Author: Caelin Bragg

Do you need a serotonin boost and a mental break from studying or still need a puppy fix after Bark in the Park? Student Activities Council (SAC) is hosting a photo gallery for Shockers to show off their pets.

Join SAC in the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Store from April 29 to May 2 to admire the Shocker pets under categories: Best Dressed, Caught in the Act, Best Buds and Funniest Pet.

If you would like to include your pet, submit a photo alongside what category you would like to be entered in. The deadline to submit is by 11:59 p.m. April 28.

Join the International Student Union (ISU) for its Interfest event for the spring 2024 semester from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, April 18 in 305/306 Rhatigan Student Center, Beggs Ballroom.

Attendees will purchase tickets that can be used to grab food at the various booths:

• Pakistani Student Association
• Iranian Student Assocation (IRANSA)
• Paraguayan Student Assocation
• Association of Hindu Students in America (AHINSA)
• Green Card Kitchen
• Warung Mini

Find the full menu on ISU’s Instagram.

Join the Office of Financial Operations, Accounts Receivable in celebrating Theresa Turenne at a come and go retirement reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Friday, April 26 in 135 Woolsey Hall, with remarks at 3 p.m.

Theresa has served the WSU community for over 20 years. She has worked in both the International Office and Student Accounts Receivable office during her time at WSU. She received her Master’s in Public Administration from WSU and served on the Council of University Women in the past.

Help show appreciation for her service to the university by joining the celebration for refreshments while wishing Theresa all the best as she begins a new chapter.

Spring 2024 graduates may find information regarding their diplomas on the Registrar’s Office webpage (wichita.edu/diplomas). 

• The deadline to submit a name change on diplomas is the last day of classes, May 2.
• The diploma distribution date for the spring 2024 semester is July 1. Diplomas can be picked up at the transcript window on the first floor of Jardine Hall, and graduates must show identification.
• Graduates can request to have the diploma mailed to them for a fee through myWSU under the myClasses tab, clicking “Graduation Links” and “Request for Diploma Mailing.”
• Undergraduate students who wish to take courses after graduation need to reactivate their record after receiving their diploma.

As Wichita State University strives to reach our potential, your input is vitally important. Your insights help us identify the strengths and challenges in our institution so that, together, we can best serve our students and our community.

To this end, we’d like your feedback on what sets WSU apart and how we can further enrich our community. Your perspectives will help define who we are and steer our path forward. Through the Brand Perception Survey we can help ensure that every member of the Shocker family feels acknowledged and empowered. Thank you for your unwavering commitment to propelling Shocker Nation to excellence.

Alex Day, from Austin, recommends Wichita State University because of its supportive faculty and its College of Health Professions. She enjoys Wichita’s music scene and exploring the downtown science center Exploration Place, located on the Arkansas River.

Shockers come from all over, and students from selected major metropolitan areas in Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas may be eligible to receive regular in-state tuition at Wichita State. Read what some out-of-state students have to say about why they chose WSU — and Wichita — as their new home.

The Latine Faculty and Staff Association (LFSA) at Wichita State are requesting nominations from members of the campus community to recognize and celebrate outstanding Latine Shockers.

• The Elisa Chacon Award
  Named after Elisa Chacon, WSU’s first Latine student graduate, the award will be given to an undergraduate student who has excelled in scholarship, community, leadership and advocacy.
• The Hector Franco Award
  Named after Hector Franco, WSU’s earliest graduate-level degree recipient, the award will be given to a graduate student who has excelled in scholarship, community, leadership and advocacy.
• The Joseph “Jose” Angulo Award
  Named after Joseph “Jose” Angulo, WSU’s longtime professor who taught at WSU for 37 years, this award will be given to a faculty member who has excelled in advocating, promoting, mentoring and engaging with the Latine community at WSU.
• The Maccelino “Chelo” Huerta Award
  Named after Maccelino “Chelo” Huerta, WSU’s head football coach from 1962 to 1964 who was inducted in to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2002, this award will be given to a staff member who has excelled in advocating, promoting, mentoring and engaging with the Latine community at WSU.
• The Camarena Community Award
  Named after Gene and Yolanda Camarena, founders of the Shocker Adelante Scholars. the award is for a student who embodies the highest ideals of character, leadership and service and whose commitment has made a significant impact to the Latine community at WSU.

Take a moment to nominate a fellow WSU colleague/student for the LFSA Awards. Applications will be accepted through April 24, and the award winners will be revealed during the inaugural Latine Graduation Student Celebration from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 9 at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

For more information, contact Sara Mata at sara.mata@wichita.edu.

Make sure to catch the latest episode of the “Forward Together” podcast. Join President Rick Muma when he talks to representatives from WSU’s Go Baby Go. The Go Baby Go program modifies off-the-shelf ride-on toy cars for kids with disabilities at no cost to the family. Learn more about the collaborative interdisciplinary hands-on learning experience for WSU students and how their work benefits children with disabilities.

Watch the episode online or listen on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

The next episode will feature Iris Okere, student body president. Subscribe to be notified when new episodes are available.

The College Tour TV series is coming to Wichita State in the fall, and students can start applying for a chance to be part of the show. The one-hour episode of The College Tour will feature WSU and highlight student life on campus.

Applications are now open. Faculty and staff can encourage students to apply by linking them to the application page. As part of a student’s application, they’ll submit a two-minute audition video talking a little bit about themselves and their time at Wichita State, but no prior videography skills are necessary. Just a video from their phone will work.

For questions, reach out to Trish Gandu at trish.gandu@wichita.edu. The deadline to submit applications is April 21. Learn more about The College Tour TV series.

The honorees for the 2024 University Faculty Awards will be recognized Friday, May 3 in 141 Woolsey Hall, Fidelity Bank Room. The reception to meet and greet the honorees will be held at 2:30 p.m. The recognition ceremony will begin at 3 p.m.

Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP by April 30.

The university faculty awards recognizes excellence in teaching, research and creative activities.

2024 University Faculty Award honorees:

• Excellence in Teaching: Jody Fiorini
• Leadership in the Advancement: Carolyn Speer
• Young Faculty Scholar: Eylem Asmatulu
• Excellence in Research: Hyuck Kwon
• Excellence Award for Community Research: Stan Longhofer
• Faculty Risk Taker: Gery Markova
• Young Faculty Risk Taker: Abigail Devereaux
• Excellence in Online Teaching: Masud Chand
• Academy for Effective Teaching: Manira Rani

Note: No awards will be presented for Creative Activity and Excellence in Accessibility for FY2024.