Year: 2024

Dr. Mia Ocean, associate professor in the School of Social Work in the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, has recently published the article “The potential of humor to joyously dismantle ableism+: Considerations for social workers” in a special issue on disability justice of the Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare.

Within the article, Dr. Ocean explains how to use humor to creatively call people into the disability justice movement and disrupt ableism. The article builds on her work as a staff writer for The Squeaky Wheel, a disability-focused satire publication.

In September, Dr. Ocean was also appointed as a member to the Sedgwick County/Wichita Access Advisory Board, which helps ensure Sedgwick County policies meet ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) requirements by working with Wichita and the county.

The Wichita Biomedical Campus is using a $1 million grant to purchase audiology equipment for assessment, teaching, and research, supporting workforce training for in-demand jobs. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration recently announced the grant, which will be matched by $1 million in local funds.  

“Wichita State University is equipping students with the skills they need to excel in their careers,” Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran said. “This investment from the Economic Development Administration will deliver state-of-the-art technology to WSU to provide students with top-notch training.” 

Get into the Halloween spirit and meet Shockers and campus partners at the annual Trunk or Treat, a fun and Shocker-alternative to traditional trick or treating, from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 19 at the John Bardo Center parking lot.

Costumes are encouraged and WSU students are free to attend.

Faculty and staff are invited to attend an open house experience by the The Smart Factory by Deloitte @ Wichita at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct. 28. Registration is required and limited to the first 40 to complete the form.

For manufacturers still relying on legacy systems and operations, merging existing technologies with new innovations can be challenging. Together, Deloitte and its ecosystem partners are helping companies accelerate their digital transformations. Its immersive smart factory experiences demonstrate how manufacturers can embrace the next level of technological innovation.

In a partnership and collaboration between Faculty Senate and Staff Senate, the 2024 Stock the Shocker Support Locker Challenge has launched. The winter months tend to bring heavier foot traffic and need to the locker, so this year’s drive will take place between Oct. 14 and Nov. 1.

Last year, the senates collectively donated 4,328 items and $155 to the locker. Their goal this year is beat those numbers by donating 5,000 items and $500 to support Shockers in need. Details on how and where to donate are below.

Donating items:

• All donations need to be dropped off at the Student Government Association office located in 219 Rhatigan Student Center. This change in the collection process will allow for easier tracking and processing of the items so they can be inventoried and shelved faster.
• The Shocker Support Locker has a wish list posted on its website to guide your shopping. These are highly sought and requested items needed at the locker. When in doubt consider donating anything that is non-perishable and supports basic needs including:
  • Hygiene products (toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo)
  • Cleaning products (all-purpose cleaners, Clorox wipes)
  • Family items (diapers, wipes)
  • Basic pantry items (flour, sugar, spices)
  • Condiments (ranch, salad dressing, ketchup)
  • Microwave dinners, meals and items
  • Rice and pasta

Monetary donations:

• All money donated is used to purchase items directly for the locker, which helps supplement low-donation periods and high-traffic times and needs.
• Visit the giving website to donate financially.
  • In the comments section include: “University Senate Challenge” so that your donation can be attributed to the goal.
• Thanks to Shelli Herman, alumna, donations through the above link will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000. The goal is $500, potentially resulting in a $1,000 overall contribution.

While the “competition” will run through Nov. 1, know that you can also donate to the locker any time throughout the year. Read more about the mission and operation of the Shocker Support Locker.

The Shocker Support Locker is more than just a food pantry; it is a testament to the strength of the community and the compassion that defines the Shocker family. Your gift to the Shocker Support Locker is instrumental in ensuring no student faces the challenges of hunger while pursuing their education.

Ryan Summerlin, a senior sport management major at Wichita State, spent his summer as a sport management intern at Ballparks of America in Branson, Missouri. His internship provided an immersive experience in various aspects of the sport industry, from event management and public relations to facility maintenance and crisis management.

Attend a come-and-go training session for faculty who want to learn more about Watermark Faculty Success, the new platform for the Faculty Annual Activity Report (FAAR). Learn how to get started or bring your questions to these open labs. All sessions are offered in remote format through Microsoft Teams. If you have questions, contact Rachel Crane at rachel.crane@wichita.edu.

Get started:

• Entering activity data
• Importing citations
• Running reports

Schedule:

• 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 11
• 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16
• 10 a.m. Friday Oct. 18

The Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic at Wichita State offers free hearing evaluations to faculty and staff.

During the evaluations, an audiologist will test the patient’s hearing to determine if there is hearing loss and the type and severity of the loss. Hearing evaluations will last approximately one to two hours. If a patient does appear to have hearing loss, the appointment may last longer.

To schedule an appointment, call 316-978-3289. The clinic is located at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex at the intersection of 29th and Oliver streets.

James Gregory, dean of the College of Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is the first candidate for Wichita State’s senior executive vice president and provost. He will be on campus for a public forum at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.

The second candidate for the position will be on campus for an open forum at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 21 in 141 Woolsey Hall.

The third candidate for the position will be on campus for an open forum at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 24 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Boettger Auditorium.

Stay tuned for more information on the other candidates.

James Gregory, dean of the College of Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, is the first candidate for Wichita State’s senior executive vice president and provost. He will be on campus for a public forum at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 10 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Ballroom.