Street sign in a wooded area that says open enrollment ahead

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

Events occurring this week:

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. To add meeting reminders to your calendar or for additional information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

Dr. Bayram Yildrim, Dr. Ramazan Asmatulu, Dr. Anil Mahapatro

The College of Engineering is searching for a new associate dean for research and invites the campus community to attend presentations from each of the candidates sharing their vision for the future of the college:

  • Dr. Bayram Yildrim, professor of industrial, systems and manufacturing engineering – 2-3 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17 in 123 Wallace Hall
  • Dr. Ramazan Asmatulu, the Boeing Global Professor of mechanical engineering – 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in A131 Partnership Building 2
  • Dr. Anil Mahapatro, chairperson and professor of biomedical engineering – 4-5 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 18 in A131 Partnership Building 2
Street sign in a wooded area that says open enrollment ahead

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

Upcoming events:

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. To add meeting reminders to your calendar or for additional information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

Wichita State University Police Department badge coin

The Wichita State University Police Department (WSU PD) invites students, faculty, staff and Innovation Campus partners to join a conversation with its department members from 10:30 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Nov. 8 in the Rhatigan Student Center foyer.

WSU PD officers, dispatchers and Parking Services personnel will be available to speak with members of the campus community about the department, campus safety or a variety of other topics. Donuts will also be provided to attendees courtesy of WSU PD and Parking Services.

Jeremy Kohn, ChFC, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) financial consultant, will be available at Wichita State on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Wednesday, Oct. 18 for in-person KBOR retirement plan consultation meetings.

Kohn can help individuals confirm they are on track for enough income at retirement and provide specific investment recommendations at a fiduciary level of care for their TIAA funds.

To schedule a meeting with Jeremy, visit the TIAA website, login and follow the prompts to schedule an in-person meeting at WSU. Call the TIAA scheduling team at 800-732-8353 for assistance in scheduling a meeting.

Shockers, unlock your academic potential with the powerful IBISWorld Database, available at no additional charge to all WSU students.

Utilize IBISWorld:

  • Comprehensive coverage: Access industry intelligence covering 98% of the U.S. economy relevant to your field of study
  • Business breakdown: Covering topics in business administration, the arts, education, engineering, health professions, manufacturing, retail and more.
  • In-depth insights: Get trends, statistics and market analysis at your fingertips.
  • Effective utilization: Perfect for researching startup business ideas, supply chains, economic forecasts and career plans. 
  • Career boost: Elevate your academic journey and enhance your career prospects.

For additional help with the database tailored for your studies, contact Meghann Kuhlmann, business librarian, at meghann.kuhlmann@wichita.edu for expert help.

Screenshot of the IBISWorld database on the University Libraries website. Maximizing resources: Library databases at your fingertips, finding reliable resources made easy - Explore databases now. Available at libraries.wichita.edu

University Libraries are excited to introduce an invaluable resource that can significantly enhance your students’ academic experience: the IBISWorld database. This powerful tool is available at no additional charge to all students, faculty and staff at Wichita State. WSU Libraries encourages faculty and staff to share this resource with students.

Students can utilize IBISWorld for a variety of opportunities:

  • Comprehensive coverage: Access industry intelligence covering 98% of the U.S. economy relevant to your field of study
  • Business breakdown: Covering topics in business administration, the arts, education, engineering, health professions, manufacturing, retail and more.
  • In-depth insights: Get trends, statistics and market analysis at your fingertips.
  • Effective utilization: Perfect for researching startup business ideas, supply chains, economic forecasts and career plans. 
  • Career boost: Elevate their academic journey and enhance their career prospects.

For additional help with the database, contact Meghann Kuhlmann, business librarian, at meghann.kuhlmann@wichita.edu for expert help.

Members from NIAR and Knowmadics sign the collaboration agreement

Wichita State University and Knowmadics are entering into a new collaboration aimed at enhancing the security, and resiliency of satellite constellations and satellite-based communications. The endeavor is intended to strengthen the security of data collection and transfer among space-based Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The work will be performed through Wichita State’s National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation (NIRDT), led by Pierre Harter, the associate vice president of research operations for WSU Industry and Defense Programs. Dr. Ross Gruetzemacher, WSU assistant professor of business analytics, will serve as the technical lead. His areas of expertise include data science and artificial intelligence (AI).

Wu waves to the crowd during the Shocktoberfest Parade

Shocker Nation celebrated Wu’s 75th birthday during Wichita State’s annual celebration of pride and spirit: Shocktoberfest. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community came together for events, activities and many competitions.

Winners from the week’s competitions and athletic events:

  • The title of 2023 Spirit Competition winner goes to Gamma Phi Beta, who showed up to Shocktoberfest events and activities all week long. Gamma Phi Beta took home $1,000 towards its student organization.
  • Departmental door decoration – National Institute for Aviation & Research (NIAR)
  • Individual door decoration – Christian Holley of Public Policy & Management
  • Student group banner – Gamma Phi Beta
  • Shocker Volleyball vs. Temple student group attendance competition – Rocket Club
  • Shocker Volleyball beat both Temple and South Florida 3-0
  • Shocker Rowing took home first place in women’s pair and second place in men’s pair medals at the Music City Regatta in Nashville, Tennessee

Parade of Decades winners:

  • Wu’s winner – Shocker Sound Machine
  • Best use of theme – Gamma Phi Beta
  • Most creative – Women’s Tennis
  • People’s choice award – SGA Agencies

Shocktoberfest was made possible by the work of many staff and student leaders, and a special thank you goes to the President’s Office, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Foundation and Alumni Engagement, and Shocker Athletics. Wichita State thanks everyone for the great week of Shocker celebration and pride.

The School of Performing Arts in the College of Fine Arts invites the Wichita community to its 2023-24 season of productions.

This year’s season is centered around “Building Community.”

Fall 2023:

  • Move on Litwin: Dance Up Close – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-28 in Litwin Theatre, Heskett Dance Studios
  • A Chorus Line – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2-4; 2 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Wilner Auditorium
  • Senior Capstone Celebration – 6 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in Wilner Auditorium

Spring 2024:

  • Wichita Children’s Dance Festival – 2 p.m. Jan. 28 in Wilner Auditorium
  • Peter and the Starcatcher – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29-March 2; 2 p.m. March 3 in Wilner Auditorium
  • Christmas Dish – 7:30 p.m. April 5-6 in the Welsbacher Black Box Theatre, Hughes Metropolitan Complex
  • Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre – 7 p.m. April 25-27; 2 p.m. April 28 in Wilner Auditorium

Tickets can be purchased online from the College of Fine Arts Box Office. Find a complete list of productions on the School of Performing Arts website.