Campus Connection: Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2025

News

WSU Math Circle for middle school students resumes regular meetings for fall semester

WSU Math Circle resumes its weekly meetings, with the first starting at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 in 372 Jabara Hall. Math Circle is a program for middle school students.

Math Circles are education enrichment and outreach groups that bring mathematicians and mathematical scientists into direct contact with pre-college students. These students meet with math professionals in an informal setting, after school or on weekends, to work on interesting problems or topics in mathematics. The goal is to get the students excited and passionate about mathematics.

Students should bring with them a completed registration form from the website.

Applied engineering student in NIAR robotics lab

College of Engineering’s applied engineering program earns ABET accreditation

In response to feedback from employers and alumni, the College of Engineering adapted its engineering technology program to the applied engineering program in fall 2023. Recently, the college announced that the applied engineering program is now accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, under the commission’s General Criteria with no applicable program criteria. This accreditation assures students that the program meets high-quality standards recognized globally, enhancing their educational experience and increasing their competitiveness in the job market.

M. Edwin Sawan retiring from WSU; interim director of School of Computing named

Dr. M. Edwin Sawan, the director of the School of Computing within the College of Engineering, is retiring from WSU and stepping down from his position, effective after Friday, Sept. 12. Following Sawan’s departure, Dr. Visvakumar Aravinthan will serve as the interim director of the School of Computing. He is also the chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Sawan has been serving as the director of the School of Computing since March 2024 and served as the interim director for several years prior to that. Before those roles, Sawan was a faculty member in the (then) electrical engineering and computer science department for 30 years before retiring as a professor emeritus. During his tenure, he won numerous teaching awards and was published many times. Following the death of his wife, Sawan founded the Maha “Maggie” Sawan Fellowship for international graduate students in 2011, which awards two new Sawan Fellows each academic year.

WSU Spark Society. Membership is open to all WSU employees, WSU affiliates, and their spouses, regardless of gender. SPARK: social, philanthropic, activities, relationships, and kindness. https://wichita.edu/sparksociety

WSU SPARK Society is looking for members

SPARK (formerly Women of WSU) is now accepting memberships. Membership has expanded to be more inclusive of all the employees at WSU, WSU affiliates and their spouses, regardless of gender. The price remains $12 for a year of “Social, Philanthropic, Activities, Relationships and Kindness.”

SPARK provides scholarships to WSU students and fosters a sense of community through the spirit of friendliness and support. Several interest groups are offered and may be selected for free on the payment page. Proposals for new groups are welcome

Go to the section menu on the SPARK website for details about interest groups, events and membership. Contact Angela Paul, VP of membership, at angela.paul@wichita.edu, spark@wichita.edu or 316-978-5084.

Resources

Faculty and students can get connected for research opportunities with UReCA Connect Database

Faculty and students can connect for undergraduate research opportunities with the Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Hub (UReCA) Connect Database.

Fill out the surveys below to start getting connected:

The UReCA Hub pairs faculty and students according to their research interests and will inform both the faculty and student via email of their match, and it is their responsibility to schedule an initial meeting.

At the end of the semester, the UReCA Hub will distribute a Qualtrics survey to both faculty and students to evaluate their research experiences.

Learn more about the Connect Database

College of Health Professions' Patient-Serving Clinics: Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic; Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation Dental Hygiene Clinic; WSU General Dentistry Delta Dental of Kansas Dental Clinic

College of Health Professions offers patient-serving clinics to public

The College of Health Professions has three patient-serving clinics that are open to the public. All clinics are accepting new patients and provide high-quality, affordable health care to the community.

The Evelyn Hendren Cassat Speech-Language-Hearing Clinic provides speech-language and hearing services to people across the lifespan. The clinic faculty specialize in speaking, hearing, swallowing and spoken and written language impairments. The clinic offers a wide variety of audiology services, including hearing aid fitting and hearing aid repairs of all makes and models.
The Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation Dental Hygiene Clinic offers a wide range of low-cost preventative, therapeutic and educational dental hygiene services.
WSU’s General Dentistry’s services include cleanings, fillings, teeth whitening and dental implants. The dental clinic provides services in periodontics, endodontics, oral surgery and prosthodontics. The WSU General Dentistry Practice offers a discount for dental care to WSU students and their spouses and children.

Campus Safety

WSU Fire Safety will be conducting annual fire alarm testing during the month of September

WSU Fire Safety and its vendor will conduct required annual fire alarm inspections and testing starting at 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 7. Testing will continue through the remainder of September or until all the fire alarm systems have been tested. Testing for most buildings will be done during the evening and overnight hours. There is no schedule for when a building will be tested. Only state-owned buildings will be tested.

