Category: News

Barton School of Business is delighted to announce that Tom Gentile, the inaugural Executive-in-Residence back in 2021, will now serve as the executive advisor to the dean. Gentile, a distinguished global leader with a background in top executive roles at Spirit AeroSystems, GE Capital and other esteemed organizations, has also been an engaged member of the school’s Dean’s “Fabulous 50” Advisory Board for the past two years. His commitment extends to lending invaluable expertise and insight, significantly elevating the collaborative endeavors of the board. Gentile earned his bachelor’s degree in economics magna cum laude and MBA from Harvard University and studied international relations at the London School of Economics.

“I’m thrilled to step into an expanded role at the Barton School of Business, building on my impactful journey as the inaugural Executive-in-Residence. Having been part of the dynamic Dean’s ‘Fabulous 50’ Advisory Board for two years, I’m excited about infusing even more energy into providing strategic guidance and elevating the school’s global profile” Gentile said.

To help faculty and staff plan their time off and work schedules throughout the year, Wichita State shares the winter closedown period schedule that has been approved for this year.

The closedown will commence at the end of the day on Dec. 18, 2023, and WSU will reopen the morning of Jan. 2, 2024. The closedown is 10 days, two of which are paid holidays and four are paid days so you will not be required to use accrued leave for those six days. Classes will not be in session during this period.

Employees who would normally be scheduled to work the days may use accumulated vacation leave or their 2023 discretionary day* during the winter closedown. Non-exempt employees can also use accumulated compensatory time off during the winter closedown.

If your role requires you to work during the winter closedown it must be approved in advance by your immediate supervisor. For those that are required to work during the winter closedown, we appreciate your dedication and service to the university.

Schedule of winter closedown:

• Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023
• Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023
• Thursday, Dec. 21, 2023
• Friday, Dec. 22, 2023
• Monday, Dec. 25, 2023 (Paid Holiday)
• Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Friday, Dec. 29, 2023 (Paid Day)
• Monday Jan. 1, 2024 (Paid Holiday)

An employee must be in pay status the entire workday before and the entire workday after state holidays to receive holiday pay. The official state holidays are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Please refer to these frequently asked questions for more information on your leave days and what to do if you work during the winter closedown.

*The discretionary day for 2023 must be used on or before Dec. 23, 2023.

The Wichita Eagle has announced the winners of its annual Best of Wichita competition, and Wichita State was voted top three in multiple categories, including a gold placement as the best college/university in Wichita.

Below is a list of all of Wichita State’s placements:

• Wichita State University was voted gold for best college/university.
• The WSU Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic was voted silver for best audiologist/hearing center.
• The WSU Child Development Center was voted silver for best childcare.

And one of Wichita State’s Innovation Campus partners, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, was voted gold for best tacos in Wichita.

We thank Shocker Nation for their participation in the voting process.

Nominations for Excellence Awards in research, creativity activity and community research are now being accepted by the Office of Research.

All full-time faculty, including distinguished professors and endowed chairs, who have served at Wichita State for at least three years, are eligible. Faculty who hold an administrative position above that of chair are not eligible.

Previous winners of the award are ineligible to be nominated for a period of five years following the award. Visit the Office of Research website for additional details and electronic nomination forms. Nomination forms (five questions) must be received by Friday, Dec 15. The full applications are due Monday, Jan. 15 (nominees will receive an email outlining the requirements).

It’s time to begin the process for submission of funding requests through the Student Government Association for the Educational Opportunity Fund and Student Services Fee for FY 2025. Through the student services fee, these programs provide financial support to facilitate students’ academic pursuits (Educational Opportunity Fund) or the funding of programs/activities delivered directly to students (Student Services).

If you’ve submitted requests in the past, the budget/review officer should have received an email from the Budget Office to kick-off the submission process. If you have not submitted requests in the past, but are considering submitting a new request, contact Lyndsay Pletcher, Jason Post or David Miller in the Budget Office at 316-978-3030 for additional information.

Requests are due no later than Wednesday, Feb. 7.

Welcomefest takes place during the beginning of classes each semester and features dozens of activities. This campaign highlights events and services designed to help all new and returning students navigate life at Wichita State.

Submit department or organization events for inclusion in the spring 2024 Welcomefest marketing, which includes an event calendar, web listing and more. The deadline to submit events for inclusion in all Welcomefest marketing is 5 p.m. Monday, Dec. 18.

Please note, Student Engagement, Advocacy & Leadership (SEAL) reserves the right to deny or terminate any events that are not planned completely or are deemed inappropriate for Welcomefest and/or the people in attendance.

To register an event, visit the Welcomefest website. For questions, contact SEAL at 316-978-3022 or seal@wichita.edu.

Interested in studying abroad? Many options for summer 2024 are still available, however most deadlines will be by Feb. 1. Find the many options on the Study Abroad website for short-term/summer programs.

Some programs are for specific majors/minors, to learn a language, general education classes or open to all students. Scholarships are also still available for summer 2024 and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until March 1. For questions, email studyabroad@wichita.edu.

The College of Engineering and Barton School of Business are joining together to offer an introductory AI course this coming spring. The new course, “Generative AI for Problem Solving,” will cover practical applications and novel use cases for generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. The course will also analyze the ethical, professional and social implications of the advancement of AI.

The class (ENGR 150A/BSAN 150A) will meet from 2 to 3:15 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays and is open to students from any college with no prerequisites or programming background required. To search for the course, students may use CRN 26636 and CRN 26637 respectively. For questions or override approval, contact Nathan Smith at nathan.smith@wichita.edu.

Student Health Services (SHS) has been providing convenient and affordable health care to WSU students for over 80 years. Currently enrolled students have access to all the services available at Student Health, located in the Steve Clark YMCA and Student Wellness Center.

Recently, a new WSU Staff/Faculty Acute Care Clinic was implemented at Student Health, where evaluation and treatment of acute illness and injuries (non-work related) are provided, along with immunization administration and tuberculosis screening and testing. Some laboratory, pharmacy and radiology services are also available.

Student Health files all insurance plans and are in-network with common private insurances. Student Health does not deny service to those who may not have the ability pay for services and offers a Health Equity Discount for students who have out-of-network insurance or are uninsured or underinsured.

Besides healthcare services, Student Health offers:

• Health education and presentations on numerous health and wellness topics
• Applied learning opportunities for many students to meet practicum or clinical requirements or shadow a professional and licensed healthcare worker at SHS. It also has opportunities for students in business operations and HOPE Services.
• Applied learning opportunities that are paid student employees positions in laboratory and clinic areas.

Students, bring in your gently used textbooks and get cash during Textbook Buyback at the Shocker Store in the Rhatigan Student Center. Buyback will be during normal operating hours Dec. 11-16.