Author: Caelin Bragg

Happy 75th birthday to Shocker Nation’s own WuShock! Wu, who has been Wichita State’s mascot since 1948, is a friend to every Shocker fan and is the number one supporter of all things Wichita and Wichita State.

Stay tuned to WSU’s social media accounts Saturday, Oct. 7 for a celebratory video from the campus community, and join us by sharing your own birthday wishes to Wu with the hashtag #ShockersUp.

Wichita State University Math Circle resumes its meetings every Sunday for the fall semester. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8 in 101 Lindquist Hall with speaker Dr. Buma Fridman, professor of mathematics, discussing the many kinds of infinity and how mathematicians can measure them.

Math Circles are education enrichment and outreach programs that bring mathematical professionals and pre-college students together to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics, with the goal of getting students excited and passionate about math. Sessions are designed for middle school students, but all students K-12 are welcome to attend and learn.

Students should bring a completed registration and consent form to the session. Like WSU Math Circle on Facebook to stay up to date on meetings every week.

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

Virtual and in-person presentations will be offered:

• 3:30-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 4 in 266 RSC, Pike Room
• 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct 5
• 9-10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10
• 9-10 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 19
• 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24

This is a very busy time, so the Total Rewards Team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding open enrollment. Please take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options.  For additional information visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

The merger of a nonprofit project and local history is a perfect fit for Wichita State University junior Kian Williams. 

“History runs in my family,” Williams said. “I was immediately hooked.” 

Wichita State’s Public Policy and Management Center is working with the Kansas Aviation Museum on strategic planning. Williams, a junior majoring in political science and international studies, is an undergraduate student research assistant assisting PPMC program manager Kate Young. 

The research and writing Williams does to help the museum chart its future connects with the background that shaped a love for history. Williams, who uses they/them pronouns, volunteered at the Reno County Museum to help Ceeley Williams, their mother, who worked as the museum’s archivist. 

WSU Fire Safety will conduct required annual fire alarm testing during October. Testing will be accomplished between the hours of 7 p.m. and 3 a.m. for most campus buildings. Buildings with evening classes will be tested after 10 p.m.

Persons utilizing any evening study spaces may be interrupted by fire alarms. No testing will be done in any residence hall, Rhatigan Student Center, CAC Theater, partnership buildings or Braeburn Square facilities.

Any questions or concerns can be emailed to scott.murray@wichita.edu.

This is once again an active enrollment, meaning that all covered state employees must participate or be enrolled in a default plan. 

Events this week:

Sunday, Oct. 1: SEHP will begin opening enrollment portals throughout the day. All benefit-eligible employees should have access to their benefits open enrollment portal by close of business on Oct. 1^.

Please take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options.  For additional information visit the open enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

Join Campus Recreation for its annual 5K Pumpkin Run starting at 9 a.m. Oct. 21 at the Shocker Hall Plaza. The campus community can register to participate at a discounted rate for a limited time.

When registering, use discount code “Shocktoberfest” to get $10 off the 5K registration fee. The discount is only available through Thursday, Oct. 5.

All participants receive a Pumpkin Run T-shirt and medal while supplies last, and awards will be handed to the top finishers of each age group. When registering, participants will receive a referral link for friends, family and coworkers to sign up with. If five people sign up using your referral link, you will get an additional $15 off.

Also available are the Little Pumpkin Fun Run 1K and the Virtual 5K events:

• Children 12 years old and younger can sign up for the Little Pumpkin Run 1K, which starts at 10:21 a.m.
• Everyone is welcome to sign up to run in the Virtual 5K from anywhere and receive the same benefits.

For additional information, call the race director at 316-978-5870 or email cr.pumpkinrun@wichita.edu.

WSU Math Circle resumes meetings for the fall semester. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1 in 101 Lindquist Hall. Math Circle is a program for middle school students. Sunday’s speaker is Dr. Mai Dao, who will discuss the innerworkings of QR and bar codes, along with guiding students on how to make their own during the discussion.

Math Circles are education enrichment and outreach groups that bring mathematicians and mathematical scientists into direct contact with pre-college students. These students meet with math professionals in an informal setting, after school or on weekends, to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. The goal is to get the students excited and passionate about mathematics.

Middle school students should bring a completed registration and consent form from the website.

Kansas home values will continue to appreciate in the coming year, according to the 2024 Kansas Housing Markets Forecast series published by the Wichita State University Center for Real Estate.

“The inventory of homes available for sale is very limited,” said Dr. Stan Longhofer, director of the WSU Center for Real Estate. “As a result, the market still favors sellers despite the softening of demand due to higher mortgage rates.” 

Longhofer will present the forecast at 10:15 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Kansas Association of Realtors Annual Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn in Manhattan. He will be available for interviews after his presentation at about 11:30 a.m.

Wichita State University’s efforts to transform the educational experience for students and redefine the role of a university to foster statewide economic growth have yielded remarkable results: the highest enrollment in its 128-year history.  

Combined enrollment by headcount across all Wichita State University locations for fall 2023 is 23,203, according to the annual data released today by the Kansas Board of Regents.   

For the Wichita State campus, the numbers represent an increase of 3.7% in fall student headcount from 16,921 in 2022 to 17,548 in 2023. That’s the largest number of students ever choosing to enroll at Wichita State.  

At WSU Tech, student headcount increased 12.6% from 5,021 last year to 5,655 this year — also the highest headcount ever for WSU Tech.