Author: Abigail Klein

Ayshea Banes is working on NASA-funded research with Wichita State physics professor Dr. Nick Solomey to build a solar neutrino detector.

More than 5,000 Shockers each year take what they’ve learned in the classroom and transfer that knowledge into real-world environments. Applied learning — which is required for every Wichita State student — happens in offices, factories, laboratories, nonprofits, industries and companies across the globe. Students work side-by-side with seasoned professionals to ensure that they’re fully prepared to make meaningful contributions to their employers and their communities when they graduate.

Maria Jimenez is working in Houston this summer and exploring her interest in intellectual property as a career focus. Wichita State’s Gateway to IP program helped her get started in the world of patent law.

More than 5,000 Shockers each year take what they’ve learned in the classroom and transfer that knowledge into real-world environments. Applied learning — which is required for every Wichita State student — happens in offices, factories, laboratories, nonprofits, industries and companies across the globe. Students work side-by-side with seasoned professionals to ensure that they’re fully prepared to make meaningful contributions to their employers and their communities when they graduate.

Cyber-scammers are everywhere, often targeting our most vulnerable populations.

Most of us are familiar with the shadier side of technology. When we get phone calls, we’re unlikely to answer unfamiliar numbers. We roll our eyes and delete the emails from the former prince of some faraway land, who is offering untold wealth in exchange for a bank account number.

Sarah Laffen is a aerospace engineering sophomore spending her summer vacation working at the National Institute for Aviation Research’s Advanced Machining and Prototyping laboratory. She is using the opportunity to enhance her skills as a student as she majors in aerospace engineering.

More than 5,000 Shockers each year take what they’ve learned in the classroom and transfer that knowledge into real-world environments. Applied learning — which is required for every Wichita State student — happens in offices, factories, laboratories, nonprofits, industries and companies across the globe. Students work side-by-side with seasoned professionals to ensure that they’re fully prepared to make meaningful contributions to their employers and their communities when they graduate. 

Faculty and staff are invited to attend a press conference introducing incoming Athletic Director Kevin Saal at 1 p.m. today in the Charles Koch Arena atrium.

Saal, along with President Rick Muma, will speak to the audience during the event. Because space is limited, the event will also be livestreamed.

The grand opening for NetApp’s new 168,000-square-foot facility took place June 15 at Wichita State’s Innovation campus. The facility will support WSU’s nationally recognized research programs such as the National Institute for Research and Digital Transformation and the National Institute for Aviation Research. The facility also features an on-site large-scale data center and an Artificial Intelligence SuperPOD/HPC Center of Excellence.

The locations will allow NetApp to partner directly with WSU on any future curriculum applying to NetApp’s core technology and provide WSU students with the opportunity for hands-on training and valuable lab experience before graduation. 

Wichita State University President Rick Muma is excited to announce the hiring of Kevin Saal as WSU’s new Director of Athletics.

Saal, who has been athletic director at Murray State University since March 2019, will take the reins of the Shocker Athletics program from WSU’s interim athletic director, Sarah Adams, effective mid-July.

The family of Kenneth “Larry” Keller will host a celebration of life ceremony beginning at 2 p.m. June 23 at Countryside Christian Church (1919 S. Rock Road). Keller worked at the Wichita State University Police Department (WSUPD) for 23 years. Upon his retirement, he moved to Florence, Arizona with his spouse where he passed away April 19.

Wichita State’s Orientation and Undergraduate Admissions staff were recognized by First Gentleman Rick Case, on behalf of President Rick Muma, June 14. The groups were recognized for their commitment to the student experience for helping students’ families have a positive experience while transitioning to WSU.

Rick Rewards is a program by President Rick Muma that launched in December 2021. The program allows President Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of a member, or members, of the campus community.

Wichita State is partnering with Water Intelligence (WINT) to advance water sustainability at Woolsey Hall. Woolsey Hall is the future home of W. Frank Barton School of Business. In order to advance sustainability practices, the building will use measurement tools to understand how much water is being used in the building. They will also use water sub-metering devices.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that 20-25% of all building water consumption is wasted. The WINT system targets water usage from a sustainability perspective, while also stopping major water leak damage events to prevent waste.

By implementing WINT’s artificially intelligent machine learning software, the building’s occupants can measure the typical water usage patterns in the building to create a baseline consumption. The A.I. software will recognize any abnormal water usage patterns and alert building staff. It can also shutoff the water to reduce damage and waste.

These efforts help the university set goals and advance sustainable practices.