Author: Caelin Bragg

Wichita State’s Xin Tong Wang was named the American Conference Women’s Tennis Player of the Month for September by the conference office.

For Wang, it’s her first Player of the Month award and her third in-season award from the American Conference, as she has been named Women’s Tennis Player of the Week twice in her Shocker career.

Wang earned the monthly honor for her performance at the ITA All-American Championships, where she became the first Wichita State player to compete in — and win a match in — the singles main draw. She defeated No. 19-ranked Catherine Aulia, 7-6 (2), 6-2, in the round of 64.

Wang was the only player in the American Athletic Conference to record a main-draw singles win. She also won two matches in the doubles qualifiers at the All-Americans with partner Giorgia Roselli. Wang is currently ranked No. 73 in singles and No. 31 in doubles, paired with Roselli.

Wang and the Shockers return to action Oct. 15-18 at the ITA Central Region Championships in Norman, Oklahoma.

Wichita State’s Mercy Jepkoech claimed her first American Conference weekly award, the conference announced Oct. 7.

The freshman from Eldoret, Kenya was named the American Conference Athlete of the Week following a top-10 finish at the Chile Pepper Festival. She ran 16:54.2 in the 5,000-meter race, recording the best finish by an American Conference runner in the competition.

She has finished in the top 10 in all three meets she has raced in thus far and is set to run again with the rest of the team at the Pre-National Invitational on Saturday, Oct. 18 in Columbia, Missouri.

Shocker Athletics announces an all-new way for fans to connect with their favorite coaches and programs. Beginning this season, popular coaches shows are moving from radio broadcasts to a fully on-demand podcast format — giving Shocker fans the flexibility to listen anytime, anywhere.

The new format allows fans to stay connected with the volleyball, men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, and softball programs in a way that fits their busy schedules. Episodes will be packed with insider updates, in-depth conversations with coaches and behind-the-scenes stories that fans love — now available on their favorite podcast platforms.

For more information on the schedule for each sport and a link to each show, visit goshockers.com/coachesshows.

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

Virtual and in-person presentations will be offered:

• Oct. 10: Virtual presentation at 1:30 p.m.
• Oct. 16: In-person presentation at 9 a.m. in 262 Rhatigan Student Center, Herrman Room

Registration is not required.

This is a very busy time, so the Total Rewards team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding Open Enrollment. Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.

Food for Fines is back, which means from Oct. 6 through Oct. 10, you can reduce or clear your parking citations by donating non-perishable food or personal hygiene items to the Shocker Support Locker, which provides food, clothing and other essentials to Wichita State students, faculty and staff.

This is a great opportunity to give back to the Shocker community while taking care of your parking citations. Donations can be dropped off at the Student Engagement & Belonging office in 216 Rhatigan Student Center or at the Parking Services building.

The URCA Hub research grants can be used for travel in direct support of the research project (e.g., books, field sites, museums, historic sites), as well as most materials and equipment. All materials and equipment must stay at WSU once the project is complete. Grants may be used as participant incentives with proof of appropriate IRB approval.

Students who meet the following requirements are eligible to apply:

• Must be a sophomore, junior or senior (by credit hour)
• Must have at least two semesters remaining at WSU, including the semester in which they apply for the grant (i.e., a senior graduating spring 2024 would be eligible to apply in fall 2023).
• Must have a faculty research mentor who is willing to submit a statement in support of the project
• Has not received funds from this program in the past
• Must present this project at the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Forum, held annually in the spring

Note: Preference is given to students whose projects are not currently receiving funding from another source (e.g., faculty mentor grants).

More information:

• Application deadline: Oct. 20 for grants to begin in spring
• The grant amount is up to $1,500 per application

Learn more about the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities Grant Program.

Want to rep your Shocker pride and earn savings and discounts? While shopping at the Shocker Store in the Rhatigan Student Center, at Braeburn Square or online, if you use your Shocker ID, you can earn points that can be used for future purchases. The RSC store also has school supplies and food available for purchase.

When Wichita State physical therapy students strapped on sunglasses smeared with petroleum jelly, ankle weights and a stiff neck collar, the laughter came quickly. They shuffled around the room, testing their balance in flip-flops to mimic neuropathy and difficulty with walking, while leaning on friends as they struggled through simple tasks.

But as the exercises wore on, the fun gave way to frustration. Hearing became muffled under earmuffs. Vision blurred. Knees stiffened. Students who had just been joking about their new look began to feel something else: the physical and social isolation many older adults live with every day.

That shift — from amusement to awareness — is exactly what Dr. Justin Smith, assistant professor and board-certified geriatric clinical specialist, hoped for when he built a homemade geriatric-simulation suit and launched a pilot study to measure its effect on empathy in physical therapy students.

When Wichita State physical therapy students strapped on sunglasses smeared with petroleum jelly, ankle weights and a stiff neck collar, the laughter came quickly. They shuffled around the room, testing their balance in flip-flops to mimic neuropathy and difficulty with walking, while leaning on friends as they struggled through simple tasks.

But as the exercises wore on, the fun gave way to frustration. Hearing became muffled under earmuffs. Vision blurred. Knees stiffened. Students who had just been joking about their new look began to feel something else: the physical and social isolation many older adults live with every day.

That shift — from amusement to awareness — is exactly what Dr. Justin Smith, assistant professor and board-certified geriatric clinical specialist, hoped for when he built a homemade geriatric-simulation suit and launched a pilot study to measure its effect on empathy in physical therapy students.

The online meeting links have been updated for the Open Enrollment Virtual presentations. Visit the Open Enrollment/Presentations page for the new meeting links.

Events happening this week:

• Oct. 7: In person presentation at 3 p.m. in 301 Rhatigan Student Center, Gridley Room.
• Oct. 10: Virtual presentation at 1:30 p.m.

Registration is not required.

This is a very busy time, so the Total Rewards team is not available for walk-in traffic or to make individual appointments regarding Open Enrollment. Take advantage of the scheduled virtual and in-person presentations, as well as on-demand options. For additional information, visit the Open Enrollment website. Any questions should be directed to TotalRewards@wichita.edu.