Strategic Plan

Activating the University Strategic Plan

Is your unit/department helping to move the university’s mission and resulting strategic plan forward? Has your team engaged in work that drives education, culture, or economic outcomes? If so, report your activity to the Strategic Planning Committee through TeamDynamix. The newly revised form is easier to complete and takes less time. This information is compiled for the annual reporting on the strategic plan and university priorities.

STRATEGIC PLAN

UNIVERSITY PRIORITIES


Holiday decorations safety

Guidelines for staying safe when decorating offices, rooms this holiday season

Holiday safety is an issue that burns brightest from late November to mid-January, when faculty, staff and students gather for holiday parties and decorate their offices or rooms. Decorating is one of the best ways to get into the holiday spirit, but fires and injuries caused by improper use of electrical decorations, such as lights or the use of candles or other open flame items, injure or kill many people each year.  Take some basic precautions to ensure we all remains safe and injury-free throughout the season.

More information

Decorations of all types shall be either non-combustible or adequately treated to render them fire resistant. Decorations are allowed 14 calendar days before the holiday or event. All decorations are expected to be removed no later than seven calendar days after the holiday or event. Artificial wrapped presents kept on the floor are limited to lobby areas. Keep wrapping paper on artwork to a minimum (i.e., less than 10% of the wall). The use of trees or wreaths shall be restricted to artificial types containing a UL or FM tag or seal indicating satisfactory fire resistance. No live or cut trees or wreaths are allowed. Do not use strings of lights on metal trees.

Streamers, garlands, lights and other decorations shall not run along or across halls, obstruct or restrict aisles, passageways, or corridors; be hung from smoke detectors or sprinkler heads or obstruct exits signs, fire extinguishers or other fire equipment.  Holiday lighting strings must be double insulated or grounded and have an approval rating from either UL or FM. A maximum of three strands may be connected together.  No extension cords shall be used to light strings of lights, only a circuit breaker protected power strip shall be used.

  • Decorations may not be attached to doors, walls, or painted surfaces by any methods which would damage the surface or leave behind adhesive residue (i.e., low adhesive masking tape is preferred). Any costs associated with damage caused by installation or removal of decorative materials will be the responsibility of the department.
  • Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, the following list:
  • Latex balloons, silly-string, bubbles, glitter, confetti, rice, birdseed.
  • Fireworks (including sparklers) or weapons of any kind.
  • Live animals (except for those assisting individuals with disabilities).
  • Any item with an open flame, such as candles or incense.
  • Decorative materials may not be placed on fire doors, smoke doors, light fixtures, electrical equipment, electrical outlets, circuit breaker panels, etc.
  • Cut trees, tree branches, pinecones, wreaths, mistletoe, and live potted plants. Artificial trees, wreaths, and other seasonal decorations must be fire/flame-retardant. It is the department’s responsibility to save packaging material as proof to the fire marshal that decorative materials have received flame-retardant treatment.

The following list of materials may not be used for decorations under any circumstances because they are inherently combustible or cannot be flame proofed:

  • Bamboo
  • Cedar Trees or Branches
  • Corn Stalks or Shucks
  • Cotton or Confetti (loose, in large quantities)
  • Dry Moss or Leaves
  • Flammable Powders or Liquids
  • Hay or Straw (loose or baled)
  • Paper Streamers (serpentine)
  • Plastic Sheeting or Pellets
  • Sawdust
  • Tumbleweeds
  • Wood Bark or Shavings

If you have questions, please contact the WSU Fire & Safety Office at 978-5803 or 978-5531.

WSU Fire & Safety wishes you a safe and happy holiday season.


John See Innovation Award

Students and faculty - get up to $20,000 from the John A. See Innovation Award

The John A. See Innovation Award is to be applied directly to advancing the technology. Ideally, this will support additional investment by others. Examples of supported costs are prototype development, product testing, and marketing analysis. The award cannot be used for faculty salaries but may be used to pay for external consulting fees. Awards typically range from $1,000 to $20,000.


Arthouse Film Club

Applicants needed to establish 'Arthouse Film Club' at WSU

A small group of film students is looking for members to potentially establish an Arthouse Film Club for the 2021 winter and spring semester at WSU. As a club member, students would meet up regularly for a screening of a handpicked feature. The selections could range from an experimental classic to a contemporary art-piece, or even a foreign-language pick. Needless to say, there are a lot of options available.

Arthouse Film serves an important role in understanding the current film landscape, as well as where it's headed in the future. Artisan-led movements -- such as the French New Wave and Italian Neorealism -- have served to explore the limits of what film can be and have been sources of constant inspiration for those in the industry. If you are majoring in film or are just a fan of the medium in general, we strongly urge you to not let an opportunity like this pass you by.

