Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State has selected the top 12 finalists in the annual Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI):

• Audrey Appuhn, Washburn Rural High School
• Mackenzie Bucl, Mckinney Boyd High School (Texas)
• Noah DeVault, Derby High School
• Natalie Gillogly, Leavenworth High School
• Ana Huerta, Augusta High School
• Oshada Koralegedara, Wichita High School East
• Kayden Lankford, Valley Center High School
• Samantha McClintock, Central Christian Academy (Wichita)
• Omar Mousa, Wichita Northeast Magnet High School
• Grace Oard, Maize South High School
• Dulce Torres Gonzalez, Wichita High School Northwest
• Julian Walker, E.A. Young Academy (Texas)

The Gore Scholars winners will be announced at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 30 in the Marcus Welcome Center. All finalists will receive competitive scholarship packages to attend Wichita State in fall 2026.

The renovation of Wichita State’s Cessna Stadium into University Stadium took a big step forward Jan. 8 when the WSU Board of Trustees voted unanimously to invest $38 million into Phase 2 of the project.

Phase 2 will begin after the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships May 29-30 with demolition of the west grandstand in June.

“We would like to thank the Board of Trustees for their investment in making University Stadium a state-of-the-art venue for Shocker track and field and the KSHSAA State Track and Field Championships,” Director of Athletics Kevin Saal said. “University Stadium is a tremendous asset to Wichita State University, the community of Wichita and the state of Kansas as we improve the university’s ability to host Kansas’ top high school athletes. This renovation also enhances Wichita State’s potential to recruit a wide range of championship and external events — including but not limited to national track and field competition — to Wichita.”

The Student Early Alert System (SEAS) is now active and available for instructors to use throughout the semester for all students.

Instructors should prioritize submitting early feedback in the first few weeks. Midterm is often too late for students to adjust and improve. WSU data show that early faculty intervention through SEAS makes a difference.

To access SEAS:

• Log in to myWSU
• Go to the Home or Teach/Advise tab
• Click the SEAS link

SEAS allows instructors to flag concerns around attendance, participation, assignments and quizzes/exams. Students receive alerts the next morning, giving you time to revise entries if needed.

Remember: academic struggles often reflect broader challenges. Consider referring students to campus resources like:

• Academic Advising
• CARE Team
• Financial Aid
• Success Coaches

A full list of referral options is available on the University Resources website.

For more information about SEAS, visit the SEAS website.

Lights, camera and you. Learn about cameras, lighting, audio and post-production from a working digital producer as you build the skills to tell stories that stick in Intro to Digital Filmmaking (MART 103), CRN: 24309. Classes can be added to your schedule until Monday, Jan. 26.

Young Adult Literature (ENGL 332), CRN: 22888, is for anyone who has ever stayed up way too late reading “just one more chapter.” Dive into YA stories across all types of genres.

With artificial intelligence rapidly reshaping the landscape of higher education, both how students learn and how staff and faculty conduct research and tasks, it’s important to prepare ourselves for this new paradigm by clarifying where AI helps and where it doesn’t, protecting academic integrity and data, and making support accessible across disciplines.

That’s why Wichita State would like your perspective — whether you use AI daily, avoid it on principle or feel uncertain about the technology — so the university can aim support where it matters most. To do so, WSU needs your input on two short surveys, open to all faculty and staff:

• AI Inventory (5-10 minutes) – What’s happening now? This gives the university a reliable, campus-wide picture of current AI use (courses, research, tools, needs and contacts) so it can quickly remove friction, expand access and highlight promising practices.
• Optional AI Literacy Baseline (5-10 minutes) - What would help you next? This establishes starting points for confidence, training priorities and policy clarity. It helps the university tailor workshops, micro-credentials and just-in-time resources, and strengthens upcoming grant proposals.

Why this matters:

• Faster enablement in tools you already use (e.g., Blackboard, M365/Copilot)
• Targeted training and clinics aligned to your discipline and schedule
• Clear, teachable guardrails (data/privacy, academic integrity)
• Visibility and support for pilots that improve learning and research outcomes
• Stronger proposals and resource cases grounded in real campus needs

These surveys are not an evaluation of individuals or programs, and results will be reported in aggregate. Survey responses will be accepted through 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30.

For questions or accessibility needs, contact Academic Affairs at provost@wichita.edu.

Thank you for helping the university build the support you want to see.

The Wichita State University Craig W. Barton Speaker Series cordially invites you to save the date for an evening with Lieutenant General (Ret.) H.R. McMaster, 25th U.S. national security advisor, at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 8 at Miller Concert Hall in Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Additionally, an exclusive student event with McMaster will be held at 3 p.m. April 8 in 264 Rhatigan Student Center, Spencer Room. RSVPs for the student event and your free general admission ticket for the main event will open March 4.

The Craig W. Barton Speaker Series is an annual event established to expose students and the community to differing points of view and encourage critical thinking and conversation.

Black holes, quasars, distant stars: There’s a whole lot of drama happening in the skies above us, and Introduction to Modern Astronomy (PHYS 195), CRN: 22070, attempts to make sense of it. Students can enroll in full-term spring classes until Monday, Jan. 26.

Looking for a fun, one credit hour course to ROUND out your spring semester? Enroll in Bowling (HPS 102C), CRN: 20747, now. This class meets at the RSC, and it’s a great way to get in some light exercise between your more intense classes.

Join the Office of Strategic Communications and Marketing for the ninth annual Strategic Communications marketing and communications seminar for faculty and staff from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Jan. 29. And if your team is looking to order promo items for your office, visit the Vendor Fair from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The opening session, breakout sessions and Vendor Fair will all be held on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Gain additional insights, tools and tips to help you improve your marketing and communication efforts. Attendees may choose to attend two of five sessions.