Author: Sara Ornelas

The Women in Public Service (WPS) meet-up will take place 4:45-6 p.m. Jan. 27 at Jenny Dawn Cellars. WPS inspires current and future generations by addressing topics relevant to women in public service while instilling knowledge through education, networking and professional development that strengthens leadership in local government and communities. The meet-up will allow participants to connect and share about opportunities, challenges, new job positions and job changes.

Dr. Voncella McCleary-Jones, associate dean for academic affairs in the College of Health Professions, has been appointed to a two-year term on the National League for Nursing’s Academy of Nursing Education Review Panel.

McCleary-Jones was named an Academy of Nursing Education Fellow (ANEF) in 2016. ANEF is a national distinction recognizing individuals who have contributed to nursing education in sustained and significant ways.

As community leaders plan for the future economic prosperity of our state, Wichita State University and the University of Kansas schools of Medicine and Pharmacy in Wichita are moving forward with plans to establish a joint WSU/KU Healthcare Sciences Educational Center (HSEC) in Wichita.   

The center — which is a combined effort among Wichita State, WSU Tech, the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita, and the KU School of Pharmacy in Wichita — will centralize health care programs from each institution to provide state-of-the-art health care education that would ultimately improve the quality of health and health outcomes for Kansans.   

In addition, this collaboration will strengthen synergies and teamwork and allow for interprofessional learning activities while drawing from a long history of successful academic programs, and a health sciences educational center would greatly contribute to our community.   

“Not only is this new center important to improving the health outcomes for Kansans, any city that’s growing or wants to grow, has this type of facility at its core,” said Dr. Rick Muma, president of Wichita State. “Building an academic hub to educate a proficient and highly skilled medical workforce is critical to increasing health care access and outcomes for everyone in our region.”  

Muma — who is a licensed physician assistant and has been integral in reshaping health profession education at Wichita State — said that bringing together the educational facilities from several institutions into one shared health sciences complex would help WSU meet community needs and demands and provide state-of-the-art care and technology to Kansans.  

The HSEC will also serve to attract and retain talent in the Wichita area, as well as boost the economic success of Kansas.   

“The health care sector has enormous growth potential, and it’s critical to the prosperity of the greater Wichita area as its population grows and diversifies,” Muma said. “As we continually work to meet the needs of Kansas employers and improve the economic vitality of our region, we must offer new opportunities that attract and retain talent to Wichita.”   

Given the current headcount for the four institutions involved in the center, it’s estimated that the HSEC’s combined enrollment should start at more than 2,500 students.   

A generous grant from the Kansas Health Foundation will supplement the universities’ funds to commission services of an architect and other professionals to integrate the vision for the project, affirm space needs, explore ways to create efficiencies, validate site information and location, and create a conceptual plan for pricing the facility.   

Dear Shocker family: Thank you for all you’ve done this year to help our Wichita State thrive and for all you’ve done to support our students, our university, and all of Shocker Nation.

The staff at Wichita State’s Student Wellness Center and Counseling and Prevention Services received cookies as the first Rick Rewards presentation on Monday, Dec. 13. 

Rick Rewards is a new program by President Rick Muma to show his appreciation for the efforts of a member, or members, of the campus community.

The Student Wellness Center was selected as the first recipient because of its staff’s dedication to the mental and physical health of WSU students and the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the first of many future Rick Rewards that will be handed out to applaud the many people on campus who go above and beyond every day.

On Dec. 7, 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy attacked U.S. forces at Pearl Harbor and other locations in Hawaii, taking the lives of 2,403 service members and civilians and leading the United States to declare its entrance into World War II.

It was a day that still lives in infamy 80 years later. As we mark National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, we honor the patriots who perished, commemorate the valor of all those who defended our nation and recommit ourselves to carrying forth the ensuing peace and reconciliation that brought a better future for our world.

Today, we give thanks to the Greatest Generation, who guided our nation through some of our darkest moments and laid the foundations of an international system that has transformed former adversaries into allies.

The Congress, by Public Law 103-308, as amended, has designated Dec. 7 of each year as National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.

The College of Applied Studies at Wichita State University announced today that Travis Yang has been hired as the new director of varsity esports.

In the new role, Yang takes charge of a successful program in its third year of competition. He will oversee recruiting, coaching, and team development while implementing strategic goals, fundraising, and overseeing the holistic development of student-athletes.

Are you looking for a holiday gift for your favorite Shocker? Visit the Shocker Store’s Rhatigan Student Center location for its 12 Deals of Christmas Sale through Dec. 4. Customers can also shop the sale at the online Shocker Store and receive free shipping if they spend more than $75.

New sale items will be added daily and will remain on sale for the remainder of the promotion while supplies last. The new sale items for Friday, Dec. 3 include a $15 select crew sweatshirt and 25% off games and puzzles. To see previous days’ sale items, visit the Shocker Store online or the Shocker Store Shocker Store Facebook or Instagram.

Are you majoring in the humanities and wondering what kind of internships are available for you? Do you have questions about other liberal arts and sciences majors and how they lead to internships? If so, join the Fairmont College Student Advisory Council for a panel at 1 p.m., today, Dec. 2 at the Rhatigan Student Center (Room 264) or via Zoom (Meeting ID: 656 499 3171 Password: FCSAC).

The event will feature Brian Austin, director of applied learning and internships; Darren DeFrain, associate professor of English; and Jaycie Nelson, student. Drinks and desserts will be offered but attendants should bring their lunch.

Wichita State University and all of Shocker Nation will celebrate the inauguration of our 15th president, Dr. Rick Muma, at 2:30 p.m. today in the Lowe Auditorium of the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Muma has been a member of Wichita State’s family for 25 years as a professor, department chair, and provost. The Kansas Board of Regents appointed him to the presidency on May 6.