Dr. Mehmet Barut, the new department chair of the Department of Finance, Real Estate and Decision Sciences (FREDS) at Wichita State University.

The Barton School of Business’ Department of Finance, Real Estate and Decision Sciences (FREDS) has appointed Dr. Mehmet Barut as its new department chair. Dr. Barut will serve as chair for three years starting in fall 2023. He is a professor of supply chain management within the department and was elected by FREDS Department faculty.

“I’m honored that my colleagues have entrusted the leadership of our department to me,” Dr. Barut said. “I hope to follow the example of my predecessor and lead FREDS to new heights.”

Nathan Smith, Assistant Educator & Applied Learning Facilities Director | Richard Sack, Innovation Hub Manager

The College of Engineering is continuing its prioritization of applied learning with the creation of a new position and the promotion of two faculty and staff members. The new position, applied learning facilities director, has been assumed by Nathan Smith, who is also an assistant educator in the Applied Engineering Department. Richard Sack has been promoted to the position of Innovation Hub manager, a position previously held by Smith that is dedicated to managing the Innovation Hub in the John Bardo Center on the Innovation Campus.

Within the new applied learning facilities director role, Smith will focus on expanding the college’s ability to support research and industry-focused project work. Recent projects include students creating handrails for the Charles Koch Arena at WSU and students completing 3D scans to create molds to aid in the renovation process of the Wilner Auditorium at WSU. He also hopes to eventually coordinate projects with the National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR). As a faculty member, Smith will continue offering project-based courses, now shifting his focus toward incorporating generative AI into teaching and the design process.

Within his role as the new Innovation Hub manager, Sack will focus on the future growth of the hands-on prototyping laboratory and applied learning initiatives. He has extensive experience in the research and development of new products and processes, experience Sack will apply toward growing the college’s research support capabilities. He is skilled in his ability to engage students in teaching and research activities, and the college looks forward to working with Sack to develop new initiatives and collaborations across the campus and the community.

Kapildeb Ambal and Jian Wang stand in front of the single-spin quantum microscope they use to study quantum materials.

Quantum technology makes everyday life safer and more productive.

It’s used in fields such as health care, communications, national defense and computing. Quantum materials make it possible to develop precise and accurate lasers for use in LASIK surgery. GPS systems can be made more secure and impossible to jam.

These applications and advances rely on scientists to find better, more efficient ways to produce quantum technology.

For all students, faculty, and staff, Wichita State has a website designed for reporting any concerning behavior. If you come across something that raises concern, you may submit the relevant information using the appropriate form available online.

The website offers reporting forms for various incidents:

  • CARE Team: Report concerns about the health or safety of WSU students, employees or the campus community at large.
  • Title IX/Discrimination: Report any form of discrimination based on sex or other protected characteristics.
  • Bias Incident: Report incidents related to bias.
  • Student Advocate: Report student complaints, and the student advocate can provide resources and resolution options.
  • Conduct: Report disruptive behavior, violations of the Student Code of Conduct or actions that jeopardize academic progress or safety within the campus community.
  • Academic Integrity: Report violations of WSU Policies and Procedures Manual Section 2.17 regarding Student Academic Integrity.
  • Clery: Report any Clery crimes.

Remember that in emergencies, always call the University Police Department at 316-978-3450 or dial 911.

Applications are now being accepted for the 2024 Alternative Spring Break trip in Boulder Creek, California. The trip will involve volunteering as camp counselors at Camp Campbell’s Outdoor Science School. The California Outdoor Science Association is sponsored by the California Department of Education. WSU volunteers will serve as camp counselors through the week and assist with the outdoor school’s programming.

The cost of the trip is $200 per student. The cost includes transportation (airfare to/from, housing, meals and excursions). The full payment of $200 must be received along with the application by Dec. 9, 2023. For more information about the trip, attend an upcoming informational meeting from noon to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 26 in 216 Rhatigan Student Center, SEAL office.

