Campus Connection: Dec. 10, 2019

R&D ranking Dec. 2019

ͷ State tops national rankings for aeronautical R&D

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has released updated rankings for university research and development (R&D) expenditures, and ͷ State has held its position as the top university in the country for industry-funded aeronautical R&D with a total of $39 million in fiscal year 2018.

The rankings are derived from the NSF’s Higher Education Research and Development survey, compiled by its National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics, which includes information from all reporting universities.

Read complete aeronautical R&D story.


Airbus interns Dec. 2019

Airbus business interns bring the ‘secret sauce’ to the job

Airbus at ͷ State hires many students to fill vital roles in the company’s operations. The interns place great pride in their work and depend on each other to solve real problems. They enjoy their proximity to campus and attempt to form connections among the different intern groups employed at Airbus.

Pictured above from left to right: Alok Dand, Suveen Emmanuel, Angelique Banh, Shane Grode and Pardhiv Marella serve as applied learning interns at Airbus’ ͷ facility.

Read story on Airbus interns.


WSU vs OU basketball tickets Dec. 14, 2019

Tickets still available for WSU Intrust Bank Arena game

Tickets are still available for ͷ State's basketball game this Saturday, Dec. 14, at Intrust Bank Arena. Purchase yours today and spend the evening cheering on your Shockers as they take on the Oklahoma Sooners! Tip-off is at 5 p.m.


Meritrust anniversary celebration Dec. 11, 2019

Join Meritrust Credit Union for its anniversary celebration at Braeburn Square

Meritrust Credit Union invites you to stop by for refreshments for our way to say, “Thanks for the opportunity to serve you,” from 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, at the Braeburn Square branch.


Fall commencement Dec. 15, 2019

More than 1,100 students eligible to graduate in WSU’s fall commencement

More than 1,100 students are eligible to participate in ͷ’s 122nd fall commencement ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 15, in Charles Koch Arena.

All graduates will walk across the stage and be individually recognized. Doctoral candidates will be hooded at this ceremony. The ceremony will be available via webcast. To view the ceremony, go to and click on "Live Commencement Streaming." The site will go live at about 2:25 p.m. on Dec. 15.

Former Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson will receive the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Philosophy. An honorary degree is an exceptional honor bestowed upon a person without fulfillment of the usual requirements. It is conferred only upon persons of notable intellectual. scholarly, professional, creative achievement or service to humanity consistent with the endeavors of WSU.

Parkinson is the CEO of the Washington, D.C.-based American Health Care Association, a trade group of about 11,000 nursing homes and assisted-living facilities. Parkinson earned summa cum laude honors with his bachelor’s degree in political science from WSU in 1980. He later graduated from the University of Kansas School of Law. 

Security procedures will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone attending commencement. The following security procedures are being implemented:
Everyone attending, assisting or participating in commencement will be required to be screened and pass through metal detectors as they enter the arena. Koch Arena will open at 1 p.m. We recommend you arrive early to allow sufficient time to get through security.

Please note the following items are prohibited:
- Outside food and drink
- Weapons not allowed by law
- Noisemakers
- Pocket and box knives
- Alcohol and drugs

ͷ State staff reserves the right to prohibit any items deemed inappropriate.


Koch Innovation Challenge finalists Dec. 2019

Five student teams move on to final round of innovation competition

Five teams of ͷ students emerged as finalists in the Koch Innovation Challenge on Friday, Dec. 6.

The business pitch competition, sponsored by Koch Industries, is an annual competition supporting the WSU College of Engineering in fostering a culture of creativity, innovation, entrepreneurship and teamwork among students.

Cross-disciplinary teams of new freshmen and transfer students studying engineering, art and design, business and other disciplines compete for funding and scholarships to invent products and technologies via a freshman introductory course.

Read complete story on Koch Innovation Challenge.


Analytics Showcase April, 17, 2020

ͷ Analytics Showcase - Register now to reserve your spot!

Registration is now open for the inaugural ͷ Analytics Showcase. The event will be held from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, April 17, at the WSU Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. Registration is free, but space is limited.

The showcase will provide an opportunity to:

  • Learn about innovative analytics research, curricular and applied learning activities across WSU; groundbreaking analytics applications; and state-of-the-art analytics software/hardware solutions from leading technology providers.
  • Network with WSU faculty, staff and students, community partners, and industry leaders working in the analytics field to build personal and career connections.
  • Collaborate and Partner. Discover industry, community and government opportunities in research, applied projects and software development.

Visit to register and learn more about this exciting event, which is supported by the WSU colleges of Business, Engineering, Health Professions, Liberal Arts & Sciences, and Applied Studies.

Contact the organizers at analytics.showcase@wichita.edu.

We look forward to seeing you in April.


WSU students create app to increase campus involvement

Have you ever wondered what was happening on campus during the day but not sure where to look? Or missed out on free food at the RSC because you weren't aware? 

