Category: News

The FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University has welcomed the first class of students into its Future Innovators Program, a new engineering internship opportunity aimed at introducing historically underrepresented students into the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) technical talent pipeline.

Students at three Shocker Neighborhood elementary schools received boxes of books earlier this week from members of the United Way’s Women United. The program is part of an effort to encourage summer reading.

“I thought that was me,” said a third-grader at Jackson Elementary on May 19 when Naquela Pack, director of engagement for Wichita State, visited Jackson. The little girl was referring to the cover of the book “Blended,” which features a brown-skinned woman on the cover. The Wichita girl saw herself in the character.

Contributions from Wichita State and the United Way are empowering positive changes in Shocker Neighborhood, which encompasses more than a dozen neighborhoods surrounding the university.

•  United Way-funded programs helped more than 26,000 of our neighbors within Shocker Neighborhood last year alone.
• Almost 1,000 children living within Shocker Neighborhood were enrolled in the Imagination Library and will receive a free book every month until age 5.

Student Health Services will be closed Friday, May 28 and Monday, May 31. SHS will reopen at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 1. If you are in need of medical assistance over the weekend, visit wichita.edu/shs for information on clinics in the community.

In response to faculty requests, six outdoor classroom spaces are available for reservation from 9 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

These spaces will have 25 folding chairs and a table to be arranged as you choose. Whiteboards and portable amplification are also available. Contact Becca Off at 316-978-7058.

Information and online reservations are available at www.wichita.edu/classoutside.

The Office of Military, Veterans and First-Responders recently celebrated the commissioning of two Wichita State University Senior Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) graduates as second lieutenants in the U.S. Army.

The Spring 2021 class was the first ROTC graduating class since the program returned to campus in fall 2019, and the first ROTC commissioning on campus in over 30 years. Under the leadership of Dr. Marchè Fleming-Randle, Army ROTC chief of staff, the program has exceeded all growth expectations, with 57 current students and a projection of 70 students for the fall 2021 semester.

For questions about Wichita State ROTC contact David Gomez.

What is a first-gen student?

A first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parents/legal guardians 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.

• Form-a-line: Become a subcommittee member of FGCC. The First-Generation Coordinating Council (FGCC). FGCC is looking for individuals to join in the work. Currently seeking subcommittee members for the following:
  • Marketing
  • Faculty and staff engagement
  • Data and assessment
  • Graduate school
• Focus on first-gen This week we highlight Shirley Lefever, Ph.D., interim executive vice president and provost, College of Applied Studies, dean and professor.
• F1RST-gen T-Shirts are available in the RSC Shocker Store for $12.
• If you’re interested in being featured as a first-generation profile, contact Lydia Santiago.

The Heskett Center will close May 29-31 in observance of Memorial Day weekend.

For any questions, call the Heskett Center at 316-978-3082.

The Wichita Rowing Association founded Wichita State University crew in 1974, and that shared history remains important to many former Shockers.

On May 8, the WRA dedicated its $250,000 Riverside Rowing Center Boathouse at Riverside Park on the Little Arkansas River. The project, privately funded, involved many former Shocker rowers who spent decades dreaming, planning and working toward construction. They remain committed to nurturing the sport because of the influence it’s had on their lives.

In December of 2020, Wichita State class of 2017 graduate Max Runyon created Literal Larry, a viral parody account on Twitter (@ImLiteralLarry1), which led him to land a remote role as a creative strategist with 180 New York.

It is with great sadness that we announce the loss of Distinguished Professor Victor Isakov, Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Physics, who passed away May 14 at the age of 73 after a battle with cancer.

In 1988, Professor Isakov joined Wichita State University as a professor of Mathematics specializing in partial differential equations and inverse problems. In 2000, he went on to become the Emylou Keith and Betty Dutcher Faculty of Distinction Endowed Professor due to his outstanding contributions to research in the area of inverse problems. Professor Isakov was recognized as a world-class authority in inverse problems, and he produced many original and breakthrough results for linear and nonlinear inverse boundary value problems. He authored 140 papers in mathematical journals and three books on the subject of inverse problems and mathematical physics. He also organized several conferences around the world and advised many graduate students. His research has continuously been supported by National Science Foundation since 1990. His passing is a huge loss to both Wichita State University and the inverse problem community.

Professor Isakov was an accomplished and dedicated mathematician who provided many years of distinguished service to the department, the university and the mathematical community. He was well liked by students, faculty and researchers around the world. We shall miss him greatly.

A memorial service will be announced at a later date.