Author: Caelin Bragg

Shockers, did you know about the numerous student organizations you can join on campus? From sports clubs to cultural and international clubs, there’s an organization for you to get involved on campus and collaborate with your peers.

This week’s student organization is Shocker Racing: Formula SAE, where you will get the chance to apply what you learn in the classroom to the real world by designing, manufacturing, testing and racing collegiate level formula cars.

Organization name: Wichita State Shocker Racing Formula SAE
Meeting times: Every Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. in 204 John Bardo Center
Social media:
Instagram: @goshockersfsae
TikTok: @goshockersfsae
Facebook: Shocker Racing FSAE
X: @Shocker_Racing

• What is your organization’s mission?
  Shocker Racing FSAE is a student-run organization dedicated to designing, manufacturing, building and competing in a single-seat, open-wheel, formula-style race car for use at Formula SAE competitions and SCCA Autocross events across the country.
• Why should students join your organization?
  Since we are open to all majors joining our team, students should join our organization so they can get experience, whether it be design, hands-on, leadership or marketing. There is truly something for everyone.
• What events does your organization host throughout the year?
  While we do not have our own specific events, we attend as many events as we can, mainly College of Engineering events, including the Open House and Engineering Block Party.
• What is something you want the campus community to know about your organization?
  We would like the campus community to know that we are a dedicated and fun group of individuals who are passionate about designing and building a formula-style race car from the ground up.
• How can the community learn more about or join your organization?
  The community can learn more about our organization by following us on our social media where frequent updates will be posted.
• Beau Rodriguez, junior business management major, had this to say about being a member of Shocker Racing:
  “Being a part of the Wichita State Shocker Racing Team has had a great impact on my life personally, professionally and academically. I’ve made many great friends on the team after having only been a member for a little over a year. Professionally, this team has shown me how to effectively communicate and work with many local companies. Learning how to manage and work as a team is an invaluable skill I have learned and continue to learn on this team. Academically, this program has driven me to put what I learn in the classroom to use and improve my understanding of the concepts. Having a background in business management allows me to practice a management position and help guide a team to success. Having taken my marketing knowledge from the classroom, I am able to implement it when trying to market the team to the public. I am proud to be a part of the Shocker Racing Team, and I would encourage anyone who is interested to come to see what we are all about.”

Tune back in every week to learn more about a student organization on campus. Student organizations are housed under Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership (SEAL); visit SEAL’s website to learn more about student organizations and other ways to get involved.

Shockers! Get ready for a week full of events to showcase what makes Wichita State so special at the annual Shocktoberfest.

Shocktoberfest runs Oct. 2-8 and features events, activities and competitions open to the entire Wichita community, coordinated by the Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership with support from the Student Activities Council and several campus partners:

• Banners on Display – Oct. 2-8
  • Students competing in the Shocktoberfest spirit competition have decorated banners celebrating Wu’s 75th Birthday. Banners are on display around the interior of campus through Sunday, Oct. 8. Winning banners will be announced at Shocker Madness.
• Door Decorations on Display – Oct. 2-8
  • Shocker themed doors decorated by individual faculty/staff, departments, and on-campus residents are on display around campus through Oct. 8. Winners will be announced at Shocker Madness
• Shocker Madness – 6 p.m. Oct. 7
  • Fans are invited to a free evening of fun at Charles Koch Arena and a sneak preview of the WSU men’s and women’s basketball teams at WSU’s annual Shocker Madness season kickoff event. Also join a concert by artist Tech N9ne in Koch Arena.
• Shocker Athletics events
  • Volleyball vs Temple – 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Charles Koch Arena
  • Softball vs Emporia State – Noon Oct. 7, Wilkins Stadium
  • Baseball Intersquad Scrimmage – 1 p.m. Oct. 7, Eck Stadium
  • Softball vs South Dakota State – Noon Oct. 8. Wilkins Stadium
  • Volleyball vs South Florida – 1 p.m. Oct. 8, Charles Koch Arena

Shockers! Get ready for a week full of events to showcase what makes Wichita State so special at the annual Shocktoberfest.

Shocktoberfest runs Oct. 2-8 and features events, activities and competitions open to the entire Wichita community, coordinated by the Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership with support from the Student Activities Council and several campus partners:

