Author: Caelin Bragg

Construction on the Wichita Biomedical Campus continues. Construction workers have placed utilities and patched over the trench, reopening traffic to Williams Street.

Digging continues, and more of the old foundation at the site is peaking through. Once digging is complete, the old foundation will be removed to make way for the new foundation for Phase 1 of the Wichita Biomedical Campus.

Starting in December, a tower crane will be built to begin placing steel for construction, with the first steel being placed in February 2025.

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

Wichita State is participating in the VOLARÉ Institute as part of a project to build research capabilities and expand STEM initiatives for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 

VOLARÉ Institute participants, chosen from an application process, will engage in a series of activities designed to enhance skills and boost the ability to compete for funding while elevating the research enterprise.  

“We are grateful to have been chosen by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to participate in the first cohort of the VOLARÉ Institute,” said Coleen Pugh, dean of the Graduate School. “We consider this an important step to attaining our HSI goals, while also contributing WSU’s expertise to the program.” 

Wichita State has been named the 2024-25 Academic Institution of the Year by the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, the nation’s largest association dedicated to fostering Hispanic leadership in the STEM field.

The award is part of SHPE’s Technical Achievement Recognition program, which recognizes impactful research, professional contributions and community engagement in the STEM community. It will be presented during the STAR Award Gala on Nov. 1 at the Anaheim Convention Center in California.

Wichita State has had a SHPE student chapter since 2008, when it started with five members. The chapter was named the Region Three Chapter of the Year in 2022-23 and 2023-24. During the 2023-24 academic year, there were more than 60 members, and membership for the 2024-25 academic year is expected to be similar or higher. Most of the past SHPE members have been students from the College of Engineering within the university.

Wichita State is participating in the VOLARÉ Institute as part of a project to build research capabilities and expand STEM initiatives for Hispanic-Serving Institutions. 

VOLARÉ Institute participants, chosen from an application process, will engage in a series of activities designed to enhance skills and boost the ability to compete for funding while elevating the research enterprise.  

“We are grateful to have been chosen by the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities to participate in the first cohort of the VOLARÉ Institute,” said Coleen Pugh, vice provost for research. “We consider this an important step to attaining our HSI goals, while also contributing WSU’s expertise to the program.” 

Faculty and staff can visit the Faculty/Staff Acute Care Clinic for minor and acute medical issues only. Appointments are required for the clinic.

The clinic is located in the Student Wellness Center within the Steve Clark YMCA. Most appointments are $30 to $50 for an office visit evaluation by a Student Health Services medical provider, dependent on insurance. The office visit cost does not include the costs for laboratory services, medications or radiology services. Call 316-978-4792 to schedule an appointment.

Co-pays or deductibles are the employee’s responsibility and depend on personal health insurance benefits.

Examples of minor/acute illness/injury acceptable for treatment:

• Cough, cold, fever and flu
• Sore throats and sinus infections
• Bronchitis and pneumonia
• Allergies and asthma
• Sprains and strains that are non-work related
• Headaches and acute migraine
• Urinary tract infections
• Ear and eye infections
• Rashes and skin infections
• Minor procedures, such as ear lavages
• In-house laboratory services – rapid strep, UAs, mono, etc.
• Radiology X-ray services – not ultrasound
• Pharmacy services — with prescriptions written by SHS providers
• Immunizations
• Tuberculosis testing
• Blood pressure checks
• Sexually transmitted infections with symptoms

Injuries and illnesses occurring while on the job at WSU must be reported to your supervisor and follow Human Resources procedures. Student Health Services cannot treat potential workers’ compensation injuries or illnesses.

WSU Student Health employees will provide medical services as licensed medical providers. They are nurse practitioners, physician assistants and registered nurses. The clinic is a Student Health Services clinic.

Wichita State, Shocker Athletics and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement are excited to host Shocker Sunday at the Kansas State Fair on Sept. 15.

