Author: Caelin Bragg

The Wichita Public Library and Big Read: Wichita partners are excited to welcome Roz Chast, author of “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?,” the book selected for 2023’s National Endowment of the Arts Big Read: Wichita, for her presentation from 6 to 7 p.m. Saturday, April 15 in the WSU Hughes Metroplex, 5015 E. 29th St. N.

Chast will share her work as a cartoonist and discuss her work as an author. The presentation is co-sponsored by Wichita State, the Wichita Public Library Foundation and the Friends of the Wichita Public Library.

The Department of Public Health Sciences is co-hosting a series of film fests for the National Endowment for the Arts’ (NEA) Big Read: Wichita alongside the Wichita Public Library and Tallgrass Film Association. The next event is a screening of the movie, “The Upside” at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 in the Advanced Learning Library, 711 W. 2nd St. N.

Food and popcorn sponsors are Independent Living Resource Center and Wichita Urban Professionals. After the screening, join a discussion of the film at The Monarch at 579 W. Douglas Ave. with guest moderator Kyle Ellison from Heroes Academy Kansas. Food and beverage discounts are offered with a ticket stub.

Each week will feature a new film that, like “Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant?” by Roz Chast, the book chosen for this year’s NEA Big Read: Wichita, explores caregiving and the universal challenges experienced as one cares for someone with a chronic illness, injury, medical trauma or nearing end of life.

KMUW’s monthly book club features selections made by its staff. For April, KMUW is reading “Pineapple Street” by Jenny Jackson.

Participants will meet from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 19 at KMUW for a group discussion over dinner and drinks. Dinner is provided by Public.

Learn more about Jackson and the novel “Pineapple Street” on Marginalia.

Visit NetApp on the Innovation Campus for its quarterly campus-wide e-waste and shredding event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, April 21 in the NetApp parking lot, lot 44S.

The following are items that can be disposed of during the event:

• Personal documents accepted for secure shredding.
• All personal electronics accepted, including appliances.
• Secure data destruction for e-waste (hard drive shredder).
• On-site assistance available for larger loads.

The event is sponsored by the NetApp Green Team.

The 2023 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event with Cody Keenan, former director of speechwriting for President Barack Obama, is no longer available to view. Thanks to all Shockers for helping welcome Keenan to Wichita State and making the event a success.

We look forward to you joining us for the 2024 Craig W. Barton Speaker Series event.

Join the College of Fine Arts in person or via livestream on the School of Music Facebook page for the final Distinguished Guest Artist in the Rie Bloomfield Organ Series at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 in Wiedemann Hall.

Tate Addis, a Wichita State alum, will perform works by Ager, Bossi, Barié, Isoir and Widor on the great Marcussen organ. Tickets are available online and at the door. And don’t miss the conversation with the artist immediately following the intermission.

Each week, Shocker Athletics provides an update on the latest results, upcoming events and notable moments in WSU sports history.

The distinguished men of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity will hold their Alpha Week for the spring 2023 semester, culminating in the new member presentation on Saturday, April 22.

Come out and support one of Wichita State’s oldest active fraternities.

The Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is proud to present the Diversity Lecture Series, a series that features distinguished leaders and experts to inspire campus dialogue, community engagement and learning about the national narrative on diversity and inclusion.

Saul Flores will speak at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18 in 301 Rhatigan Student Center with his topic, “From Where I Stand,” to inspire first-generation and first-year college students and those of varying backgrounds to overcome their personal, academic and financial barriers in pursuit of a college education.

The speakers for the series include scholars, thought leaders and diversity professionals whose research, scholarship, leadership and advocacy enhance the university’s efforts to present diverse ideas, perspectives and viewpoints to inspire greater understanding and appreciation for diversity and inclusion.

The Department of Biological Sciences’ invited seminar speaker, Dr. Walter Meshaka Jr., will also present at Science Café on at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 11 at Social Tap Drinkery in Braeburn Square on the Innovation Campus. Meshaka will give the talk, “Exotic Amphibians and Reptiles of the United States: Colonization Processes and Processes.”

Meshaka is the senior curator of zoology and botany for the State Museum of Pennsylvania in Harrisburg. He has studied amphibians and reptiles across the continent, and is particularly fascinated by the ecological interactions of native and non-native species.

Science Café presents a variety of science related talks oriented towards the general public on the second Tuesday of every month, August through May.