Shocker Blast: Monday, March 6, 2023

Campus Safety

Severe weather preparedness drill scheduled for March 7

WSU will participate in the annual statewide severe weather preparedness drill. The annual drill this year is at 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 7. If the weather is clear, all severe weather sirens in Sedgwick County will go off at that time. When the severe weather sirens sound, proceed to your designated severe weather shelter area.

Emergency Building Coordinators in each building will ensure that all building occupants safely make their way to the designated severe weather shelter area.

Departments should use this opportunity to ensure that all faculty, staff and students know where to go to protect themselves in a severe weather event.

Learn more about severe weather preparedness and shelter locations

News

Campus-wide survey about WSU master plan being conducted

The deadline approaches to participate in the survey over WSU’s master plan. The survey link will be active until 5 p.m. Sunday, March 12. Participants who started filling out the survey are encouraged to pick up where they left off and finish before the deadline.

Building on the momentum of WSU’s strategic plan, the university is embarking on a master plan update with design partner, Gensler, to provide a physical manifestation of WSU’s vision and mission.

The most important part of that plan is charting the course together as a campus community, with all voices invited to contribute across a variety of engagements.

Gensler is conducting the campus-wide survey to engage the wider community at WSU, bringing together voices, experiences and priorities. All students, faculty and staff are invited to take this 10-15 minute survey to ensure you are heard.

As a bonus, all participants will have a chance to win $150 Shocker Dollars.

Access the survey here

Shocker New Venture Competition accepting applications

Get ready to compete in the Shocker New Venture Competition for up to $10,000 for a business idea. Throughout the three stages of the competition, participants will learn business skills and gain invaluable feedback from seasoned business owners, successful entrepreneurs, subject matter experts and faculty members.

This year’s Shocker New Venture Competition applications open Monday, Feb. 27. The applications include a business model video.

Learn more about the competition and apply here

New color wall T-shirts available at Shocker Store

Visit the Shocker Store in the Rhatigan Student Center to check out its new selection of color wall T-shirts.

The tees are available for $10.99, and they can also be purchased online on the Shocker Store website. And remember, shoppers can order online and then choose in-store pickup.

Office of Online and Adult Learning launches new podcast

The Office of Online and Adult Learning has started its new podcast, Shockers Learning Out Loud (SLOL), which features special guests, resources, tips and inspiring stories.

Hosted by Dr. Pam O’Neal, associate director of student engagement, and Dr. Amber Anderson, associate director of retention, the SLOL podcast aims to support online and adult learners and help lead them to success.

Tune in anywhere podcasts are available or go to the website to listen to the episodes released so far.

Special Offers

Take advantage of Grad Day at Shocker Store

For students graduating in the spring, visit the Shocker Store during one of its Grad Days. CB Grad/Balfour will be available to assist with ordering graduation announcements, nursing and dental hygiene pins, custom faculty regalia and more.

Stop by between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, March 6 or 7 at the Rhatigan Student Center Shocker Store.

Shocker Store offers St. Patrick’s Day Shocker gear

Visit the Shocker Store Monday, March 6 through Saturday, March 18 to grab some St. Patrick’s Day Shocker gear.

These festive items are available at both the Rhatigan Student Center and Braeburn Square stores, and they are also available online. The items are not valid with other discounts or promotions.

Events

Biology seminar series continues with Dr. Christine Brodsky

The Department of Biological Sciences’ seminar series continues with Dr. Christine Brodsky of Pittsburg State University from 4 to 5 p.m. Monday, March 6 in 231 Hubbard Hall.

The biology seminars are open to the public and students are encouraged to attend.

Learn more about the Department of Biological Sciences

Faculty artists Jennifer Ray, Amanda Pfister to present their work

Jennifer Ray, photographer, tackles the U.S.’s violent past and present. Amanda Pfister partnered with poet April Pameticky to create a work that speaks about motherhood, monotony and feminism.

Both are faculty at WSU’s School of Art, Design and Creative Industries and artists featured in Transmissions: The XXIV Faculty Biennial, on exhibit until April 22 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery. Join them at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, March 7 in the Beren Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art to learn about their inspiration and processes.

Esports invites community to open house of new facility

The College of Applied Studies will host an open house for the grand opening of Wichita State’s new Varsity Esports facility in 156A Corbin Education Center. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 6, with opening remarks from Shirley Lefever, provost and executive vice president, starting at 5 p.m.

This event is open to the WSU community along with those interested throughout the Wichita area and will showcase the team for incoming freshmen and prospective students. The open house will support the success of current esports teams and highlight the new technological facility.

Learn more about Wichita State esports

Campus community invited to webinar with SBIR program director

Join Erik Pierstorff, program director in the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the National Science Foundation (NSF), will describe the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs at NSF. He will also cover the SBIR/STTR program’s goals, funding philosophy, topics, funded examples and the project pitch process.

This webinar is a special opportunity for the region to connect with a program officer and ask direct questions about the SBIR/STTR programs. It will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 28.

There will be 10 minute, one-on-one meetings from 2 to 3 p.m. for additional discussion with Pierstorff. This webinar does not cost to attend, but registration is required.

Attend Pee for Pizza event March 23

Student Health Services (SHS) is back with the annual Pee for Pizza event. It will take place noon-4 p.m. Thursday, March 23, at the Student Wellness Center in the Steve Clark YMCA. During the event, participants can get tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia by submitting a urine specimen and then receive free pizza.

Pee for Pizza is a sexual health awareness event that allows participants to test for sexually transmitted illnesses such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, HIV and hepatitis C, and know their status for free.

Co-sponsored by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Positive Direction and Shocker Sports Grill and Lanes, Pee for Pizza occurs twice a month through the fall and spring semesters and is by reservation only. No walk-ins will be accepted. Participants must not use the restroom at least one hour before testing.

For more information or to make a reservation, contact SHS at 316-978-4792. Other testing is available upon request.

Volunteer Opportunities

Innovation Campus invites campus community to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity

Need some service hours or want to volunteer alongside WSU’s Innovation Campus partners? The Office of Engagement is helping organize NetApp’s efforts to sponsor and volunteer at a Wichita Habitat for Humanity build. NIAR has also accepted the challenge to be a team player and get involved.

They’re targeting builds in the Shocker Neighborhood, and they will start as early as Wednesday, Feb. 15 and end Saturday, May 6 so they can take advantage of the spring semester.

If volunteering is not an option for you, there are other ways to help, including lunch sponsorships, providing materials, helping recruit volunteers and more.

View the full volunteer schedule