Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State students now have access to cutting-edge virtual production technology at Shocker Studios with the addition of Synthetic Scenes — a 35- by 11-foot digital wall that will give digital arts students and professionals more tools to create innovative productions.

The digital wall allows actors and other performers to be filmed against any backdrop, and unlike a green screen, the digital wall is live and can be interacted with in real time, meaning performers can react organically, and post-production time is greatly reduced.

Kristyn Waits, a Wichita State alumna, reflects on her journey from an undergraduate student to graduate student. Through transformative experiences like international travel, interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on learning, Kristyn shares how Wichita State shaped her career and continues to inspire her today.

Come hear from experts about the different ways that AI can impact our electoral system at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in 209 Hubbard Hall. The panel consists of Dr. Alexandra Middlewood, associate professor of political science and department chair; Dr. Shruti Kshirsager, association professor of computer science; and Dr. Justin Keeler, clinical associate professor in business analytics.

Join Campus Recreation in welcoming NCAA/NJCCA sport official and Wichita State alumnus, John Blazek, as he shares how to make officiating a lucrative business and where it can take you. All are welcome to hear him speak at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in 218 Hubbard Hall.

Blazek will talk about how officiating is a business, not a hobby, and is centered around people, and how Shockers can start officiating now through WSU intramural sports.

Blazek, who was the starting LB and 1975-76 MVP for the Shockers, is also the supervisor of officials for the D1, D2 National Junior College Basketball Tournament; current NCAA DII National coordinator and NJCAA National official consultant; and the former KCAC and KJCCC men’s basketball supervisor of officials.

The WSU chapter of the Mortar Board Honor Society is partnering with local elementary schools for its next event, a book drive where the chapter will accept donations of elementary-level books to send to Wichita elementary schools and put them into the hands of young readers. 

“Our organization strives to give back to Wichita and its community when and where we can,” said Aiden Holt, president of WSU Mortar Board Honor Society. “In this age where social media is drowning out almost everything, I would love for Mortar Board to be able to bring a love for reading back into grade schools, and maybe even help a child find the perfect book.” 

Students and the rest of the campus community can join the cause by donating any elementary-level books they still have that they are not using anymore. To get more information on our organization or drop off books, find the Mortar Board Honor Society between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 26 in the Rhatigan Student Center.

Wichita State Opera Theater, under the direction of Alan Held, professor of voice and director of opera studies, will present the annual “Scenes and Songs” performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 in Wiedemann Hall. WSU students can receive one ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

“Scenes and Songs” has become a favorite on the yearly opera calendar since its inception in 2018. This year, the sixty minute performance features short vignettes from multiple opera classics including “The Student Prince” “Les contes d’Hoffmann,” “L’elisir d’amore,” “Die Zauberflöte” and “Little Women.”

Unique to the WSU opera program, “Scenes and Songs” — accompanied by WSU graduate Bridget Hille — fosters the talents of all opera students at WSU. Students, even in their freshman year, are given roles to be featured along with their older colleagues. Following the progress of the singers through the annual program has become interesting and rewarding for the audience as well as for the young artists. This performance is appropriate for all audiences and can be an introduction to music theater for all ages.

This year will also feature multiple “mystery artists” which will provide extra enjoyment. Tickets are available by contacting the College of Fine Arts Box Office at 316-978-3233 or through the online box office. Discounts apply.

Dr. Scott Hill, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Philosophy of Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, recently published a critique of common objections to the act of procreation. The paper, titled “Against Adoption-Based Objections to Procreation,” looks at adoption- and climate change-based arguments against procreation and the pitfalls of such arguments.

The paper was published in Pacific Philosophical Quarterly. Dr. Hill joined Wichita State’s philosophy faculty this fall, and his research primarily focuses on ethics and religion.

President Rick Muma visited Shocker Sound Machine in Charles Koch Arena to recognize its members as the next recipient of Rick Rewards. President Muma recognized Shocker Sound Machine for its work in charging up the crowds at home athletics games and for providing Shocker-filled shows for the community, including during this year’s Fall Address.

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

Construction work on the Wichita Biomedical Campus site continues. Last week, removal of the old foundation at the location was completed, and the site has been refilled with dirt to make way for pile drilling, which is scheduled to start this week.

You can watch a live broadcast of the construction online at: bigview.ai/wichitabiomedicalcampusliveview.

The 2024 Kansas Gender & Sexuality Conference will be held Oct. 18 on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. The conference is free and open to the public. Organizers request that all attendees pre-register to help with the conference planning process, even if they plan to drop in and out.

Pre-registration will be open until 11:59 p.m. Oct. 6.

About this year’s keynote:

Organizers are excited to share that the keynote speaker will be Dr. Meg Paceley (they/them), whose talk is titled, “Health, Activism, Community and Resistance in an Era of Anti-LGBTQ+ Policy, Legislation and Rhetoric.”