Year: 2024

Two 2023 graduates of the Barton School of Business at Wichita State, Jacob O’Connor and Jon Peterson, are opening Another Broken Egg Café, an upscale brunch restaurant, Sept. 30 near K-96 and Oliver. The two first met in high school and had other business ventures together in college, and they did extensive research and vetting before choosing to franchise Another Broken Egg Café.

“Through Jon’s and my time at WSU, we built an invaluable network of successful entrepreneurs who we’re grateful to call mentors,” said O’Connor, who was a Jabara Scholar recipient and named Entrepreneur of the Year while at WSU. “We almost exclusively met these connections in person at local restaurants. We hope for our cafe to be a regular meeting ground for WSU students to have those same meetings with their future mentors.”

They will host a special VIP opening on Sept. 28 where 100% of sales will go to their charity partner, The Shocker Support Locker.

Wichita State’s School of Nursing has launched a new Licensed Mental Health Technician (LMHT) pathway. This pioneering program, the first of its kind in the state, will address the growing need for mental health care professions in Kansas.

Key features of the LMHT pathway:

• Coursework is completely online, making the curriculum accessible to individuals across the region.
• All credit hours earned through the pathway can be applied toward a health care degree program for students pursuing further education.
• The School of Nursing is establishing clinical partnerships in rural areas, with the goal of allowing rural students to complete their clinical requirements close to home.

Shockers are invited to attend the annual Ad Astra Technology Summit, featuring Bill Nye the Science Guy, Wednesday, Oct. 2. And WSU students can use code UN-BILL-EIVABLYSMART at checkout and get nearly 70% off their tickets.

Wichita State is a sponsor for this year’s Ad Astra Technology Summit, a yearly event that showcases, promotes and has break-out sessions for technology entrepreneurship and innovation in the state. And this year, WSU’s very own Troy Tabor, director of innovation intelligence in the College of Innovation and Design, will chat on stage with Bill Nye the Science Guy as the keynote.

U.S. households will be eligible to order four free COVID-19 tests at COVIDTests.gov. The COVID-19 tests will detect current COVID-19 variants and can be used through the end of the year. The site will also provide instructions on how to read COVID at-home tests and finding COVID tests in your community.

The Shocker Store is headed to WSU Old Town with Shocker gear priced 30-70% off for a garage sale from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 2.

Join the Artist Exploration Association (AEA) for its September general meeting at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 27 in 266 RSC, Pike Room.

Come learn about the yearly art challenge Inktober, draw with friends and learn about everything that AEA has to offer. All majors and art skill levels are welcome to attend. Supplies will be provided, but feel free to bring your own. Bring a friend, bring a snack and come hang out with other artists on campus.

Grab a $26 full-zip sweatshirt today during Fall Feature Friday at the Shocker Store. Today only, you can purchase a select sweatshirt for just $26 in the RSC store and through the online storefront. Limited quantities are available. Sale is not valid with other discounts or promotions and all sales are final.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in open enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

Virtual and in-person presentations will be offered:

• 9-10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 3, online
• 3-4 p.m. Monday, Oct. 7, online
• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 9, 256 RSC, Edmiston Room
• 9-10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 258 RSC, Smokey Hills Room
• 2-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17, online
• 10-11 a.m. Monday, Oct. 21, online

This is a very busy time, so the Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in benefits open enrollment, which starts tomorrow, Oct. 1.

Upcoming events:

• Tuesday, Oct. 1: SEHP will begin opening enrollment portals throughout the day. All benefit-eligible employees should have access to their open enrollment portal by close of business on Oct. 1
• Thursday, Oct. 3: At 9 a.m., attend the Online Open Enrollment Presentation. Registration is not required, Zoom link to join and additional presentation times can be found at wichita.edu/openenrollment

The Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

This is once again an active enrollment, meaning that all covered state employees must participate, or be enrolled in a default plan. 

Events next week:

Tuesday, Oct. 1:  SEHP will begin opening enrollment portals throughout the day. All benefit-eligible employees should have access to their benefits open enrollment portal by close of business on Oct. 1^.

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.