WSU Today: May 24, 2019

 

University will be closed on Memorial Day

Memorial Day

ͷ will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 27. Offices will reopen on Tuesday, May 28.


Engineering students place in top 10 in NASA rocket launch competition

Four ͷ aerospace engineering students have placed seventh in NASA’s Student Launch Initiative (SLI) competition. The team designed, built and launched a rocket to complete a simulated Moon mission.

Entering and competing the SLI program is incredibly competitive. Universities across the United States propose designs to meet strict altitude and payload requirements. NASA vets all of the designs and eliminates all but the best.

Read complete story.


In case you missed it

News about KHEDF scholarships, summer classes, presidential search and more were presented during the Weekly Briefing university update yesterday (Thursday, May 23).

Read full story

KHEDF scholarships

To start today’s briefing, we’d like to congratulate this year’s Kansas Hispanic Education and Development Foundation’s scholarship recipients. On Monday, the university was proud to host the KHEDF’s annual Scholars and Recognition Dinner, an event that has, over the past 12 years, honored 470 college-bound Hispanic students from the ͷ metro area who have benefitted from more than $865,000 in scholarships.

The KHEDF’s scholarship program mirrors our own commitment to empowering students from diverse backgrounds. That said, we’re pleased to announce that out of this year’s 50 recipients, 25 have chosen to attend ͷ State the fall.

We look forward to welcoming them to campus this August.

 

Summer classes start June 3

With the summer session starting June 3, we want to let you know that there’s still time for you to enroll and take advantage of our two- four- or eight-week summer classes, which can help keep you on track to graduating in four years.

As a summer Shocker, you’ll also benefit from an expanded variety of courses, free parking—and have the option to apply financial aid toward your summer tuition.

For a list of courses, and to enroll, visit .

 

Presidential search committee

Last Thursday, the Kansas Board of Regents announced its presidential search committee, search firm and chair. We’re pleased to note that the 20 committee members KBOR selected bring a diverse range of experience and perspectives to the search process. The committee includes students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members.

In addition, the board named Steve Clark of ͷ as chair of the search committee. Clark, a former Regent, is chairman of Clark Investment Group. He previously chaired the search committee that advised the board in the hiring of former WSU president Dr. John Bardo.

Although this is a closed presidential search, there are several ways faculty, staff, students and the community can contribute to, and learn about, the search process. From June 3-10, everyone will be able to fill out a short survey as well as leave feedback. We’ll release more details about the survey as they become available.  

On June 6, the search committee will host four public forums in the RSC, Room 142, to gather input which will be used in building a presidential profile.

We also encourage everyone to learn more about the process and to contact committee members to ask questions or provide feedback as the process unfolds. For more information, including committee members’ bios, visit .

You can also email comments and questions to president.search@wichita.edu.

 

State of Kansas employee pay raise

As many of you have likely heard, the Legislature recently adopted a pay raise for State of Kansas employees. For state universities, this means each received a pool of funds to distribute to employees at their discretion. WSU’s pool for this purpose is $1.5 million.

We want to thank the Legislature for recognizing, and rewarding, the valuable contribution of public higher education employees. And we’d also like to thank our own employees for their hard work and dedication to furthering WSU’s mission and vision.

For additional details, check out the news story in today’s WSU Today. If you have questions, please contact your supervisor.

 

Baseball/Kansas State Track and Field Championships

Finally, if you like high school athletics, this is a great weekend to be on campus. Today (Thursday, May 23) and Friday, May 24, Eck Stadium hosts Class 5A baseball as part of the 2019 Baseball State Championship.

Also, the annual Kansas State Track and Field Championships will be held Friday and Saturday, May 24-25 at Cessna Stadium.

We want to welcome every athlete and supporter to Shocker Nation and encourage them to take advantage of all the amenities our campus offers. We also want to encourage everyone to come out in support of these outstanding high school athletes.

To help visitors navigate campus—including where to park, eat, shop and more—we’ve set up an interactive map at . We wish all of the athletes the best of luck and look forward to seeing them compete.


Register for the Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce Training coming June 13

Engaging a Multigenerational Workforce

This Diversity in Action interactive training will highlight the different generations and their workstyles, while providing a space for participants to learn more about their own work culture. Participants will learn the differences and similarities between the generations, while dispelling stereotypes and celebrating the importance of having a multigenerational workforce. Click on  for more information.

This professional development opportunity will be held in from 9-11 a.m. Thursday, June 13, in 266 RSC. It is free and available to all WSU employees (faculty and staff). Log in to myWSU and register through myTraining. For questions, contact myTraining@wichita.edu.


A SculpTour Affair – The biennial benefit event for the Ulrich Museum of Art

SclulpTour June 30, 2019

“A SculpTour Affair” celebrates the renowned Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection, considered to be one of the top 10 collections on university campuses across the United States. This year’s gala event from 4-7 p.m. Sunday, June 30, at the Ulrich Museum of Art will feature three new acquisitions by nationally and internationally recognized artists: “The Celestial Mechanic” by Randy Regier; “Font” by Elyn Zimmerman; and “Shockers” by Tom Otterness.

Join us for a late-afternoon stroll with friends and art lovers, cocktails, delicious food, music, and a bit of the unexpected at our next “A SculpTour Affair” this June.

To purchase tickets or become a sponsor, call 978-3664 or purchase online at .

For more information, contact Carolyn Copple at Carolyn.copple@wichita.edu or call 978-6646.


Coming soon: New Saturday hours for RSC Shocker Store

Shocker Store Saturday hours effective June 1, 2019

Starting Saturday, June 1, the Shocker Store in the RSC will change its Saturday hours to 11 a.m.-3 p.m. to better meet the needs of our guests! Our Braeburn Square location hours will remain the same.


Meet a Shocker: Alexi Abi-Mikhael, psychology grad

Alexi Abi-Mikhael

Taking advantage of opportunities has taken Alexi Abi-Mikhael exactly where she wants to be. 

Alexi was one of more than 2,400 students eligible for spring 2019 graduation. Learn more about her time at ͷ State and what's next for the senior.

Alexi Abi-Mikhael story


Shocker Store mobile unit will be at State Track Meet

Shocker Store Mobile Unit

The Shocker Store’s mobile unit will sell some great Shocker gear at the KSHSAA (Kansas State High School Activities Association) track meet on campus today (Friday, May 24) and Saturday, May 25. Look for us outside of Cessna Stadium from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. both days!


Outdoor Adventures announces Royals baseball game trip on June 22

Royals baseball trip June 22, 2019

Join Campus Recreation’s Outdoor Adventures team as we watch the Royals take on the Minnesota Twins on Saturday, June 22 at Kauffman Stadium. The first 10,000 fans will receive a KC Royals Hawaiian shirt.

We will eat a light breakfast on the ride up to Kansas City and should arrive at the stadium by 11:30 a.m. After the game we will return to ͷ.

Follow-up communication will be emailed prior to the trip. Contact Kaycee Miller at Campus Recreation for any questions at cr.outdooradventures@wichita.edu.