• Banners on Display – Oct. 2-8
  • Students competing in the Shocktoberfest spirit competition have decorated banners celebrating Wu’s 75th Birthday. Banners are on display around the interior of campus through Sunday, Oct. 8. Winning banners will be announced at Shocker Madness.
• Door Decorations on Display – Oct. 2-8
  • Shocker themed doors decorated by individual faculty/staff, departments, and on-campus residents are on display around campus through Oct. 8. Winners will be announced at Shocker Madness
• Dine with the Deans – 9-11 a.m. Oct. 4
  • Stop by for a light breakfast and conversation with the dean of your academic college. Learn about what new initiatives are occurring, ask questions and share knowledge.
• Parade for the Decades – 6 p.m. Oct. 6
  • The highlight of the weeklong celebration of Shocker spirit and pride. Participants will enjoy entertainment from the Shocker Sound Machine marching band, dance teams and decorated cars and floats from student groups and community members. This year’s parade marshal is President Rick Muma and First Gentleman Rick Case.
• Patio Party – 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6
  • After the parade, meet up at Braeburn Square for the Shocktoberfest Patio Party. This casual and fun-filled gathering promises an unforgettable evening to connect with Shocker Nation. Enjoy food, drinks, giveaways and live music from Wichita’s premier party band, The Source.
• Wu’s Big Event – 8:30-1:30 p.m. Oct. 7
  • Wu’s Big Event takes hundreds of Shockers into the Wichita community for a day of service. Students, faculty and staff serve area communities and non-profit organizations. Transportation and lunch is provided.
• Shocker Madness – 6 p.m. Oct. 7
  • Fans are invited to a free evening of fun at Charles Koch Arena and a sneak preview of the WSU men’s and women’s basketball teams at WSU’s annual Shocker Madness season kickoff event. Also join a concert by artist Tech N9ne in Koch Arena.
• Shocker Athletics events
  • Volleyball vs Temple – 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Charles Koch Arena
  • Softball vs Emporia State – Noon Oct. 7, Wilkins Stadium
  • Baseball Intersquad Scrimmage – 1 p.m. Oct. 7, Eck Stadium
  • Softball vs South Dakota State – Noon Oct. 8. Wilkins Stadium
  • Volleyball vs South Florida – 1 p.m. Oct. 8, Charles Koch Arena

Shocker Athletics is hosting multiple events during Shocktoberfest. Showcase the spirit of Shocker Nation and support the Shockers as they face off against other universities from around the nation:

• Volleyball vs. Temple – 7 p.m. Oct. 6, Charles Koch Arena
• Softball vs. Emporia State – Noon Oct. 7, Wilkins Stadium
• Baseball Intersquad Scrimmage – 1 p.m. Oct. 7, Eck Stadium
• Softball vs. South Dakota State – Noon Oct. 8. Wilkins Stadium
• Volleyball vs. South Florida – 1 p.m. Oct. 8, Charles Koch Arena

And don’t forget to attend Shocker Madness at 6 p.m. Oct. 7 at Charles Koch Arena for fun and a sneak preview of the men’s and women’s basketball teams.

Shocktoberfest runs Oct. 2-8 and is WSU’s annual fall celebration of Shocker spirit and pride. The multi-day series features events, activities and competitions coordinated by the Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership with support from the Student Activities Council and several campus partners. See the full list of events online.

This week’s Student Success and Persistence highlight comes from Mercedes Lubbers, student success and retention specialist in the Business Student Success Center.

• What role do you think faculty/staff play in a student’s success and persistence?
  “I think faculty and staff, outside of finances, play one of the largest roles in a student’s success and persistence. I feel it is my job to make my students feel understood, supported and cared about while guiding them because I remember what it felt like to be a student who struggled and at the end of the day, the faculty that supported me and who made me feel important were the reason why I successfully graduated (shout out to the English department).”
• What is one small thing any faculty/staff member can do to make a student’s day or let them know they’re cared for?
  “I think one of the easiest things we can do is making genuine eye contact with our full attention as we ask a student, ‘How are you?’ or ‘How was your weekend?’ Some question, whatever it may be, that allows you to show consideration and active interest in the student’s answer. Some questions are easy to throw out there as habit, but people can tell when the question is asked as formality and when it is asked from genuine care.”
• How do you promote student success through your campus duties?
  “It depends on how we define student success. For me, student success is when a student realizes what the best option, path or resolution is for them. I think this is where my strength lies since I engage students as individuals and care about their experiences and what they’re going through. I utilize a ‘strengths’ mindset and will go over with students their strengths and areas they feel they need support; I ask them open-ended questions, and when requested, offer my own personal experiences and perspective to help them look at situations with more clarity, so that they ultimately draw—or learn to accept—their own solutions. This is ultimately why I love being an advisor and working with students.”

Do you know of a faculty or staff member who promotes student success, or a student who has been helped by a faculty or staff member, that should be highlighted in WSU Today? Email your ideas to Caelin Bragg, newsletter editor with the Office of Strategic Communications, at caelin.bragg@wichita.edu.

To be a mental health advocate, Shockers should regularly check in on their peers and form networks of support with one another.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will feature one step a day for the following two weeks on how to be a mental health advocate. Stay tuned for the next steps.

To be a mental health advocate, faculty and staff should regularly check in with students and encourage them to connect with their peers about their mental health.

Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) will feature one step a day for the following two weeks on how to be a mental health advocate. Stay tuned for the next steps.

WSU Math Circle resumes meetings for the fall semester. The next meeting is at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17 in 372 Jabara Hall. Math Circle is a program for middle school students.

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.

Building Trades staff at the Gaddis Physical Plant were recognized as the next recipient of Rick Rewards on Sept. 6. The staff were honored for their work around campus, including the recent construction of the brand new Forward Together podcast studio backdrop, which you can see in the latest episode.

Rick Rewards is awarded each month by President Rick Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of the campus community.

Make sure to catch the latest episode of the “Forward Together” podcast. President Muma speaks with Travis Yang, director of Wichita State’s esports program, and assistant director Joe Mazzara about Shocker Esports, which began in 2019 and quickly became WSU’s fastest-growing varsity program.

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 Dave Isay, founder and president of StoryCorps. Subscribe to be notified when new episodes are available.