Year: 2024

Encourage your students to join Ablah Library’s upcoming workshop from 3 to 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 1 at the Ablah Library Digital Scholars Commons (in-person and online). And with the new attendance tracking system in place, offering extra credit for student participation is now simpler than ever. There is no cost to attend.

This session will help them understand what systematic reviews are and aren’t, what makes them systematic, how to read and interpret them and how to write them. Discover why systematic reviews are rapidly becoming one of the fastest-growing forms of published scholarly research.

The west entrance to Jabara Hall will be closed Friday, Sept. 27 to accommodate exterior building maintenance. All other entrances will remain open.

Thank you for patience as essential maintenance work is completed on campus.

The Shocker Printing Solutions storefront will be down for a scheduled maintenance from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27. If you need to place an order during this time, email the order to shockerprinting@wichita.edu.

Shocker Printing apologize for any inconvenience that this may cause.

Faculty in mathematics and statistics authored a record number of research publications within the department’s last 25 years in 2023. The average number of individual publications by each faculty member has also seen record highs, approaching two research publications a year per faculty member.

These developments highlight the extraordinary efforts by the faculty to heighten the collective scientific understanding of mathematics and statistics and to propel Wichita State as a leading research institution.

Wichita State University invites the entire community to join in its Shocktoberfest celebrations in a week full of tradition and Shocker spirit. Shocktoberfest, which runs Sept. 30 through Oct. 5, is the university’s biggest annual event and will include a brew garden, bonfire, an entrepreneur’s market, parade and athletic events.

Shocktoberfest has been a Wichita State tradition since 1991 and offers something for everyone, with a variety of events that cater to students, alumni and the greater Wichita community. The weeklong celebration is designed to showcase the vibrant, inclusive culture of Wichita State. Some of the week’s highlights include the following:

• Bonfire – 7:30-9 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30 at Braeburn Square – Stay warm by the fire, and revel in the spirit of Shocktoberfest with WSU cheer, marching band and a few of your favorite athletes. This event will be on the lawn east of Braeburn Square near Oliver. Access the event from the bridge between Fuzzy’s and Social Tap.
• Shocker Softball v. Butler Community College – 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 3 at Wilkins Stadium
• Patio Party – 5-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 at Braeburn Square – This casual gathering promises an unforgettable evening to connect with Shocker Nation. Enjoy deals from our vendors, food trucks, games and music.
• Shocker Baseball Fall Scrimmage – 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Eck Stadium.
• Outdoor Movie: Disney’s “Cars” – 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 at Cessna Stadium — Join us at the historical Cessna Stadium for a free viewing of Disney Pixar’s family classic “Cars.” Bring your blankets, camp chairs and make yourself comfortable on the field. Popcorn is provided and outside snacks are welcome.

The big day:

Shocktoberfest culminates with a full day of festivities on Saturday, Oct. 5, offering a mix of events that bring together Shocker spirit, local entrepreneurs and family-friendly fun.

• The inaugural Entrepreneur Market – from 9 a.m.-noon on Oct. 5 at Woolsey Hall – will highlight the many diverse small businesses created by alumni, the community, friends of the university and students.
• Wichita State’s inaugural Shocktoberfest Brew Garden + Fan Fest is in partnership with Shocker Athletics and runs from 2-6 p.m. on Oct. 5. WSU will transform the alley and parking lot east of Charles Koch Arena for a fun-filled afternoon with music, food, drinks and fun for the whole family.
• The Shocktoberfest Parade, which begins at 4 p.m. Oct. 5, is the highlight of the weeklong celebration. Participants will enjoy entertainment from the Shocker Sound Machine marching band, dance teams and decorated cars and floats from student groups and community members. For the best parade experience, grab a spot along Innovation Boulevard, Mike Oatman Drive or Perimeter Road. These locations offer great views and are easily accessible.
• Shocker fans are invited to a free a sneak preview of the Wichita State men’s and women’s basketball teams at the annual Shocker Madness season kickoff event at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 5 in Koch Arena.

The 2024 CyberCorp Scholars at Wichita State have been announced. The scholarship aims to increase the workforce of cybersecurity professionals in government.

The scholars receive scholarships that cover tuition, a bi-monthly stipend and professional development expenses. This year’s scholars:

• Daniel Halbleib, Bishop Carroll Catholic High School, Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity
• Alexander Pickett, Mill Valley High School, Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity
• Jessica Methman, Southeast High School, Bachelor of Science in cybersecurity
• Hyacinthe Howell, Southeast High School, Master of Science in computer science

Wichita State students now have access to cutting-edge virtual production technology at Shocker Studios with the addition of Synthetic Scenes — a 35- by 11-foot digital wall that will give digital arts students and professionals more tools to create innovative productions.

The digital wall allows actors and other performers to be filmed against any backdrop, and unlike a green screen, the digital wall is live and can be interacted with in real time, meaning performers can react organically, and post-production time is greatly reduced.

Kristyn Waits, a Wichita State alumna, reflects on her journey from an undergraduate student to graduate student. Through transformative experiences like international travel, interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning, Kristyn shares how Wichita State shaped her career and continues to inspire her today.

Four Wichita State students presented their research at the National Geological Society of America meeting Sept. 22-25 in Anaheim, California.

• Mitch Baker, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science
• Jack Dalton, graduate student in earth, environmental and physical science
• Ricky Nichols, senior in geology and secondary education in earth and space science
• Makenna Roths, senior in geology and honors baccalaureate

The students were accompanied by faculty researchers Dr. Will Parcell, chair and associate professor of geology, and Julia Schwartz, assistant educator in geology.

The group presented the following publications (* indicates student):

• Parcell, W., Baker, M.*, Dalton, J*., Nichols, J*., Schwartz, J., 2024, Influence of paleotopography and active basement structures on depositional patterns, Middle to Late Jurassic, Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54.
• Schwartz, J., Baker, M.*, Dalton, J*., Nichols, J*., Parcell, W., 2024, Stratigraphic analysis of the cretaceous eagle coal in Elk Basin Wyoming with XRD and XRF. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54.
• Roths, M.*, Parcell, 2024, Analysis of geoscience education techniques within the National Park Service. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54.
• Nichols, J*., Parcell, Schwartz, J., 2024, The search for rare earth elements (REES) in lignite coal seams with X-ray diffraction (XRD): A case study from the Cretaceous Eagle Formation, Elk Basin, Park County, Wyoming, USA. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54.
• Dalton, J*., Baker, M.*, Nichols, J*., Parcell, W., Schwartz, J., 2024, Stratigraphic significance of a bentonite unit in the upper Jurassic Morrison Formation, northeastern Bighorn Basin, Wyoming. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54.
• Baker, M.*, Parcell, W., 2024, Convergent philosophies: using geology and biology to describe microbialite paleoenvironments. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54. 
• Baker, M.*, Dalton, J*., Nichols, J*., Parcell, W., Schwartz, J., 2024, Microbialite mystery: characterizing development of microbialites in the Jurassic strata of Wyoming. Geological Society of America Abstracts with Programs. Vol 54.

Come hear from experts about the different ways that AI can impact our electoral system at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in 209 Hubbard Hall. The panel consists of Dr. Alexandra Middlewood, associate professor of political science and department chair; Dr. Shruti Kshirsager, association professor of computer science; and Dr. Justin Keeler, clinical associate professor in business analytics.