Every effort will be made not to disrupt any business or classes; however, the fire alarm system could go off. Unless told otherwise by Fire Safety, follow your evacuation procedures and do not re-enter the building until you are told you can do so.

During the inspection, personnel will be entering all rooms, including labs and offices. Please secure any valuables and sensitive documentation.

Any questions can be emailed to Scott Murray at scott.murray@wichita.edu and Dennis Moore at dennis.moore@wichita.edu.

State Fair

Enjoy a Shocker Pride-filled Saturday at the Kansas State Fair Sept. 13

Wichita State, Shocker Athletics and WSU Foundation and Alumni Engagement are excited to return to the Kansas State Fair to host Shocker Saturday on Sept. 13.

Wear your Wichita State gear and help make the day full of Shocker Pride, and kids can participate in the Shocker Scavenger Hunt with prizes available at the Capper House for those who completed the hunt. Be sure to attend the many other Shocker-themed events throughout the day as well:

Members of some of Shocker Athletics teams will be available to sign Shocker swag at the Capper House.
Shocker Sound Machine will start playing at the main entrance at 10:30 a.m. and will march through the fairgrounds through 11 a.m.
Starting at Noon at Carrie’s Beer Garden is the Alumni + Friends Social, featuring President Rick Muma; Kevin Saal, director of athletics; Telly McGaha, WSUFAE president; and Shocker Athletics coaches Paul Mills, Terry Nooner, Kristi Bredbenner and Brain Green. You can RSVP on the WSUFAE website.

Presentations and Talks

“Leading with AI: Mastering AI-Driven Strategy for Market Leadership,” will take place from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 2 at Woolsey Hall.

Barton School’s Executive Education Program to feature global AI expert Dr. Mark Esposito

The Center for Management Development (CMD) and Executive Education at Wichita State’s Barton School of Business is continuing its Executive Education Series for industry leaders and executives.

The next program will feature Dr. Mark Esposito, an internationally recognized authority on artificial intelligence and the Fourth Industrial Revolution. His session, “Leading with AI: Mastering AI-Driven Strategy for Market Leadership,” will take place from 1:30 to 5 p.m. Oct. 2 at Woolsey Hall.

“The world of leadership is changing rapidly with the rise of artificial intelligence,” said Dr. Esposito. “I’m excited to share the opportunities AI can provide for leaders who are willing to embrace it and activate it for themselves and their companies.”

For more information about the Executive Education Series, including details on the October 2 event with Dr. Mark Esposito, visit cmd.wichita.edu/ExecED.

Department of History lecture: Midnight on the Potomac with author Dr. Scott Ellsworth

Join the Department of History for an evening with renowned historian Dr. Scott Ellsworth of the University of Michigan at 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 25 in 211 Hubbard Hall. He will discuss his powerful new book, “Midnight on the Potomac,” which uncovers a myth-shattering account of the Civil War’s final year, the Lincoln assassination and the nation’s fragile rebirth.

Discover the untold stories of those who navigated this critical moment in American history.

Book information:

Purchase at the event: A limited number of copies will be available.
Purchase online: Get your copy from Watermark Books and Café at this link: “Midnight on the Potomac“

This event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

Author Michael Horn to keynote Barton School’s James Schwartz Lecture Sept. 18

Michael Horn, bestselling author of “Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career,” will present a dynamic keynote as part of the Barton School of Business’ fall 2025 James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series, “The New Career Playbook: Mastering Job Moves in a Changing World.”

Horn’s talk will share fresh insights on navigating career transitions, identifying opportunities and taking ownership of personal and professional growth.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 18 in Woolsey Hall, followed by a networking session.

Doors open at 9 a.m. After the keynote, there will be networking and book signing in the atrium. The first 75 attendees will receive a complimentary copy of “Job Moves.” This free event is open to the public. RSVP at wichita.edu/new-career-playbook.

RSVP to the Fall 2025 James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series featuring the Barton School's Fall Executive-in-Residence Maggie Topping, senior vice president, Human Resources & Communications at Textron Aviation.

Textron Aviation’s Maggie Topping to deliver Executive-in-Residence keynote Oct. 7

Maggie Topping, senior vice president of Human Resources & Communications at Textron Aviation and the Barton School of Business fall 2025 J. Robert Young Executive-in-Residence, will lead a keynote fireside chat alongside Luke Pankey, chief information officer at Textron Aviation, as part of the James Schwartz Distinguished Speaker Series.