Wear your Wichita State gear and help make the day full of Shocker Pride. Be sure to stop by the Wichita State booth and attend a number of Shocker-themed events throughout the day:

• Members of the men’s and women’s basketball and baseball teams will be available to meet with fans to sign autographs and take photos. Teams are scheduled to appear at different times at Capper House from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and at Gottschalk Park from 1 to 3 p.m.
• Kids can participate in the Shocker Scavenger Hunt, and the first 500 to finish will win fun prizes. Grab a scavenger hunt card at any entrance or visit the WSU booth to pick one up.
• At 11 a.m., watch a live radio show at the Capper House with Pat Strathman, voice of Shocker Softball and women’s basketball, with special appearances by Shocker Sound and the Shocker Spirit Squad.
• At 11:45 a.m., enjoy the Alumni and Friends Sunday Funday Social at Carrie’s Beer Garden with guests President Rick Muma; Kevin Saal, athletics director; Telly McGaha, president and CEO of WSUFAE; and coaches Paul Mills, Terry Nooner and Brian Green.

And keep an eye out for Shocker Sound and WuShock starting around noon as they take a ride on the train throughout the fairgrounds.

Get ready to mark your calendars for the event of the year. The annual yard show is back and it’s going to be bigger and better than ever. This year will be a collaboration with National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Cultural Greek Council (CGC) to bring the community a show it won’t want to miss.

Get ready to witness the amazing talents and skills of WSU’s sororities and fraternities at 6 p.m. Aug. 29 at the Shocker Hall courtyard.

Join Shocker Rowing for an evening full of fun on the downtown Arkansas River with S’mores and Oars from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28. The event is available at no additional charge with a Shocker ID and $20 for anyone without a Shocker ID.

Boats and Bikes will provide yard games, s’mores, kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and pedal boats. Shocker Rowing will offer a “Learn 2 Row with Shocker Rowing” demonstration teaching anyone how to row on the Arkansas River, and fishing will be available through Wildlife and Fisheries.

Join the Shocker Career Accelerator for the Career Connection Root Beer Kegger from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 28 on the lawn east of Hubbard Hall. Grab a hot dog, an ice-cold root beer (while supplies last) and chat with employers to learn about their organizations. Connecting with employers in this casual environment is a great way to make initial connections and learn more about their organizations.

Don’t forget to bring your Shocker ID for entry. You can leave the formal attire behind because the dress code for this event is casual. Register and view employer list, and let others know about the Root Beer Kegger.

For questions, contact the Shocker Career Accelerator at 316-978-3688 or SCA@wichita.edu; visit in-person in the Marcus Welcome Center, Suite 139; or learn more on the Shocker Career Accelerator website.

To commemorate 10 years of the Dorothy and Bill Cohen Honors College, faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends gathered for the Honors Eras Celebration at Wichita State University Aug. 24.

As part of the festivities, Clark Shultz, the mayor of Lindsborg, Kansas — hometown of Emory Lindquist, former president of Wichita State — presented a proclamation from the city of Lindsborg celebrating Wichita State University, the Honors Program that was named after Lindquist, and the Cohen Honors College.

The day of celebration began with a Connection Brunch — where honors alumni could network and mingle with other honors college members — and campus highlight tours, ending in the Honors Eras Celebration. The celebration included a student research showcase, an interactive journey through each Honors era and remarks from Kimberly Engber, dean of the Cohen Honors College; President Rick Muma; Shirley Lefever, executive vice president and provost; and Mayor Shultz.

The honors program began at Wichita State in 1957, making it one of the earliest established in the country, and was named after Lindquist in 1978. The program officially became an Honors College and established the Honors Baccalaureate degree in 2014 and was later named after Dorothy and Bill Cohen.

“Our university has the rich sense of belonging to the past, and the exciting feeling that the future is heavy with the promise of better things,” said Lindquist in his 1963, The Idea of a University, speech. “It is a place where the present is sometimes a difficult reality but it harbors great dreams about the future.”