black background with yellow designs. "Meet Our Keynote Speaker!" yellow arrow pointing to a picture of Dylan Thiessen. Image captioned with "Dylan Thiessen, MBA Innovation Design Leader, Koch, Inc." bottom script stating "Learn about continuous learning with our keynote speaker, Dylan Thiessen, MBA, during our GRASP Symposium"

At this year’s Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects Symposium (GRASP) is keynote speaker Dylan Thiessen, MBA, who will be speaking from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. Friday, April 11 in 306 Rhatigan Student Center, West Beggs Ballroom Dylan is an innovation design leader at Koch, Inc. and will discuss continuous learning.

More information and his abstract:

Embracing the Journey: Continuous learning from research and experimentation

In an era where innovation is the cornerstone of success, effectively applying research and experimentation is vital for both professional and personal growth. Attendees will explore this dual approach to learning and the significant roles it plays in driving transformation.
We’ll examine how advanced technology is changing existing paradigms and discuss why embracing failure is essential to fostering innovation. Through real-world examples, we’ll dive into strategies for optimizing risk and prioritizing value creation. Join us to uncover how integrating these principles can transform your studies, career, and life, cultivating a mindset of continuous learning and growth.

Engineering Open House | Friday, May 9 from 9 am to 7 pm at Charles Koch Arena

The College of Engineering invites all to save the date for its annual Engineering Open House from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, May 9 at Charles Koch Arena.

Between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m., senior engineering and computing students will present prototype solutions throughout the concourse. From the end of student presentations until 7 p.m., there will be refreshments served, as well as an awards ceremony.

Pee for Pizza Thursday, April 17th from 12 - 4pm. Free Pizza, Prevent the spread of STIs, go to the myShockerhealth portal to schedule an appointment. Decorative pizza slice images and sponsor logs of Student Health, Positive Directions, and Shocker Sport Grill and Lanes

Student Health Services is hosting its next Pee for Pizza event. It will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 17 at the Student Wellness Center in the Steve Clark YMCA. Pee for Pizza promotes sexual health awareness, supports students’ health and prevents the spread of STIs. Get free pizza when you get free testing for HIV, Hepatitis C, Syphilis, Gonorrhea and Chlamydia by giving a urine sample.

Co-sponsored by Positive Direction and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, Pee for Pizza is by reservation only. Appointments can be made through the myShockerhealth portal at wichita.edu/shs or by calling 316-978-4792. Participants must not use the restroom at least one hour before testing. Other testing is available upon request.

Pickleball Courts Open Thursday

Join Campus Recreation and get ready for the grand opening of the new pickleball courts at 11 a.m. Thursday, April 10 between the Heskett Center and Hubbard Hall.

Treats and drinks will be available at noon, and the first 100 check-ins get a free pickleball and a chance at the gear giveaway.

The 2025 Kansas Sport Summit will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 17 on the third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center. Organizers are excited to welcome over 150 students/faculty from institutions such as Washburn University, McPherson College, University of Nebraska at Kearney, Central Christian College of Kansas, Baker University, Newman University, Friends University, Butler Community College and five high schools, as well as over 40 practitioners from regional sports and related organizations.

The summit will bridge the gap between scholarship and applications in sport management and related fields by integrating round table discussions, breakout sessions and a career fair with ignite interviews to share insights, discuss emerging trends and explore collaborative opportunities for students, practitioners and faculty/staff in sport management and related fields.

The registration will close Sunday, April 13. Contact Dr. Wonyoung Kim at ks.sport.summit@wichita.edu or 316-978-5445 for additional information or questions.

Are you looking for computing and data resources to support your research or coursework? Join a town hall from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 10 in 203 Rhatigan Student Center, Lancelot Room where you’ll be introduced computing and data support services that are available locally, regionally and nationally — many of which are free to WSU students, faculty and staff.

These computing and data support services can enable data analysis, simulations, open-source software development and machine learning applications. Updates will also be shared on current initiatives at WSU such as the acquisition of a MATLAB campus-wide license — and participants are invited to provide their input to help shape local computing and data resources together.

Who should attend?

Students, faculty and staff interested in utilizing and shaping our computing and data resources at WSU.

What you’ll learn:

  • Who to contact for computing and data support at WSU.
  • Overview of local computing and data resources.
  • How to access regional computing and data resources at Kansas State University and Oklahoma State University.
  • Introduction to national computing and data resources, including Advanced Cyberinfrastructure Coordination Ecosystem (ACCESS), the Open Science Grid (OSG), National Research Platform (NRP), and National Artificial Intelligence Research Resource (NIARR)
  • Discussion: Update on Campus Cyberinfrastructure Master Plan (Feedback is welcome!).

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn, collaborate and help shape the future of computing and data services at WSU.

For more details, contact Terrance Figy, associate professor and director of HPC, at terrance.figy@wichita.edu or Ryan Doll, assistant educator and Data Center director, at ryan.doll@wichita.edu.

Special thanks to the NSF for its support via the CC*Planning Grant, Award #2346097.

CMMC compliance is crucial for companies in the defense supply chain as prime or subcontractors. This virtual discussion, from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday, April 16, will provide valuable insights into the requirements and best practices for achieving compliance. Kansas IT professionals will include:

  • John Shamasko, lead CMMC assessor and authorizing official for the CMMC Team (C3PAO)
  • Tariq Azmi, Ember Technology
  • JD Zluticky, Essentail IT Services, Inc.
Department of Political Science, funded by the genorosity of alumnus John McGurie, the united nations dinner. saturday, april 26, 2025 5 to 7 pm. Rhatigan Student Center 233. Registration is required to attend.

Join the Department of Political Science and Model United Nations for the United Nations Dinner at 5 p.m. April 26 in 233 Rhatigan Student Center, Santa Fe Trail Room.

The dinner is in celebration of the United Nations. It will also be featuring speaker Jenna Dolecek, who is an alum of WSU. Registration is required to attend, and will close April 18. It costs $5 for non-WSU students.

Stop by the Ablah Library from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 for a sweet treat in honor of National Library Week. Swing by, grab a snack and celebrate the week.

Join University Libraries in celebrating National Library Week from April 6 to 12 and recognizing the important role libraries, librarians and library workers play in the community.

Keep an eye out for University Libraries’ social media post asking, “What draws you to the library?” Plus, encourage students to stop by Ablah Library from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9 to celebrate with and get a sweet treat.