Author: Cheryl Miller

Five distinguished scientists will be visiting Wichita State this academic year as part of Fairmount College’s Watkins Visiting Professor lecture series. The scientists’ visits and their subject disciplines are:

• Greg Fuchs, Cornell University, physics, Oct. 3-4
• Vamsi Mootha, Harvard University, chemistry, Oct. 26-27
• Sarah Hart, University of London, interdisciplinary (mathematics, literature and art), Nov. 8-9
• Doug Emlen, University of Montana, biology, Feb. 12-13
• Bill DeGrado, UC, San Francisco, chemistry, April 15-16

Visiting scientists give lectures, demonstrations or other presentations about their research, which furthers the science education of our students and scientific research of our faculty. The professorship series was created in 1974 by the Watkins Foundation. This grant is now provided through the Watkins fund, a part of the Wichita State University Foundation’s endowment. All lectures are open to the public.

More information about each visiting professor may be found online. Look for updates in the newsletter and on Fairmount College’s social media:

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Abby Arbeiter wanted to sing pop songs in a pub. So, she approached a musician in Fitzgerald’s Bar, in Dublin.

Her request led to some cultural confusion.

Jan Dirk Roggenkamp, professor of public law at the Berlin School of Economics and Law, will present “The German Model of Police Education” at 3:30 p.m., Thursday, June 22, in 265 Rhatigan Student Center. A reception will follow.

Roggenkamp researches IT law, in particular the legal implications of police work and information technology (e.g., data retention, monitoring and surveillance of IT, use of social networks, data protection and privacy). He has published numerous articles in German law journals. He is also the author/editor of legal commentaries on data protection law, internet law, police law and association law.

Mathew Muether, associate professor of physics, is one of several thousand scientists worldwide studying neutrino behavior. His grant support from the U.S. Department of Energy totals nearly $500,000 and finances his work on two projects anchored underground at FermiLab, the particle physics and accelerator laboratory in Batavia, Illinois.

Wichita State’s Master of Science in mathematical data science produces professionals who can communicate the principles of data science statistics and analytics, and assist with the design and implementation of data systems.

Formerly the master’s in mathematical foundations of data analysis, graduates of the program will possess an in-depth mathematic and statistical understanding of data analysis methods as well as a broad skill set that can be applied to tech-related careers such as data analysis, data engineering and data architecture. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of data scientists to grow 36% from 2021 to 2031, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Wichita State students wanting to earn a degree in American Sign Language will be able to make progress toward that goal starting fall 2023, when WSU launches a Bachelor of Arts in American Sign Language.

Shockers will be able to tailor the Bachelor of Arts in ASL to their interests and needs by choosing one of three tracks: The Structure of Language; Language and Culture in Context; or Interpreting Methods.

Approximately 1,800 students from across the United States, Canada and Japan will travel to Wichita State for the Science Olympiad National Tournament in May. Teams will begin checking in May 17 and 18, and a STEM Expo will be held May 19. The tournament, ending with an awards ceremony, will run May 20.

Many volunteers are needed to help make this multi-day event possible, and tasks range from completing administrative duties, running errands and judging individual events. Several time blocks are available for volunteering each day.

For more information, contact Jill Fisher, event co-chair and community outreach coordinator, at jill.fisher@wichita.edu.

Campus and community members who missed the Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Perspectives on Pedagogy talks can now access them on the Fairmount College YouTube channel.

Videos of each Perspectives series dating to 2020 are also available on the channel. Dr. Andrew Hippisley, Fairmount College dean, hosts each series.

• Supporting and Coaching GTAs in the Classroom 
• Being an Ally in the Classroom
• Active Learning
• Student Perspectives on Teaching and Learning

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ next Perspectives series will focus on pedagogy. This week’s Perspectives is “Student Perspectives on Teaching and Learning.”

At the receiving end of instruction are students, who provide feedback in personal meetings with faculty and through teaching evaluations. Undergraduate student panelists discuss what they find effective in the classroom and ways that faculty may engage them more productively. Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College, will host, and Brien Bolin, professor of social work and associate dean for student success, will moderate the panel.

Each episode in the Perspectives series will be presented at 2 p.m. Tuesdays, through April 11 via Zoom. Recordings will be made available afterwards on the Fairmount College YouTube channel.

Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences’ next Perspectives series will focus on pedagogy. This week’s Perspectives is on “Active Learning.”

To engage students and encourage their success are hallmarks of successful teaching approaches. Panelists will discuss activities that foster in-class participation while boosting student and instructor confidence. Dr. Andrew Hippisley, dean of the Fairmount College, will host, and Brien Bolin, professor of social work and associate dean for student success, will moderate the panel.

Each episode in the Perspectives series will be presented at 2 p.m. Tuesdays, through April 11 via Zoom. Recordings will be made available afterwards on the Fairmount College YouTube channel.