By filling out the following form, you show that there is a demand for an Arthouse Film Club to be established at WSU. In addition, the form also includes information about applying for a council position, as well as a few bonus questions for personal inquiry.


Entrepreneurship webinars

No-cost entrepreneurship webinar to help your small business succeed

Give yourself and your business the opportunities to succeed with our no-cost small business webinars.

Register at 

Competing for Government Contracts: Basic Training

1:30-4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17

Federal, state, and local governments spend more than $800 billion per year buying goods and services. This webinar offers an overview of the critical first steps to becoming a government contractor. Learn to identify opportunities, understand the contracting process, and know the services available to help you.

STUDENT NEWS

Self-Care Sunday

Attend a virtual guided meditation on Sunday, Nov. 15 for Self-Care Sunday

This month's Self-Care Sunday will be a virtual guided meditation, which will take place at 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 15. Join Care Team, Student Affairs and Student Involvement to relax and de-stress with a live, virtual, guided meditation before the next week begins! To receive the link to join, RSVP at .


Hacking 4 Defense

Earn credit for solving national security issues!

Hacking for Defense™ (H4D), is a new course designed for ALL undergraduate and graduate students from all disciplines and programs. It takes an entrepreneurial and interdisciplinary approach to America’s hardest national security challenges. You will be part of an interdisciplinary team to research, design, and propose a solution for a real national security challenge.

Hacking for Defense


Wu's Big Challenge

Join Wu's Big Challenge

Join Wu’s 2020-21 Challenge! Due to COVID-19 and university restrictions around social distancing, we have had to reschedule our BIG events, but we have a challenge for you!

Commit to volunteering five hours. Hours may be completed virtually or in person or both. Students may complete the challenge in both semesters or only one. You decide what works best for you.

How it works:

 

Visit volunteerICT for ongoing volunteer opportunities and choose the ones you would like to serve between now and May 6, 2021.

Sign-up and volunteer five hours. Track your hours on your volunteerICT account.

Submit your volunteer resume to CSB@wichita.edu or bring it to the Student Involvement office in 216 RSC, and you will receive your Wu’s Big Challenge T-shirt and other goodies from the Community Service Board. Your name will also be entered in a raffle to win prizes throughout the year.

Do you still have questions? Email CSB@wichita.edu


Last CSB meeting of fall

Join us for the last Community Service Board meeting of the semester!

In the last meeting of the semester from 3:30-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, we will recognize our new members, host a raffle, enjoy goody-bags, watch “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” and share future volunteer events. Everyone is welcome!

Please sign up at . For questions, email CSB@wichita.edu


Mortar Board

Do you want a non-traditional Honor Society experience?

Fill out the application now to be part of the Mortar Board Honor Society next school year!

The Mortar Board Honor Society is one of the country's premier senior college honor societies. Open to academic seniors of all disciplines and majors, the society stresses its members to exhibit its three core ideals: Scholarship, Leadership, and Service.

As a member, you will be part of an organization that strives to help its school and local communities by hosting various charity events and fundraisers. These events, and others, will also bring you into contact with the other members of the society and help you form connections that will enhance your final year as a Shocker!

Due to the fact that each year the society replaces its members due to graduation, you will have the guaranteed opportunity to leave a huge mark on a student organization, even if you have a full schedule. Interested in joining? Fill out the application below and you'll be notified if you are selected. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. Dec. 31, 2020.


Undergraduate STEM majors are encouraged to apply for the Goldwater Scholarship

Sophomores and juniors with a strong commitment to a research career in the sciences, mathematics and/or engineering are encouraged to apply to the competitive and prestigious Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship. Visit the Goldwater Scholarship website for more information about the application and who is eligible to apply.

Students interested in applying must notify Dean Coleen Pugh by Monday, Nov. 23. Questions? Email coleen.pugh@wichita.edu.

KUDOS, PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

BSEE senior receives prestigious awards

Photo of Mohd Abrar Rahman.

Mohd Abrar Rahman

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (IEEE) recognizes high achieving undergraduate students in Electrical Engineering who are committed to the power and energy field through IEEE PES Scholarship Plus initiative. IEEE Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES) is the technical arm of IEEE that creates a forum for sharing the latest in technological developments in the electric power industry, for developing standards that guide the development and construction of equipment and systems, and for educating members of the industry and the general public.

Mohd Abrar Rahman is a senior at 鶹ƽ State, expected to graduate with BSEE in May 2021. He is one of the 2020 IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative recipients. Abrar has competed two internships in power and engineering. Abrar is the third student from 鶹ƽ State to receive this prestigious award. His first internship was with Wolf Creek Nuclear Operating Corporation as an Electrical Design Engineering Intern. Then he joined Evergy as a Protection Engineering Intern. He has been actively involved in professional activities. In fall 2019, he served as a volunteer at the 2019 North American Power Symposium, an IEEE PES technically co-sponsored event.

