Author: Caelin Bragg

Start the semester off warm and cozy by enjoying hot cocoa with the colleges. From 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 and Thursday, Jan. 23, the academic colleges at WSU will serve Shockers hot cocoa to ring in the new semester.

Each college will serve the hot cocoa in their respective buildings:

• College of Applied Studies: Heskett Center lobby
• Barton School of Business: Woolsey Hall lobby
• College of Engineering: John Bardo Center
• Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences/Cohen Honors College: Lindquist Hall lobby
• College of Fine Arts: Duerksen Fine Arts Center in the Miller Lobby
• College of Health Professions: Ahlberg Hall lobby

For questions, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 316-978-3021.

The Wichita State campus will be open, and all classes will return to their usual mode of delivery Wednesday, Jan. 22

Students with any questions can reach out to their instructor. Faculty or staff with questions can reach out to their department chair or supervisor. 

The Barton School of Business is pleased to announce the addition of 10 new members to the Dean’s “Fabulous 50” Advisory Board.

• Walter Berry, executive chairman and corporate pilot of Berry Companies, Inc.
  A second-generation leader, Berry plays a key role in guiding the company as its leadership transitions to the third generation. In addition to his leadership at Berry Companies, Walter serves on the boards of various industry trade associations and community organizations.
• Dr. Silver Kung, founder, chairman, and chief investment officer of Siegfried Capital
  Dr. Kung founded Siegfried Capital Group in 2015, focusing on a single investment strategy in supply chain finance for institutional investors worldwide. Currently, Siegfried Capital manages approximately $2.62 billion in assets across various markets, including Luxembourg and the Cayman Islands.
• Brad Elliott, founder, chairman, and chief executive officer of Equity Bancshares, Inc.
  Under Elliott’s 20 years of leadership, Equity Bank has grown to $5.4 billion in total assets with more than 70 locations across Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. He has strategically expanded the company through capital raises and bank mergers, and in 2015, he led the business through its initial public offering (IPO). In 2023, he moved Equity’s common stock from the Nasdaq to the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
• Treena Mason, executive vice president and chief sales officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS)
  Mason plays a key role in driving the growth of BCBSKS, building brand value, and fostering relationships with employer groups, providers and the company’s nearly one million members. She began her career at BCBSKS as a group consultant and has held several leadership positions, including regional manager, chief marketing officer, vice president of group sales and senior vice president of sales and operations.
• Bill Voloch, president and CEO of Wesley Healthcare
  Voloch joined Wesley Healthcare in 2013 as chief operating officer and was promoted to president and CEO in 2015. In his current role, he oversees the business and strategic operations of Wesley Healthcare, including the 859-bed Wesley Medical Center, the 99-bed Wesley Woodlawn Hospital & Emergency Room and the Wesley Emergency Care Network, which includes four emergency departments, two of which are freestanding.
• Michael Monteferrante, president and CEO of Envision
  Envision, one of the nation’s largest organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, is led by Monteferrante. The organization provides employment and opportunities through outreach, rehabilitation, education, research, and community programs.
• Tien Huynh, principal partner at G1 Group
  A serial entrepreneur, Huynh has built a diverse portfolio of successful businesses across industries including automotive, real estate, finance and sports. At G1 Group, he focuses on development and strategic growth. A proud graduate of Wichita State University, Huynh earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in Entrepreneurship.
• Gary Oborny, founder, chairman and CEO of Occidental Management
  With over 38 years of experience in a variety of business ventures, Oborny is the managing member of more than 30 holding entities across diverse industries, including real estate, oil and gas, aerospace manufacturing, wine and spirits, agriculture, banking, technology, manufacturing, and alternative energy.
• Marty Cornejo, co-owner of Cornejo Holdings
  Cornejo Holdings is a diversified company with interests in operating businesses, warehouse developments, manufacturing, hotels and luxury apartments. His extensive background in the family business, Cornejo & Sons Construction, includes serving as president until its acquisition in 2010.
• Yvette Connor, principal and risk advisory practice leader at CohnReznick
  In her role at CohnReznick, Connor provides strategic, enterprise and operational advisory services to both commercial and public sector organizations as they mature their risk management programs. She is a recognized leader in enterprise governance, risk and compliance, known for helping large organizations implement value-based initiatives to achieve key performance indicators and optimize risk management frameworks.

Remember that the University Police Department is available 24/7 on campus during emergencies. If you see something, say something by calling UPD at 316-978-3450.

Add the number to your contacts list so you always have immediate access to emergency services.

The University Police Department is here to support students and ensure they feel safe and supported on campus.

Remember that the University Police Department is available 24/7 on campus during emergencies.

See something? Say something: Call UPD at 316-978-3450 for emergencies on campus. Calling 911 while on campus will connect you to Sedgwick County dispatch, which could result in delays from responders. Add 316-978-3450 to your contacts list so you always have immediate access to emergency services on campus.

If you are away from a phone, you can use one of the many emergency phones on campus, which you can find the locations of through the campus map (wichita.edu/map) under “Campus Safety.”

The University Police Department is here to support students and ensure they feel safe and supported on campus.

The University Police Department wants to remind students about the appropriate channels for reaching emergency services while they’re on campus.

If you are on campus with a phone:

Calling UPD directly at 316-978-3450 is ideal for getting immediate assistance. Calling 911 will connect you with Sedgwick County and could result in longer wait times for responders.

If you are on campus without access to a phone:

Use one of the many emergency telephones across campus, which are identifiable by the blue light located atop them. These phones connect straight to UPD, and even if you are unable to talk to the dispatcher, an officer will be sent to the location. You can view the locations of all emergency phones on campus through the campus map (wichita.edu/map) under “Campus Safety.”

Other resources:

• Dial 988 or text 741-741 to be connected to the suicide and crisis lifeline.
• Submit a CARE Team report for potentially concerning, but non-emergency, behaviors.
• Counseling and Psychological Services provides mental health treatment to students. Learn more about Counseling Services.

Wichita State University is committed to the safety of its campus community and provides fire safety resources to help Shockers stay safe on and off campus.

Learn more and find resources on how to stay safe on the Fire & Safety Office webpage, including information on:

• Working with open flames, heat or sparks
• Proper use of extension cords
• Restrictions for potentially dangerous decorations
• Proper use of fireworks and other pyrotechnics
• WSU’s commitment to a tobacco free campus
• How to use fire extinguishers in the case of an emergency
• Filling out a permit to host a grilling activity
• The prohibition on the use of portable space heaters
• The potential fire hazards of battery powered mobility devices
• General advice on fire safety off campus
• Keeping corridors free of storage and equipment for emergency evacuations

For more information or questions, contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety.

Wichita State University is committed to preserving and supporting freedom of thought, speech and expression on our campus.

Visit the WSU Freedom of Expression web page for more information.

You can also view the Kansas Board of Regents’ Statement on Free Expression here.

Shockers can attend on-campus Wichita State fine arts and athletics events at no additional charge with a Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Support your fellow classmates and faculty while exploring the creative pursuits WSU has to offer and display your Shocker pride at home athletic games.

The Wichita State University campus will remain open on Tuesday, Jan. 21, but due to expected bitterly cold temperatures tomorrow, classes will be held remotely.

Faculty or staff who are unable to safely travel to work or get around on campus should immediately contact their supervisor or department chair to develop an alternative plan that accommodates specific needs and minimizes disruption to operations. 

We appreciate everyone’s flexibility as the Wichita area experiences inclement weather.