Their presentation, “Driving Innovation Forward: Textron Aviation’s Balanced Approach to AI, Talent, and the Transformation of Work,” will explore how the company is navigating workforce, technology and organizational change at a global scale.

The keynote event is at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 in Boettger Auditorium, 110 Woolsey Hall.

Doors open at 9 a.m. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP at wichita.edu/executive-in-residence-keynote.

Events and Recreation

Attend AI Interconnection Summit with Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points

Connected Nation Internet Exchange Points (CNIXP) in partnership with Wichita State is hosting a summit, “An AI Interconnection Summit: Network Infrastructure for AI Leadership in Kansas and Beyond,” from 1 to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 in the NetApp building

The one day, no cost summit will bring together national and international experts in internet infrastructure to explore how Kansas, and the United States, can lead in the emerging AI economy. The event will highlight the interconnection infrastructure that is needed to reduce network latency, lower costs and enable smarter connectivity across all sectors — from business and education to healthcare and beyond.

Attendees will gain actionable insights into how local and regional leaders can leverage the new Wichita IXP to drive innovation, strengthen economic competitiveness and expand digital opportunity.

Join WSU MVS, Team RWB for the 9/11 moving tribute

Military and Veteran Services and Team RWB Wichita invite the community to join a 9/11 moving tribute from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 11 at the Sedgwick County Extension Office, park and zoo.

From sunup to sundown, organizers will keep at least one flag moving around the four-mile loop in honor of those who perished during the attacks in NYC, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania. You can walk, run or ruck — every step matters. Shorter loops are available for all ability levels.

A shuttle will be provided to and from the run event. You can RSVP to reserve a shuttle ride.

Questions? Contact 316-978-3207 or veterans.services@wichita.edu.

NetApp’s fall e-waste and shredding event for campus community scheduled for Oct. 17

Faculty, staff, students and campus partners at Wichita State can visit NetApp on the Innovation Campus for its semesterly campus e-waste and shredding event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 17 in the NetApp parking lot, lot 44S. This event is exclusive to WSU faculty, staff, students and campus partners and not open to the public.

The following are items that can be disposed of during the event:

Personal documents accepted for secure shredding
All personal electronics accepted, including appliances
- Note: For recycling old TVs, refer to Sedgwick County’s recycling guide
Secure data destruction for e-waste (hard drive shredder)
On-site assistance available for larger loads

The event is sponsored by the NetApp Green Team.

Come out to the WSU Child Development Center for annual Touch a Truck event with family and friends

The WSU Child Development Center is once again putting on its Touch a Truck event from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Sept. 12 at the CDC, across Hillside and 21st from Charles Koch Arena. The main CDC parking lot will have food trucks to purchase dinner, drinks and snacks and the big parking lot to the north of the CDC will have the trucks. Attendees are encouraged to bring their whole families or invite their friends.

Parking will be available at Lot 2W next to Charles Koch Arena.

Save the date for the Hallow-Concert at WSU with the School of Music

The Wichita State School of Music invites you to a new Halloween tradition: Hallow-Concert: Tricks & Treats at Duerksen, Oct. 30.

The evening begins with an indoor trunk-or-treat from 6 to 7 p.m. in the Duerksen Fine Arts Center, featuring the Wheat State Ghostbusters. Families and children are invited to enjoy decorated spaces, candy and a festive atmosphere before the concert.

At 7:30 p.m., the celebration continues in Miller Concert Hall with the WSU Wind Ensemble presenting a concert of festive pieces for the spooky season. Admission is required for the concert; the trunk-or-treat is free and open to the public.

Campus organizations are invited to help host the indoor trunk-or-treat. Groups can decorate a space, hand out candy and show their Shocker pride.

For more information, contact Dr. Evan Ricker at evan.ricker@wichita.edu or sign up as a host by Oct. 10.

Join WSU club sports weekend showdown

Wichita State University’s Club Sports teams are gearing up for an exciting weekend of championship and home matches. Come out and support students:

Cricket Club championship match
The WSU Cricket Club will compete for the TCSL Championship against Oklahoma State University from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at Dr. Glen Dey Park, located on 27th and Hillside.
Men’s Soccer Club home match
The WSU Men’s Soccer Club will host Arkansas State University at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 at 1 p.m. at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex playfields.
Women’s Soccer Club home match
The WSU Women’s Soccer Club will take on Missouri State University at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 14 also at the Hughes Metropolitan Complex playfields.

Admission is free and open to the public.