Category: News

The Library Research Award recognizes undergraduate and graduate students who have effectively utilized University Libraries’ resources for their research or creative projects during the past academic year (summer through spring semesters). Submit your application, complete with a 500-word essay, due by April 8 and have a faculty member submit a letter of support, due by April 12.

By participating, you not only get to reflect on your research journey but also stand a chance to win $1000.

Take advantage of this chance for personal growth and success.

For questions, email lib.award@wichita.edu.

The McNair Scholars Program is accepting applications for 2024-25 academic year. McNair assists students who are underrepresented in higher education to prepare for graduate school.

It will be hosting two informational events next month for students who are interested in learning more about the program.

Wednesday, March 6: TRIO McNair Scholars Program informational events:

• In-person at 11 a.m. in 165 Grace Wilkie Annex
• Virtual at 2:30 p.m. via Zoom

RSVP to the events at 316-978-3139 or mcnairscholars@wichita.edu to receive more information.

Student who are unable to attend an informational, can book a time to meet individually at the following link.

Hear from current and former students in the program.

The Graduate School is seeking faculty, staff and community volunteers to judge during the poster session of the 2024 Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium Friday, April 26 in the Rhatigan Student Center Ballroom.

The Graduate School is counting on volunteer services this year, and this will give volunteers an excellent opportunity to learn about the research graduate students have been engaged in across campus.

The Barton School of Business has installed a new art exhibit in partnership with the Envision Arts Program. Gretchen Howarth is the latest artist who is visually impaired to be showcased on the third floor of the Barton School.

“The Envision Arts installation has become a stalwart exhibit at Woolsey Hall,” said Dr. Duane Nagel, senior associate dean of the Barton School of Business. “It is a true inspiration to everyone.”

Howarth is legally blind with much of her vision gradually lost to Stargardt, a genetic eye disorder that causes progressive vision loss. This disorder creates thousands of holes in the retina. For Howarth, she sees through “a galaxy of tiny dots” and has no center focus.

In a historic moment for Wichita State, the WSU Concert Chorale is set to make its mark at the Southwestern Region American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) Convention in Denver, Colorado on Saturday, March 2.

This significant achievement marks the first time in 30 years that WSU will be represented at an ACDA event.

The Collegiate DECA chapter at Wichita State continues to showcase the remarkable talent of its students. DECA, an international association connecting students to business and professional development opportunities, saw the WSU team compete in a statewide competition in Hillsboro, Kansas Feb. 23. Eight WSU students won eleven medals qualifying them for the upcoming national competition in Austin, Texas, from April 20 to 23:

• George Giem: First place in corporate finance
• Maley Hansen and Grace Skelton: Third place in the marketing communications team event
• Maley Hansen: Second place in marketing management
• Nathan Holloway: First place in hotel and lodging, Second place in restaurant and food service management
• Raven McPherson and Valishia Landrum: Second place in the event planning team event
• Raven McPherson: Second place in human resource management
• Ronish Rasaily: First place in travel and tourism, Second place in hotel and lodging
• Tayshaun Washington: First place in financial accounting, Second place in corporate finance

“Seeing our students excel on such a competitive stage is a testament to their hard work and dedication,” said Pattie Bradley, the group’s faculty advisor as well as the Barton School’s associate educator in economics. “Nathan, Tayshaun and Raven are part of the original students who started DECA at the Barton School in 2022, and they are graduating this spring. Their success, and the success of the entire chapter, not only reflects their individual talents but also speaks volumes about their leadership. We’re eagerly anticipating nationals in Austin and I am confident they will continue to make us proud.”

If you are a corresponding author publishing a research article in an Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) or Springer journal, you may be able to publish your article open access without paying OA fees. The University Libraries subscribes to ACM Digital Library and Springer journals through consortiums. The consortiums have negotiated subscription deals that let authors affiliated with their members publish open access in many ACM and Springer journals without paying Open Access publishing fees. These deals let the University Libraries provide OA publishing with no additional cost to the author or the library. 

When you submit an article to ACM or Springer, you will need to use your @wichita.edu email address and list Wichita State University as your institutional affiliation. When your article is accepted, the publisher’s submission software will check eligibility for open access publication under a library deal.  

