WSU Today: Monday, Sept. 15, 2025

Faculty and Staff Resources

Sign up for CIM (Curriculum Management) training next week

All faculty and staff are invited to attend one of the upcoming Curriculum Management (CIM) virtual training sessions available this semester at the following dates and times:

Art Exhibits

Experience the Life of Shirley Knight Exhibit: Sept. 15 – Oct. 10 RSC Cadman Art Gallery & The Looking Glass

From Kansas to Hollywood: Attend Shirley Knight exhibit opening reception Sept. 18

University Libraries Special Collections invites you to step into the life of award-winning actress and WSU Alumna Shirley Knight. See Hollywood scripts, on-set photos, awards and personal letters that share her journey from Kansas to the big screen. The opening reception will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Sept. 18 at the Rhatigan Student Center’s Cadman Art Gallery & The Looking Glass.

Knight’s career spanned stage, television and film. She starred on Broadway in “Three Sisters” and “Kennedy’s Children,” appeared on TV shows like “Maverick,” “Thirtysomething,” “Law & Order” and “House,” and was featured in films including “As Good as It Gets,” “Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood” and “Grandma’s Boy.”

The exhibit is on display in the Rhatigan Student Center’s Cadman Art Gallery & The Looking Glass from Sept. 15 through Oct. 10.

Presentations and Talks

Biological sciences seminar continues with Sarah Nickel, Molecular Diagnostics Lab, Sept. 15

The Department of Biological Sciences’ fall 2025 seminar series continues from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15 in 218 Hubbard Hall with Sarah Nickel, MS, MLS(ASPCP)CM, of the Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory. She will give a public lecture titled, “Lessons Learned: My Path to Lab Director.”

Seminars are open to the public and undergraduates are encouraged to attend. For more information, visit wichita.edu/biology.

Dr. Gary S. Michelfelder will update the geology department on his ongoing research at ‘zombie volcano,’ Uturuncu

All are welcome to join an exciting guest lecture by volcanologist Dr. Gary S. Michelfelder, Roy Blunt Life Sciences Endowed Professor at Missouri State University, at 2:15 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 in 101 Geology Building.

Michelfelder will present “Zircon Petrochronology Informs Pre-Eruptive Magma Evolution at Uturuncu Volcano, Bolivia Andes,” offering a fascinating look at how zircon crystals can reveal processes occurring inside of a magma chamber during the lead-up to past eruptions at the “zombie volcano” Uturuncu.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn about cutting-edge research in volcanic processes and magma evolution from a leading expert in the field.

Author Michael Horn to keynote Barton School’s James Schwartz Lecture Sept. 18

Michael Horn, bestselling author of “Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career,” will present a dynamic keynote as part of the Barton School of Business’ fall 2025 James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series, “The New Career Playbook: Mastering Job Moves in a Changing World.”

Horn’s talk will share fresh insights on navigating career transitions, identifying opportunities and taking ownership of personal and professional growth.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 in Woolsey Hall, followed by a networking session.

Doors open at 9 a.m. After the keynote, there will be networking and book signing in the atrium. The first 75 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of “Job Moves.” This free event is open to the public. RSVP at wichita.edu/new-career-playbook.

Events and Recreation

Office of Community Partnerships welcomes you to join monthly community partnership meeting

The WSU Office of Community Partnerships (OCP) was established last fall to help advance the work of Wichita State in meeting the needs of communities across the state.

The OCP is to serve as a support and collaborative hub for community-focused initiatives housed in WSU offices aiming to strengthen the well-being of Kansas residents, organizations and communities. The office will serve as resource for faculty, staff and students wanting to engage in community efforts, especially in the public, social and health services fields.

Because of the important work they do with organizations and communities in the state, the OCP would like to invite faculty and staff to its monthly community partnership meeting from 8 to 9:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 in 264 Rhatigan Student Center, Spencer Room.

There is still time to register for WSU’s largest one day volunteer event

Join WSU’s largest one day volunteer event with Wu’s Big Event Sept. 20. Join your fellow Shockers for a morning of volunteering throughout the community. Individuals, groups, organizations and students are all invited to attend. Check-in for Wu’s Big Event will be from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m.

The kick-off will begin at 9 a.m. in the 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom with a light breakfast and kick-off celebration. Participants will then load the buses and be at a service site by 10 a.m. Volunteers will work until noon and return to the Beggs Ballroom for lunch and closing festivities.

Still have questions? Email CSB@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016

‘Donut’ forget to register to vote – Join the Shockers Vote Coalition for National Voter Registration Day

In celebration of National Voter Registration Day, the Shockers Vote Coalition will be available from 8 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16 on the first floor of the Rhatigan Student Center and throughout campus providing donuts and information about voting. Check your voter registration, explore your voting options and find out about how you can join the Shockers Vote Coalition.

For more information about the Shockers Vote coalition, email CivicEngagement@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Campus Safety

WSU Fire Safety will be conducting annual fire alarm testing during the month of September

WSU Fire Safety and its vendor will conduct required annual fire alarm inspections and testing starting at 5 p.m. each evening. Testing will continue through the remainder of September or until all the fire alarm systems have been tested. Testing for most buildings will be done during the evening and overnight hours. There is no schedule for when a building will be tested. Only state-owned buildings will be tested.

Every effort will be made not to disrupt any business or classes; however, the fire alarm system could go off. Unless told otherwise by Fire Safety, follow your evacuation procedures and do not re-enter the building until you are told you can do so.

During the inspection, personnel will be entering all rooms, including labs and offices. Please secure any valuables and sensitive documentation.

Any questions can be emailed to Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu and Dennis Moore at dennis.moore@wichita.edu.

Student Success and Persistence

UReCA: Connect Database – Service to connect faculty and students for undergraduate research opportunities

Faculty and students can connect for undergraduate research opportunities with the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA) Connect Database.

Fill out the surveys below to start getting connected:

The UReCA Hub pairs faculty and students according to their research interests and will inform both the faculty and student via email of their match, and it is their responsibility to schedule an initial meeting.

At the end of the semester, the UReCA Hub will distribute a Qualtrics survey to both faculty and students to evaluate their research experiences.

Truman Scholarship foundation is looking for the next generation of public service leaders

The Truman Scholarship awards students in their third year of college up to $30,000 for graduate school as well as access to extensive scholar programming, priority admission and financial support from public service graduate programs, advising and mentoring from other public service leaders, and preferred hiring with the federal government.

Students are welcome to attend a virtual open house at 1 p.m. Oct 8 hosted by the Harry S Truman Scholarship Foundation. The session will include a number of recent scholars discussing their application experiences, as well as an overview of the program and selection criteria. Share the Zoom link with students.

For more information, visit truman.gov.

News

Student Engagement & Belonging is seeking full-time faculty and staff to advise Registered Student Organizations

The Office of Student Engagement & Belonging is seeking full-time faculty and staff members interested in serving as advisors for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). Advisors play an important role in supporting student success by providing guidance, mentorship and institutional knowledge. With more than 200 RSOs on campus, there are opportunities to connect with student groups that align with your professional expertise, personal interests or passions.

Serving as an advisor is a rewarding way to contribute to the WSU community, foster leadership development and build stronger connections with students outside the classroom or office. Faculty and staff who wish to learn more or be matched with an organization can email Caitlin Nolen at catilin.nolen@wichita.edu.