In addition, he was selected as the top-ranked student in IEEE Region 5 (Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and parts of Nebraska and South Dakota) based on his academic excellence, campus engagement, and service to the professional society. As the top-ranked student in Region 5, he was awarded the John W. Estey Outstanding Scholar Award. He is the first student to hold this honor from an institution in Kansas.

More information about the scholarship can be found . 

More information about the John W. Estey Outstanding Scholar Award can be found .

EVENTS

Today’s ISME Colloquium features Dr. John Huffman, Senior Technical Fellow from Spirit AeroSystems

Photo of John Huffman.

John Huffman

“The Approach to Building Analytic Capability in the Enterprise” will be presented from 11 a.m.-noon today (Friday, Nov.13) via .

Abstract

As a follow-up to a previous colloquium on Enterprise Architecture (EA), this presentation explores the emergent role of analytics as a key practice of EA. Dr. Huffman will present an approach to governing analytics projects across the enterprise based on a continuum of analytic techniques and tools. A capability maturity model for Enterprise Analytics is the focus of the presentation.

Speaker biography

Dr. John Huffman is Senior Technical Fellow for Data Sciences and Enterprise Architecture at Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. He also serves as an Adjunct Professor of Industrial, Systems, and Manufacturing Engineering at 鶹ƽ State University.

John hired with The Boeing Company at 鶹ƽ in July 1981, working in the Structural Engineering group. In 1986, he joined Boeing’s Military Operations Analysis team where he lead military simulation modeling and artificial intelligence applications (AI) efforts. In 1990, he moved to Boeing Commercial as a Lead Engineer for Intelligent Manufacturing Systems. In this capacity, John specialized in the use of optimization, statistics, and computation intelligence methods for Agile Manufacturing. At Spirit, John serves the Enterprise-Architecture/Technology-Innovation functions in a variety of Data Sciences and System Engineering capacities and is a consultant for Digital Transformation efforts.

John has a B.S. in Civil Engineering with an emphasis in Structural Engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, a M.S. in Engineering Management Science (IE) with an Operations Research specialization from 鶹ƽ State University, and a Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering with doctoral research in Artificial Intelligence for Manufacturing Systems from 鶹ƽ State University. He also holds a certificate from the WSU Business School in Leadership and Management studies. He is an Adjunct Professor of Industrial, Systems & Manufacturing Engineering at WSU.

John is a Kansas licensed Professional Engineer, a Fellow of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE), and a Senior Member of the Institute For Operations Research and Management Sciences (INFORMS). He serves as Emeritus President of the 鶹ƽ Chapter of IISE. He served as a Reviewer for the National Science Foundation. He represents Spirit on several local and national Industrial Advisory Boards, including the AIA Business Interoperability Technology Committee. He has an extensive record of technical publication and presentations.


Event listing part three

Event listing: Part three

This month is full of fun for everyone! Join us for events like Virtual Drag Show, Catalyst, 鶹ƽ Clean Streams, Five Days of DIYs and more. Be sure to check out our event listing for all our upcoming programs.

Student Involvement Calendar


Ulrich event Ali and Parks

Ulrich Virtual talk Tuesday shines spotlight on friendship between Gordon Parks and Muhammad Ali

The bond between Kansas-born photographer Gordon Parks and heavy-weight champion Muhammad Ali is almost as legendary as their respective careers. At 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17, historian and photographer John Edwin Mason will explore that special relationship in an Ulrich Virtual program that you won't want to miss! The talk, “The Latest and Truest World: Gordon Parks and Muhammad Ali,” is free and open to all, but you have to register to get the Zoom link.

Parks photographed Ali for two separate Life magazine photo-essays. The time that they spent together allowed a friendship to grow. It was built in part on an almost familial bond between Ali and Parks, who was 30 years older. Parks’ unwillingness to accept either the celebrity or the public disdain that surrounded the often controversial boxer was equally important. His words and images described a man, not a cliché.

Historian and photographer John Edwin Mason teaches in the Corcoran Department of History at the University of Virginia. He has written extensively on South African social and cultural history and on the history of photography in South Africa and the United States. As a photographer, he has worked on a number of long-term documentary projects, including a book about Cape Town, South Africa's nearly two-centuries-old New Year’s’ Carnival. He is currently writing a book about Gordon Parks.

Image caption: Gordon Parks, Untitled, Miami, Florida, 2015 (Date of printing), 1966, Photograph. Museum Purchase. Copyright © The Gordon Parks Foundation. Used by permission.

