Dr. Dinorah Azpuru, professor of political science, was invited as the Keynote Speaker at the X Central American Congress of Political Science Sept. 13 in Panama City, Panama.

Azpuru delivered a 45-minute conference called “Democratic Deficits and Contemporary Political Regimes in Central America” (title originally in Spanish). Political science scholars and students from several countries in Latin America and Spain attended the congress.

President Rick Muma and Victor Hogstrom sit and talk during an episode of "One on One"

President Rick Muma spoke with Victor Hogstrom, president and CEO of PBS Kansas, on his weekly show, “One on One with Victor Hogstrom,” Sept. 14.

The interview will be available to view at a later date online, or catch the interview on KPTS Channel 8 on the following dates:

  • 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16
  • 4 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 17
  • 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20

Michael Rogers, professor in the Department of Human Performance Studies and director of the Center for Physical Activity and Aging, appeared on “Living Longer Better Smarter,” a podcast about the work going into longevity and aging.

Rogers discussed the health benefits that people playing with their grandchildren can have, something he also discussed with the Washington Post earlier this year.

President Rick Muma and Jacob O'Connor talk in the Real Conversations podcast studio

President Rick Muma joined Jacob O’Connor on the latest episode of the “Real Conversations” podcast. They discussed a variety of topics from the future of Wichita State to President Muma’s personal workout routine.

Listen to the episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

Dr. Visvakumar Aravinthan

Dr. Visvakumar Aravinthan, associate professor and chair of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Department in the College of Engineering, was featured in a KSN story about the number of electric vehicles in Kansas tripling over the next five years.

The Mortar Board organization at Wichita State received an Outstanding Achievement Award for on campus visibility. This award recognizes the achievements and accomplishments Mortar Board has achieved at WSU.

Along with winning the award, Mortar Board also received a Sliver Torch award this summer. These are outstanding achievements for the organization that wouldn’t be possible without the support and encouragement from the students and staff of WSU.

Michael Rogers, professor of human performance studies and director of the Center for Physical Activity and Aging, was featured in a Washington Post article about the benefits of intergenerational physical activity.

A subscription may be required to read the article.

Dr. Bobby Berry on a blank background

Dr. Bobby Berry, assistant dean for diversity and outreach in the College of Applied Studies and assistant professor in the Department of Sport Management, has been chosen as one of the select participants for the 2023 Leadership Wichita Class.

This year’s class, consisting of 31 emerging leaders from South Central Kansas, coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Leadership Wichita program, an initiative by the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce. Designed to nurture community engagement, the immersive program provides in-depth insights into crucial areas such as local governance, economic development, education and media.

Kansas History Cover

Chase Billingham, associate professor and graduate program coordinator in the Department of Sociology, has been selected as the next book review editor for Kansas History: A Journal of the Central Plains.

The journal, produced at Kansas State University in collaboration with the Kansas Historical Foundation, is an esteemed, peer-reviewed outlet for new research on the history of Kansas and the surrounding Plains region of the United States. Billingham has previously published two articles on the history of Wichita in the journal.

Teachers work on a simulation manikin

The College of Health Professions (CHP) recently hosted the second annual Kansas High School Health Science Teacher’s Workshop, providing high school teachers with educational opportunities and insights into the latest industry topics.

The workshop featured speakers Dr. Sam Smith and Dr. Jennifer James from CHP, as well as Dr. Bassem Chehab and Dr. Brett Grizzell, leaders of the groundbreaking structural heart program at Ascension Via Christi, who presented about their innovative work on heart valve replacement technology and robotic surgery. The workshop also included a panel of Ascension Via Christi associates, led by former Shocker Ron Baker, who shared information about job opportunities, shadowing opportunities and community outreach.

Participants had the chance to tour cutting-edge laboratories in the CHP, including the Gross Anatomy Lab, Human Simulation Lab and School of Nursing Simulation Lab. The teachers received valuable resources and information to take back to their classrooms, with the goal of sparking interest in healthcare careers among young students.