Category: Events and Recreation

Come to the Ulrich Museum of Art for a happy hour and become a co-curator from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 in the Grafly Gallery.

Bring friends and enjoy a beverage (attendees must be 21 years old or older to drink alcohol), meet some fellow art fans and give provide feedback via the activity walls of Co-Lab. Help the Ulrich Museum create an exhibition that will debut in 2026.

From selection of objects to writing text and wall labels, curators and community members will interpret the Ulrich’s collection through local and contemporary lenses. The interactive community event is hosted by the Ulrich Alliance, a growing group of museum volunteers comprised of art enthusiasts, students, and professionals.

Make plans to attend the inaugural Shockers Got Talent at 7 p.m. Thursday, April 11 in the CAC Theater. Taking the stage are 13 student acts to compete for most talented Shocker. Attendees can experience a variety of performances including singers, pianists, dance groups, rapping and a full band. The judges will select first, second and third place with acts receiving scholarships in the amount of $1000, $800 and $500 respectively.

2024 Shockers Got Talent acts:

• Alex Pollnow singing “Google Translate” by Leanna Firestone
• Don Boyd singing “Above All” by Michael W. Smith
• Kishan Gurung singing “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran
• Kuña Paraguay dancing to “Viajando Voy” by Tierra Adentro
• KVERSITY dancing to “Talk Saxy” by Riize
• Mona Martinez singing “Hopelessly Devoted to You” by Olivia Newton-John
• Noah Carter singing “The Best is Yet To Come” by Michael Buble
• Paula performing on piano “I Giorni” by Ludovico Eineaudi
• Rowan Singer singing “Angy” by Psycho Enby
• Sena singing “Jason’s Song” by Ariana Grande
• Skylar Isenegger performing on piano “Snow Angel” by Renee Rapp
• STML performing a Shockers Got Talent freestyle rap
• TALL GLASS OF ROOT BEER performing “Paranoid” by Black Sabbath

Doors open at 6 p.m. and admission is at the door. Admission is available at no additional charge to students with Shocker ID, $5 for faculty/staff and children 12 and under, and $8 for general public. Cash, credit, debit and Apple Pay are accepted.

Shockers Got Talent is coordinated by the Traditions Committee of the Student Activities Council. For more information on this event email sac@wichita.edu or call Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership at 316-978-3022.

The annual Drag Show, sponsored by the Student Activities Council (SAC), Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) and Spectrum: LGBTQ+ & Allies, is back this year with headliners DiDa Ritz and Calypso Jete Balmain at 8 p.m. Friday, April 5 in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Join SAC, ODI and Spectrum LGBTQ+ & Allies for a night of glitz, glam and performances. Doors open at 7 p.m.

Students interested in studying abroad can register to attend an information session or watch the info session video. The last study abroad information session of the spring semester will be at 2 p.m. Friday, April 5 in 265 Rhatigan Student Center, Lucas Room.

Students can register online or email studyabround@wichita.edu.

The School of Art, Design and Creative Industries will host Jana Erwin, public art manager for the City of Wichita, and Kate Van Steenhuyse, assistant director for the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission, for a discussion on the process used to evaluate artists to work with city and state governments.

The panel will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 2 in 210 McKnight Art Center. Pizza will be served after the talk.

The second annual Women’s Leadership Initiative Luncheon was a great success. Women from all over campus engaged in conversations over lunch regarding professional development and engagement, social and networking opportunities, and mentorship. Organizers look forward to bringing forth impactful events to foster connection, development, and engagement, and the campus community can still get involved at upcoming events.

• Wednesdays are for Women bowling night:
  Get ready for a night of bowling, networking and fun from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 in the basement of the Rhatigan Student Center. Hosted by the Women’s Leadership Initiative, the event is an opportunity to connect, make new friends and enjoy some friendly competition on the lanes. Whether you’re a bowling pro or a newbie, all are welcome to join in the excitement. Don’t miss out—come expand your network and have a blast with us!
• Women’s Leadership Initiative Book Club:
  Join others for the Women’s Leadership Initiative Book Club. The current selection is “Leadership the Eleanor Roosevelt Way: Timeless Strategies from the First Lady of Courage” by Robin Gerber.
  Participants meet weekly to discuss takeaways and thoughts related to the chapters. If you are not able to make it in person, participants can also join a Teams chat with the weekly prompts.

Join the Retention Fellows for a Teaching Matters lunch and conversation about incoming freshmen students at noon Friday, April 5 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room. Lunch will be provided.

Local high school teachers will share what they have observed about the lasting effects of the pandemic on the class of 2024, which will help prepare employees to meet the students where they are.

The panelists for the event:

• Kathleen O’Brien, biomedical sciences, Derby High School
• April Taylor, Spanish, North High School
• April Pameticky, English, East High School
• Shaw Chastain, fine arts, Wichita Public Schools

RSVP to attend by April 2 by emailing aa.student@wichita.edu.

The WSU Art & Design Advocates present the seventh annual Emerging Artists Showcase, celebrating the work of up-and-coming School of Art, Design and Creative Industries student artists representing painting, drawing, ceramics, community and social practice, printmaking, photography, art education and graphic design. The opening reception will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, April 4 in McKnight Art Center.

At the opening reception, $1750 in cash prizes will be announced by this year’s judge, David Emitt Adams. Prizes are provided by the support of The Cotillion and the Art & Design Advocates.

Join the School of Performing Arts for the premiere of “Christmas Dish” at 7:30 p.m. April 5 and 2 p.m. April 6 in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, Welsbacher Theatre, entrance F on the southeast side of the building.

Written and directed by Bret Jones, director of acting for digital arts, “Christmas Dish” follows two people that are secretly romantically interested in one another. They agree to share Christmas dinner together, just as friends, because a family holiday isn’t going to happen and all of their other friends are already busy.

Purchase tickets from box office online or call 316-978-3233. Students can receive a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID thanks to the Student Government Association.

Student Health Services (SHS) is hosting its next Pee for Pizza event. It will take place noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, April 3 at the Student Wellness Center in the Steve Clark YMCA.

Pee for Pizza is a sexual health awareness event that allows participants to test for sexually transmitted illnesses such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C and know their status at no additional charge. Pizza is also provided to participants.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Positive Direction and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, Pee for Pizza is by reservation only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Participants must not use the restroom at least one hour before testing.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact SHS at 316-978-4792. Other testing is available upon request.