Year: 2024

The Wichita State University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Shade, will kick off the 2024-25 academic year at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 in Miller Concert Hall. The concert will feature a variety of evocative and thought-provoking works, including Kelijah Dunton’s “Moving Paths,” a powerful piece inspired by Nelson Mandela’s resilience, and David Maslanka’s “Morning Star,” a vibrant work celebrating new beginnings.

Also featured is Jacob A. Harrison’s “Urban Pulse,” which captures the energetic, ever-changing nature of city life, and Kevin Charoensri’s “Rising Light,” an expression of solidarity and celebration of Asian-American identity in response to recent violence. The program concludes with Dan Welcher’s “Zion,” a tribute to the grandeur of Zion National Park and the unyielding spirit of early settlers.

This performance also celebrates the Wind Ensemble’s recent distinction as a National Finalist for The American Prize in performance of American music.

The Washington D.C. and Topeka Internship Program offers qualified undergraduate students, regardless of major, the opportunity to intern and study in Washington, D.C. or Topeka, Kansas, and earn nine hours of course credit.

The internship period is from January to May, and placements are available with members of Congress, the executive branch, interest groups, environmental organizations, education and trade associations, news agencies, embassies, political think tanks and other agencies.

Stipends and housing vouchers are available to students. Attend an information session at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 in 417 Lindquist Hall to hear about what the program has to offer.

The Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA) Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, the leading association for advancing and supporting increased understanding of Latinx/a/o experiences as well as the advancement of policies and action related to Latinx/a/o national issues, has appointed Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte to the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community Executive Board.

Eiran will serve as the NASPA IV-West LKC representative serving the needs of members in what broadly be described as the Midwest. Their goal is to provide members with a forum to address regional issues while providing specialized professional development and networking opportunities.

At Wichita State, Eiran is the assistant director of First-Year Programs overseeing orientation and new student transition programs. He also serves as the president of the Latine Faculty & Staff Association.

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series welcomes its first distinguished guest artist, Jens Korndörfer, to perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 in Wiedemann Hall.

Dr. Korndörfer is the associate professor of organ at Baylor University in Texas, with a full schedule as guest recitalist in North America and Europe. His program on the great Marcussen organ at WSU will have a wide variety of organ repertoire from the 16th to the 21st century. The “Conversation with the Artist” following intermission will give a chance for the audience to get to know the person behind the recitalist.

Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office. Students can attend at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association

Shocker Sports Grill & Lanes is now offering single lane reservations. You can now reserve lanes for your friends or family up to five days in advance. Just $40 per lane per hour and rental shoes are included.

You may have up to eight people, however the recommended maximum is six per lane. Reservations can be made by phone at 316-978-3479 and payment is due at the time of booking.

Chris Wright — founder, chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of Liberty Energy and the fall 2024 entrepreneur-in-residence at the Barton School of Business — will provide a keynote presentation, “Empowering Global Communities: The Transformative Role of Energy in Bettering Human Lives,” as part of the James Schwartz Lecture Series.

The keynote event is at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 25 in 110 Woolsey Hall, Frank A. Boettger Auditorium.

Doors open at 3 p.m. Following the presentation, a book signing and reception will be held in the Woolsey Hall Atirum. All are welcome to attend the event at no additional charge.

The WSU Staff Senate is reestablishing the Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship. To make the scholarship viable, more money needs to be infused into the fund before the scholarship can be awarded. With the help of staff, faculty, administration and alumni, the Staff Senate hopes to make funds available within the next year.

Join in supporting the Shocker Employee and Dependent Scholarship on Sept. 17 and share this information with family and friends who would like to contribute. The University Staff Senate thanks you for supporting WSU employees with opportunities to further their education and increase their earning potential.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room, or via Teams. All USS meetings are open to the Wichita State campus community.

Learn more about University Staff Senate Meetings, access meeting links and previous meeting minutes, on the USS website.

Come down to the Arkansas River from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 at the River Vista Boathouse, 150 N. McLean Boulevard, and watch the Shocker Rowing team battle it out in the Class Races and join Learn 2 Row immediately afterward.

The Class Races will start off the event with a competition between the freshmen and seniors battling it out for victory. Learn 2 Row will follow shortly after at approximately 3:30 p.m. where participants can learn with a current rower and have a chance to experience what rowing on the water is like.

Join the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for the next fall colloquium series talk, at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 11 in 224 McKinley Hall.

The department is honored to host its own Dr. Jian Wang, who will present his seminar titled “Controlled Growth and Crystal Structure Engineering to Uncover Inorganic Functional Materials at WSU.”