Author: Caelin Bragg

Jeremy Kohn, ChFC, Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (TIAA) financial consultant, will be available at Wichita State on Tuesday, Oct. 17 and Wednesday, Oct. 18 for in-person KBOR retirement plan consultation meetings.

Kohn can help individuals confirm they are on track for enough income at retirement and provide specific investment recommendations at a fiduciary level of care for their TIAA funds.

To schedule a meeting with Jeremy, visit the TIAA website, login and follow the prompts to schedule an in-person meeting at WSU. Call the TIAA scheduling team at 800-732-8353 for assistance in scheduling a meeting.

Shockers, unlock your academic potential with the powerful IBISWorld Database, available at no additional charge to all WSU students.

Utilize IBISWorld:

• Comprehensive coverage: Access industry intelligence covering 98% of the U.S. economy relevant to your field of study
• Business breakdown: Covering topics in business administration, the arts, education, engineering, health professions, manufacturing, retail and more.
• In-depth insights: Get trends, statistics and market analysis at your fingertips.
• Effective utilization: Perfect for researching startup business ideas, supply chains, economic forecasts and career plans. 
• Career boost: Elevate your academic journey and enhance your career prospects.

For additional help with the database tailored for your studies, contact Meghann Kuhlmann, business librarian, at meghann.kuhlmann@wichita.edu for expert help.

University Libraries are excited to introduce an invaluable resource that can significantly enhance your students’ academic experience: the IBISWorld database. This powerful tool is available at no additional charge to all students, faculty and staff at Wichita State. WSU Libraries encourages faculty and staff to share this resource with students.

Students can utilize IBISWorld for a variety of opportunities:

• Comprehensive coverage: Access industry intelligence covering 98% of the U.S. economy relevant to your field of study
• Business breakdown: Covering topics in business administration, the arts, education, engineering, health professions, manufacturing, retail and more.
• In-depth insights: Get trends, statistics and market analysis at your fingertips.
• Effective utilization: Perfect for researching startup business ideas, supply chains, economic forecasts and career plans. 
• Career boost: Elevate their academic journey and enhance their career prospects.

For additional help with the database, contact Meghann Kuhlmann, business librarian, at meghann.kuhlmann@wichita.edu for expert help.

Wichita State University and Knowmadics are entering into a new collaboration aimed at enhancing the security, and resiliency of satellite constellations and satellite-based communications. The endeavor is intended to strengthen the security of data collection and transfer among space-based Internet of Things (IoT) devices.

The work will be performed through Wichita State’s National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation (NIRDT), led by Pierre Harter, the associate vice president of research operations for WSU Industry and Defense Programs. Dr. Ross Gruetzemacher, WSU assistant professor of business analytics, will serve as the technical lead. His areas of expertise include data science and artificial intelligence (AI).

Shocker Nation celebrated Wu’s 75th birthday during Wichita State’s annual celebration of pride and spirit: Shocktoberfest. Students, faculty, staff, alumni and community came together for events, activities and many competitions.

Winners from the week’s competitions and athletic events:

• The title of 2023 Spirit Competition winner goes to Gamma Phi Beta, who showed up to Shocktoberfest events and activities all week long. Gamma Phi Beta took home $1,000 towards its student organization.
• Departmental door decoration – National Institute for Aviation & Research (NIAR)
• Individual door decoration – Christian Holley of Public Policy & Management
• Student group banner – Gamma Phi Beta
• Shocker Volleyball vs. Temple student group attendance competition – Rocket Club
• Shocker Volleyball beat both Temple and South Florida 3-0
• Shocker Rowing took home first place in women’s pair and second place in men’s pair medals at the Music City Regatta in Nashville, Tennessee

Parade of Decades winners:

• Wu’s winner – Shocker Sound Machine
• Best use of theme – Gamma Phi Beta
• Most creative – Women’s Tennis
• People’s choice award – SGA Agencies

Shocktoberfest was made possible by the work of many staff and student leaders, and a special thank you goes to the President’s Office, Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, Foundation and Alumni Engagement, and Shocker Athletics. Wichita State thanks everyone for the great week of Shocker celebration and pride.

The School of Performing Arts in the College of Fine Arts invites the Wichita community to its 2023-24 season of productions.

This year’s season is centered around “Building Community.”

Fall 2023:

• Move on Litwin: Dance Up Close – 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-28 in Litwin Theatre, Heskett Dance Studios
• A Chorus Line – 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2-4; 2 p.m. Nov. 5 in the Wilner Auditorium
• Senior Capstone Celebration – 6 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 p.m. Dec. 3 in Wilner Auditorium

Spring 2024:

• Wichita Children’s Dance Festival – 2 p.m. Jan. 28 in Wilner Auditorium
• Peter and the Starcatcher – 7:30 p.m. Feb. 29-March 2; 2 p.m. March 3 in Wilner Auditorium
• Christmas Dish – 7:30 p.m. April 5-6 in the Welsbacher Black Box Theatre, Hughes Metropolitan Complex
• Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre – 7 p.m. April 25-27; 2 p.m. April 28 in Wilner Auditorium

Tickets can be purchased online from the College of Fine Arts Box Office. Find a complete list of productions on the School of Performing Arts website.

Make sure to catch the latest episode of the “Forward Together” podcast. President Rick Muma talks with Dave Isay, founder of StoryCorps and One Small Step. Designed to “remind the country of the humanity in all of us,” One Small Step brings people with different political views together to record a facilitated 50-minute conversation.

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 the Honorable Stephanie Dawkins Davis, circuit judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit and WSU alum. Subscribe to be notified when new episodes are available.

The Wichita State University Math Circle pairs pre-college students with mathematics professionals from WSU to understand and work with interesting problems and topics in math at weekly workshops.

Students gain insight into topics that go beyond what they work with in their classrooms, ranging from the history of math in ancient cultures to the math hidden around every corner of modern life. Session topics and content are geared toward middle school students, but all K-12 students are welcome to attend.

Topics for each session are announced the week of on WSU Math Circle’s Facebook page.

Keep yourself up to date on all things Shocker Athletics this week:

• Subscribe to Shocker Brew, the Shocker Athletics newsletter, publishing every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
• See all upcoming scheduled events by viewing the Shocker Athletics calendar.
• Order tickets to events on the Shocker Athletics ticket office website.
• Stay up to date on Shocker Athletics news by visiting the Roundhouse and listening to the Roundhouse podcast.
• Follow Shocker Athletics on Instagram, Facebook and X.

All benefits-eligible state employees must participate in open enrollment. Log in to the Member Administration Portal to make your elections.

Events this week:

• Online open enrollment presentation from 9 to 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10. Registration is not required.

Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. To add meeting reminders to your calendar or for additional information, visit the Open Enrollment Website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.