 


Learn about intellectual property and trademarks at virtual SCORE workshops

Get expert advice from the library's Information Services and Research Assistant Jessica Torres in upcoming SCORE Workshops! Contact jessica.torres@wichita.edu or go to .

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, Intellectual Property Basics - Inventions, designs, original works of authorship, and trade secrets can provide you with economic benefits. Learn the basics of intellectual property protection.

5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3, Trademark Basics: Protect Your Business Name - Discover the difference between a trademark, service mark, and registered mark. Then, learn how to search for existing marks and logos and walk through the online trademark application process.

JOB OPENINGS

F45 is hiring

F45 is hiring!

Want a job that is more rewarding than just a paycheck? Join the fun, energetic team that leads our F45 community to better health. Send in your resume and cover letter to andy.sykes@wichita.edu. Applications are due by Wednesday, Nov. 25.


Spirit Micro Mixer

Learn about Spirit AeroSystems' Micro Internships on Nov. 19!

Join Spirit AeroSystems for a Virtual Micro Mixer from noon-1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 19, via Zoom, and and see what Spirit has to offer you!

鶹ƽ State students have an exciting opportunity to participate in Spirit AeroSystems micro internships throughout the month of January.

Some of the internship projects include engineering projects, 鶹ƽ's famous B-29 Bomber "Doc," and the curation of the Rosie the Riveter and Women in Industry exhibits. All majors are invited to apply. These micro internships are paid.

Learn all the details, ask questions, and hear from Spirit AeroSystems representatives at this virtual mixer event, co-hosted by the Shocker Career Accelerator and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion.

through Handshake to attend.

SPECIAL OFFERS

Krispy Kreme pre-sale

Help support First-Generation Student Organization with Digital Dozens!

First-Generation Student Organization is holding a virtual Krispy Kreme fundraiser. We are doing pre-sales for $10 dozens. Once you place the order, we will email a link with the code that you will use to redeem your dozen. This code can be used at any location there is a Krispy Kreme available. If you have additional questions, please email wsufirstgen@wichita.edu


Heskett Center facemasks

Facemasks now available for purchase at the Heskett Center

Facemasks are now available for purchase at the Heskett Center. We have these two designs available. For more information, visit the Guest Services desk at the Heskett Center or call 316-978-3082.


Sweatpants sale

Save the date- $14 sweatpants from the Shocker Store

Mark your calendars for the Shocker Store’s next one-day-only sale!

On Wednesday, Nov. 18 starting at 8 a.m., the Shocker Store will have two styles of sweatpants for $14 each, while supplies last. Sale is in store at the RSC location and online at shockerstore.com.

You can order online and pick up whenever you're on campus! Limit five sweatpants per person. Offer not valid with other discounts or promotions and all sales are final.

Stay up-to-date on the .

UNIVERSITY LIFE

CAPS substance abuse

CAPS is looking for volunteers for a focus group

鶹ƽ State Counseling and Prevention Services is seeking volunteers for a 90-minute focus group. These 90-minute collaborative zoom sessions focus on substance use on campus and how it is best addressed. Working audio and video is required.

Please email Krystal Moroney for more information. Focus group times and dates are 2-3:30 p.m. and 3:45-5:15 p.m. Monday Nov. 30, and 2:30-4 p.m. and 4:15-5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 1.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

The American Red Cross Club of 鶹ƽ State is hosting an upcoming blood drive!

Blood drive

 

Red Cross blood donors have the opportunity to help patients fighting COVID-19! If your regular donation tests positive for COVID-19 antibodies, plasma from that donation may now help coronavirus patients in need of plasma transfusions.

*Free COVID-19 antibody testing with blood donation!

鶹ƽ State University Blood Drive: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 18 and Thursday, Nov. 19 in the Heskett Center lobby

To schedule your life-saving appointment, visit ; Sponsor Code: 鶹ƽ State or Call 1-800-Red-Cross.


Angel Tree

The Salvation Army Angel Tree through the Shocker Store

Provide a Christmas gift for a local child through The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, hosted by the Shocker Store! The program will be a hybrid this year, with the angel selection process being online but the gifts being returned in store. If you are interested in sponsoring a child, go to  and create an account to select a child from the Shocker Store virtual Angel Tree!

Once you “claim” that angel, purchase a suggested gift listed for that child and bring it back to the Shocker Store (either RSC or Braeburn Square location) by Wednesday, Dec. 2. Gifts should be unwrapped, new and clearly labeled with your angel’s name and angel number. For more information, contact Vanessa Bell of RSC Marketing at 316-978-7008 or vanessa.bell@wichita.edu. Thanks for helping make the holidays a little brighter for others!