Author: Caelin Bragg

Make sure to catch the latest episode of the “Forward Together” podcast. President Rick Muma talks with Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps and One Small Step. Designed to “remind the country of the humanity in all of us,” One Small Step brings people with different political views together to record a facilitated 50-minute conversation.

Watch the episode online or listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

The next episode will feature a conversation with the Honorable Stephanie Dawkins Davis, circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and WSU alum. Subscribe to be notified when new episodes are available.

The Wichita State University Math Circle pairs pre-college students with mathematics professionals from WSU to understand and work with interesting problems and topics in math at weekly workshops.

Students gain insight into topics that go beyond what they work with in their classrooms, ranging from the history of math in ancient cultures to the math hidden around every corner of modern life. Session topics and content are geared toward middle school students, but all K-12 students are welcome to attend.

Topics for each session are announced the week of on WSU Math Circle’s Facebook page.

Keep yourself up to date on all things Shocker Athletics this week:

• Subscribe to Shocker Brew, the Shocker Athletics newsletter, publishing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• See all upcoming scheduled events by viewing the Shocker Athletics calendar.
• Order tickets to events on the Shocker Athletics ticket office website.
• Stay up to date on Shocker Athletics news by visiting the Roundhouse and listening to the Roundhouse podcast.
• Follow Shocker Athletics on Instagram, Facebook and X.

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

Events this week:

• Online open enrollment presentation from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. Registration is not required.

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.

The Association of Public & Land-grant Universities (APLU) featured Wichita State as one of the finalists for its Innovation & Economic Prosperity (IEP) University Awards.

The APLU highlighted the benefits WSU’s Innovation Campus provides to both students and industry, and some new expansions coming. The IEP Award winners will be announced at the APLU’s annual meeting Nov 12-24 in Seattle, Washington.

2023-24 seasonal influenza vaccines and updated 2023-24 COVID-19 vaccines have arrived at Student Health Services. WSU faculty, staff and students — make your appointment now, while supplies last.

Everyone 6 months and older is recommended to receive one dose of updated influenza and mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. The new COVID-19 vaccine formula targets the variants that are currently circulating in the United States. Who is eligible for the Flu and COVID-19 vaccines at Student Health Services?

• Ages 18 and over
• Currently enrolled WSU students
• Current WSU employees
• Must be at least 10 days past a positive COVID test or COVID-19/influenza-like symptoms.

How to get your vaccination?

• Appointments are required. Call 316-978-4792 to schedule.
• Bring your current health insurance card to use your possible free immunization benefits. If SHS is considered out of network with your insurance, you may have out-of-pocket costs.
• Allow 15 minutes to sit and wait after receiving the COVID-19 vaccination.

How much do the vaccinations cost?

• Flu Vaccines – $25, plus administration fee
• 2023-24 COVID booster vaccine – Pfizer Comirnaty – $125, plus administration fee

Other COVID-19 vaccination locations in the Wichita Community: vaccines.gov/search

• When searching on the site, uninsured or underinsured persons should be sure to click the box for “Bridge Access Program Participant” while searching for a vaccine using this site. This program provides no-cost COVID-19 vaccines to adults without health insurance and adults whose insurance does not cover all COVID-19 vaccine costs. There are 19 pharmacies or health departments in the Wichita area that are authorized participants of this program.

The Wichita State Criminal Justice Student Association (CJSA) has launched a GroupRaise-Krispy Kreme Digital Dozens fundraising campaign.

From now until Nov. 1, 50% of proceeds from orders will be donated to the WSU CJSA when purchases are made using the fundraising sales page.

Cessna Stadium opened in 1969 as a place meant to propel Wichita State football into a new era.

A crowd of 28,245 watched the Shockers defeat Utah State 17-7 on Sept. 13 of that year. The stadium featured stands that expanded the capacity to 31,500 from 12,500. A year-long fund-raising effort for $1.5 million resulted in “lush, green synthetic grass” known as Poly-Turf, a two-level press box with private boxes, covered seating for the 220 Turf Club members and a new running track.

“It was so cool – I was from back East and the stadiums held maybe 3-4,000 people,” said Ed Plopa, a freshman defensive back in 1969. “When we played Utah State, that place was going nuts.”

This Monday, as part of the Memorial ’70 ceremony, football players, friends and families from those years received a piece of Cessna Stadium seating.

Wichita State University has announced the creation of the WSU Retirees Association (WSURA), aimed at providing new paths for Shocker faculty and staff retirees to continue active engagement with the university. The new association adds to the existing array of perks available to retirees. 

The association was announced Oct. 4 at Wichita State’s annual Retirees Breakfast.  

Anyone who is officially retired from WSU is automatically a member of the association. The association is organized and led by retirees and will provide new opportunities for members to connect not only with other retirees but also with the wider WSU community. This association contributes to WSU’s strength as the only Kansas member of the Age-Friendly University Global Network and as an age-inclusive campus.  

Shockers, you can now view the schedule of courses available during the spring 2024 semester.

Find the course schedule in the myChannel tab of your myWSU portal under “Student Registration (Banner 9),” or use the course search functionality on the website.

Plan ahead and schedule an appointment with your academic advisor now so you’re ready to register in your classes when spring 2024 registration opens the week of Nov. 13.