Category: Events and Recreation

Dr. Brent Mai, dean of University Libraries, will be holding a town hall style event at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 24 in the Digital Scholars Commons of Ablah Library and virtually via Microsoft Teams to chat about “What’s Going On in the Library.”

Topics include the impact of the libraries’ March 16 flood, the potential impact of the pause in federal funding through the IMLS, membership in the MOBIUS Consortium, relocation of the Holmes Anthropology Museum and ongoing management of the libraries’ collections. What we in the libraries call a “LibGuide” is also available with information about these topics.

Looking for ways to support students on campus? Check out the ShockerSync calendar for events hosted by the nearly 300 student organizations at WSU. Many events are also open to faculty and staff.

Get your tickets now for evening of baseball and community spirit at the Wichita Wind Surge stadium at 6:35 p.m. Thursday, April 24. Wichita State will be taking over the ballpark for a night filled with fun and Shocker pride.

The Wind Surge play against the Springfield Cardinals with gates opening at 5:35 p.m. The first 2,000 people through the gate will receive an exclusive WSU/Wind Surge hat, so wear your black and yellow to show your Shocker spirit and cheer on the home team. Grab your friends and family for a memorable night out.

Explore the wide range of events hosted by nearly 300 on-campus student organizations. The ShockerSync calendar is your go-to resource for finding activities that match your interests: wichita.edu/shockersync.

Established in 1974, the Ulrich Museum of Art has been celebrating 50 years of expanding human experience through encounters with the art of the time since January 2024 with special exhibitions, programs and parties. Now comes the big event, the Ulrich50 Gala.

The Gala takes place from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Henry’s Place rooftop venue inside NICHE, 124 S. Broadway. The event includes valet parking, an upscale art auction, wine and whiskey pulls, appetizer stations and libations, and a performance by New York-based hammered dulcimer virtuoso Max ZT. The “U50” book — featuring memories and stories from the museum’s first half-century, and photos of works from the Ulrich permanent collection and Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection — will debut and be available to order.

Tickets are $100 and a limited number are available.

College life can be overwhelming between family, friends, classes and studying that you may feel you’re missing out. Beat the FOMO and check out all the student organization events on campus through the ShockerSync calendar: wichita.edu/shockersync.

The Cohen Honors College dean and faculty council invite all faculty/staff interested in the honors law and public policy track to an open discussion from 3:30 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 24 via Microsoft Teams, including general information about the track, updates in progress and sharing ideas for collaboration with other college or campus initiatives created since the honors track was launched in 2014.

An open honors faculty council meeting will follow from 4 to 4:30 p.m.

Join the Kansas Small Business Development Center for an engaging and interactive day of learning from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 9 in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex, where you’ll gain actionable insights and practical tools to unlock the full potential of AI for your small business needs.

Whether you’re looking to optimize operations, create compelling content or revolutionize your marketing, the workshop is a gateway to a more streamlined, innovative future.

Itinerary:

• 9:45-10 a.m.: Check in
• 10:10-11 a.m.: “Streamline & Save”
• 11:10 a.m.-noon: “Master Prompt Engineering”
• Noon-12:30 p.m.: Lunch
• 12:30-2 p.m.: “Everyday Uses”

Join Zach Gearhart, chief of staff and executive director of government relations, for updates on the Kansas legislature relevant to Wichita State at 8:30 a.m. Friday, April 18 virtually via Microsoft Teams.

To find a link to the meeting, reach out to Olivia Kerschen, executive assistant to the president, at olivia.kerschen@wichita.edu.

The meeting is open to all faculty, staff and students. Legislative updates are held every other Friday.

Join the University Libraries as it wishes Muhammad Usmani all the best as he begins new adventures in retirement. A come and go retirement reception will be held from 3 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22 in 261 Rhatigan Student Center, Olive Room.

Muhammad, a 1992 graduate of the WSU computer science program, has served in a variety of IT roles since he joined the WSU family in 1997 – most of them related to the University Libraries in some way. From introducing the first local area network (LAN) in the libraries to implementing virtual reality platforms, Usmani has lead the adoption of new technologies in the libraries. During his tenure with WSU Libraries, he was instrumental in the creation of the C-Space and Digital Scholars Commons.

Throughout the years, he has had several titles that reflected his growing responsibilities. Most recently, he has served as the director of library technologies. He has served on numerous university committees including the IT Advisory Committee, the WIN Portal Committee, the LUMINUS content management team and the President’s Diversity Council.

In all of his roles, he has remained consistently student-focused, nurturing, encouraging and inspiring students to be the very best at all that they do. Muhammad has also mentored countless students in recent years in his role as advisor to both the Pakistani Student Association and the Muslim Student Association.

In 2022, Usmani’s service was recognized by his induction into the Order of Bender of Twigs.