Category: News

The Environmental Finance Center at Wichita State University (EFC) conducted the Wichita Litter Study and has published a detailed report. The study engaged local citizen scientists to collect and document litter in 12 municipal parks.

In total, 1,765 pieces of litter were categorized during the collection events. 47% of the litter collected was plastic, with 75% of that plastic generated from the food and beverage industry. The data collected in this study tells us that Wichita’s litter is comparable in quantity and type to other communities who have done similar studies, opening opportunities to borrow, share and test ideas to find the practices that work best for Wichita to reduce litter in our community.

Recommendations for prevention and reduction of litter include continued research into long-term solid waste management adjustments, adaptations to landscaping and maintenance plans and community and business outreach and education.

For more information, contact Michelle DeHaven at michelle.dehaven@wichita.edu.

Dr. Rodney Miller, dean of the College of Fine Arts at Wichita State University, has been named the Ulrich Museum of Art’s interim director as the university begins a formal search to fill the position

“The Ulrich Museum is one of the most valuable and valued institutions at Wichita State University,” Miller said. “I am thrilled and privileged to play a small part in this transition to a new chapter.”

Current Ulrich director Leslie Brothers recently accepted a position as director of the Museum Campus in her hometown of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

As dean of WSU’s College of Fine Arts for the past 18 years, Miller has worked closely with the Ulrich Museum as well as the local arts community, making him an excellent choice to lead the museum during this transitionary period. He will continue in his role as Dean of the College of Fine Arts while also serving as the interim director.

“Dean Miller has been a tireless advocate for the arts in Wichita for many years now,” Dr. Shirley Lefever, WSU interim provost and executive vice president said. “He knows how important it is for the museum to communicate its value to our campus and to the greater community.”

Before serving as dean Wichita State, Miller was dean of the College of Fine Arts and Humanities at the University of Nebraska at Kearney for six years. Before that, he was the director of vocal studies at New York University. Miller earned his Ph.D. from Illinois State University, a master’s of music from Indiana University, and a bachelor’s of music from West Texas State University. His scholarly and creative endeavors include professional operatic performances and quantitative research analysis. He is a veteran of the professional operatic stage, and his career has taken him throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia.

Lefever indicated that Dr. Keith Pickus, professor of history at Wichita State, will lead the search process for a new director. She said the search will focus on bringing diversity to the role, and finding candidates who can effectively communicate the museum’s messages to its various constituents. More details on the search will be made available soon.

The Deloitte Smart Factory at Wichita State is sponsoring a storage container commission design contest for Wichita State students. Please help spread the word to your students. Submissions must be submitted no later than 10:59 p.m. Feb. 13.   

The student whose design is chosen will be awarded a $1,500 commission to create The Smart Factory container design. The Smart Factory will also put the student’s name, and their container design across a number of influential channels including the following:

• Promoting the design:  The design and the artist will be promoted on The Smart Factory @ Wichita website, the social media channels for both The Smart Factory, and Deloitte and to Deloitte’s 100,000-plus employees in the United States.
• Featuring the container: The design will be featured at The Smart Factory @ Wichita location (1960 Innovation Blvd).
• Collaborating with WSU to showcase the finished container and its creator: The finished container will be featured in WSU’s communications to students, alumni and community partners—as well as on its social media channels
• Inviting the student to The Smart Factory launch celebration: The artist will get to rub elbows with a who’s who of Smart Factory, university and local business leadership. 

Wichita State’s Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is requesting donations for its canned food drive Jan. 18-April 30. All donations to the drive will benefit the Shocker Support Locker.

Donations can be dropped off at the ROTC office located  in the Grace Wilkie Annex. For more information, contact 785-317-5055.

The Deloitte Smart Factory at Wichita State is sponsoring a storage container commission design contest for Wichita State students. It doesn’t matter if you’re an art student, a business student or a graduate student—you just need to be a WSU student with a flair for design. Submissions must be submitted no later than 10:59 p.m. Feb. 13.   

The student whose design is chosen will be awarded a $1,500 commission to create The Smart Factory container design. The Smart Factory will also put the student’s name, and their container design across a number of influential channels including the following:

• Promoting the design:  The design and the artist will be promoted on The Smart Factory @ Wichita website, the social media channels for both The Smart Factory, and Deloitte and to Deloitte’s 100,000-plus employees in the United States.
• Featuring the container: The design will be featured at The Smart Factory @ Wichita location (1960 Innovation Blvd).
• Collaborating with WSU to showcase the finished container and its creator: The finished container will be featured in WSU’s communications to students, alumni and community partners—as well as on its social media channels
• Inviting the student to The Smart Factory launch celebration: The artist will get to rub elbows with a who’s who of Smart Factory, university and local business leadership. 

What is a first-gen student?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree. A student who is the first person in their immediate family to attend a four-year college/university to attain a bachelor’s degree.

• Focus on first-gen: This week we highlight Dan Close, associate professor, Elliott School of Communication.
• Sign-up to join the First-Gen Affinity Shockers: The group fosters a community of first-generation professionals and offers professional development and networking opportunities for first-gen professionals as they navigate Wichita State University.

For the remaining Shocker Men’s Basketball games of the season, several lots in the vicinity of Koch Arena will be reserved for Shocker Athletic Scholarship Organization parking three hours before game time. To help avoid confusion, a sign will be in place the day of the game alerting drivers of the impending lot assignment changes. Anyone previously parked in these lots will need to move their cars at that time.

There was recently a glitch in reporting between Banner and Blackboard during the spring 2022 enrollment period. This means some spring 2022 classes have a mismatch between their Banner rosters and their Blackboard rosters. If a student is on a faculty member’s Banner roster, they should also be on their Blackboard roster.

To resolve this issue, faculty first need to review their rosters as soon as possible. If they find a mismatch between their Banner rosters and their Blackboard rosters, they can send the course registration number and the WSUIDs of students that need to be added to Blackboard to the Office of Instruction Resources at OIR@wichita.edu.

Wichita State Study Abroad Programs appreciates all of the encouragement, support and guidance that faculty, advisors and staff provide to students who are beginning their study abroad journey.

Faculty, advisors and staff play a vital role in internationalizing the student experience at WSU. They do this by creating unique learning opportunities for students from abroad, motivating students to seek study abroad experiences and assisting students with degrees. They also help students identify experiences that fit into degree and career planning while supporting the transfer credit process for WSU students.

Please check out our new webpage to learn more about how you can help support students in the study abroad process and request presentations for your class or student organization.

The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is the highest honor the Governor of Kansas awards to exporting businesses. To apply, fill out the 2022 nomination form by Jan. 31.

Exporters of the Year are considered the best in the class in conducting overseas business from Kansas.

“Kansas businesses continually make a mark by creating outstanding products and services which are sought-after by customers around the world,” Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said. “The Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award is our way of recognizing Kansas businesses that are tremendous ambassadors for our state and provide significant benefit in our communities and to our state’s economy.”

To qualify for the award, companies must currently operate in and export from Kansas. There are no restrictions on who may nominate a company for the award.

For more information about the Governor’s Exporter of the Year Award, including past winners, visit the Governor’s Exporter of the Year website. For more information on the award process, contact Usha Haley, W. Frank Barton of Distinguished Chair in International Business, director of the Center for International Business Advancement and elected Chair of the World Trade Council of Wichita, and committee member.