Well, there's an app for that. Master of Innovation Design students Kristyn Smith and Max Hinman designed MEBO with students in mind. The app, MEBO,  keeps you in the know of campus events, study groups and yes, even free food on campus. Download it today in the app store.


Donate political and campaign memorabilia to the Political Science Department

The WSU Department of Political Science is accepting donations of U.S. and Kansas political memorabilia for a public display about the History of Kansas Politics. Donations of yard signs, posters, campaign buttons, or other materials will be accepted in the department office in 418 Lindquist Hall.

Contact Neal Allen, Department Chair, at neal.allen@wichita.edu or 978-7133 if you have any questions.


Student Wellness Center

New Student Wellness Center opening in January

Student Health Services and CAPS are moving to the Steve Clark YMCA building. Both departments will be closed Dec. 16-Jan. 6, to pack and relocate. The departments plan to reopen at 8 a.m. Monday, Jan. 6, 2020, in the new Student Wellness Center.


Christmas Sale Dec. 10, 2019

12 Days of Christmas sale continues today (Tuesday, Dec. 10)

Looking to find your favorite Shocker a holiday gift? Stop by the Shocker Store’s Rhatigan Student Center location for its annual 12 Days of Christmas Sale from now to Saturday, Dec. 14. Or shop the sale online at .

New sale items are added daily and will stay on sale the remainder of the promotion, or while supplies last. Visit the Shocker Store  each day to find out the new sale item(s). The sale item for today (Tuesday, Dec. 10) is a plush blanket for $18.


Shocker Store sale

Shop the Shocker Store for doorbuster tumblers and more on Saturday

Visit the Shocker Store’s Braeburn Square location this weekend as you shop for the Shocker fans in your life. On Saturday, Dec. 14, they will have a $10 tumbler doorbuster item that will be available while supplies last. Also, on both Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15, take 20% off blankets and enjoy buy one, get one half-off apparel.

Sales are in Braeburn Square location only. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and noon-6 p.m. Sunday.


Audiology doctoral students need participants for their research projects

WSU graduate students in the Doctor of Audiology program need participants for their research projects. They are studying clinical techniques in audiology for evaluating function of the ear.

Participants must be between the ages of 18 and 35, have normal hearing, have not had an ear infection in the past three months, nor had symptoms of cold, flu, or nasal allergy in the past two weeks.

Participants will receive a free comprehensive hearing evaluation and ear examination prior to testing. The testing will take about one hour. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Brigid Derby at brderby@shockers.wichita.edu or 816-405-4969, or Professor Xiao-Ming Sun at Xiao-Ming.Sun@wichita.edu.


Local immigrant volunteers are needed for a survey

Are you a part of the local immigrant community? Volunteers needed for a survey

You are eligible to take this survey if you are a member of the immigrant community living in ͷ, Kansas. We are recruiting research participants to help us understand more about health in the local immigrant community.

The survey will ask questions about mental health (i.e. “Was it hard to get going?”), demographic questions (i.e. “What is your race?”), immigration-related questions (i.e. “What is your country of origin?”), and your engagement in customs and activities from the culture of the country that you are from and U.S. culture.

This survey is available in English, Spanish, and Swahili. Your participation is voluntary.

 


Teen study participants needed

Are you a parent of a teenager?

The Inspyre research lab is exploring what makes relationships healthy or unhealthy in adolescence. The purpose of the study is to explore perceptions of healthy and unhealthy relationships in teens.

After parental consent and teen assent has been obtained, teens will be asked to participate in a survey that gathers information on demographics and perceptions of dating relationships.

The survey will take about 20 minutes to complete. Participants must be 13-19 years old, and participants must be fluent in English.

Flexible locations are provided for study participation. Study participation can be done:

*in person in 417 Jabara Hall

*in person at an outdoor public meeting place (Eg: ICT Pop-Up Urban Park, Bradley Fair)

*through email

*through mail

Compensation: A small prize will be offered.

Interested? Contact the Inspyre Research Lab at inspyre@wichita.edu or call 316-978-6180.

Inspyre


Christmas on Ice

Come watch Christmas on Ice!

The ͷ Ice Center is hosting their 2019 Annual Christmas Recital at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14. Come enjoy the show and see fellow Shockers Gus Pachta, Laura Gibbs and Nick Coates perform!


7th Annual Puppy Paddle

Bring your pups to the 7th Annual Puppy Paddle!

Join us at 10 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at the Heskett Center for our 7th Annual Puppy Paddle! Bring your furry friends to this FREE event and take a dip in the pool! You and your puppy can swim together, chase tennis balls or practice jumping in. This event raises money for animals in need through donations and will showcase dogs from the ͷ Animal Action League in need of a fur-ever home.


Santa letters Nov. 2019

Santa letters available at WSU Post Office

WSU Postal Services is selling letters to Santa now to Friday, Dec. 13. The letters will be sent to Santa Claus, Indiana, and will receive a pictorial cancellation when sent to the recipient. The cost per letter / envelope is $1.50, and covers all postage.