For ACM, all research articles will automatically be published OA if the corresponding author is affiliated with Wichita State University. For Springer, corresponding authors will have the option to choose OA publication when a research article is accepted for a hybrid journal. For a list of eligible Springer journals, see the Open Access Agreement for Lyrasis page.  

If you have questions, contact Virginia Kay Williams at virginia.williams@wichita.edu in the University Libraries. 

Friday, March 1, One of the most transformational speakers in the nation will be visiting Wichita State University to talk with first-generation students about the keys to attaining career success in college and beyond from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, March 1 in the CAC Theater.

With one study revealing that more than 50% of college graduates are either underemployed or unemployed, Dr. Joshua Fredenburg will be visiting campus to share specific career strategies that first-generation students can use to position themselves for career success in college and beyond.

Dr. Fredenurg is a nationally acclaimed speaker, author, leadership consultant and a visionary force in personal and organizational development. With a career spanning over sixteen years, he has touched lives across 49 states and globally, delivering powerful messages on leadership, diversity and inclusion, student success and personal empowerment.

Holding a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Nova Southeastern University and a master’s degree from Biola University, Dr. Fredenburg combines academic rigor with real-world experience. His journey is not just marked by professional achievements but also by his profound impact on individuals and organizations.

As the president and founder of the First-Generation Student Career Conference, he has transformed the lives of thousands, especially culturally diverse and first-generation students, guiding them towards leadership excellence. Recognized for his contributions, he has received numerous accolades, including an honorary membership from Golden Key International and recognition as a Top Leader Under 40 in South Florida.

“My goal as a speaker is not only to inspire, motivate and empower students with information that will enable them to thrive, succeed and reach their fullest potential as a student, but it’s ignite the purpose in them to make a positive impact in their community, nation and world,” Dr. Fredenurg said.

The department on campus that will be hosting the event is the TRIO Student Support Services office which is led by Dr. Linda F. Rhone. Dr. Rhone and her team do an incredible job at providing excellent programming that helps first-generation students thrive, succeed, graduate and position themselves for career success in college and beyond.

To learn more about the event, contact the offices of Dr. Joshua Fredenburg by reaching out to his speaking team at 305-298-3632 or via email at dr.joshuafredenburg@gmail.com.

The new Ultra Course View has tools that make it easy for students to find upcoming assignments. All assignments can be accessed through either the “Gradebook” link or the “Calendar” link in your Ultra class, and assignments in the “Gradebook” area can be sorted easily using the column headings.

Students can sort by due date, submission status and by grade. In the “Calendar” area, students can look at due dates by day or by month. Each assignment listed in the “Gradebook” and “Calendar” is also a “clickable link” that takes the students directly to the assignment so they can begin work.

Share this valuable information with your students, and when you set up future courses in Ultra, try out the “Student Preview” (upper right corner) tool to see for yourself how your students will be able to access assignments.

Loren Belew, civic engagement coordinator for the Office of Student Engagement, Advocacy and Leadership, secured a seat on the 2024 Students Learn Students Vote (SLSV) Advisory Board.

The SLSV Coalition is a nationwide nonpartisan network committed to boosting student voter turnout and awareness across college campuses. Sixteen leaders from across the United States were selected to lead educational opportunities for students and facilitate access to voter registration. During the 2020 presidential election cycle, the SLSV Coalition played a major role in doubling the national student voter turnout compared to previous election years. The advisory board has great expectations for the 2024 election.

“I look forward to serving on the SLSV board and think it will be a great opportunity to work with other colleges, universities and nonprofits to talk and learn about best practices and ways to engage students in voting and civic engagement,” Belew said.” I hope that I will also be able to share some of these resources with our own campus and that we may be able to incorporate them into our own voter engagement initiatives.”

Belew earned her place in the board based on her dedication to civic engagement and commitment to having Wichita State recognized as a voter-friendly campus. In her role, Belew collaborates closely with the Shockers Vote Coalition and its delegates, ensuring all voices of Wichita State are heard in the upcoming elections. Additionally, she provides guidance to the Community Service Board, further emphasizing her dedication to bringing civic awareness to the campus community.

With a student enrollment exceeding 23,000 at Wichita State, enhancing student voter turnout can greatly impact election results. By fostering a community of civic engagement and awareness on campus, Belew aims to empower students to actively participate in elections.