For more information, email loren.belew@wichita.edu or call 316-978-7016.

Envision display on the third floor of Woolsey Hall.

Woolsey Hall, the home of the Barton School of Business, has a new art installation in partnership with the Envision Arts Program. Patrick McCowan is the third artist who is visually impaired to be featured on the third floor of the Barton School.

“Students, faculty, staff and visitors to the Barton School have found a lot of joy, perspective and inspiration from our Envision Arts installation,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean, Barton School. “We’re excited to continue our partnership with Envision by showcasing Patrick’s work.”

Wichita State University Student Affairs Connecting Every Student Department Highlight, Learn More: Wichita.edu/studentaffairs

Student Outreach & Support (SOS) is a new office within student affairs that is the first face of CARE Team that a student would come in contact with if a Care Report is submitted for that student. The office is a team of five, consisting of a director and four fulltime case managers.

SOS works hard to get students connected to the appropriate resources whether that is on campus or off campus and within their respected communities. SOS works with students facing concerns ranging from mental health, homelessness, food insecurities, transition issues/student belonging, being overwhelmed and grief/loss just to name a few.

All of the office’s services are free and voluntary. To learn more about WSU’s Care Team and the services SOS offers, visit the CARE Team webpage. Those interested in having the SOS team present to their department, class or organization about CARE Team and how to submit Care Reports, can file an inquiry online.

Duane Nagel, Director of the EMBA and MBA Programs at the Barton School of Business

The Barton School of Business has announced that Dr. Duane Nagel will serve as the director of its Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) and Executive MBA (EMBA) programs. Nagel will continue to serve as the Barton School’s Marketing Department chair.

In this role, Dr. Nagel will oversee recruitment, enrollment and retention activities for both MBA and EMBA programs including relationship building with companies and organizations to raise the programs’ profile and enrollments. He will also guide the programs’ curriculum, development and the student experience to ensure that the Barton School exceeds industry and student needs.

Barton School students in Woolsey Hall

The Barton School of Business has received a $150,000 gift to support its Student Experience and Success Fund including its Office of Career and Professional Development (OCPD). The contribution was given on behalf of Elizabeth and Edward Burns, whose charitable fund was established through their estate at the Wichita Foundation in 2013.

“The Barton School is honored to receive this substantial gift from the Burns estate through the Wichita Foundation,” said Dr. Larisa Genin, dean, Barton School. “This contribution will provide a breadth of opportunities for our students to challenge themselves and grow into the best versions of themselves.”

OCPD is aimed at linking academic programs to meaningful personal and professional lives by preparing Barton School undergraduate and graduate students to land quality internships and employment in their desired field. Many of the college’s signature career programs are now housed within OCPD including Executive-in-Residence, Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Widener Global Leaders Program, Professional Edge and others.

Students make a stop on the roadtrip

Roadtrip Nation took Wichita State and WSU Tech students on a road trip to learn about the career possibilities in Wichita.

The documentary, “Roadtrip Nation: Paths Across Kansas,” will air on PBS Kansas, channel 8. The first episode will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, and the second episode will air at 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5. The episodes will also be available to watch online starting Monday, Sept. 25, where you can also find a trailer for the episodes now.

For decades, young people in middle America have felt unfair pressure to head to the coasts for high-paying and innovative jobs, but that story is changing. In South Central Kansas, people are finding exciting opportunities in innovative industries right in their backyards. Follow the journeys of five young Kansans as they take a deep dive into their home state’s career possibilities. From aerospace and advanced manufacturing to healthcare and agriculture, discover the diverse range of career paths available in South Central Kansas.

“Paths Across Kansas” was made possible through a partnership among the Workforce Alliance of South Central Kansas, Wichita State, WSU Tech, USD 259, the State of Kansas, Strada Foundation, Textron Aviation, Spirit AeroSystems and Bank of America.