Author: Caelin Bragg

All students with a Shocker ID get automatic memberships to Campus Recreation. What’s that mean for you? You have access to a wide range of wellness and recreation facilities in the Heskett Center, including:

• Five courts for basketball, volleyball or badminton
• racquetball and squash courts
• F45 courses
• esports computers
• and much more

The Wichita State University Police Department urges all Shockers to be proactive in protecting their property and valuables.

Keep valuables with you at all times, and if you need to leave something in your car, make sure the items are not visible from the windows, the car is locked and you have your keys with you.

Additionally, if you are storing a bike on campus, use a strong, u-bolt style lock when parked at a bike rack or elsewhere on campus. A bike should never be left unlocked while in a public area.

If you experience any issues while on campus, call WSUPD at 316-978-3450 or use one of the emergency phones located across campus.

It’s never too late to try new tactics in the classroom and at home to improve learning. Students can quiz themselves or other classmates on class concepts, create questions from assigned readings to ask during class or join a study group with other motivated students to improve academic performance.

Wichita State is a member of the American Association of Colleges and Universities (AAC&U), and that means faculty, staff and students have access to a number of perks that are only available to members:

• Find a list of upcoming events designed for those in academia, including conferences, webinars and workshops. Check out all AAC&U events at aacu.org/events.
• Check out the latest news from AAC&U and about higher education at aacu.org/newsroom and get news and event details delivered straight to your email inbox.
• Read the latest publications from AAC&U, designed for students and employees alike to stay up on the latest trends and developments at aacu.org/publications.
• Find even more benefits at the Membership Marketplace, including discounted rates for a number of higher education services and products.

Get started by making your account with AAC&U and put Wichita State University as your affiliated institution, and encourage your students to take advantage of their benefits as members of an AAC&U institution.

Did you know that there’s not one, not two but three Starbucks across campus? If you need a pick-me-up between classes, stop by the Rhatigan Student Center Starbucks. If you’re driving in and need to make a pitstop, there’s a full Starbucks at Braeburn Square. Finally, if you’re on the Innovation Campus, the NetApp building has its own Starbucks that’s open to the public.

Each year on Sept. 11, the nation pauses to remember the tragic events of 2001, a day forever etched in American history. Today marks 25 years since that day, and this year’s Patriot Day in particular serves as both a solemn remembrance of those lost that day and a testament to the strength and unity of the American people who came together to help and heal.

Every Sept. 11, Americans are encouraged to observe a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the Twin Towers, and to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff in honor of the nearly 3,000 innocent lives that were lost that morning during the attacks on the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and aboard Flight 93, and those who were impacted in the days, months and years that followed.

Patriot Day is not only about remembering those lost, but also about honoring the countless acts of bravery and compassion that shone through that day — first responders rushing into danger, citizens helping strangers and communities coming together in solidarity.

As America reflects on Sept. 11, let us honor the memory of those who perished, pay tribute to the heroes who rose that day, and recommit ourselves to the ideals of freedom and unity that define our nation. Military and Veteran Services will also be sponsoring and participating, and encourages the community to join, in WSU’s 9/11 day of service today.

Dean Larisa Genin has informed Wichita State University of her decision to step down from her position as dean of the Barton School of Business, departing WSU at the end of the fall semester.

I want to thank Dean Genin for her service and contributions to Wichita State. Among her many accomplishments during her tenure as dean, Dr. Genin led a period of significant growth and transformation for the Barton School, including increased enrollment, expanded philanthropic support, the opening of Woolsey Hall and the Promise Bridge, and the launch of innovative academic and workforce development initiatives.

She also strengthened the school’s national visibility, deepened engagement with the business community and grew student success opportunities.

Dr. Genin’s leadership helped build a strong foundation for the Barton School’s continued momentum and future success.

To ensure a smooth and orderly transition, Dr. Shirley Lefever will be appointed interim dean at the end of the semester; however, she will join the university to support the leadership transition in a limited capacity in mid-October. A respected leader with deep ties to Wichita State, Dr. Lefever previously served as provost and executive vice president and as dean of the College of Education. Her experience, institutional knowledge and collaborative leadership style will provide continuity and stability during the transition period.

Concurrently, the university will begin preparations for a national search for the next dean of the Barton School of Business, including selecting a search firm and forming a search committee. The Provost’s Office will lead the search and, consistent with our normal practice, will include input from Barton School students, faculty, staff, advisory board members and business community partners. Our goal is to appoint the next dean in late spring, with a planned start date at the beginning of the next fiscal year.

The Barton School is well positioned for the future. Its talented faculty and staff, engaged students, dedicated alumni and strong relationships with the business community provide a solid foundation for continued growth and impact. Together, we will build on that momentum and help shape the school’s next chapter.

Please join me in thanking Dean Genin for her service and contributions to Wichita State and the Barton School of Business.

Dr. Monica Lounsbery
Senior Executive Vice President and Provost

Faculty, staff, students and campus partners at Wichita State can visit NetApp on the Innovation Campus for its semesterly campus e-waste and shredding event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16 in the NetApp parking lot, Lot 44S.

This event is exclusive to WSU faculty, staff, students and campus partners and not open to the public.

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

• Personal documents accepted for secure shredding
• Personal electronics accepted, including appliances. No TVs accepted
  • Note: For recycling old TVs, refer to Sedgwick County’s recycling guide
• 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 table below is to assist instructors with certain dates regarding CES. These dates are for the fall 2026 semester.

• The first column includes the various start/end (part-of-term) dates for fall semester courses.
• The second column includes dates meant for instructors. This is the timeframe when instructors will receive emails about the CES process and procedures that they should complete. Instructors will receive additional emails during and after the student CES access dates.
• The last column includes the dates that CES will be available for the students to complete course evaluations.

The full CES administration schedule is always accessible online.

Jonathan Cross and Stephen Cross Jr., investment adviser representatives with Voya Financial, will be available for in-person meetings at Wichita State Monday, Sept. 14 and Tuesday, Sept. 15. Faculty and staff can get one-on-one advising and review their Voya Financial accounts as part of their KBOR retirement plan, or new employees can receive assistance in enrolling in their KBOR plan.

If you are interested in meeting with Jonathan or Stephen, you can schedule a time to meet and choose “Wichita State University / One-On-One Financial Counseling” while selecting your location. Time slots are limited, so reserve a time soon. For questions, you can call 316-788-0788.

Note: If your Voya servicing agent is Leo Wetta, you can reach him at 316-686-2428 or visit retirementadvisors.timetap.com to schedule an appointment.