Author: Caelin Bragg

The High-Performance Computing (HPC) cluster at WSU, which was initiated in 2020, provides students and faculty with the computational resources they need to succeed. Any member of the WSU community and those outside of WSU who are KBOR constituents can request access to the HPC cluster. To request account at HPC, visit the HPC website. For those who are new to HPC, they are encouraged to review the HPC Users Guide.

The HPC is also pleased to inform the campus community that WSU researchers can access the Pete Supercomputer, which is an HPC cluster at Oklahoma State University supported by OSU’s High-Performance Computing Center. It is worth noting that OSU was recently awarded a Major Research Instrumentation award by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to build and develop a new supercomputer. This award was a joint effort between OSU, Arkansas State University, WSU, Kansas State University, the University of Tulsa, the University of Central Oklahoma, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, and the Great Plains Network. More information about the award can be found on the NSF’s website.

Those interested in the potential of HPC to accelerate their research processes, be sure to stop by its table at the GRASP symposium. The team members at the symposium will be able to share examples of how HPC has been used in various fields and answer any questions about the technology. It also invite attendees to learn more about the applications of HPC in research and discover how it can help them achieve their research goals.

A survey of Wichita State student, faculty and staff transportation rates is being conducted to estimate their carbon footprint.

This is in continuation of a previous study done in 2019 which found approximately 53,000 metric tons of CO2 were generated.

Responses are greatly appreciated. Any questions can be directed to Dr. Ikram Ahmen, associate professor of Mechanical Engineering, at ikram.ahmed@wichita.edu.

Academic Affairs is proud to welcome Dr. Brett Bruner as the new assistant vice president for Student Success and Persistence.

Bruner will join Wichita State effective May 15. As the assistant vice president of Student Success and Persistence, he will focus on how to best serve our students as they pursue degree completion by developing and directing university-wide student success and retention strategies and programs that align with the university vision.

He began as a peer mentor 20 years ago and most recently served as the assistant vice president and dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Missouri Western State University.

Bruner received his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University, his master’s from the University of Central Missouri and his doctorate from Baker University.

“I envisioned one day leading student success efforts on a campus that is innovative in its approaches to authentically supporting student success… I have assumed leadership roles in supervising nearly every possible student services functional area (and then some),” Bruner said. “I am excited about the opportunity to use my skills and unique background to support Wichita State University.”

To help parents sign their children up for summer camps, the Office of Strategic Communications is compiling Wichita State camp info on the 2023 Summer Camps website.

Make sure to catch the latest episode of the “Forward Together” podcast, where President Muma speaks with Jonna Mendez, the former chief of disguise at the CIA, about her time at Wichita State and the path that led to be an expert in disguise, identity transformation and clandestine imaging.

Watch it here — wsu.news/FTJonnaCIA — or listen at wsu.news/ftpodcast or on Spotify, Stitcher, Google Podcasts, Amazon Podcasts or Apple Podcasts (iTunes).

The next episode will feature current Shocker students and their experiences learning, working and growing at WSU. Subscribe here and be notified when new episodes are available.

The HR Total Rewards team reminds faculty and staff that the deadline for summer 2023 tuition assistance applications is Monday, April 17. Tuition assistance applications for summer 2023 are submitted through the online application form.

Due to the volume of applications received each semester, requests to submit late applications will be automatically denied without exception.

Questions may be directed to TuitionAssistance@wichita.edu.

The Wichita Sky Kings basketball team invites the Wichita State community to a series of games with special guests at no charge with a Shocker ID or other proof of WSU affiliation.

The campus community can enjoy the following games at Charles Koch Arena, each featuring a different special guest:

• 7 p.m. Saturday, April 15 – Sky Kings vs. Southeast Texas Panthers, featuring special guest Larry Thomas, who played Yev Kassem in Seinfeld.
• 3 p.m. Sunday, April 16 – Sky Kings vs. Enid Outlaws, featuring special guest Markquis Nowell, point guard from the Kansas State Wildcats.
• 7 p.m. Friday, April 21 – Sky Kings vs. St. Louis Griffins, featuring special guest Marquez Valdes-Scantling, wide receiver for the Kansas City Chiefs.

Attendees can also bring their families to the games at no additional charge.

The Wichita Police Department will use the former Intensive English Learning Center building at 17th and Hillside for routine bomb squad training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 13.

The campus community may see armored vehicles and an elevated police presence at the location. This is only for training purposes.

Academic Affairs is proud to welcome Dr. Brett Bruner as the new assistant vice president for Student Success and Persistence.

Bruner will join Wichita State effective May 15. As the assistant vice president of Student Success and Persistence, he will focus on how to best serve our students as they pursue degree completion by developing and directing university-wide student success and retention strategies and programs that align with the university vision.

He began as a peer mentor 20 years ago and most recently served as the assistant vice president and dean of students in the Division of Student Affairs & Enrollment Management at Missouri Western State University.

Bruner received his bachelor’s degree from Emporia State University, his master’s from the University of Central Missouri and his doctorate from Baker University.

“I envisioned one day leading student success efforts on a campus that is innovative in its approaches to authentically supporting student success… I have assumed leadership roles in supervising nearly every possible student services functional area (and then some),” Bruner said. “I am excited about the opportunity to use my skills and unique background to support Wichita State University.”

Colton Ediger, an e-commerce and technology coordinator in the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Store, was named Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators Student Employee of the Year in Technology & Innovation.

Earlier this year, Colton was awarded the division’s first Student Affairs (SA) Student Employee of the Year at the Student Employee Awards and Recognition event aiming to highlight the incredible work and talent student employees bring to offices around campus.

It encourages the campus to celebrate 2023 National Student Employment Week happening this week, April 9-15.