Shocker Blast: Friday, Feb. 3, 2023

News

Barton School names director of graduate programs

The W. Frank Barton School of Business has named Stephanie Cockrell as its new director of graduate programs. In the role, Cockrell will work to define and execute strategies to increase enrollment and retention as well as deliver robust experiences for graduate students. This includes study-abroad programs as well as experiential education and applied leadership opportunities.

Cockrell will also lead all recruiting marketing and communication activities for graduate degree programs. Her first day in her new position was Jan. 23.

Prior to her role with the Barton School, Cockrell served as the assistant director for First-Year Programs at WSU’s Office of Student Success. During her time, she received her Master’s of Business Administration from the Barton School with a concentration in marketing.

Learn more about Stephanie Cockrell and read the full story

Foundation and Alumni Engagement

Foundation highlights Jacob O’Connor in Q&A

A new series of Shocker profiles will highlight the students, alumni, supporters, faculty and staff who make Shocker Nation all that it can be.

Learn more about Jacob O'Connor

Grammy-winning Shocker alumna starts new album tour

Fresh off a recent rave-generating turn as Virginia Woolf in the Metropolitan Opera’s world premiere of Kevin Puts’ The Hours, Joyce DiDonato, ’92, is back on tour in support of her latest album project, Eden.

The multiple Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano is taking to California stages in February with a concert program that urges viewers to renew their connection to, as she puts it, the awe-inducing majesty of the natural world.

Events

Join Shocker Career Accelerator for the JCPenney Suit-Up event Feb. 5

Students, faculty and staff are invited to find everything they need for their next interview, career fair or new job, including suits, dresses, sport coats, dress pants, shoes and accessories.

The event will be held from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5 at JCPenney in Towne East Square. Show a Shocker ID and receive up to 50% off select professional dress apparel.

Want to shop online? Text SHOCKS to 67292 to get a coupon.

Shop online through JCPenney

Join Dr. Akiiki Daisy Kabagarama for afternoon of resilience

The Philosophy Society invites students, faculty and staff to hear from Dr. Akiiki Daisy Kabagarama from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 in the CAC Theater.

Attendees will have the chance to listen to Dr. Kabagarama speak on the topic of “resilience,” incorporating her early life experience in Uganda, migration to the United States in 1982, and career as a professor, minister, storyteller, poet, author and motivational speaker.

Fun and prizes at Shockers After Dark Casino Night

Aces are high and the prizes are hot at this semester’s Shockers After Dark Casino Night from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 10 in the Rhatigan Student Center. This event will feature a full lineup of casino games including blackjack, Texas hold’em, poker, roulette, slots and more.

Each player will receive a set of chips for games and cash them in for a chance to win great prizes like a 32 inch TV, Kuerig, cookware and more. It has added some classics like bingo, karaoke, bowling and a photo booth from the Lamphouse Photo Co. When players begin to feel hungry, hit up the french fry bar for something salty and s’more bar for something sweet.

Shockers After Dark is a Student Affairs initiative with the support of many campus departments. For more information on this event, email vpsa@wichita.edu or call 316-978-3021.

Campus Recreation invites students to winter pool part in Heskett

Join Campus Recreation from 8 to 10 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3 in the Heskett Center for a winter wonderland pool party. The event is open to all students at no charge.

Bring a suit and dive into the 8 lane pool or just hang out on the patio and enjoy an evening of activities and fun.

Learn more about Campus Recreation

Register for the upcoming doubles badminton tournament

The Students Activities Council, in collaboration with Campus Recreation, will host a doubles badminton tournament open to all WSU students. Games will start at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 in the Heskett Center gymnasium.

Registration is required for each team and will be open until Wednesday, Feb. 15.

The format of the tournament is single elimination, and a prize will be awarded to the top two performing teams.

Faculty, students invited to series on transfer students

The Retention Fellows will continue hosting its Teaching Matters series this semester. All faculty, instructors, teaching assistants and students are invited to participate in conversations designed to enhance and improve teaching and learning at WSU.

Its first event will be at 11:30 a.m. Friday, Feb. 3 via Zoom, and it will focus on how to support transfer student transitions and success.

Submit an abstract for the 2023 Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum

The Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity Forum (URCAF) provides an opportunity for undergraduate students at WSU to present their scholarly and creative activity to faculty, student and community audiences while competing for cash awards.

This year’s URCAF will be held on April 7 in the Rhatigan Student Center. The deadline to submit an abstract is March 17.

Submit an abstract and learn more about URCAF

World Trade Council of Wichita program to be hosted Feb. 23

The next World Trade Council of Wichita (WTCouncil) program will be held on Thursday, Feb 23. Deloitte Consulting will present “What matters: Insights from Deloitte Consulting.” The agenda of the event:

6:00 p.m. – Reception sponsored by Deloitte Consulting.
7:00 p.m. – Dinner.
8:00 p.m. – Welcome from Dr. Usha Haley, chair of the WTCouncil and Barton School chair/professor: “The Global Market for ESG Metrics.”
8:10 p.m. – Introduction from Lou Librandi, principal of Deloitte Consulting and director of WTCouncil: “Deloitte: Delivering on Promises.”
8:20 p.m. – Presenter: Geoff Tuff, principal of Deloitte Consulting: “Sustainability Imperatives and Business Models in Energy and Industrials.”
9:00 p.m. – Questions/adjourn

Attendance for the presentations, without dinner, is free. Attendance that includes a networking hour, three-course sit-down dinner and presentations is $25 for students and $45 for other individuals (subsidized by the WTCouncil). Prior registration is required and no walk-ins will be accepted.

For more information, please contact Sherryl Hubble at wtcouncil@wichita.edu or at 316-978-3176.

Join KMUW’s Engage ICT February panel: Living Well in the Age of Tech

KMUW invites the campus community to its monthly Engage ICT at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 at Roxy’s Downtown.

The internet age brought a seemingly endless supply of advantages, from the ease of communication to entertainment streaming. But for young people who never knew a world before the World Wide Web, there are social and psychological pitfalls to living life online. Join KMUW for Engage ICT as it discusses ways to live well in a technologically immersive world.

Learn more about Engage ICT

Volunteer Opportunities

Calling all Shockers for Wu’s Big Event

Join fellow Shockers and Wichita State’s Community Service Board on Feb. 11 to make a huge impact on the Wichita community during Wu’s Big Event, WSU’s largest one-day volunteer project.

Individuals, groups, organizations, students, staff and faculty are all invited to attend. Check-in for Wu’s Big Event will be from 8:30 to 8:50 a.m. There will be a 9 a.m. kick-off in the Beggs Ballroom (third floor of the Rhatigan Student Center) when information about the agencies being served will be shared. Participants will then load the buses and be at a service site by 10 a.m. Volunteers will work until noon and return to the RSC for lunch and celebration. The event will end by 1:30 p.m.

Transportation to and from service sites is provided. A light breakfast, lunch, water and t-shirt also provided.

Research

Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects seeking submissions

The Graduate Research and Scholarly Projects (GRASP) Symposium is looking for graduate student submissions for its 19th annual GRASP Symposium to be held on April 14.

This university-wide graduate research symposium gives students and faculty the opportunity to spread awareness about state-of-the-art projects being conducted on campus, showcase graduate student work, recognize the mentoring of faculty advisors and provide a forum for graduate students to practice their research presentation skills.

Information about submissions and preparation can be found on the GRASP Participant Information page. Submissions close on Feb. 10.

Learn more about the annual GRASP Symposium